Houses are the cheapest they've been in years, and first-time
homebuyers can claim an $8,000 credit if they become owners before December. The time might be right for you to dip a toe into the housing market, but your credit score needs to be in tip-top shape to land a loan. Follow my tips for improving your score to get the best possible interest rates.
This episode of Maxed Out features the financial struggles of Adrianne and Greg, a young couple who have home ownership on the mind, but debt is holding them back. Greg is a habitual spender and has $20,000 in debt, spent mostly on DVDs and comic books, while Adrianne is debt-free.
A big reason Adrianne's last relationship didn't work out is that she was paying for everything, and this put her into debt (which she was able to eventually pay off). Financial guru Allison Griffiths says the couple needs to leave their spending past behind and focus on their futures. Find out how she helps them when you read more
College graduation is always bittersweet, and this year's class might say they are experiencing more bitter than sweet as they enter a weak job market. However, college graduates are collectively better off than those who didn't complete higher education. Times are tough for new grads, but don't go taking those diplomas for granted. Think you know how education affects employment? Take the quiz!
Source
Take the quiz
Trips typically cost more during the highly traveled Summer, but this year you'll be able to score some big bargains as the economy is keeping more people in their hometowns. We're nearly halfway through the year, so if you haven't yet visited Budget Travel's picks for the best destinations in 2009, you still have time to check out at least one spot on the list. Here are the 10 cities offering the best value this year, according to Budget Travel. Have you already visited any of these places?
- Austin, TX
- Washington DC
- Hawaii
- Budapest, Hungary
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Mexico
- Berlin, Germany
- Vancouver, B.C.
- Cambodia
- Panama
Source
Well-known New York Times food critic Frank Bruni has announced his retirement, and 63 percent of you wouldn't mind stepping in to fill his shoes. Many of you said it would be awesome to get paid for eating and would love the opportunity to try so many different types of food. According to several restaurant critics, their jobs aren't always enjoyable, and they're not just talking about terrible food they've had to taste.
ABC News spoke with various food critics, and there were three primary complaints from the group: most critics struggle with weight gain, late dining that keeps them from dinner with families, and angry restaurant owners after bad reviews. The latter issue can be rather invasive. While Ruth Reichl was a NYT food editor, she tried to protect her identity by wearing disguises during meals out, and there are websites dedicated to insulting New Orleans food critic Tom Fitzmorris, who says they even attack his family.
Of course, there are fantastic rewards that come with being a food critic, but we also need to look at the cons of a career before declaring the grass is greener. Do you think the pros could outweigh the cons of being a food critic?
Source
It takes quite a bit of cash to put on a wedding, and sometimes it can cost a small fortune just to be a guest or member of the bridal party. Summer is nearly here, which could also mean the start of a busy wedding season for some of us. Prepare for your packed calendar — and don't go broke — by following my tips on surviving a pricey Summer of celebrating love.