Personal Finance and Investing

You’ve probably been hearing about the debt ceiling and the national debt in the news for a while. Should the U.S. government raise the debt ceiling? Does the government need to raise tax rates instead? How does the debt ceiling and national debt affect me? These are some of the questions that may come to mind every time you watch the news.

What is the Debt Ceiling?

Every day the government spends more money than it has, and as a result, the government has to borrow money (sell debt) to cover for that deficit. There was a law passed back in 1917 determining the debt ceiling (the maximum amount that the government can borrow), but of course, the amount has been changed many times since then. I

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A new report (pdf) for the  TUC and Energy Intensive Users Group  says that  energy intensive companies must innovate to survive, and calls on the government to make sure there is a place for them in its plans for the low carbon economy of the future.

Employers and unions want to support the successful transition of these key industries to a low carbon economy, and as a trade association, we were keen to contribute to this study.

The ceramics sector employs about 20,000 people, and together with its suppliers, generates about £2 billion sales.  Our members make long-life (and therefore low life-cycle carbon footprint) construction products such as bricks, tiles, drainage pipes and sanitaryware. They Read more…

When I was growing up, one thing that my father drove into me harder than any other was being financially responsible. I recall many long lectures on fiscal responsibility, maintaining a savings account, and never spending more than you can afford to pay off.  The influence that he had on me was profound and saved me from several disasters that could have left me desolate with few options – had I not prepared myself adequately with savings.

I only wish he could’ve given more people the same lectures that he gave me.

50% of Americans Not Prepared For Financial Crisis

A recent study published by National Bureau of Economic Research reveals a fragile situation trending in the United States. Rese Read more…

There are mixed opinions when it comes to paying a loan off early, but the good seems to outweigh the bad.

There are a few ways to pay off a loan before the length of a loan has run out. You can make larger monthly payments, pay a large lump sum, or make additional payments throughout a monthly period. Any of these tactics will work well, and the extra money you pay will help decrease the overall loan amount.

The question then becomes: How do these payment strategies work for different loan types?

Paying an Auto Loan Quickly

Most people make monthly auto loan payments.

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