Lengthening Check Float Times
Not so long ago, getting funds into your checking account to cover a check you'd written was much easier. Electronic banking has all but eliminated the check float… or has it?
Money Talks editor Stacy Johnson looks at some ways you can lengthen the float time on your money. The video runs 1:26…
Do you ever wonder why banks can process a check against your account almost instantly, but it can take 24 hours for a deposit to show up when you make it? What do you think? Are banks using our money without our permission? Leave us your opinion by clicking on the comment link below and sounding off. We'd love to hear from you.
How to Complain Successfully
Customer Service can be a nightmare, but our Money Editor, Stacy Johnson, has some tips that should help you come away from your complaint with a little more restitution. Video runs 1:39…
Have you had a bad experience with a customer service rep? Either on the phone, in person, or online? Sound off and tell us about it. Use the comment link below to tell us your customer service experience, good or bad.
Tankless Water Heaters: Are They Right For You?
If you're in the market to replace a water heater, now may be a good time to consider a tankless variety.
After getting over the initial phobia of not having hot water sitting in a tank waiting for you to use (and wasting a lot of electricity at the same time) here are some of the things you need to know about tankless water heaters:
- Tankless water heaters don't require a lot of room. With traditional water heaters there are different sizes and shapes but when you are using one of these for your entire home you can be sure these water heaters will be a lot larger than the tankless heaters. The gas tankless water heaters are approximately the size of a suitcase and the electric tankless heaters are the size of a briefcase. So, obviously these heaters are going to take less room than the traditional water heaters.
- Tankless water heaters last longer than traditional water heaters. These days, traditional heaters last about 8 to 12 years. Tankless water heaters don't have water storage like the traditional heaters do so they last longer. The gas ones will last about 15 to 20 years and the electric ones will last 30 to 40 years.
- Tankless water heaters will save you money. To get a tankless water heater will be more expensive than traditional water heaters. The tankless heaters will save you money because they cost less to operate. With these water heaters you can save 40 to 50 percent on your water heating bill every month. Over time this will save you a lot of money.
- Do you ever run out of hot water when there is more than one person taking a shower? The tankless water heater will take care of this problem because these water heaters will make sure you always have hot water. Tankless heaters heat the water as it moves through so you will never run out of hot water.
So if your old water is due to be replaced, take the time to check out tankless water heaters so you can decide if this would be a good thing to have in your home. If you have to buy a new water heater, why not get one that has so many benefits to you?
If you have any experience with a tankless water heater, we'd love to hear about it, pro or con. Just click the comment link below and tell us about your tankless water heater experience. We'd love to hear from you. Don't worry, even though your email address is required to post a comment, it will never show up here when your comment does.
Are You Sick of Bad News Yet?
We don't know about you, but we're absolutely sick to our gills here hearing about all the bad news regarding the economy, and more directly, the real estate industry.
Zogby AOL released a poll recently showing that over 50% of Americans believe that home ownership is still attainable for everyone. Other interesting facts in their survey showed:
- 31% of participants feel their home is worth more than it was a year ago
- 56% do not think their home will be worth less in five years
- 69% of Americans seeing real estate as a viable investment
- If forced to sell their home today, 50% would buy another home rather than rent
- Almost 50% of Americans would seriously consider purchasing a home through a foreclosure listing
- 67% of Americans surveyed turn to the Internet first when looking for a home
These numbers are consistent with other recent findings. However, the disconnect is the trust in the American economy seems to still lag. So what comes first?
Other interesting findings: What are the Key Factors when searching for a home?
- Communities with low crime
- High-quality schools
- Recreational facilities
- Easy commute to work
One interesting take is that there is a significant percentage of respondents that indicated that they would pay a premium for a home if they could cut their drive time by half.
Where do you rate with these questions? We'd love to hear your opinion. Just click the comment link below and sound off. Your email address will never be published on this site to protect your identity and your email from spamming.
Retirement in Your 50s
Over the next few weeks, we're going to explore some of the things you need to be doing to get your finances in shape for eventual retirement. Today, we look at what you should be doing if you're in your 50's, and hoping to retire some day with any kind of lifestyle like you enjoy now.
Money Talks editor Stacy Johnson explains… (video runs 1:37)
Over the next month or so, we'll examine what you should be doing to prepare for retirement if you're in your 40s, 30s, and 20s. Keep reading (and watching).
