We’ve added yet another episode to our “Insurance Insights” series, which features helpful tips on understanding life insurance, and also how to get the most bang for your buck! Our latest video, which was  featured here on Quicken Loans, speaks about the difference between a brokerage like us, and captive agents, which you may be more familiar with (but don’t get too comfortable!). We’ll show you which way we feel is best for you, your needs, and your budget.

In a tight economy, people are constantly looking for ways to save money, spend smarter, and earn a few extra dollars on the side. One of my friends, Eric Johnson, a technical trainer and supervisor in Des Moines, Iowa, uses several smartphone apps to make extra money by buying and selling merchandise online.

Eric is a savvy shopper, and he uses several smartphone apps to keep up with the latest deals (and sell merchandise to other people). Just like eBay used to be a popular way for people to make money by buying and selling merchandise, these smartphone apps are offering more efficient ways for people to find what they need – and for other people to earn a profit in the process.

Read the full post on Want to make money? Use these apps for a garage sale from your couch!.

Most Americans have credit cards or debit cards, and these little pieces of plastic have made it easier than ever before to make purchases and payments without using cash or checks – but now as more Americans are using smartphones, a new company called Dwolla is introducing a new way to pay.

Dwolla is a new online payment network that makes it possible for people to make purchases (and send money to friends or family) using a smartphone. Using Dwolla, you set up an online Dwolla account (from within the Dwolla website or mobile app) that connects directly to your bank account.

Read the full post on How Dwolla is giving people a new way to pay.

by Guest Poster, Lacey Cook

There are so many people writing books and publishing articles to tell others about how they can achieve financial success, but very few actually follow their advice.

This country is in an economic crisis, and too many people have no financial education what so ever. Many have bad habits that they learned from their parents, and they will continue to pass on these poor financial decision making habits to their children unless they do something to stop it. The following are a few guidelines that can help you achieve financial success by making small changes in your lifestyle.

Read the full post on Keys to Financial Success that are Often Ignored.

Improve your credit score in just 30 days!
Fast credit repair! Just $29!
Guaranteed 100% increase in your credit score!

Theses are just three of the ads that popped up in a Google search for “improve credit score.”

Over the last few years, as unemployment has risen and middle-income salaries have fallen, more and more people have begun falling behind in their credit card and mortgage payments. Some are facing possible bankruptcy, others foreclosure. Over time, those delinquent payments affect a person’s credit score, and thousands of companies have popped up – seemingly overnight – offering to help consumers restore their good credit.

Read the full post on Quick Credit Fixes No Match for Common Sense.