Healthy Financial Habits

With only 3 days left until the Christmas shopping officially comes to an end you are sill struggling to find that perfect gift for your husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, boy or girl. If you finding it difficult to get all of your Christmas shopping finished at a reasonable time you are not alone. There are plenty of shoppers out there that just like you, are scrambling to find a last minute gift.  From Zuh Zuh pets to Bakugan parents are desperate to find the gifts their children want this year.

Finding the lowest price on the items that you need is only half of the battle. The true battle is finding the items that you need when you need them and at a great price. Finding the present that you need at a low price all depends on what type of present you are trying to locate.

If it is Zhu Zhu pets that you are looking for check you’re your local Walmart or Toys R Us. According to a blog post from the Baltimore Sun Toys R Us  sent out 250,000 Zhu Zhu pets to their stores around the United States that will be stocked daily. Walmart also claims to have hundreds of thousands of Zhu Zuhu pets going up for sale this week. They plan to sell the robotic hamsters today and tomorrow only.

Check back with Healthy Financial Habits this holiday season for more great gift ideas. Here you will find a variety of ways to save money on everything from gifts to groceries. If financing is a problem then we offer financing solutions. If you have a question or specific topic that you would like to read about contact the staff: Healthyfinancialhabits@gmail.com

As more people lose their jobs we are becoming more dependent on government assistance programs. Now, more than ever, an increasing number of people are applying for food stamps due to unemployment issues. It is a fact that over 10 million additional people have applied for food stamps in the past two years. Food stamp recipients are up 35% since December 2007.  People who at one time never considered using a government assistance program are seeking help. If you are one of these people we have the information you need to get started.

Applying for food stamps is easier than ever as we progress forward in the age of technology. First, you must find out if you are eligible to receive food stamps. The United States Department of Agriculture has a web based tool that can give you an idea of whether or not you are eligible. The tool ask questions such as the state that you live in, number of people in your household, income, assets, and monthly obligations such as child support. Once you have completed the short questioner, you will instantly know whether or not you may qualify for food stamps. In addition, the tool will give you an estimation of how much your monthly benefits will be. According to the USDA website the average benefits range from $101 per person per month to $227.

If you have determined that you may be eligible for food stamps it is time to apply. Applying for food stamps can be as easy as visiting your states department of human services website. Currently there are only 18 states that have the capabilities of online applications. These states are:
Arizona
California
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Maryland
Delaware
New Jersey
Massachusetts
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Texas
Nebraska
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Michigan

If your state is not listed you should contact your local benefits office location. Their number and location can be found at the front of your phone book.

A few years back the food stamp program converted over to a plastic credit card style voucher. The card was reloaded with money every month and could be used like a credit card at participating grocers and retailers. The next biggest change to the food stamp program was the renaming of the program to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Snap is different than the old fashion food stamp program because it focuses more on purchasing nutritious food, also giving a larger allowance per month.

Check back with Healthy Financial Habits for other information on government assistance programs and ways to apply. At this site you will also hear from industry experts on a variety of topics from government programs to money saving tips.

Author: John Smitt

Are you one of the millions of Americans out there that could use a little help paying your rent every month?  The truth is, in this struggling economy many people just like you are finding it difficult to pay for all the necessities of life such as food and shelter. As more and more people lose jobs, we are seeing a growing trend of one income households that were once two income homes.

Thankfully, the government has provided a solution to help unfortunate people find affordable housing that meets the needs of struggling Americans in this tough economy.

One solution that the government provides is low rent apartments. The program is  operated by H.U.D. ( United States Housing and Urban Development). The way that the program works is that HUD provides funding directly to owners of select apartment houses in exchange for owners to charge less per month for rent. In order to qualify you must meet certain income requirements based on what state that you live in and how many people are in your household.

The first step is to determine if you are eligible. Determining if you are eligible is as simple as taking a look over your previous year W2’s.  Visit the HUD website and click on the low rent apartment section. On this page you will find a link that will tell you what the qualifying income is. For example:

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia with another person and your gross yearly income is $28,700, you qualify for assistance through the federal government. You can choose to live in public housing or live in an apartment that accepts funding from HUD.

Now that you have determined that you are eligible, you can search in same section of the website for apartment complexes that participate in the programs  HUD has to offer. There are a surprising number of apartments to choose from. Once you have narrowed your selection down to a few, search the internet to make sure it is not a high crime area. A good resource for this is local police crime maps that are available online in most major cities.

