Money Sense - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

United Way of Broward helped poor families collect $519K in tax refunds

By Donna Gehrke-White — Wed, 30 May 2012 12:51:00 GMT

Struggling Broward families collected $519,305 in federal tax refunds this recent tax season, thanks to the United Way of Broward County sending out teams to prepare for free the 2011 taxes of poor to moderate-income workers.

Floridians' confidence in the economy jumps in May

By Donna Gehrke-White — Tue, 29 May 2012 19:54:00 GMT

Floridians are feeling more upbeat about the economy with consumer confidence jumping in May after three months of growing pessimism, according to a monthly University of Florida survey released on Tuesday

South Florida helping state's economic recovery, economist says

By Donna Gehrke-White, Sun Sentinel — Sat, 26 May 2012 22:18:00 GMT

Florida's economy has gained momentum in the past year, with Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties helping the state on its slow trek to recovering from the devastating Great Recession, according to an analysis released Friday by the Wells Fargo Economic Group.

More than 80% of young people still dream of buying home

By Donna Gehrke-White — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:44:00 GMT

Think the American dream of owning a home has become a nightmare? Think again.

30-year mortgage rates drop again to new historic lows

By Donna Gehrke-White — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:04:00 GMT

Interest rates for 30-year mortgages fell to new historic lows for the fourth week in a row, Freddie Mac reported Thursday.

Recent stock market gyrations makes many nervous about retirement accounts

By Donna Gehrke-White — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:24:00 GMT

The stock market has recently been back to a roller coaster -- and that has made many nervous about their investments in retirement accounts.

IRS provides online tool for students to fill out financial aid forms

By Donna Gehrke-White — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:35:00 GMT

Website ranks the best credit cards for new graduates

By Donna Gehrke-White — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:03:00 GMT

A credit card resource website is ranking the best cards for college and high school graduates, including those offering rewards and others offering zero percent interest for at least the first few months.

Mortgage rates hit new low for 3rd week in row

By Donna Gehrke-White — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:02:00 GMT

Mortgage interest rates fell to historic lows for the third week in a row, Freddie Mac reported Thursday.

South Florida suffers from credit 'hangover' with record delinquencies

By Donna Gehrke-White, Sun Sentinel — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:40:00 GMT

South Floridians used and abused their credit cards, and some are woefully behind in payments. In fact, South Florida has the worst credit ranking in the nation.

Florida, 43 other states reach $40M settlement with Skechers

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:32:00 GMT

Florida, 43 other states, the District of Columbia and the Federal Trade Commission have reached a $40 million settlement with Sketchers USA, after the manufacturer was accused of making un-substantiated claims touting its rocker-bottom shoes, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Wednesday.

Wells Fargo: Some Florida checking accounts may get $7 monthly fee

By Doreen Hemlock — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:26:00 GMT

Wells Fargo is adding conditions for its Florida customers to keep free checking accounts.

3 tips on how to avoid Chase's $2 billion meltdown

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:43:00 GMT

JP Morgan Chase is one of the nation's largest companies, employing thousands of smart people. Yet their CEO Jamie Dimon admits that executives blew it in picking a risky derivative investment strategy that has cost Chase $2 billion.

Economic hard times influence: We don't marry, have kids

By Donna Gehrke-White — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:52:00 GMT

The continued hard times is shaping how we live, even when we have children, according to a paper released this month by the Pew Research Center.

Pleasing customers has its own reward -- repeat business

By Donna Gehrke-White — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:50:00 GMT

Americans aren't too happy with customer service, according to a recent American Express survey, but a Florida Atlantic University professor suggests businesses can turn that around by following three simple steps.

3 timeless "Mom" tips on teaching kids about money

By Donna Gehrke-White — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:16:00 GMT

Mom always knows best right, right.

Half of recent college grads out of work or underemployed

By Donna Gehrke-White — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:23:00 GMT

While the U.S. Congress argues over how to pay for lower interest rates on future student loans, more than half of recent college graduates struggle to find jobs to help pay back their debt.

Mortgage rates hit record lows for 2nd week in row

By Donna Gehrke-White — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:03:00 GMT

Mortgage interest rates plunged to historic lows for the second week in a row, Freddie Mac reported Thursday.

Bank of America offers new loan modifications that reduces principal

By Donna Gehrke-White — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:18:00 GMT

Bank of America is sending out letters to potentially thousands of struggling South Florida homeowners to let them know they may be eligible for a reduction in their loan balance that may save them up to 30 percent in monthly payments, the lender announced Tuesday.

Social Security's new online retirement planning tool popular in first week

By Donna Gehrke-White — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

More than 130,000 have already created an online account in the first week since the Social Security Administration opened a site for people to find out how much their estimated Social Security benefits will be once they retire.

Prepaid debit cards a bargain? Don't count on it. Check first

By Donna Gehrke-White — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:00:00 GMT

You may think prepaid debit cards are a bargain but realize that all the cards in a recent Bankrate.com survey carried fees -- some of them pricey.

Fed up with bad service? You're not alone

By Donna Gehrke-White — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:03:00 GMT

Consumers aren't happy with the service they are getting with just over half so fed up that they have walked away from a purchase in the last year, according to a new survey.

30-year mortgage interest rates hit another historic low

By Donna Gehrke-White — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:41:00 GMT

The average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage interest rates plunged to a new historic low this week, Freddie Mac reported Thursday.

Free website tool provides estimates of future Social Security benefits

By Donna Gehrke-White — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

The Social Security Administration is offering a free online tool for you to help plan your retirement. Once you sign on to the website, www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement , with your password, you will have access to a personalized statement that shows your earnings and estimates of how much you will receive in benefits when you retire.

A comfortable retirement may take saving 15 percent a year

By Donna Gehrke-White — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:02:00 GMT

Is 15 percent becoming the new 10 percent for retirement savings?