It is hard to qualify these days, even though the rates are lower — there are challenges like needing to own at least 20% equity in your home, have good credit, and a pristine payment record with your current mortgage holder (no late payments). You will need tax returns and financial statements in great detail. Evidence of steady employment or source of income to cover your expenses is a must — no “stated income” options around these days.

To see what you might pay with a refinance (and watch out for bait and switch tactics, as well as high closing costs that get tacked onto your costs after you commit to a loan that initially sounds good), try out this mortgage calculator:

Decide how much you have to spend on each child and adult on your list. This simple step will help make holiday shopping much easier. And it’s always good to stick with your budget.

If you have $25 or less to spend on each friend and family member here are some great ideas to help you get your holiday shopping started.

Gourmet Food

Everyone loves to eat and buying food is a surefire way to gift giving success. Consider giving gourmet coffee or tea along with a mug or accessories for adults who enjoy hot beverages. For people who appreciate fine wine you can buy a nice bottle of wine or champagne for them.

Chocolate lovers are even easier to appease. You can find amazing gourmet chocolates for this price point. Baked goods are always nice too. If you want to add a personal touch to your gourmet food gifts, package them in personal way. For example, if your friend loves chocolate and the Dallas Cowboys then you can buy a Dallas Cowboy tin or gift bag and deliver the chocolates inside.

Pet Lovers

Gifts for pet lovers are just plain fun. You can find monogrammed pet beds or leashes online. Or you can buy a regular pet bed and monogram it yourself. You can also buy or make fancy pet treats, give the gift of pet clothing or have a photo taken of the pet and enhanced.

Green Thumb

If your friend or loved one is a plant lover consider giving the gift of a windowsill herbal garden or a small bonsai tree. You can make the windowsill herb garden yourself. You can also deliver bulbs, gardening tools and a tote to your plant loving recipient.

Winter Fun

For the children inside everyone (ages 1 to 105), consider giving the gift of winter fun. You can find great old fashioned sleds for less than $25. You can give a snow man kit to your friend or consider giving the gift of igloo making or snowball making devices. DVDs and video games can come in pretty close to the $25 limit and be And don’t forget the fun hats and gloves you can purchase to help folks stay warm while they’re enjoying the cold weather.

A budget of $25 or less is a very reasonable and workable budget. It provides you with an abundance of freedom to get creative. Gifts can be partially home made to add a personal touch and store-bought items purchased on sale (Black Friday and other special sale deals before Christmas) make gift giving easier. Enjoy shopping, stick to your budget and happy holidays!

Whenever you ask yourself – “Do I need car insurance?”, the answer is yes. Finding the best car insurance and getting quotes online to compare can really save you money – if you know how to shop.

Car insurance is required in almost every state, coast to coast, whether you are in New York or New Jersey or California — or somewhere in between. While many of us don’t actually ever use our insurance, the costs to maintain a policy can be significant. There are several things you can do to ensure you’re getting the best policy at the lowest price.

Check out these tips to help you find the best automobile insurance for your particular situation:

1. 1.      Shop around. Prices can vary considerably from company to company.

• Not all companies evaluate risk factors the same way. You might be surprised how much you can save by shopping around and getting a few quotes.
• There are many websites that will allow you to submit your information and get quotes from numerous companies.

1. 2.      Get the appropriate amount of coverage. Many people have far more coverage than they need. Many have too little coverage, which is also less than ideal. Analyze your situation to help you determine what would work best for you.

• That old clunker doesn’t need extensive coverage. You’re probably not going to worry about a scratch in the parking lot or a little hail damage on the roof, so the extra cost wouldn’t be worth the return.

• Along the same lines, do you really need $500,000 in liability coverage if your net worth is only $25,000? Get some expert advice and to ensure you’re not getting more than you need.

1. 3.      Consider the deductible amount.Evaluate the cost savings and decide if a higher deductible makes sense for you. If you never seem to use your insurance, and have some money in the bank, a higher deductible can save you money.

• Moving up to a $500 deductible can save as much as 30% over a $250 deductible.

1. 4.      Keep your credit record clean. Your credit score is frequently used by insurance companies to price your policy. Some companies severely penalize those with lower scores.

• Pay your bills on time and avoid taking out loans you don’t need. That pesky credit score seems to affect everything these days.

1. 5.      Get your home and auto insurance from the same company. Most companies offer discounts if you have multiple policies. Ask what they’re willing to do if you combine the two.

• Remember to include RVs, boats, snowmobiles, and any other vehicles as well. You could save a bundle.

1. 6.      Consider the insurance cost before you buy a car. Some cars cost far more to insure than others.

