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Personal Finance : Business & Finance
Food Stamp Limitations
The United States food stamp program, which changed its name in 2008 to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, gives money to help low-income households to buy food. The program long ago stopped using stamps and instead issues Electronic Benefits Transfer cards, which can be used like ATM ca
Problems with Credit Reporting Agencies
If you have ever dealt with a credit reporting agency, you know there could be a number of problems you could encounter. Sometimes it takes a significant amount of time to resolve the various disputes and problems that arise. Some of the errors can lower your credit score and cost you money when it
National Debt Ceiling Debate has raised the ire of everyone, who is to blame?
An inconvenient truth of many of the Nation's perpetual debt woes is this: America is made up of Americans. It is a plurality. If politicians are accountable for anything, it is making bad decisions with ...
How to Transfer Money From a Regular IRA to a Roth IRA
Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs are similar types of individual retirement accounts but have different rules and regulations. You can withdraw money at any time from either account but may incur stiff penalties if you do so too early without specific exceptions. However, you can convert money from a
How to Buy a Debt Portfolio
Debt portfolios are individual pieces of debt or a group of debts that are routinely sold to third-parties to collect. The debt is normally put up for sale by large credit companies and can be purchased for pennies on the dollar. The practice is often cheap and lucrative, but not without risks, so i
Understanding The UTMA Account
In the majority of States, people under the age of 18 or, in some cases, 21 are not permitted to own various financial products such as stocks, bonds, real estate, fine art, patents, royalties and ...
What are the Benefits of Buying vs. Leasing Vehicles?
Leasing a vehicle offers several benefits to buyers who can maintain a somewhat restrictive contract. Leasing requires a yearly mileage allowance, specific term, possible penalty fees and maintenance requirements. If you can't fulfill those contract requirements, however, then a finance or cash pur
What Is the Origin of FHA Mortgages?
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) began as a solution to a very serious problem. Legislators during the Great Depression were looking for ways to stabilize and jumpstart a devastated economy. Congress realized that expanding home ownership was a way to provide an economic lift to the housing
How to Save Money by Building Solar Panels at Home
Imagine if you could save a lot of money on your electrical bill. It would be pretty cool, right? But solar panels are expensive: that is, unless you make them at home. A photovoltaic panel ...
What Is Needed to Get a Social Security Number?
Having a Social Security Number (SSN) is vital to living in the United States. You need an SSN to apply for a job, to apply for a credit card, to verify your identity for government services, and to collect Social Security benefits for retirement or a disability. Children born in the United States a
Federal Housing Assistance Programs
The federal government provides housing assistance through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.Capitol Building image by dwight9592 from Fotolia.comThe U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers programs to help individuals and families purchase a home. The...
How Much Do Computer Forensic Scientists Get Paid?
A computer forensic scientist investigates computer-based crimes. He may be required to analyze data to be used as evidence in investigations, recover encrypted or deleted files and email, and track the users of websites promoting illegal activities. His skills are used in many types of investigatio
How to Remove a Court Ordered Lien
A court-ordered lien gives a creditor or debt collector the right to make a claim on your property. Liens on your house or bank account can follow a judgment against you. A creditor goes to court in hopes of collecting a debt and receives a judgment that orders you to pay the debt. However, when a d
What to Do If an IRA Beneficiary Is a Minor?
It can be advantageous to leave your Individual Retirement Account to your minor child or grandchild. This asset can produce income distributions for your loved one several decades after you have passed. That said it is important to understand the rules involved to ensure that your intentions are ca
Ideas on Preparing a Personal Budget
When you want to get on top of your finances, a personal budget can be a useful and practical tool. A budget allows you to track income and expenditures each month and helps you manage credit, debt, and cash outflow. As you plan a budget, be flexible, and don't be afraid to experiment to...
Unemployment Insurance Law & Retirement Benefits
Receiving retirement benefits might affect your ability to collect unemployment benefits. Each state manages the payment and determination of benefits to you. However, regardless of the state you live in, benefits are normally reduced when you start making income from work you do or investment gains
Government Grants for the Elderly
If you are an elderly person living in a cold house, have trouble paying your medical bills and you're on Medicare, or trying to decide what you can afford to eat today there is some hope out there. Although there are very few grants given to the elderly directly, there are several programs availabl
The Criteria for Medical Retirement
Medical retirement is when someone must retire from their job for medical reasons. This can occur due to degenerative illnesses like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease or arthritis. Medical retirement also can result from on-the-job injuries.
How to Request a Credit Report From a Lender
Requesting a credit report from a lender is a very simple process. If you've just applied for a loan or mortgage, you should easily get a copy of your credit report. It's a good idea, regardless, as credit monitoring is an essential part of overall financial health. A credit report will show payment
How to Use Cash Flow for Benefits of Investments
In the worlds of finance and investments, cash is king. That is, if you can regularly predict a stream of cash flows, you can also determine the present value of your investments. For instance, bond payments are usually semi-annual cash payments; mortgage payments are a steady stream of monthly cash