Here are 10 Vine* videos (each 6 seconds or less) with ways you can make some extra cash.

*Vine is the new wildly popular video app from the folks at Twitter.

1. Clean out the garage and invite the neighborhood to your yard sale.

YARD SALE : SATURDAY vine.co/v/bEqDgmb5g7w

— E-Wing @Aliciousness (@EmmaRawlings23) May 15, 2013

2. Become a dog walker. More dogs = more money!

11 dogs on a Monday afternoon. #Dogs #dogwalker #working #imgoodatmyjob vine.co/v/b0QrK56OHwh — Kyle Problem (@kyleisaproblem) May 13, 2013

3. Easy one for the kids – open a lemonade stand.

Lemonade stand for some books. Atta boy! vine.co/v/b2Um50WE1Vw — Carmina (@Carminitaa) May 8, 2013

4. Make and sell your own jewelry.

#howto make that money w/ @figsandginger #handmademarket vine.co/v/bQPw5jQP621 — Elijah Wyman (@ElijahWyman) May 4, 2013

5. Deliver pizza and get those tips!

#delivering #pizza 💵 vine.co/v/bIamgPMJDEQ — PeTeR PeSaNo (@PeterPesano13) March 30, 2013

6. Enjoy the outdoors and make money mowing lawns.

I think I found my dream yob #mowinglawns #wheresmymoney vine.co/v/bUuqVeKPIOl — AlexisSan✞iago (@AlexisSantiago0) April 17, 2013

7. Start your own Storage Wars business.

I feel like I’m on storage wars. vine.co/v/b0ZhF1KeVKA — Rachelle Lenard (@rachellelenard) May 10, 2013

8. Make cash from passerby as a street performer.

Crazy street performers in #nola! This guy turned himself into a car! #qtravels vine.co/v/bDrWF7T6bnD — Quyen Le (@Quinlyn56) March 23, 2013

9. Rent out a room in your house.

#howto rent a room for cheap. #funny #sketch #favthings @kenrazzle vine.co/v/bXPg7naM6H7 — Blood Master (@LawsonBennett) March 2, 2013

10. Search for change in your couch (but be careful this doesn’t happen!)

Couch change @chrisyyim vine.co/v/bxHUZAipEWQ — James (Richie) Gowin (@jrgowin) April 29, 2013

Have your own Vine video for earning extra money? Share it with us in the comments below!

The post 10 People Using Vine That Are Making That Money appeared first on PT Money.

NFL Player, Evan Mathis, taking his frustrations out on an IRS sign.

Over the past week it was revealed that they targeted conservative “tea party” groups that were filing for tax-exempt status by applying heavier scrutiny to applicants with conservative, pro-American, and pro-Constitution sounding names.

During that increased scrutiny of conservative groups, the IRS asked these groups to provide the names of donors and strangely, Facebook posts.

The issue has left many wondering whether the IRS, who’s employees gave a significantly higher percentage to President Obama in the past two elections, has been targeting individual filers because of their political leanings.

The House Committee on Ways and Means has released questions they plan to ask the IRS in the Friday, May 17th hearing. One of those is, “What steps, if any, has the IRS taken to ensure that the targeting of individuals and organizations does not occur in the future?”

Individuals have come forward claiming that they believe they were targeted because of their conservative beliefs. One of those is Frank VanderSloot, one of Romney’s biggest supporters. VanderSloot was listed on President Obama’s infamous “enemies list” and says he was audited shortly after making the list.

Ironically, the IRS’s mission states that they are to “enforce the law with integrity and fairness to all.” The U.S. tax system is built on trust (in both directions) and Americans depend on the IRS to act responsibly. This issue naturally will lead to more distrust in one of the Government’s most powerful organizations, not just for how they treat non-profits, but how they treat individuals.

Since the scandal broke, the President, who unfortunately joked about auditing his enemies in the past, has fired the already resigned head of the IRS and distanced from the IRS stating, “I will not tolerate this kind of behavior in any agency, but especially in the IRS, given the power that it has and the reach that it has into all of our lives.”

However, the Administration has participated in a culture that mocked these tea party groups. The President made his statement about “folks waving tea bags around” back in 2009. Vice President Biden called the Tea Party “terrorists” during the 2011 debt ceiling debates. The President also recently warned graduates to ignore those “voices” warning of tyranny during a 2013 recent commencement speech.