Finding affordable housing does not have to be a difficult task. Doing the research and selecting an apartment that best suits your needs can save you hundreds of dollars each year in rent.

If you are in need of some quick cash until payday this holiday season, check out Subprime Bloggers article on One hour bad credit payday loans.

Author: Karla Kessler

With India’s wedding season among us, gold prices have started to turn up slightly due to a higher demand for gold. Last week India’s gold spot price fell 2%. India’s wedding season will end the last day of December sending the demand for gold down. Healthy Financial Habits is predicting that the India gold price will drop going into January due to the shortened demand in the post wedding season.

In the United States gold prices have dropped below $1,100 for the first time in a month on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The sudden drop in gold prices can be attributed to a strengthening dollar. The dollar has been on the rise after recent data showed that the US economy may be on the road to recovery.

The information showed better than expected employment figures along with a boost in retail sales. In addition the dollar index jumped whenever the Euro took a hit after Greece’s credit rating was downgraded earlier this month.

Gold prices will likely suffer going into the new year as investors sell  their precious metal in order to capture profits prior to the end of 2009. Other gold investors are selling because they fear the idea if the Federal government raising interest rates as early as the middle of next year. Although the federal government stated last week that they do not plan on raising the interest rate in the foreseeable future, some gold investor are not taking any chances. Whenever interest rates rise the value of the dollar tends to increase. As the dollar increases the value price of gold tends to decrease. The dollar index and price of gold have an inverse relationship.

Looking for some extra cash this holiday season to buy all those gifts that you need? Check out Subprime Blogger for information on how to get an instant payday loan online

Author: Allen Dukes

Earlier today we mentioned the immediate future of the price of gold in our weekly gold rate prediction article. As discussed, we believe that the price of gold will continue to drop all of this week and going into the new year.  Gold prices from today showed exactly that trend. Today marked the first day in over a month that the price of gold dropped below $1,100 an ounce. Gold prices have been on the decline as the dollar strengthens due to a better outlook on the economy.

The month of December has not been  a good month for the price of gold. In previous months gold prices increased sharply as the United States economy struggled. Individual investors and large central banks were buying up gold in anticipation of a hyperinflation period. When economic indicators such as retail sales and job loss numbers defied what analyst anticipated the dollar index started to climb. In addition the Euro lost strength as Greece’s credit was downgraded earlier this month. As the dollar index increases, the price of gold reacts by moving in the opposite direction. This is what is going on right now.

Gold investors are selling their gold for a variety of reasons. Many investors are selling off their gold in order to cash in before the end of 2009. Others traders have placed a stop loss on their gold assets. A stop loss executes a command to sell if a stock or commodity drops below a particular amount. Some  gold sellers are anticipating an increase in interest rates due to a stronger United States economy. This believe is causing some gold owners to sell even though the US federal government said that they plan to keep interest rates near zero in the foreseeable future.

If you are considering selling your scrap gold check out Healthy Financial Habits guide to selling scrap gold. Scrap gold can be an excellent way to earn extra cash for jewelry that you no longer wear or that may be broken.

Check back with Healthy Financial Habits every Monday morning for your weekly gold price predictions. Here you will find current news, information and investment strategies that will assist you in making financial decisions. It is important to remember that consulting with a quality financial adviser is always recommended prior to making personal financial decisions.

Author: Allen Duke.

You may have heard of Safelink Wireless from a friend or family member. Safelink is not a new concept but rather an expansion of a program that originates over 20 years ago. The original program, lifeline, was created in 1984 by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in an effort to make certain that everyone in the United States had access to quality affordable telecommunications.

As our lifestyles changed and cellular phone technology arrived and evolved into what it is today, there was a need for lifeline to become mobile.  Realizing this, the Federal Communications Commission approved Tracfone as a provider of a mobile lifeline service. Under the traditional lifeline landline program a discount was given to users in order to make phone service more affordable.

An email has been circulating accusing president Obama of creating Safelink wireless and using tax payers’ money to fund the free service. The idea quickly dubbed the name “The Obama Phone”. The idea that president Obama created this phone is absolutely absurd.  As explained, phone service subsidization for lower income citizens is not a new concept. This has been going on for over 20 years.

Who approved Safelink?

Safelink wireless was recently approved by the FCC (not president Obama) in April of 2008. President Obama took office on January 20^th, 2009 – nearly one year after Safelink was approved by the FCC.

