Personal Finance http://www.akgmag.com/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:00:02 -0600 By Ornella Grosz. These cost-saving financial tips will help keep your holiday spending in check this holiday season. You can enjoy the holidays and keep up with your financial planning goals as well as not go further into credit card debt. http://www.akgmag.com/article/Surviving_Holiday_Shopping_10_Tips_to_Staying_on_Task.htm Sun, 05 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.akgmag.com/article/Surviving_Holiday_Shopping_10_Tips_to_Staying_on_Task.htm By Nancy L. Young-Houser. With America so seriously in debt, in order for credit card industries to continue making a profit they have needed to come up with unique ideas to bring customers back and bring in new ones. One example is the Gold Rush 2010 credit card, a gold bullion card tied to the market value of gold. http://www.akgmag.com/article/Credit_card_with_gold_as_its_asset.htm Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.akgmag.com/article/Credit_card_with_gold_as_its_asset.htm By Nancy L. Young-Houser. It has always been concluded that mortgage loans should never be paid off too early, which would make the 30 year fixed mortgage interest rate the better choice. This is a loan that has lower monthly payments and higher fixed interest rates, while building equity much slower than the 15 year fixed mortgage rate. But .... http://www.akgmag.com/article/Fixed_mortgage_rate_interest_.htm Sun, 18 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.akgmag.com/article/Fixed_mortgage_rate_interest_.htm By RRodgers. Everyone is now free to convert to convert an IRA to Roth - but should you? How much should you convert? Should you defer the income on a conversion into 2011 and 2012 as allowed by law this year? This article will take you through the Roth conversion decision making process. http://www.akgmag.com/article/The_Ban_on_Roth_Conversions_Has_Ended.htm Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.akgmag.com/article/The_Ban_on_Roth_Conversions_Has_Ended.htm By RRodgers. What steps should you be taken to avoid becoming the next victim of a Bernie Madoff type scam? Follow these 5 principles to safeguard your investment acccounts. http://www.akgmag.com/article/5_Principles_to_Safeguard_Your_Money_from_Scams.htm Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.akgmag.com/article/5_Principles_to_Safeguard_Your_Money_from_Scams.htm By RRodgers. This article discusses the pros and cons of drawing your Social Security benefits early and taking a discount or waiting until reaching full retirement age to draw benefits without a discount. http://www.akgmag.com/article/When_to_Begin_Drawing_Social_Security.htm Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.akgmag.com/article/When_to_Begin_Drawing_Social_Security.htm By Jackie Lapin. This is a time when people are worried about their financial future. It’s easy to feel afraid these days. Every major newspaper and TV news show screams: “Deep Recession” “Stocks Slide Downward” “The Market Plummets.” As I listen to the gloom and doom about the economy, I’m struck by the power of media and mass consciousness to create a tornado of panic. We can’t help but wonder: Is the economy imploding? Are the doomsayers right? Could I lose my house, my job, my savings, my lifestyle? http://www.akgmag.com/article/Being_Upbeat_in_a_Down_Market_.htm Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.akgmag.com/article/Being_Upbeat_in_a_Down_Market_.htm By Lynda Forman. The iPhone is a handy gizmo, but is it worth your time and your money? Here's the quick lowdown on Apple's new phone. http://www.akgmag.com/article/Should_You_Buy_the_iPhone_.htm Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.akgmag.com/article/Should_You_Buy_the_iPhone_.htm By Nancy L. Young-Houser. On the very day Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States, faces were filled with hope as tears of joy ran down faces of the spectators. Hope was something so many of these people had not seen for a long time, and listening to the words of this man brought to the forefront a feeling which had become a rarity. People began to be filled with a desire to step forth within their own communities and their country, with a strong desire to help those less fortunate. http://www.akgmag.com/article/The_Staying_Power_of_Hope.htm Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.akgmag.com/article/The_Staying_Power_of_Hope.htm By Lynda Forman. Student loans aren't as simple as they look. Before you sign up, you need to know how these loans could hurt your financial health. http://www.akgmag.com/article/A_Student_Loan_Debt_Warning_for_You.htm Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.akgmag.com/article/A_Student_Loan_Debt_Warning_for_You.htm By Lynda Forman. Saving money at the grocery store is easy, even with rising prices. http://www.akgmag.com/article/Save_Money_at_the_Grocery_Store_Every_Time_You_Shop.htm Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.akgmag.com/article/Save_Money_at_the_Grocery_Store_Every_Time_You_Shop.htm By Lynda Forman. Living on one income may not be your idea, but it can be a workable plan. http://www.akgmag.com/article/How_to_Live_on_One_Income.htm Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.akgmag.com/article/How_to_Live_on_One_Income.htm By Lynda Forman. As bankruptcy laws become stricter, maybe it's time to think about whether or not you actually need to file. http://www.akgmag.com/article/Do_You_Need_to_File_for_Bankruptcy.htm Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.akgmag.com/article/Do_You_Need_to_File_for_Bankruptcy.htm By Lynda Forman. Tax season can be a time to celebrate, when you know what to do to prepare. http://www.akgmag.com/article/Making_the_Most_of_Your_Taxes.htm Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.akgmag.com/article/Making_the_Most_of_Your_Taxes.htm By Lynda Forman. Identity theft is on the rise, and while you might not think it will happen to you - it never hurts to protect yourself now. http://www.akgmag.com/article/Protecting_Yourself_from_Identity_Theft.htm Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.akgmag.com/article/Protecting_Yourself_from_Identity_Theft.htm By Lynda Forman. Buying a home is a big decision to make - are you ready to commit to a mortgage? Have you though through your options? http://www.akgmag.com/article/Is_It_a_Good_Time_to_Buy_a_House_.htm Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.akgmag.com/article/Is_It_a_Good_Time_to_Buy_a_House_.htm By Nancy L. Young-Houser. No matter how low the economy becomes, caring people still have the desire and the will to help struggling people, regardless who they are and where they come from. It seems as if there is always somebody for someone in need. We have become a world of one—a world where someone in Paraguay or Peru can suffer and that pain and loneliness can be felt in the United States or Britain. One such example is the KIVA organization, helping someone to lift themselves out of poverty while paying back donate http://www.akgmag.com/article/Donating_to_KIVA_Becoming_a_Personal_Banker_to_Entrepreneurs_in_Poverty.htm Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.akgmag.com/article/Donating_to_KIVA_Becoming_a_Personal_Banker_to_Entrepreneurs_in_Poverty.htm By Lynda Forman. Saving money doesn´t have to be painful - nor should it. With these five tips, you can begin to save today and see a future that´s brighter and wealthier. http://www.akgmag.com/article/Five_Sneaky_Ways_to_Save_$100_Every_Month.htm Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.akgmag.com/article/Five_Sneaky_Ways_to_Save_$100_Every_Month.htm By Lynda Forman. In tough economic times, a budget seems to be a sensible way to avoid money troubles. But do you really need to cut back your spending to maintain your financial health? http://www.akgmag.com/article/Do_You_Really_Need_to_Cut_Back_Your_Spending_.htm Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.akgmag.com/article/Do_You_Really_Need_to_Cut_Back_Your_Spending_.htm