The House Committee on Ways and Means will begin a full investigation into this issue on Friday, May 17th. The Senate Finance Committee is also planning a hearing.

The post IRS Targeted “Folks Waving Tea Bags Around” appeared first on PT Money.

There are four tools you need in your estate plan.

In fact, a RocketLawyer.com survey last year found that over 50% of Americans do not have a last will and testament. 

Even more troubling is the survey found that over 40% of Baby Boomers age 55 to 64 years-old do not have a will. This is the group that probably needs it more than any other.

Many people think they simply do not have enough assets to bequeath to someone, estate planning costs too much money, or they simply do not want to think about the end of their lives.

This is a travesty and something that is easy to fix.

However, a will is not the only estate planning document you need. Here is an essential estate planning checklist of the basic four tools you need to ensure your wishes are carried out and your family’s best interests are protected if you die or become disabled.

1. Last Will And Testament

Most people know and understand the role of a last will, or at least they think they do, but that doesn’t stop a majority of Americans from not having a will. A last will and testament is the cornerstone and most critical piece of a person’s estate plan. And, it is more than instructions on who gets your worldly possessions.

Everyone needs a will to ensure their possessions and assets are distributed as effectively and efficiently as possible with the least amount of fees that have to be paid by your heirs or estate.

Even if you think you don’t need a will, you probably do. Do you own a car? Do you have children from a first marriage? Are you sure your last wishes will be carried out? Do you want to be buried or cremated?

A will is the only way to give you the best shot of your wishes being followed, especially if you haven’t had these difficult conversations.

The Danger Of Not Having A Will

If you die without a will, you are leaving it up to the state where you reside to determine who will get your property when you die. Even worse, you are leaving it up to other people to decide who will be the guardian of your children.

Also, having your estate go into probate court to decide the outcome is costly and time consuming. Some figures estimate that almost a third of your assets could be gobbled up by lawyers and fees if you do die without a will and your estate has to be settled in probate court.

Writing Your Own Will

While most people should hire a lawyer to help them draft a will, you can write a last will and testament yourself. You can even write a will for free. Technically, in most states, all you need is a computer, paper, a notary, and witnesses to write your own will.

There are several websites like RocketLawyer.com and LegalZoom where you can download the template forms to get started. Creating your own will is a very simple process.

Of course, you should seriously consider hiring a lawyer for unique family situations, like if you have a large amount of assets or a host of other potentially tricky issues. Writing your own will can also lead to your family and loved ones challenging its validity in probate court as well, so tread lightly.

2. A Living Will

The next item on your estate planning checklist should be a living will. No one thinks they will become disabled in their lifetime. No one thinks they will need their loved ones to make the tough choices at the hospital, such as how long to stay on a respirator.

A living will can help take the guess work and the guilt out of your loved ones hands. It spells out exactly what life sustaining medical treatment you want to take place should you become incapacitated.

A living will is your written instructions on the type of life sustaining medical treatment you desire and the length of time you want it. It instructs your loved ones and your doctors with your wishes even if you are not able to communicate or unconscious.

For example, you can request in your living will that a feeding tube be withheld if you are terminally ill. Or, you can specify in a living will exactly how long you are kept alive on life support.

3. Medical Durable Power Of Attorney

Another item on your estate planning checklist needs to be a medical durable power of attorney which is also sometimes called a health care proxy or health care power of attorney. A medical durable power of attorney authorizes a loved one or someone else you designate to make the medical decisions for you in case you can’t.

A medical durable power of attorney goes hand in hand with a living will. This document allows a person to make all medical decisions on your behalf from the routine decisions about procedures, medications, and other treatments that might not be specifically stated in your living will to even the most difficult decisions such as stopping life support.

Deciding on the representative to give medical power of attorney to isn’t a choice that should be taken lightly.

4. General Power Of Attorney

A power of attorney allows you to designate a person to represent you. While a general power of attorney has the same power in most instances as you would if you were physically present, you can also scope specific or specified powers of attorney for certain situations as well.

