A blog about money -“The Dough Roller”

It is better to learn from experience of others, because if is safe side of being careful before the disaster. I mean at the time when we have to face unexpected situations, or events where we need help in terms of finance. But most of the time, after the solution of that problem, we forget about the debt or loan, we had to pay later on.

The Dough Roller is a blog about money. How to make it, give it, save it, and spend it in a way that moves us closer to financial freedom.

At the DR, you can learn everything from asset allocation to zero coupon bonds, from savings yields to real estate investing, and from raising financially fit kids to raising financially fit parents (yes, even our parents need raising now and again–at least mine do).

About the author:

He worries about raising teenagers, retirement, education costs, housing, investments. He is not a financial advisor, he has invested in the stock market for about 15 years and in residential real estate for two. During this time, I’ve made good and bad decisions and write about both on the DR.

More about the creation of this blog: (In blogger's own words)

“I grew up in a middle class home. My parents lived from paycheck to paycheck, and for years we lived in fear of losing our home due to some poor financial decisions. Although I was never taught or encouraged to save or invest, I do believe one positive outcome of these childhood fears is the desire I have today to make sound financial decisions. But it wasn’t always that way. From high school through college, I spent every dime I made, and then some. When I graduated from college, my net worth was about (-$55,000). Shortly after college, something in me changed (I’m still not sure what), and I began to save. Not much at first, but as my investments grew, my desire to save more grew as well. While I’ve not achieved financial independence, I’m on my way. The DR is about that journey, a journey I hope you take for yourself.”

A noticeable post:

* What A Financially Painful Childhood Can Teach You about Money

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What is credit score?

Often we don't have a proper knowledge of debt, credit and other finance matters, and sometimes it is the only reason that we cannot make us debt free. Personally I feel that learning these all terms is a good way to get a secured and debt free future. When we are aware of our credit/debt score and know that more we are hanged up by taking loans, more we are away to get finacial freedom. So let's learn more about "Credit Scores" and how it works.

How Credit Scores Work?

A credit score is a number that is calculated based on your credit history to give lenders a simpler "lend/don't lend" answer for people who are applying for credit or loans. This number helps the lender identify the level of risk they may be taking if they lend to someone. While the same end result can come through reviewing the actual credit report (which lenders usually do), the credit score is quicker and less subjective. The system awards points based on information in the credit report, and the resulting score is compared to that of other consumers with similar profiles. With this information, lenders can predict how likely someone is to repay a loan and make payments on time. It's the credit score that makes it possible to get instant credit at places like electronics stores and department stores.

Although there are several scoring methods, the score most commonly used by lenders is known as a FICO because of its origins with Fair Isaac and Company. Fair Isaac is an independent company that came up with the scoring method and software used by banks and lenders, insurers and other businesses. Each of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) worked with Fair Isaac in the early 1980's to come up with the scoring method.

The three national credit bureaus each have their own version of the FICO score with their own names. Equifax has the Beacon system, TransUnion has the Empirica system, and Experian has the Experian/Fair Isaac system. Each is based on the original Fair Isaac FICO scoring method and produces equivalent numerical results for any given credit report. Some lenders also have their own scoring methods. Other scoring methods may include information such as your income or how long you've been at the same job.

Accessing Your Score

Until recently, your credit score was not available to you. Only lenders and other businesses that used the score could access it. Fair Isaac and Company felt that the score would only confuse consumers since there was nothing to tell them what it meant or what the lenders were looking for.
In 2001, however, all of this changed due to pressure from the U.S. Congress, industry, and consumer groups. Now you can get your credit score at a number of Web sites, including the big three credit bureaus, and at Fair Isaac's Web site. You can also ask your lender for access to your score when you apply for a loan.


Provided by Lee Ann Obringer at "How stuff works": credit score

What is the average credit score and why?

Your credit score has a humble history. In the 1950s, engineer Bill Fair and mathematician Earl Isaac devised a mathematical formula to help creditors analyze data. Their idea was simple but radical: a credit scoring system. It didn't catch on at first, but then Conrad Hilton (founder of Carte Blanche, one of the world's first credit cards) and Montgomery Ward started using credit scores in the late 1950s and early '60s [source: Fair Isaac].

The Fair Isaac Corporation refined its formula as Americans became more dependent on credit. As a result, your FICO score -- the number between 300 and 850 that most people refer to as a credit score -- became widespread. And in 1989, the first general FICO score was issued by a major credit bureau. The score represented -- and still does -- a culmination of your credit worthiness.