• Before you drive that sports car or luxury car home, get some insurance quotes first. Some vehicles are much more likely to be stolen, and the insurance will be more expensive. Others can be much more costly to repair.

1. 7.      If you don’t drive many miles each year, ask for a mileage discount. The less your car is on the road, the less likely it is to be in an accident. Low-mileage drivers can qualify for significant discounts.

Use the tips above to tailor your automobile insurance policy to your own needs. All policies are not created equal and a standard set of benefits might not fit you at all. Shop around and educate yourself about what you really need. The peace of mind combined with cost savings will let you sleep like a baby at night.

The interview stage is so exciting! It’s the final step to landing that job you’ve been wanting. You’ve convinced someone via your resume and telephone interview that you might be the person they’ve been searching for. Basically, you’ve done a great job of marketing yourself so far.

Now comes the most important part: You have to complete the final sale of yourself and your talents. However, interviewing ability doesn’t come naturally for most of us. This makes a lot of sense; after all, you probably haven’t practiced with lots of interviews in your lifetime.

For an impressive interview, focus on these three keys to a great performance:

1. Preparation is critical. Great performances require great preparation. And great preparation requires time. The interview room isn’t the place to try to remember your responsibilities at company XYZ.

• Higher-level managers frequently ask potential employees, “What were your three most critical tasks?” You should be prepared to answer a similar question without hesitation.

• Sit down and go through the last 10 years of your employment. List all your responsibilities and accomplishments. Have your answers ready. If you have to pause and think hard during the interview, it may seem like you’re inventing a story.

• Reflect on answers to these questions: What successes did you have? How many people reported to you? You will certainly be asked about what challenges you had, so be prepared to list a few and how you overcame them.

• Also, research the company to which you’re applying. They want to know that you’re interested and that you’re making an educated decision about what you’re potentially getting yourself into.

1. Be authentic. One thing interviewers like to see is someone who is genuine.

• Let go of the idea that you have to be perfect. Interviewees frequently twist and contort the truth in an attempt to appear more favorable. This is extremely difficult to pull off successfully in a high-stress environment like an interview.

• Be honest. Coming across as authentic is largely a function of being consistent. This is easy when you’re honest. Interviewers will frequently continue to pursue a line of questioning when something doesn’t seem right.

1. Practice selling yourself. What are your strengths? What are you good at? And more importantly, how can you convey those in an interview? Selling yourself without bragging is a fine line, but the interviewer needs to see the things at which you’re great.

• Pull out the video camera and record yourself while a friend or family member interviews you.
• Solo, you can record yourself going over your resume and work experience.
• Consider joining a Toastmasters club. You can get a lot of practice and feedback.

• Confidence and comfort come from practice. Give yourself the opportunity to be successful and practice daily.

Interviewing is a necessary final step to getting the job you desire. Following these tips will go a long way towards preparing you.

Don’t worry if you’re not a great interviewee. Few people naturally are. But with some preparation, you can become very good, very quickly. That practice will really give you the upper hand against your competition. In fact, preparing for a job interview gets you in the right mental frame of mind to come across well.

When you’re ready to invest, you’ll likely consider the amount you have available to invest and what you want your financial gain to be over a specific period. You may be quite specific about these factors, or maybe you care only about the bottom line and how much you stand to lose or gain.

For your own peace of mind, it’s wise to determine your level of risk tolerance for your investments. Understanding your own wants and desires related to your finances will largely determine how you decide to allocate your funds.

Consider your answers to the following questions to help you determine your level of risk tolerance regarding investments:

1. How much are you willing to risk? Based on how much money you currently have, how much of it are you willing to risk in an investment?

• Of course, some people will say, “no problem, let’s go for it” regardless of how much they’re worth. Others, however, will carefully evaluate their financial worth and be willing to risk only a certain percentage of their overall wealth.

1. Are you okay with no cash flow? Can you handle no investment cash coming in for a while if a large investment goes south?

• If so, how long can you put up with this condition? Being able to live with no money coming in is difficult for most people. How well you can accept this situation is an important determinant of your risk tolerance.

1. Is an investment “doable” in your eyes? If you’re considering a specific investment, do you feel the investment is one you could make without hesitation?

• Each person has his own thoughts and ideas about the type of investments in which he has confidence. Your investment risk tolerance depends on the rigor with which you evaluate your potential investments.

1. What is your experience in investing? Are you able to adjust to money losses in the short term to gain funds over the longer term?

• If you’re 40 years old and you’ve been investing for 20 years, you’ve got 2 decades of experience under your belt. You can most likely trust in your prior investment experience when it comes to making investment decisions. Plus, 20 years of investing builds a lot of confidence, which strengthens your risk tolerance.
• But what if you’re 35 years old and making your first investment? If this description is closer to your situation, your risk tolerance will be lower and for good reason.