A general power of attorney will allow the representative (e.g., a parent, spouse, or an adult child) to be able to act in your name you should you become sick, disabled, incapacitated, or unable to manage your own financial and personal affairs.

A power of attorney is a large amount of power and should only be designated to a trusted person. For example, your representative who has your power of attorney has the authority to enter into contracts in your name, borrow money, and make major financial decisions for you.

A power of attorney allows your spouse or family to make fast and efficient decisions in your name without the delay of seeking court approval to conduct your financial and personal business transactions.

Estate Planning Checklist Honorable Mention: The Trust

A trust is one of the greatest and most creative estate planning tools created to transfer property and preservation family assets. There are many different types of trusts, and they are no longer simply for the rich and famous and their spoiled children.

Trusts have started to creep into main stream financial planning and the estate planning checklist of more Americans.

Using a trust in your estate plan has many benefits. Trusts allow you to put conditions on how and when your assets are distributed after you die, and you can make these decisions well in advance of your death. They also help you reduce estate and gift taxes.

This is especially beneficial when you need to distribute assets to heirs efficiently without a high cost, delay, and or the publicity of probate court. Trusts also help you to protect your assets from creditors and lawsuits.

Everyone Needs To Have A Will

If you take nothing else away from this estate planning checklist, you should go out at get a last will and testament today. It is the most important tool in this estate planning checklist. It is an urban myth to think you do not have enough assets to warrant having a will.

Do you want your state to determine who will receive your property when you die? It isn’t always as cut and dry as you think it might be. Your property and assets may not automatically go to who you think is your next of kin.

Having a will also lets you name an executor, which is also called a “personal representative” in many states. You can also waive the requirement for your executor to have to post a surety bond by listing it in your will. A last will is on the estate planning checklist because it also lets you determine who your children’s guardians will be after you die.

No one wants to think about their death, but it is a necessary evil. Do not leave your grieving relatives with more headaches and sorrow. Ensure that your final wishes are carried out by having these essential documents in the estate planning checklist before you need them.

Note: Please remember that I am not a lawyer, and nothing listed here should be considered real legal advice. You should seek the counsel of a competent lawyer in your area to help you complete your estate planning.

Do you have a will? What’s keeping you from getting a will? Have you known someone whose family has had an issue because a loved one has died without having a will or an estate plan?

The post The Four Items You Really Need to Include in Your Estate Planning Checklist appeared first on PT Money.

Now you’re left wondering “how the heck am I going to spend $xxxx.xx in x months.”

You might not have even made it that far.

You may look at those upfront spending requirements (e.g. spend $5,000 in 3 months and receive 50,000 bonus points) and never apply, thinking you’d never spend that amount of money.

That very well may be the case, but before you completely write off the idea take a look at these not-so-obvious ways you can fulfill the minimum spending requirements for your next credit card bonus.

As with any credit card post, I like to make sure I’m speaking to the right people. Don’t try this if you have existing credit card debt or have a problem paying off your entire balance in full each month.

Also, if you are hawking your credit score because you are applying for a mortgage soon, don’t attempt this. Finally, make sure you do three things:

• Read the user agreements with your credit cards to make sure these payments will be accepted as regular transactions and not “cash advances”.
• Don’t overdo it. For instance, don’t spend the entire requirement on one gift card purchase. Spread out your spending and take your time.
• Make sure you understand the user agreements and associated fees with each of these payment methods. Fees can negate points earned.

Alright, enough delay, here are 10 ways to meet minimum spending requirements for those credit card bonuses.

1. Wait Until You Have Major Purchases

I recently had to replace our ten year old kitchen appliances. This was a costly endeavor. It also coincided perfectly with a credit card app party that I had recently completed and I was able to meet several thousand dollars of the spending requirements using this home improvement project.

If you know of a major expense you have coming up, use that opportunity to complete a credit card bonus offer. Major expense ideas include: weddings, vacations, home improvement projects, and Christmas.

Make sure you don’t let the tail wag the dog here. Only spend what you intended on spending. Don’t let the fact that you are meeting a spending requirement influence how much you spend.

2. Purchase Gift Cards

Visit your local grocery store or pharmacy and shop the racks of gift cards. If you spot retailers where you regularly make purchases, consider bulking up on gift cards. Most people make a consistent amount of grocery purchases each month, so grocery store gift cards are a safe bet here.