To read more:
Source link: by Josh Clark average credit score

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"Wise Bread"- helping you large on a small budget

Financial freedom can be acquired by just keeping in mind that we need to make future planning and budget to take control of our finances. And to reach our target, we have to think seriously how we can make adjustments with our needs and expenditures. There are many ways to save money and to get financial freedom, we have to look around for saving money. I am personally in favour of saving money, as it saves us from taking loans, at the times of needs. A money saving habit can help you a lot to be debt free in future.
"Wise Bread" is one of the sites, which provides us tips and advice in money saving.
Philosophy of the Wise Bread is : "you can have fun saving money"

Mission:(In their own words)

We believe people on a budget can still enjoy fabulous and fun lives. We are here to share tips that will help you live large without sacrificing your financial independence.

Wise Bread will help you discover:

- Savvy shopping tips to keep you stylish, sassy, and solvent.
- Financial advice that is easy to understand and easy to apply.
- Career and money-making ideas that'll add zeros to your bank account.
- General adulthood know-how your parents forgot to tell you.

The best way to ensure that you will stick to a budget is to create a lifestyle that is as much fun as it is practical.

For example, instead of focusing on how you shouldn't spend $20 a night at the movies, why not think about attending a free Bohemian art gallery exhibit instead?

Or, how about this: Did you know that you can actually save money by becoming a food snob?

And how would you like to get a personal shopper to cater to your fashion needs for free?

These are just some of the tips you'll find at Wise Bread.

Link to :forums
Site link: Wise Bread

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"Investor Guide" -guiding you in personal finance and investment

As I have discussed before that to lead a debt free life and get financial freedom, you need to do proper future planning. Future planning includes making budget, research or knowledge of credit, debit terms, and when you are financially stable, then go forward to invest your money for long term benefits.
But where to get guidance and advice about investing our money?

Investor guide was launched in 1996, to empower individual investors to take control of their finances and investments through the Internet. It is headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia and is flagship of WebFinance Inc. which is a financial Internet company which designs, builds, and nurtures business opportunities where technology and finance intersect.

Mission:
(In their own words)
InvestorGuide.com's mission is to give you complete control over your financial future. The days of having to use traditional full-service brokers are over, as the Web is accelerating an investing and personal finance revolution. For the first time, you have all the tools you need to handle your own personal finance and investing decisions. You no longer need to rely on the 'professionals' to make the decisions for you. In short, the playing field has been leveled. Yet the transition from using a broker to investing online on your own is not easy, and we recognize and understand this fact. InvestorGuide.com is geared towards making this transition as easy and smooth as possible.

InvestorGuide.com believes that every investor, regardless of experience, can benefit from a guide designed to help them sort through all of the investing information on the Internet. Sections that benefit everyone equally are those covering online brokers, stock information, and a comprehensive list of publicly traded companies (including home pages, research, and discussion).

InvestorGuide Research Tool is one of the most powerful research tools on the internet. It gathers all the company-specific links you need in one place -- improving the efficiency of your stock research. From quotes and charts to insider activity and institutional ownership, you will find everything you need to make your next investment a good one.
I have given some links where you can search for the site features, but take time to search the side bar links and all the pages, as this site is very useful and informative. And information or guide links are all FREE.

Link: InvestorGuide Research Tool

Best way to be informed about the site news and learn about investment, sign up for their newsletters

* InvestorGuide's WiserAdvisor Service to help you find your ideal financial advisor. Plus, this service is free, simple, fast, objective, confidential and there's no obligation.

* News provides you news in investments and

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"Bargaineering"- A personal finance blog from a young student

Blueprint for Financial Prosperity is a personal finace blog from a young student of twenty plus, who have been interested in personal finance ever since he was given $20 on his birthday and discovered how much it could actually buy.

Jim (the blogger) claims that he is still a learner and want to share his experience with his readers.

You can find post about shopping, insurance, investing, retirement, loans, credit cards, mortgages, bargain hunting and other issues related to personal finance.

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50 Fun Facts About Credit Cards

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Top

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"The simple dollar"- for the people who need both cents and sense

During my web search for quality blogs, sites and resources for this blog, I noticed good blogs which not only provide personal experience based advice, but tips and guides, can definatlely help us make our life debt free. These blogs offer many helpful links and resources in this connection.

The Simple Dollar is a personal finance blog. Trent Hamm is the creator behind this blog and this blog is a result of his personal experiences to overcome debts.

The blog helps us to learn simple ways to manage our finances and save money.

