Financial Wellness Forum TM
News and information to help Americans prosper
An educational website published by MediaBear

News Alerts

Strategies to save a million dollars by retirement
*Varying time frames and strategies are offered. And, yes, take heart, each writer insists reaching a million dollars to enjoy the golden years is within reach of most working Americans. To save and grow rich, Click Here>

Credit card ad sends wrong message
* Bank's TV ad says, in so many words, don't live within your means, instead go deeper into debt. | That message coupled with increased credit card usage worries Brian Hampel who writes in the Kansas State Collegiate: "We love to criticize the government for not knowing how to pay its bills... but millions of us have exactly the same problem...." For more about credit card debt, Click Here>

New or used? Which is the better home buy today?
* Why would you buy a new home? But then again... | With a glut of used homes on the market at great prices, there's good reason that new home sales are down. "Still, buying new does have benefits," writes Amy Hoak of Marketwatch.com. For her article that includes links to the latest new and used housing data, Click Here>

* The most reliable new cars today | Consumer Reports gives high marks to Ford, but Asian manufacturers continue to top the list. For the complete ConsumerReports.org article, Click Here>

* Money talks to have before marriage | Divorce can be financially ruinous. That's why discussing personal finances before you tie the marriage knot makes more sense than ever. NYTimes.com offers four such money talks: Click Here> 

* Beware of overspending on your debit card | Just when you thought you could avoid credit card fees by switching to a debit card, think again. Banks are making big bucks by charging high fees to customers who overspend on their debit card accounts. For the complete story at NYTimes.com, Click Here>

* Is this the last chance to get a low mortgage interest rate? | Fixed rates for 30-year mortgages have fallen below 5% again, but some say that with the feds pulling out of the mortgage bond markets in March 2010, interest rates are likely to go back up -- way up. Visit LAtimes.com or Click Here>

* Why modifying mortgages are more difficult than expected | An excellent editorial sheds some light on the stubborn foreclosure problem. While the federal government has done much (allowing up to $75 billion) to attack the mortgage problem, fixing the problem is harder than anticipated. Here's why banks may not be so quick to help homeowners in trouble. Visit Washingtonpost.com or Click Here>

* Bank fees rise | In an effort to offset losses, banks are increasing fees to customers. Business writer Eric Nash examines the new fees and how they are affecting the average person's pocketbook. Visit NYTimes.com or Click Here>

* Coupon websites gain in popularity | Before you buy anything online, click for coupons first, advises Marketwatch.com's Jonathon Burton. He said a number of websites post coupons, although some post expired coupons along with current coupons. Nonetheless, sites that may be better than most include: CouponWinner.com, Dealcatcher.com, Freecoupons.com, Retailmenot.com, and Savings.com. | For Burton's "clicking for coupons" article, visit Marketwatch.com or Click Here>

* Some debt settlement companies can offer more woes than help | Posted on NYtimes.com: Click Here>

* Obama administration warns of mortgage scams | Posted on the LATimes.com: Click Here>
 

* How low will U.S. government bonds go? | For current interest rates of U.S. treasuries provided by Bloomberg.com, Click Here>

* Debt repayment options offered by DebtReliefCompanies.net | If you are tired of collection calls, this YouTube video may help you avoid this situation and get out of debt. Click on the above image, or Click Here>

* Five Steps to Escaping Your Money Trap | MSN Money writer MP Dunleavey offers some good insights into the psychology of spending and personal finance decision-making: "If you're repeating the same financial mistakes, you probably won't get ahead until you figure out what drives you to make the decisions that sabotage success." Dunleavey examines the behavior of those who are caught in the money trap. She also quotes Reeta Wolfsohn, founder of FinancialSocialWork.com: "'Until and unless behavior changes, nothing changes,' says Wolfsohn, a leader in the rapidly growing field of financial social work. In other words, you can't analyze away a money lock. But you do have to connect your financial predicament to its origins, Wolfsohn says." | For the complete article, visit MSNMoney.com or Click Here>

* A new study shows that modifying mortgages is harder than expected | This insightful editorial sheds some light on foreclosure facts. While the U.S. Treasury has done much to attack the mortgage problem (allowing up to $75 billion), fixing the stubborn mortagage problem remains more difficult than anticipated. Here's one explanation as to why bankers are less than enthusiastic, and for a number of reasons. Visit washingtonpost.com or Click Here>

* Rethinking progress and human development | Glaser Progress Foundation offers an archived lecture series by exceptional individuals who examine how progress of civilized societies should be measured today. For example, one lecturer advises that the current benchmark for national progress, which is the NIPA (i.e., National Income and Product Accounts, and includes the GDP, i.e., Gross Domestic Product) should include the PNA (i.e., Program for Nonmarket Accounts). For Glaser's archived lectures and NIPA info, Click Here>

* Economic Madness | They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Photographer Frankie Leon requests your comments (of a thousand words or so, we presume) about one of his Flickr-posted photos, entitled "Economic Madness," Click Here>

* Financial Literacy Month | Take the first step of 30 steps to better manage your money by committing to change. Visit financialliteracymonth.com or Click Here>

* The Future of ETFs | Exchange-Traded-Funds continue to grow through the recession as investors search for safe havens for their money. But are ETFs the real answer? For Forbes special report, Click Here>

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More About FWF

Financial Wellness Forum is designed to support the community. Whether you are a young worker just beginning your career or an experienced executive or business owner who needs specific solutions to complex problems, professional members of the Financial Wellness Forum can offer timely ideas to brighten your economic future.

Financial Wellness Forum offers solid help right here in your own hometown. No longer do you have to go outside the Asheville area or Western North Carolina region. Smart, competent, independent professionals -- those who live and work and play alongside you, your loved ones and your friends -- can help you get back on track on the road to prosperity.

ASA and FWF professionals are involved with speaking at the Forum and as speakers for organizations and businesses who want to offer individuals and employees  the opportunity to improve their financial situation. Area residents can learn about the latest information and news about mortgages, refinancing, tax strategies, and estate planning. The public can become more educated in financial planning, insurance, investments and critical legal issues that can affect their personal finances.

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