3. Annual Insurance Premiums

You don’t have to pay your auto, home, life insurance monthly. You can make an annual payment instead, and odds are your insurer will allow you to make the payment using a credit card.

4. Mortgage and Rent

Your lender and landlord likely won’t take payment using a credit card. However, you’ve got a couple of options to still use a credit card here. You can check out the third party providers like WilliamPaid.com and RentShare.com to make rent payments online.

For paying your mortgage with a credit card a new method has emerged. You can purchase Vanilla Reload cards at CVS pharmacy with your credit card. Then use the money on the Vanilla Reload card to fund an American Express BlueBird Account. Then you can simply write a check from your BlueBird bank account to pay your mortgage. The same could be done with any expenses.

5. Exchange Money Using Amazon Payments

Amazon has an online payment service called Amazon Payments. You may have used it already if you’ve funded something on Kickstarter.com, for instance. You can use this service to pay someone with a credit card. That person (e.g. your spouse) just needs to also have an Amazon Payments account. Apparently no fees are incurred if you select the “goods/services” method.

6. Fund a Peer to Peer Loan

A peer-to-peer lending service like Lending Club allows you to fund your investment using a credit card. Apparently if you keep your investment for long enough and connect a bank account, you can extract the money at a later time to the bank account.

7. Local, State, and Federal Taxes

If you’re like me an pay your property taxes annually, you likely have a pretty hefty payment to make at the end of the year. Use a service like OfficialPayments.com to pay with a credit card.

If you want to pay your State and Federal income taxes using a credit card, check the IRS website or your State’s website for more information.

8. Charitable Donations

Charities, even churches, don’t mind taking payment by credit card. If you do a lot of charitable giving, consider using your credit card to make the contribution.

9. All Retail Expenses

Bring your credit card with you everywhere. Get a second for your spouse. Make sure you use it everywhere and every chance you get. Use it at all restaurants, shopping outlets, convenience stores, your dry cleaners, the car wash, grocery stores, salons, and every other place you spend money while out and about.

10. All Other Bills

Finally, use your credit card to make all of your bill payments. Things like cable TV, internet service, cell phone service, and many utilities can be easily paid with a credit card. Consider making advanced payments (they’ll just apply a credit to your account). If bills can’t be paid with a credit card, consider the BlueBird method above.

Hopefully I’ve provided a few new ways to meet minimum spending requirements for the cards you have or want to apply for. I’m sure I’m just scratching the surface though. If you have some other ways to meet the minimum spending requirements I’d love to read them. Leave them in the comments below.

The post 10 Ways to Meet Minimum Spending Requirements For Credit Card Bonuses appeared first on PT Money.

It couldn’t be easy to participate in these events. Simply ride your bike. If you want to take it to the next level, you can participate in the bike to work (or school) week and ride your bike on your daily commute. If your commute is too long for a bike ride, park your car safely within a few miles of your place of employment (or school) and ride from there.

Commuting to work is growing in popularity. According to the League, from 2000 to 2011, those who said they frequently commuted to work increased by 47%.

The health and financial benefits of biking more regularly and using a bike as an alternative means of transportation are obvious. Biking can help you save on fuel and maintenance costs and if you do it enough it could help you save on health and medical costs.

Always wear a helmet and obey the traffic rules and regulations in your area.

To find local events in your area, simply search your browser or Facebook for “bike month your town“. Or visit the “Find Local Resources” section of the League’s website. Many retailers and restaurants are rolling out month long deals and promotions in support of bike month.

Those who want to extend their efforts should look into the 2013 National Bike Challenge, which runs from May 1 to September 30, 2013.

I’m participating in bike to work week. I’ll be sharing my results and thoughts in a post next week, but I wanted to share this news piece for those interested in joining in this week. Are you biking to work this week?

The post This Week is National Bike to Work (or School) Week appeared first on PT Money.

It being graduation season, I thought I’d share some common summer job opportunities for teenagers and college students to make extra money.

Some of these I’ve done myself. Others are just some of the more common jobs you hear about.

Be sure to share your past job experiences in the comments below.