How is funding provided for Safelink?

Now that the first part of the myth has been busted lets examine how Safelink is funded. The email states that funding for the “Obama phone” is provided by taxpayers.  The actual handset is provided by Tracfone free of charge. The airtime of approximately 68 mins per month, is funded through the Universal Service Fund which is the same fund that lifeline received its money from for years. Any money spent promoting Safelink comes exclusively from Tracfone, a subsidiary of América Móvil.

If you are interest in a free cell phone from Safelink wireless you must first meet a few requirements. First, the service is only available in a select number of states at this time. Safelink wireless is currently working to expand coverage of their service.  If the service is available in your area you can obtain a phone by having a total household income of 135% below the poverty guidelines set by your state or the federal government. Also, if you currently receive state or federal assistance such as food stamps, Medicaid, or federal housing you may qualify. In addition no one in your household can currently have service through Safelink. Finally, you must have a valid United States shipping address.

Author: John Smitt

Christmas is less than a week away and you still haven’t found that perfect gift for him or her?  Procrastinating is easy to do when there are so many distractions in today’s world such as computers, television, cell phones and other electronic devices. If you frequently procrastinate you are not alone. A recent 10 year long study conducted by a Canadian industrial psychologist found that nearly 25% of Americans procrastinate on a regular basis.

Now that you have decided to take action by searching for gift ideas, take a second to read up then get out there and buy a gift for that special someone. Healthy Financial Habits has compiled a short list of five unique gift ideas for him or her.

Gym membership- Has your significant other mentioned the idea of getting into shape in the new year? If so then you may want to consider a giving them a month trial membership to a gym. Giving this gift could ultimately result in giving the gift of many more years of health and happiness.

Weekend getaway- Plan a weekend getaway for the two of you. Plan your getaway for the beginning of January so that it doesn’t seem so far away. Make reservations and plan out your entire trip. It’s up to you to figure out a way to present your gift.

Magazine subscription- If you are with someone you should know what their interests are. Is he a techie? Get him a year subscription to PC Magazine. Is she into food, home and gardening? Set her up with a subscription to Southern Living Magazine.

Photo album – Create a photo album using the editing software on your computer or use online photo editing software. Take all of your special holiday memories and bundle them into a custom made album. Crafting a gift is always a sure winner.

Concert/ musical tickets – Is he or she into theater? How about concerts? Purchasing event tickets is a great gift for anyone. This can also be a excellent gift for yourself if you select an event in which you share a common interest.

Before you take that dreaded trip to the mall and spend all of your money on a meaningless gift consider our unique gift ideas. Visit Healthy Financial Habits for more great unique gift ideas this holiday season.

Author: Allen Dukes

Your husband wants a big screen television for Christmas but you simply don’t have the money or credit to get him one. Does this sound familiar?  Many people just like you are struggling to come up with funding to pay for such large purchases this Christmas. There are a variety of reasons why one may turn to rent to own businesses such as Aarons rentals this holiday season.

If the credit blues have you down this holiday season, you might want to check out what rent to own centers have to offer. With rent to own you can purchase anything from flat panel televisions to appliances such as washers and dryers, even if you have no or poor credit. Sometimes credit is not the issue but rather the ability to make one large monthly payment every month. Most companies do not consider that many of us live paycheck to paycheck and receive two small paychecks per month. Suddenly you are hit with several large bills at one time and are unable to pay them all on time.  Many rent to own centers provide a solution for this by offering flexable payment options such as making small weekly, bi-weekly payments.

With rent to own centers you can choose from popular brand names such as Sony, Panasonic, Maytag, or even HP. They stock a variety of the latest electronics, furniture, computers, and appliances. They provide in house financing for those who request it.

Getting your significant other what they really want this Christmas can be as simple as visiting your local rent to own center. Perhaps you didn’t get what you wanted for Christmas? You owe it to yourself to visit a rent to own center and pick up that 52” television that you deserve. After all, you work hard everyday and deserve only the best for yourself and your family.

Check back with Healthy Financial Habits this holiday season for more great gift ideas. Here you will find a variety of ways to save money on everything from gifts to groceries. If financing is a problem then we offer financing solutions. If you have a question or specific topic that you would like to read about contact the staff: Healthyfinancialhabits@gmail.com

Author: Greg Jackson

Are you trying to find that perfect gift for grandma or grandpa? Giving the gift of a prepaid cell phone this Christmas is a sure way to bring a smile to the face of just about anyone including grandma.  Prepaid cell phones are cheap, easy to use, and readily available at most large retailers.

