  |
|
|
Index Interviews: Douglas Cooper G. Wayne Miller Articles: Where Do You Get Your Ideas...? (Part II) Tracking Your Submissions Book Reviews The HowToWebTM Update -- Personal Finance Upcoming Events Calendar Reader Mail Return to This Issue's Index Return to Homepage Subscribe
|
|
 Welcome to The HowToWeb® Update. The Update, published twice monthly, is your guide to useful and interesting websites and web services. Each issue has its own theme. This issue's theme is health and fitness. Spring is nearly here so, of course, your mind turns to... personal finances! Tax time is just around the corner, so what better time to get those finances in order? The amount and range of financial information on the Net is amazing. From mortgage rates to retirement planning, it's all on the Web. You can even download tax forms online. So, fire up the computer and surf your way to financial security…or at least to some good tax tips. You can receive Update by email. Just use the online subscription form located here. Subscribers' emails will not be sold or given to third parties. The Update and archives are also available free online at http://www.writenews.com/howtoweb/. Personal Finances Bank Rate http://www.bankrate.com/ For 15 years, Bank Rate Monitor has been tracking bank rates and the banking industry for consumers. The 1600 pages on the site provide rates for mortgages, home equity loans, savings, credit cards and checking accounts, as well as ATM fees and online banking fees. The database, which includes more than 2,500 institutions, is updated every evening, Monday through Friday. So the next time you're shopping around for the best rates on credit cards, bank accounts or mortgages, stop by Bank Rate to comparison shop. You'll be glad you did. CNNfn The Financial News Network http://cnnfn.com/ A mammoth site, CNNfn has it all: breaking financial news, U.S. and world market updates, bank rates, information on stocks, bonds, commodities and futures, corporate news, fund reports, life and retirement planning services and much more. Don't miss the IRS national averages chart where you can see how your allowable deductions stack up against the national average. An essential site for those who are serious about their personal finances. Debt Counselors of America http://www.dca.org/ Debt Counselors of America is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping consumers get out of debt. The site offers many free publications discussing issues such as credit reports, secured credit cards, leasing a car and much more. For a minimal fee of $10.00 you can download 5 of its most useful publications, such as: 9 ways to improve your credit profile, how to reduce your spending, buying a car with bad credit, the 22 myths about credit and debt and 10 ways to repair your credit report. The DCA also offers bill consolidation payment services for no fee. An important site to bookmark for those with credit problems or those wishing to know their rights concerning credit reporting. Forbes http://www.forbes.com/ Business powerhouse Forbes Magazine has moved online with a vengeance with four online publications which are all available free online. Forbes Digital Tool is a daily webzine with original stories covering business, technology and the Internet. Forbes Magazine online features the business journalism of the popular offline publication. Forbes ASAP (available only online) is the magazine's hot off the presses supplement covering hi-tech trends and innovations, and Forbes FYI is its online-only quarterly guide to living the good life. With up to the minute financial and business news and in-depth journalism, Forbes online is a must-stop for those wishing to keep up with the latest business news. Homeowners Finance Center http://www.homeowners.com/ Thinking of buying a house or refinancing a mortgage? Be sure to stop by the Homeowners Finance Center first. Mortgage broker Dick Lepre has created an excellent resource for both first-time homebuyers and for seasoned pros. The website features a Mortgage Calculator, descriptions and estimates of loan closing costs, a "test drive" where you can compare your loan to others on the market with a rate analysis and definitions and explanations of common mortgage related terms. Rates are updated daily. An excellent source for information for those in the market for a new home. Internal Revenue Service http://www.irs.gov If you thought the U.S. Postal Service had a great site, (see, Vol. 1, Issue No. 6) just wait until you see the new kinder and gentler IRS site. It even has its own ezine: The Digital Daily which bills itself as "faster than a speeding 1040-EZ." If you can tear yourself away from the Digital Daily, be sure to check out the rest of the site where you can download every conceivable tax form and instruction booklet, find out about changes in tax law, how to file electronically and get help on your taxes. A lifesaver for those who delay in ordering needed tax forms until the last possible moment. Kiplinger Online http://www.kiplinger.com/ Since 1920, the Kiplinger organization has provided personal finance and business forecasting services. Now Kiplinger is online where it offers a wealth of information including business news, frequently asked financial questions, stock quotes, top funds listings, definitions of 101 investment terms everyone should know, business forecasts, retirement advice and much more. Kiplinger's popular newsletters are also available online by fee-based subscription, but there's plenty of good advice for free on this helpful site. The Money Page http://www.moneypage.com The Money Page provides links to websites for online banks, credit cards, ATM locators, credit unions, electronic money resources and other money-related sites. The site also includes an investor's guide which provides links to financial sites, mutual fund websites, brokerage firms, markets and exchanges sites' and other sites of interest to investors. A great starting point in your search for financial resources and services. Money.com http://www.money.com Money.com's online service provides financial information on market trends, mortgages, insurance, retirement, saving money and taxes. Be sure to visit the site for its extensive section on how to meet your money goals, which includes interactive features on finding the college that best fits your needs, saving and borrowing money, (with calculators to aid you in your decisions such as whether to lease or buy a car and how to calculate your return) a section on limiting your tax liability and more. The site also includes a premium service which offers more in-depth analysis of stocks, mutual funds and market trends. Money.com is part of Time Warner's Pathfinder Network at: http://www.pathfinder.com. Quicken.com http://www.quicken.com Quicken.com is a must-see site for anyone seeking financial information. Quicken.com offers well-organized and detailed sections on a variety of financial topics including banking, taxes, retirement, savings, small business, home and mortgage and more. Each section provides articles, news, calculators and other tools to assist you in achieving your financial goals, as well as Quicken.com's top picks for related websites if you need more information. Smart Money Interactive http://www.smartmoney.com Smart Money Interactive provides a great deal of financial content, including an excellent Answer Center, which provides detailed answers to your questions about insurance, homeowning, retirement planning, college planning, estate planning, taxes and more. Smart Money also includes a great quantity of free market information, including analysis and picks of mutual funds and stocks, personal finance articles and consumer-related articles. A free email newsletter is also available. An excellent site that anyone interested in market trends or financial information will want to bookmark. Subscribers to the premium service obtain access to additional services, including more detailed analysis of stocks and mutual funds. This subscription also includes access to the Wall Street Journal Interactive, the daily financial news bible. TaxWeb http://www.taxweb.com/ TaxWeb provides a comprehensive guide to tax-related information on the Web and provides answers to common tax questions, such as how to file an extension. The site includes links to tax news, discussion groups, tax organizations, and direct links to the government's tax sites where you can download the tax forms you need. A very easy to use and fast-loading site. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development http://www.hud.gov The website for the Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") provides a wealth of regularly updated information for homeowners and renters, including tips on home buying, how to lower your insurance premiums, information on renting a home and details on federal housing. The website also provides information to protect the homebuyer/homeowner from common fraud and scams they may encounter. If you need more information or a personal contact the site can also direct you to the location of a HUD office in your area. |
www.internetwritingjournal.com
WritersWrite.com | WriteNews.com | WatchersWatch.com | ReadersRead.com
Advertising | Classifieds | Media Jobs | RSS Feeds | Shopping | Subscribe
Copyright © 1997-2008 by Writers Write, Inc. All Rights Reserved.