1. How old are you and how much are you worth? These factors are also important when it comes to making difficult decisions about how to invest your money.

• When you’re younger, you may have more tolerance for loss because you have more time to make up any losses before you retire.
• Also, at any age, the higher your net worth, the easier it may be to tolerate a loss of a small percentage of your worth.

It’s wise to know your level of investment risk tolerance. Because making investments are so integral to you and your family’s financial future, it’s important you be intimately connected with your feelings and ideas about investing your money and the risks involved.

If you seriously ponder the above questions and your responses, you’ll be able to determine successfully your risk tolerance for investing. Knowing yourself can help you save money in the long run from unnecessary and unexpected losses in your investments.

With health care costs rising, it’s natural that more people want to lower their medical spending. According to Consumer Reports, only 31% of Americans try to negotiate the price of medical bills, but those who do usually succeed in saving big money. These are some methods that will help.

Understanding Medical Charges and Discounts

• Become familiar with routine discounts. Doctors and hospitals typically give discounts of as much as 60% to Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance companies.

As an individual, you may have less leverage than the big payers, but you can usually save significant money by negotiating.

• Look for the CPT code. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes are the standard codes maintained by the American Medical Association. They’re what billing departments use to determine the charges for any procedure. Once you know the CPT codes, you can comparison shop.
• Know that it’s okay to negotiate. Many health care providers are getting used to patients taking a more active role in controlling their spending. Millions of people have lost their insurance coverage along with their jobs. Even those who are insured are often paying more in out of pocket charges than ever before.

Selecting Lower-Cost Treatments

1. Talk with your doctor. While billing departments are important, it’s your doctor who orders the services so let them know your financial limits. Avoid taking it personally if you encounter any resistance. Physicians may feel uncomfortable discussing money and may assume that your insurance covers more than it really does.
2. Opt for generic drugs. Generic drugs are any easy way to save money. Most contain the same ingredients as the brand name formulas but they cost much less.
3. Identify discretionary services. If you’re concerned about expensive lab tests and prescriptions, ask if any of the services are discretionary or could be done later. Also, by reviewing your medications, your doctor may find some medicines that you can discontinue or change to lower-priced alternatives.
4. Look for some alternative or holistic therapies that might ultimately lower your costs for symptom-controlling drugs. Many alternative therapies like acupuncture or homeopathy might have some up front costs associated, but then they often relieve symptoms without needing to take drugs for symptom relief regularly. In the end, it can save you lots of money over time.

Negotiating Medical Bill Payments

1. Make up-front payments. Offering to pay by cash or check in advance is usually the best way to get a sizeable discount. In exchange for bypassing insurance reimbursements or collections agencies, many providers will cut your bill by 20% or more.
2. Base your proposed payment on Medicare charges. Medicare payments are a great starting point for calculating your own expenses. Once you know your CPT code, look up the Medicare payments in your geographical area at the American Medical Association website or call around to the billing departments of local medical centers. Paying 25% more than Medicare is reasonable for most procedures.
3. Review your bills. Industry experts estimate that up to 85% of medical bills contain one or more errors. Ask for itemized bills and review them carefully. It may be helpful to arrange conference calls with the hospital and your insurance company to conduct a full analysis.
4. Ask about interest free payment plans. Obviously, paying by credit cards costs a patient more in the long run if interest accumulates. The provider also has to pay the transaction fees so they may be willing to give you a zero interest payment plan if you’re paying cash.
5. Hire a medical advocate.Medical advocates charge a fee for their services but the savings can be worthwhile, especially for large hospital bills. Typically, you’ll pay a flat fee or 25% to 35% of the amount by which they reduce your total bills. You can find advocates in your area through free online directories at organizations like the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants.

Learn how to get discounts on your medical bills so you’ll be in a better position to afford the care that you and your family need. By shopping around and offering up-front payments, you could save thousands of dollars.

How do you save money when buying furniture?

Most furniture shoppers believe that quality furniture can only be obtained at a high price. But this isn’t true.

Try these ways to get great value at a price that works for you:

1. Only get what you need. If the living room chair needs to be replaced, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need a new chair, sofa, two end tables and a coffee table.

• If the other pieces are in good shape, just replace the damaged or worn-out furniture. Focusing on what you really need will cut your expense considerably. Separate needs from desires.

• Used furniture might be the ticket. Somewhere near you, someone is in a situation that is forcing them to sell practically new furniture at a rock-bottom price. Look at the listings in the newspaper, Craigslist, used furniture stores in your local area, and everywhere else that comes to mind. Remember the auction sites as well.

