Kids Can Do It Too!

Did you know that people normally don't pay off their mortgages until they're almost retired? Eww! So what if you started earlier? Like, when you're a kid! I'm already saving for my first house, and have been for a few years! It's easier than you think...
Here are some steps to take to help you achieve a house by the time you're 15! (maybe later...)

• Save at least 50 percent of what you earn! You really don't need that newest skateboard if your old one is a month old. Toys can usually wait until birthdays and christmas.
• Babysit! Don't have enough time? Take your homework with you and do it while you babysit. Make sure you charge appropriate rates to keep the customers coming back!
• Once you turn 14 and are legally able to get a job, do it! You don't really need 2 months to relax. Put all of that money towards your Big Purchase and use your allowance to spend.
• In the end, if you can't afford to buy a house, then co-buy one with someone else. That way, it'll be a lot easier to pay off the house faster, but you'll still be a proud owner!

There you have it. Some people earn-to-own a house, and have it by the time they're 17! Just try really hard, save a lot, spend little, and you'll be an owner before your parents!

Finally - A Question has Come on Insurance!

Well, after quite a long delay I have received a question. So now... I write!

Dear Munnybagz,
My partner and I both work and we own a house. Since we are both well off, do we need life insurance? I just think it would be a waste of money.
Please respond!
Insurancely Challenged...

Dear Challenged,
Yes! Let's say one of you did indeed die. Sure, you would be able to survive off of what you make, but you wouldn't be able to pay for your mortgage all by yourself. All the things that took a joint effort to pay off like a car, a house, bills, all that taken out of one salary really hurts, and you wouldn't be able to maintain your standard of living. So let's say one of you got life insurance. But the other person died. Then you would still get nothing, plus you would have wasted money on insurance. So the best thing to do is get one life insurance plan that you can both put into, and it would cover both of you. That's the best way to ensure a painless-after-death situation.
Munnybagz

P.S. I need more questions, because I can't write as much if I only can talk about non question-answering things...

Mortgage Magic II

We were asked yet another question about mortgages that I'm sure would really help anyone who knew the answers. Now let's get ready to rumble!

Dear Munnybagz,
I was just wondering if you could tell me how to negotiate a better mortgage, because I am sick of always having to pay off interest instead of the base mortgage. Please help me!
Mad at Mortgage

Dear Mad,
Although you may hate your mortgage rate, you have to realize that mortgages have the lowest interest in comparison to all the other loans. But there are a few tricks and tips that can help you get the best deals.

• hunt around for mortgages at different banks or go to websites that compare mortgages.(such as mortgageshark.com)
• when you're talking to a bank about a mortgage and you're not sure whether or not you're getting the best rate, ask them what they're best rate is, because you found a bank that gives a very good mortgage rate.
• remember, banks always make money off your mortgage, no matter how little they charge. But the higher mortgage rate, the more they make, so if you tell them that another bank has 4.5 %, they will try to go better than that to get your business.

That should help you a little bit, Mad, and anyone else who wants a better rate. Stay tuned for our next episode, and send in your questions!

Munnybagz