I loved most of my summer jobs. Each brought me a different experience and helped to teach me about myself. Here are 5 jobs I had during the summers and what I liked about them.

5 Summer Jobs for Teens That I’ve Had

Lawn Care – I earned the most money during my high school years mowing lawns. This was a great summer job. It’s hard, and requires an initial investment (which my Dad was kind enough to front me). To get started, you only really need a mower and some gas.

But eventually you’ll find that you can expand your business with a weed eater, edger, blower, and a truck and trailer full of lawn tools.

Convince a few neighbors that you’ll mow their grass for less than they currently pay. Then word will start to get out and you’ll have several clients. Raise your prices once demand for your services increases.

I’ll admit that at times this job was tough in the summer heat. But it taught me a great deal of responsibility, taught me about 2 cycle engines, kept me in shape, and it gave me a great tan too. One more thing this job did was teach me to work efficiently.

As a flat rate service, you can raise or lower your hourly wage with how efficient you work. I learned to work fast and earn more money for less time spent on the job.

Grocery Bagger/Stocker - I welcomed this job after my days of mowing laws. Not much hustle or stress involved. It kept me inside most of the time in the cool, conditioned air. It also forced me to be around other people and socialize. This was a stretch for me at the time. But something I needed as a shy teen.

There are many jobs you can find at the market or grocery store: bagger, stock person, checker, cart person, etc.

Camp Counselor - I worked as a summer camp counselor during my summers in college. I loved the experience. I worked with the older kids. No tantrums or bed wetting. Just bad attitudes.

Typical summer camp jobs don’t pay excellent, but you have your room and food covered. This job is tough because you’re outside most of the time. However, it’s also rewarding because of the experiences you have the positive impact you get to have on others.

For the kids attending the camp, it’s their best week of the summer. It was great to be a part of that.

Umpire or Referee – Working as a referee or ump requires a solid knowledge of the sport, confidence, and a thick skin for dealing with high pressure situations. I spent some time as a baseball umpire, but primarily as a field ump, where the pressure isn’t as high.

This is a great job for making money for just a couple of hours of work. Just know that there is going to be that one day when you are going to really upset someone and have to deal with the pressure. If you love the sport and can handle the pressure, this job may be a great way to get easy money fast.

Lifeguard – Finally, I did one summer as a lifeguard. This was one of my favorite jobs. I actually had to jump in after someone. Thankfully everything worked out okay.

In this job you’ll get to work along side other responsible professionals and soak up the hot summer sun. Pay is okay. Double your money if you can do some swimming lessons on the side.

14 More Summer Jobs for Teens to Consider

• Movie Theater Attendant – Cool environment, free movies, the permanent smell of popcorn on your clothes.
• Fast Food Employee – Free food, fast-paced, the greasiest shoes you’ll ever own.
• Car Valet - This job produces quick cash at nights and on the weekends. Show up for a couple of hours (i.e. party or wedding) and pocket $50 to $100 in tips for your time. I enjoyed my time as a car valet parking cars.
• Retail Sales Associate – Opportunity for commission, get to dress up, get told “no thanks, I’m just looking” over 500 times a day.
• Law Firm Runner - Learn how the legal world works. Be constantly on the go. Get good at ordering Starbucks.
• Farm Labor - If you live near the country this one isn’t hard to come by. There are plenty of farmers who need an extra hand or two. My friends used to brag about how much they made bailing hay. I worked in a watermelon patch once and only lasted a week.
• Baby Sitter – Get to love on kids, enjoy someone’s house, diapers.
• Server (waitress or waiter) - If you’re quick on your feet and have desire to serve, then take on the job of a sever. To be a good waitress or waiter you need to be efficient, honest, and know your menu.
• Animal Shelter Associate - If people aren’t your thing then spend your Summer with a bunch of animals instead.
• Car Detailing – Good money, work in flip flops, wax on wax off.
• Cashier – Want to use your brain instead of brawn this summer? Try your hands at a cashier job. You’ll meet tons of people and improve your math skills.
• Mover – If you have your own truck you can create this job yourself. But for a guy looking to beef up, this wouldn’t be a bad job to have over the Summer.
• Theme Park Attendant – This job comes with all the free rides and corn dogs you can handle. This is easy money and if you land a job at Disney or other big park, you’ll have a nice conversation piece on your resume.
• Odd Jobs – Why work for the man day in and day out. Just take it easy and hit up Craigslist (gigs) when you’re bored and in need of some cash.

