Tax Write Off Ideas for Saving Money To Get Out of Debt, Save For A Down Payment

There are many ways to save money for a down payment for a home, or for a new car, or to get out of debt. One place that is easy to overlook is your US annual IRS tax return. In this article is a list of possible tax write offs. Please consult with your tax adviser about whether any of these items being applicable to your individual tax situation. (click for Full Story)

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Provident Funding whacky underwriting

If you are a loan officer and you are considering sending your loans to Provident Funding beware. It seems like they are not following fannie mae guidelines and making up all kinds of crazy conditions. It's too bad because their rates are great, they are just too hard to work with now. I think they are just running scared and don't want to write any bad loans.

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My experience with Expedia

From previous posts you will recall that a car that I reserved online through Europcar with Expedia ended up being just about double after it was all said and done. The final cost could only be determined in Dublin at the Airport where I was informed about all the extra stuff that I was not told about on the website. The biggest scam is the insurance. In Ireland you are required to have car insurance. My American Express did not cover it. Most places it does however. I called today to make a complaint. I got a $50 travel certificate for my efforts. Big deal, I paid over $700 to rent a car in Ireland for 5 days. I should have just bought the car for the week.

When on the Expedia website for rental cars, just be aware that there may be other expenses.

There is no oil crisis in America

With gas prices over $4 a gallon the news has been touting a gas crisis. I am happy to report that the gas crisis is over. My car gets 26 miles to the gallon while the monster suv's get 14 miles to the gallon. You expect not to see many of these. While driving on the freeway yesterday I am happy to report an abundance of suv's. For every economy their are 5 gas guzzling suv's. So don't fret over the gas crisis. There is plenty of gas.

Do you have trouble with your curent mortgage?

If you are feeling the squeeze of the mortgage crisis help may be on the way. Hope Now is an alliance between banks, counselors and other industry organizations with the purpose of trying to keep you in your home and avoid a foreclosure. The Department of the Treasury and HUD supports the formation of this alliance to encourage responsible business practice and to help avoid any additional downturns in the real estate market.

For additional information go to Hope Now

Bank of America, no cost mortgage

Just to set the record straight on Bank of America and their no cost mortgage, it isn't. I was recently in my branch and asked one of the personal bankers about it. He told me that they just raise the rate to cover the fees. What a breakthrough. Thanks BofA.

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Corded home phone issue solved

I use Vonage as my phone service provider. I have been having very scratchy calls lately for about the last month to the point where my friends didn't want to talk to me. I spent hours on the phone with Vonage to try and correct the problem. It turned out it was an old headset. When the copper wire gets degraded and the copper wire breaks down and frays, the broken connections come in contact with each other and make static. Quite annoying and very easy to fix. I just picked up a new plantronics headset and the problem was solved.