Here is the story behind creation of this blog:

(In Hamm's own words)

"My name is Trent Hamm, and in April 2006, I went through a complete financial meltdown. I threw myself head first into trying to figure out every nuance of fixing my financial situation, and after a few months I began to get the picture. Within eight months, I had paid off all of my credit card debt, paid off my vehicle, and also established an emergency fund. Since I have a passion for writing and I had learned so much about how personal finance really works, I established this blog near the end of 2006 to tell the world about what I had learned and help people who were struggling with the same things."

Few posts from the blog:

- The Road To Financial Armageddon: The Earliest Mistakes

- My 25 Favorite Articles

- 31 Days To Fix Your Finances: A Wrapup

* He is offering few books on finance which are really cheap. I have bought a book about "blogging" for $2 only and it is really informative. I encourage my readers to go to the site and buy one of the books.

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"msn-money"- an online news and article resource

It is a good idea to get in touch with the sites, which provide updated news, articles and useful tips in finance and money matters. Because to deal with your personal finances and related matters, you need to be in touch with the world around you. msn can help you in this connection.

money central from msn provides lots of news, articles, resources and links about investing, personal finance, banking, insurance, retirement, savings/debt, tax and a lot more.

Links to the a few pages:

* Savings and Debt

* Participate at the message board or read other posts at :message board

Subscibe to their FREE newsletters which include:
- weekly MSN money
- Market Summary - Daily Market Update
- Personal Finance
- SuperModels
- Jubak's Journal about investing, the stock market and the economy
- MP Dunleavey and the Women in Red is about personal finance
Just tick the appropriate box and you would be receiving these updated news, articles in your inbox.

There are a lot of other pages and useful articles, which you may browse by going to any link provided at this post.

Blogs from msn:
** topstocks provides analysis about the most noteworthy stocks in the market each day, combining some of the best content from around the MSN Money site and the rest of the Web.

** smart spending Smart Spending combines the best money-saving tips from around the MSN Money site and the rest of the Web.

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"Money saving expert forums"- A place to discuss money saving and more

I have learned a lot from online message boards and froums. As members of these communities come to one place to share their experience and opinions. These forums or message board are FREE to join, and often you get the resources, links, tips, ideas and advice, which you can't get from other sites or blogs.

MoneySavingExpert.com's Forums is a huge community of money savers. There is a lot of learn at this forum, as it has 50 different subjects each with its own mini community.

The aim of the forum is to help you save money on anything and everything by finding the best deals.

The forum is free of ads and free to join. There are 306,525 Members and 8,068,346 posts at the forum, so it is well understood that this community is really big and a good place to browse through different catagories.

Information provided at any message board are not meant to be a advice. Mostly these information are based on journalistic research and analysis. But still you can get ideas, tips and learn techniques at these kind of forums. There are lot of posts which offer useful links to other places. You can ask questions or give your opinion about any matter.

Some of the forum topics are:

- Debt-Free Wannabe-(providing support for those in debt)

- credit cards

More topics:
Grabbit While You Can -top bargain spotting.
MoneySaving Old Style(
- The Benefits Board

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Be credit smart by learning about "Credits"

I am not a person who have been involved in finace, debit, credit or any other money related topic, but I am always enthusiatic to learn more about these topics. As learning can lead you to be in your budget and be debt free. I believe in planning and budget making for a financially secured future. I am including as many links and posts at my blog, which can guide you and provide you with some real tips to get your financial freedom goals.

CreditLearningCenter helps you be credit smart, saving money and protect your identity.

The mission of CreditLearningCenter.com is to be the most trusted name and resource in the area of credit, consumer finance, and identity theft education.

The site is created by Walter Burch, who has more than twenty-five years experience as a writer, producer, broadcast journalist, and managing editor in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Burch has written and produced educational media, financial reports, radio, television, and multimedia presentations for leading corporations.

Walter E. Burch says:

"Credit, for better or worse, is a reality of modern life. How credit is used is a matter of choice: Credit can be used wisely to help achieve the dreams of owning a home, a car, or financing a college education. Or, it can be used casually to ring up impulse purchases and credit card debts whose true cost cannot be calculated in dollars and cents.

We encourage you to become a personal credit expert. Understanding credit, how to use it wisely, and making sure your credit reports are accurate, can not only help you save a lot of money -- they can also be your "first line of defense" against identity theft.

One of the most important things to know is that it is up to you to take charge of your credit. You, not the credit bureaus or your creditors, are in control of your personal credit. Indeed, the only person who knows if the information contained in your credit reports is accurate is you. Commit yourself to understanding and monitoring your credit, so you get the most out of your credit and the most out of your life."

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