Why Work This Summer?

There are a ton of reasons to get off your butt and get a job this summer.

Work because it’s something different. Work because sitting around your house is boring (TV during the day sucks!). Work so that you don’t have to bum money off of your parents for daily spending.

Work so that you don’t get lazy and gain weight. Work to be with your friends. Work to save money for college expenses. Work to get real experience. Work to test out your working style.

To help you find the perfect job as a teen or college student, I’ve provided some factors below to think through before picking your job.

1. Look for a summer job that pays well. A summer job can give you extra spending money, money for nicer school clothes, or it can help you ensure you get to go on that field trip in the Fall with your class. If you’re going to trade your time for money, get the most money you can.

2. Look for a summer job that’s flexible. Money isn’t everything. You might want a job that allows you to come and go as you please, or hase very limited hours. It’s summer after all. Once you’re out of school, unless you’re a teacher, there are no more summer’s off. Take advantage of them while you can.

3. Look for a summer job in your desired career field. If you’re in college, or you plan to start working after high-school, it’s probably a smart idea to start preparing for your career by choosing a job in your career field. If you can find a paying internship, you might even get to spend the summer working for your future employer. This can be a great way to try out your career and decide if it’s what you really want.

What to Do with Your Earnings?

It’s your money. Do with it as you please. But if you’re looking for ideas, here are a few. You could stick it in an online savings account until you find a good use for it. You could use it to buy books in college.

You could use it as a down payment on a house. You could reinvest it in your own business. You could invest it in index funds inside a Roth IRA.

Be sure to share your past job experiences in the comments below.

The post 19 Fun Summer Jobs for Teens and College Students appeared first on PT Money.

A big sign in the yard helps.

Across the nation, home sales are up from last year, according to the National Association of Realtors.

With Spring here, interest rates still low, and all the buzz about real estate coming back, you may be interested in selling your house. We’ve got everything you need to know below about how to sell your house.

When it comes to real estate, they say all that matters is location. Well, when you are trying to sell you house that information doesn’t do a lot of good. You can’t change the location of your house (unless you’re rolling in a mobile home). Let’s focus on what you can do to sell your house. Let’s break it down into three factors:

1. You can adjust the price and use better negotiation tactics.
2. You can make your house more appealing by improving the condition.
3. Lastly, you could do a better job of marketing your house to potential buyers.

Let’s look at each of these ways which should help you sell your house. Before we do that though, let’s mention working with an agent.

How to Sell Your House Working with an Agent

I spoke with Larry Kellum, friend and owner of WelcomeMat Services here in my home town and he said he just sold his house and decided to work with an agent. I asked him why he chose to use an agent versus doing it himself. He said, “I just didn’t want to deal with the hassle of selling it myself”.

It’s much easier to sell your house on your own these days. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider an agent. If you are going to use a professional real estate agent, a Realtor, then you won’t have to worry as much about pricing, marketing, or staging. The agent should guide you through each of those steps. That’s what you’re paying them for.

But an agent’s help will not come cheap. An agent will charge 6% commission to sell your house. For a 300,000 house, that’s $18,000. That’s a big enough chunk to wipe out a lot of the equity you may have in your house. If you’re in a market where house values are still recovering, this might not be an option.

Some agents may work with you for less if you are only interested in using a portion of their services, listing-only for instance. And there are now hybrid agent services available at a discount, like RealDirect.com, where you can potentially sell your house for a 2% commission.

But even if you avoid the selling agent’s portion of the commission (3%), you will still likely have to deal with the buyer’s agent and pay them their 3%. Because of this, many sellers reside just to use the services of an agent themselves.

José R. Figueroa, financial coach at FigueroaFinancial.com, offered up a great idea via Twitter. He suggested offering the buyer’s agent an additional incentive. So even if you opt out of using an agent on your end, you can use some of the savings to turn the heads of all the buyer’s agents in the area.

Even if you can easily afford a traditional agent, it’s good to know these other tips below to ensure your agent is doing a good job.