Most of our grandparents are hesitant to purchase a cellular phone because it is not congruent with their lifestyle. They will tell you that they cause brain cancer, car accidents, and are difficult to use. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, nearly 80% of Americans own and operate a cell phone today. Cell phones are not only convenient but can also be a real life saver. They can be a real help in an emergency situation where a  phone line is not nearby.

Prepaid cell phone are available from a variety of providers including Cricket, Tracfone, Net10, Alltel prepaid, T-Mobile, Virgin mobile and many others. The service that they offer is a pay as you go plan. This means no contracts, no monthly bills, and no surprises making it the perfect gift for your grandparents. With a prepaid wireless phone, they do not have to commit to anything and can simply stop using their phone if they choose.

You can purchase extra airtime by visiting your provider’s website or by simply purchasing a reload card from your local drug or department store. Each wireless provider has their pros and cons so, it would be wise to consider how the gift recipient will be using the phone. If the phone will most likely be placed in their glove box for emergency use only then, you may want to watch out for providers that deduct minute or money from your balance even when its not active. The last thing you want is a situation where grandma needs to use her phone only to find out that her minutes have expired due to inactivity.

Most prepaid phones are inexpensive to purchase often costing less the $50.  Minutes can be purchased in increments such as $10, $25, $50 or $100. Service providers often throw in “free” airtime to get you started.

Give the gift of communication this holiday season to your grandparents. Prepaid cell phones can be a real lifesaver in an emergency situation. You may even want to consider picking up a new phone for yourself when you go to purchase one for your grandparents. After all, with the tough economy beating you down this year you deserve to treat yourself to a new prepaid cell phone

Check back with Healthy Financial Habits this holiday season for more great gift ideas. Here you will find a variety of ways to save money on everything from gifts to groceries. If financing is a problem then we offer financing solutions. If you have a question or specific topic that you would like to read about contact the staff: Healthyfinancialhabits@gmail.com

Author: Greg Jackson

If you have been following gold prices you would know that the value of gold has been on the rise. Selling your scrap gold can be a great way to raise some extra cash to pay your bills or buy Christmas for the kids. Currently, the United States economy is showing signs of improvement according to data that was released for the month of November. Better than expected data caused the Dollar index to rise ultimately lowering the value of gold. Although gold prices are not as high as they were at the beginning of the month, prices are still holding on around $1,100 an ounce.

Right now may be a great time to sell your scrap gold and make a little extra cash. January is fast approaching and data for the month of December will be released. If economic indicators continue to show signs of improvement, especially in a month as significant as December, the dollar index will continue to rise and we will see the price of gold take a nosedive.

If you have decided to sell your gold then check out our complete article on How to sell your scrap gold.

The process is fairly simple and straight forward. First, you must determine the value of your gold. This is accomplished by first finding the weight of your scrap gold in grams. After you know the weight you need to determine how much of your jewelry actually contains gold. Look for a marking on your gold jewelry such as 18k, 14k, or 10k. Next divide this number by 24. This will give you a percentage of pure gold contained within your jewelry. Take this number and multiply it times the weight in grams. The resulting number will be the weight of pure gold contained within your jewelry. Now, multiply this number times the current gold price (in grams). Finally take the results and multiply it times 80%. The reason why this is done is because your scrap gold must be melted down and refined.  The process will take approximately 20% away from the price of your scrap gold. So the formula looks like this:

Scrap gold value = ((Karats/24) * weight in grams) (Current price per gram) (.80)

Using this formula, a 10k bracelet that weighs ¼ of an ounce will fetch roughly $92.00 with a current gold price of $1,100 an ounce.

Once you have determined the value of your scrap gold its time to sell. Check around with your local jewelers, pawnshops, or with someone who specializes in gold buying. It is fairly common these days to find scrap gold buyers. Knowing what your gold is worth, ask around and see who will give you the most cash for your bling.

Check back with Healthy Financial Habits this holiday season for more great gift ideas. Here you will find a variety of ways to save money on everything from gifts to groceries. If financing is a problem then we offer financing solutions. If you have a question or specific topic that you would like to read about contact the staff: Healthyfinancialhabits@gmail.com

Author: John Smitt