Q: Can I tap into a retirement account to help with my down payment?
A: Ideally, the money you use for a down payment should be savings you’ve specifically set aside for a home. but if a lender demands more up-front cash than you expected, an Individual Retirement Account or 401(k) may be the only place you can turn for another $10,000, $20,000 or more.
If that’s the case, tap a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) plan first.
Since contributions to Roth plans are fully taxed before they’re made, you can withdraw however …

I know this scheme has been in the works in certain areas for a while, but that doesn’t change the fact that every new article I read about it makes me want to throw heavy office equipment through a window:
WTVM.com: Fast Food Giant Lobbies for Food Stamps
I love issues like this, because it’s so easy to see exactly where they lead. if you come out against it with the argument of “Folks on public nutritional assistance shouldn’t be using the funds to buy crappy fast food and other items of …

Lawmaker dies in London
REPRESENTATIVE Ignacio “Iggy” Tuazon Arroyo Jr. (Fifth District, Negros Occidental) died on Thursday in London.
The lawmaker suffered a cardiac arrest at around 10:30 a.m. (Philippine time) and was declared ‘clinically dead’ by his doctors.

Full story

February 13-20 is John Paul II Week
THE City Council of Bacolod passed a resolution declaring February 13 to February 20, 2012 as the Blessed John Paul II week in Bacolod City.
The resolution was authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairman of the committee on Laws, Ordinances and good Government. It was passed… …

Sorry for the non-blogging today, but I have been working on an educational program regarding Social Security and its possible reforms.
It is amazing how easy research is now that just about everything can be found on the internet. The Social Security and Census web-sites were very helpful. The federal government is not entirely wasteful. Google was not bad either.
Social Security Reform

Thursday Sector Laggards: Music & Electronics Stores, Education & Training Services

By Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein
Published: November 11 2008 19:46 Last updated: November 11 2008 19:46
Mea culpas are rare these days. In a debate with John Kerry in 2004, President George W. Bush fa­mously could not name a single mistake he had made in his first term. So it is both noteworthy and commend­able that Alan Greenspan, the former US Federal Reserve chairman, fessed up that he had failed to anticipate the financial crisis.
?those of us who have looked to the self-interest of lending institutions to protect shareholders? equity …

Baby boomers financially burdened by aging parents, adult kids
Baby boomers financially burdened by aging parents, adult kids

If you own a car, you should consider that you have to make an important decision when buying car tyres. The thing is, many people are wondering if it is really necessary to go for branded tires. The answer would really depend on your preference as well as your capacity to buy. Branded tires are definitely a lot expensive as compared to used ones so it is up to your budget and preference if you would pick buying branded ones or pick buying those used ones that are also of good …

The dog days of summer are here.? In most of the country, it’s hot.? I hope you’re enjoying the warmth.? The summer is also a time of year people have more time to think. The longer days means more time outside and less television indoors. Summer means more time grilling and, hopefully, less time grabbing fast food.
With the extended daylight, take a few minutes to reflect on your financial affairs. what goals have you reached in the last year? Where are you still behind compared to your personal benchmarks?? Don’t? …

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