1. Pricing Your House to Sell

To price your house appropriately it helps tremendously to have full knowledge of the home sales prices in your neighborhood. This information can be obtained easily when working with an agent, as they will have direct access to the multiple listing service (MLS).

While you can’t use MLS on your own, you could work with alternative pricing services, like Zillow, Trulia, and Redfin. The folks at BiggerPockets.com put together a larger list of places to look for house values.

While it’s good to understand your local market and neighborhood’s pricing, that doesn’t take into account improvements you’ve made over time. Be sure to add those into the total sales price. Some improvements add more value than others.

One last step to get a firm handle on your pricing is to have the house appraised. You can pay a professional appraiser around $300 to give you an appraisal. You can also pay a site like ForSaleByOwner.com to do an online appraisal/pricing report for $40.

Ultimately you won’t really know what your house is worth until someone buys your house. For that reason, you might want to start your listing at 5-10% more than your estimated (I’ve-got-my-heart-set-on-it) value. Then you will have room to negotiate with potential buyers, keeping in mind that if you aren’t using an agent, you’ll have a little extra wiggle room in the price, all things considered.

If you don’t have much room to negotiate on price, there are still some ways to add value to a sale offer. Is there something you could offer along with the house? For instance, some of the furniture or appliances? Or how about outdoor equipment like a trampoline, kid’s playhouse, or an above-ground pool?

Another option is to offer lawn or security service for a year? As crazy as it sounds, it’s not so uncommon for sellers to even offer a new car along with the house. Thanks to Lance from MoneyLifeandMore.com for this suggestion via Twitter.

2. Home Improvements and Staging to Sell Your House

To sell your house, it helps to have it in great condition and looking its best. If something is broke, fix it. If a buyer knows he or she will have to make several improvements to the house, then they will naturally subtract that amount from the price they are willing to pay. Improvements that make the biggest difference to sale price include minor kitchen remodels and outdoor decks.

Along with repairs and improvements, you will want to stage the house for viewing by buyers. “Buyers want to envision themselves in the house”, says Tai and Tarin Perry aka “The Double Saving Divas”. To do this, you may need to rent a storage space temporarily (to store all of your clutter), and it may even be wise to rent some furniture temporarily to improve upon what you already have.

More reading: 15 Secrets to Home Staging

Finally, give the front yard a face lift. Keep the lawn and landscaping in great condition. Also, make sure the front door and surrounding area are looking their best. This is the first place potential buyers meticulously inspect as they approach the house.

3. Marketing Your House to Sell

If the price is right and the condition is excellent, all that’s left to do to ensure a quick sale is the marketing. You need to inform as many people as possible, and the right kind of people, that your house is for sale.

For starters, get a professional looking sign in your yard. Take excellent pictures (at least one from each room) and list your house on Facebook, Twitter, Craigslist, Trulia, Zillow, and other listing services. Consider adding a promotional flyer which you can leave with your sign using an attached display case or tube.

Brandon Turner at BiggerPockets.com suggests a couple of unique ideas for marketing your home. First, you could create your own website. Setting up a website using WordPress is really easy these days. No technical experience required.

Another idea he had was to advertise on Facebook. I can’t speak to the effectiveness of Facebook advertising, but I know it is relatively inexpensive and it’s easy to target your specific audience.

In summary, to sell your house, the house should be in the best condition possible, you should use all the resources at your disposal to market the house to potential buyers, and you should price your house appropriately, using incentives and good negotiation skills to close the deal.

Sold your house recently? What tips do you have for selling your house? Purchased a house recently? Did the seller provide an extra incentive for you to buy?

The post How to Sell Your House Fast By Focusing On These 3 Key Factors appeared first on PT Money.

Find good deals for graduation presents.

Mailboxes overflow with graduation invitations and announcements this month. If it’s a big year for graduates in your circle of family and friends, it can be a bit of a financial strain. Luckily, there are some great gifts out there that won’t break your budget.

Target’s Top Registry Items - While this list is obviously for wedding gifts, graduates need basic household items, too. Target has some great sales and temporary price cuts right now, and all of these things are shipped free!

Dave Ramsey’s Guide to Budgeting - You can download Dave’s Guide to Budgeting for free right now. Even though it’s free, this could be the most valuable gift a young graduate gets.