•  Garage sales, estate sales, consignment shops, and thrift stores all have possibilities. Many people shy away from used furniture, but you might be surprised what you can find. Saving as much as 80% isn’t unusual, so keep an open mind.
• Consider that you may need a truck or a friend with a truck.

• Keep your eyes open for sales. Furniture has a pretty high mark-up, so retailers can drop the price quite a bit       and still make money. Being patient enough to wait for a great sale can save you a lot of money.

• The items on sale can vary from week to week. One week it might be sofas, the next, end tables. If you truly need to replace several pieces, you can successfully accumulate them over time for big savings.
• Look at stores like Overstock not only have close-out bargains sometimes, but also give you breaks on shipping costs – check them out here

• You can negotiate. Everyone negotiates the price of a new car. You can negotiate the price of your furniture too.

• You may be uncomfortable negotiating, but it really is the best-paying job you’ll probably ever have. How many times have you made hundreds of dollars in a couple of seconds? Be bold and see what they’re willing to do for you.

• Most salespeople are paid a commission, so any sale is better than no sale from their point of view. There are limits, of course, but you’ll never know what those are if you don’t try. Negotiating is an acquired skill, so get out there and practice, practice, practice!

1. Assembly required. Some nice furniture can be acquired for a great price if you’re willing to turn a screwdriver or wrench. Furniture from IKEA is one example.

• Unassembled furniture is less expensive because there’s less labor for the manufacturer or retailer, and it’s more economical to transport a flat box than an assembled piece.

Purchasing furniture doesn’t have to ruin your bank account. Assess what your needs really are and then be patient while searching.

Look for sales and consider that used furniture might be perfect for your situation. Some used furniture is in spectacular condition and can be had for pennies on the dollar. And remember to negotiate; all big-ticket items are negotiable. Now get out there and save some money on your furniture.

During these difficult economic times, you may be wondering how you can save any money when you’re barely coming up with enough money to pay the bills. It’s important to be open to all kinds of ideas when it comes to saving money. If you’re willing to try anything to save money, your confidence will soar.

Consider these ideas to help you set aside funds for savings and investments:

1. When it comes to saving, attitude is everything. What you think and feel about saving matters.

• If you feel incredibly overwhelmed or pressured about saving, chances are that you’ll avoid doing it.
• However, if you embrace the concept of saving and get behind the idea that you’re paying yourself for the future when you save, you’ll be quite excited about saving every payday and demonstrating some real saving savvy.
• Avoid convincing yourself that you “can’t save because there’s just no money left after paying the bills.” Instead, tell yourself you will save something every week.
• In general, it’s best to focus on positives and an “I can do it” attitude for saving money.

1. Make a conscious decision to save money. Write this down and put it on a sticky note on your bathroom mirror: “I will save some money today.” Then do it.

• Sometime each day, put some money aside for your savings, no matter how small the amount may be. Maybe you’ll save your change or maybe you’ll skip a cup of coffee or soda, but you will set something aside.
• Deposit your daily savings into an account each week.

1. If you must, start small. Even saving $5 or $10 per week is something. It signifies a commitment on your part to save.

• It shows that you believe saving is important and that you can, in fact, succeed at it.
• Starting small to work toward a larger goal shows you have saving savvy.

1. Set a minimum weekly savings goal and promise yourself to exceed it. If you’re starting small, make an effort to exceed your minimum amount.

• So, if you establish a weekly minimum goal of $7, anything over that amount is “gravy.”
• Read on to see where you can find some “gravy.”

1. Use coupons every single week at the grocery store. You can find coupons in newspapers, grocery store flyers, and all over the internet.

• Your grocery receipt lists at the bottom how much you saved with coupons.
• Take that amount of cash out of your purse and place it in an envelope for the bank.
• Whether it’s fifty cents or $4.50, it’s money you saved.
• Place your grocery savings into the bank where it will do some real good.
• Now that is saving savvy.

1. Learn from others who demonstrate saving savvy. Interview friends or family members who show they know how to manage money. Do you have a sister who’s an avid saver? A friend who always pays cash for his cars?

• Ask to sit down with them and gather some of their saving savvy tips.
• When did they start saving?
• Where did they learn about saving money?
• What tips for “beginners” do your saving savvy friends have to share with you?
• Keep your mind open and pen in hand. Write down their tips.
• Then, decide which tips will work for you and apply them in your life.

Keep a positive attitude and make a personal commitment to save. Set a weekly minimum savings goal and learn from the people you know who seem to be smart in how they save money. Practicing easy ways for saving money will lead you to a happier future with money not just for the unexpected things that come up, but also for the important things you want to do – paying for a college education, buying a home, affording a family, saving for retirement. And finally, you get to do fun things when you let your money grow the way successful people do — instead of spending it all (and more) every month.