How to Get Your Securit...

I have many friends who firmly believe that landlords do not give security deposits back at all, or that they will do just about anything to keep however much they can. While I’m sure that slumlords do exist in this world, as a former property manager, I can tell you that most good...

10 U.S. Cities Where It...

After the real estate market deteriorated in the wake of the sub-prime mortgage crisis, the prospect of renting a home vs. buying became much more attractive. In fact, this trend has been well supported by a substantial decrease in home ownership to levels not reached in decades. To be...

8 Issues with Buying Re...

Do you dream of owning property? Perhaps multiple investment properties from which to earn a monthly stream of income? Ah, the life… But before you contact your real estate agent, consider what’s really involved. If you want to create an income immediately, you’ll need...

15 Ways to Reuse Coffee...

I’m a coffee junkie. I make at least half a pot of coffee every morning, and if I’m having a particularly stressful day, I make a second pot in the afternoon. A few months ago, I started thinking about how much coffee I drink, and how the grinds end up in the trash. I...

Flipping Houses for Pro...

Several years ago, I became friends with a young woman who was just getting started in real estate. She became a real estate agent, and then started learning about renovation. She bought her first house, flipped it, and made a ton of money. Thanks to some exceptionally lucky...

Should Military Familie...

There is a great debate among active duty military regarding renting vs. buying a home. Because these military members may be called upon to deploy or change duty stations at any moment, numerous active duty families choose to rent. Still, others have determined that despite an...

Making the Jump to Work...

US News has a short, interesting interview with a man who has made the jump from employment to self-employment . Several things fascinate me about the post — here’s the first: How did you juggle [your side business] with your full-time job? I ended up blocking off between...

Help a Reader: Data on ...

This isn’t a traditional Help a Reader post in that it really isn’t a financial situation where someone is seeking input to apply to their life. However, it is an interesting question, so I asked the reader who emailed this to me if it was ok to share it with the group. He...

How to Apply for Sectio...

Rent is expensive. Even the smallest studio apartment can take up a huge portion of your monthly income. If you need more bedrooms, a larger kitchen, or just want to live in a nicer area, then your monthly rent payment can quickly become the majority of your income. For those with low...

9 Important Questions t...

Have you been thinking about buying a condo? Perhaps the condo is in an up and coming neighborhood, and you want to buy before prices start to skyrocket. Or perhaps you’re tired of not being able to paint the walls of your apartment, and you’re ready to take the next step...