Kohl’s Site Wide Sale – When you shop online today and tomorrow at Kohl’s get an extra 20% off of everything with the promo code MAYFLOWERS. If you spend more than $75 you can get free shipping, too.

Fandango Buy One Get One Free Movie Tickets - When you buy a movie ticket on Friday night until August through Fandango with your Visa Signature card you get the second one free.

Free Chick-fil-A for a Year – Every time a new Chick-fil-A opens the first 100 customers win free Chick-fil-A for a year. Check to see if one is opening soon near you!

The post Deals of the Week: Graduation Gifts appeared first on PT Money.

Will your retirement look like this?

In today’s edition, we take a look at life after retirement. Many people look forward to retirement as a time to relax, travel, and be your own boss. It is a goal you work toward your entire adult life and something to enjoy.

However, for many retirees, coming home from work and never going back leaves them feeling unfulfilled and bored. It is important to find a hobby, a part-time job, or volunteer to stay active and happy and ensure you enjoy those golden years you’ve always looked forward to.

Best Quick Money Tips

Finding the Perfect Part-time Job - These retirees got bored sitting around the house. Even at 65 or older they wanted something to keep them busy. Check out what they are doing that has made all the difference in their retirement years.

The Biggest Problem With Early Retirement - Many people work hard in order to retire early. While it is an exciting prospect, retiring at 40 won’t come without it’s own set of problems. There is one thing you need to do to make sure you’re fulfilled in early retirement.

Getting Changes in Your 401(k) – After last weeks FRONTLINE episode about fee-heavy 401(k) plans, many folks were left scratching their heads about what to do about it. This post handles the “what’s next” if you have a bad 401(k).

Mother, Can You Spare a Room? - The number of grown children moving back home is on the rise. If you are the parent in this situation, this article offers good advice to make sure your finances or retirement funds don’t take a hit.

6 Investment Alternatives to the Stock Market - Investing doesn’t always have to mean the stock market. Check out these 6 alternatives and decide if they’re right for you.

More Quick Money Tips

You Have Too Many Bank Accounts - Having too many bank accounts may actually hurt your budget and cause you to spend more. It can be tougher to justify spending when all the money comes out of one account. Decide if it is time for you to close a few accounts.

Side Hustle Series: I Used to Host Estate Sales - Are you an estate sale junkie? There is a way to turn that hobby into an income. It could be your new way to make some extra money on the side.

The Best Advice From Mom - Mother’s Day is Sunday. A group of financial experts share the best money advice they got from their moms.

I’m Riding a Bike to Work! - One family was surprised by the financial impact of riding a bike to work. Look at the numbers; it may be time for you to pull out your bike, too.

7 of the Most Awkward Money Moments - A survey found that these money moments make most people really uncomfortable. How do you feel when your credit card is denied?

Why Do People Think Investing Is a Good Idea? – The College Investor polled personal finance bloggers on their thoughts about investing. You might recognize one of the guys on the list.

Carnivals: Carnival of Personal Finance #408, Festival of Frugality #386, Carnival of Passive Investing, Festival of Frugality #387, Carnival of Personal Finance

The post Quick Money Tips: Life After Retirement appeared first on PT Money.

Here are 10 money tattoos from those who are (maybe a too little) passionate about debt, savings, and more.

1. He’s done with credit card debt and a mortgage. Forever.

Image by BMEzine.com

2. Don’t bother asking him “cash or credit?”

Image by quenluen

3. Why smash a piggy bank when you can roast it?

Image by Kevin Keene Tattoo Artist

4. He’s got money on his mind and his mind on his money.

Image by remogrilli3

5. He just wanted to get his money’s worth for this tattoo.

Image by imagineartistry.com

6. Never forget: Every penny counts.

Image by Mez Love

7. Why pay for internet when you can find it for free?

Image by kninaisgreat

8. Always has money up his sleeve.

Image by Claudio (@MrEspo) March 13, 2012

9. He only has eyes for…cash.

Image by bme.com

10. The best of the money tattoos: the one that gets you paid.

Image by thebadastronomer

Which of these money tattoos would you get inked?

The post 10 Hardcore Money Tattoos to Express Your Financial Self appeared first on PT Money.