Just recently, BBVA Compass and SmartyPig formed a partnership, and BBVA Compass seems to be taking full advantage of it. They just posted a new promo on SmatyPig’s main website, and this promo has to do with a $150 bonus for every checking account opened at BBVA Compass. This isn’t a bad deal at all of you’re looking for some immediate freebies just to enroll an account.

Just in case you want the word from the horse’s mouth, you can also check the promotion page. We’ve found out, though, that you don’t get your $150 right away. As in other

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There’s no bigger blessing in life than learning that you have a child on the way. While you may be more than thrilled about the newest addition to your family, you know that only a few months away, you will need to make major budgeting adjustments to pay for short- and long-term necessities.

While everyone sees their financial need intensify upon becoming a parent, those who have children with special needs have even more to think about. Depending on the level of need, they may have to make adjustments that last the child’s lifetime.

So how do you begin to budget for your child with special needs when you don’t know where to start?

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One of the most frustrating areas of dealing with a refinance is often the appraisal. It can ruin your refinancing attempts and in the past, lenders have taken advantage of improper appraisals to justify offering more expensive loans. Luckily, with the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, financial reform is here.

Regulating something like appraisals isn’t easy. Every city is different and so is every appraiser. There are several things that these new laws will do for homeowners and homebuyers alike:

1. Trash the old Code of Conduct (HVCC) for appraisers that often caused more problems than it solved.
2. Standardize those who manage appraisers through new regulatory procedures.

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Every state is different when it comes down to filing for bankruptcy.  Since there are so many factors that you’re going to have to dig into, I thought I would write up this post to help you better understand the situation and how much you’re going to have to set aside.

No, you’re not going to be able to declare bankruptcy for free, or include the bankruptcy fees into your filling, because no one is going to work for you.  This is why its important that you save up a little extra cash in order to afford your attorney.

Taking a look at bankruptcy costs

To file in a local courthouse, you’re going to have to more than likely pay around $300 to file for either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.  You can always refer to the court system to see what the exact pricing is, but usually it will be around $300.

Paying for your attorney

You will need an attorney 99% of the time.  If you think you can get away without having one, you’re wrong, because there are so many forms to fill out, as well as procedures to take.

All attorneys are going to be different in pricing.  You will find that some will allow you to pay in installments, while others will want a full payment up front to avoid being stiffed in the future.

You will want to price a few attorneys in your area, but plan on paying upwards of $2,500 for an attorney in your area.  If you really want to get your money worth, I would recommend going with an experience firm.  A younger lawyer may get the job done, but they can screw up as well.

In the end, if you save more than $3,000, you will be on the safe side.   I would say that you could pay as little as $600 with a cheaper attorney, but with someone that is experienced, as well as throw in filing fees, plan on paying around $2,500.

A new report from the Department of Agriculture revealed that coffee prices hit their highest level in 13 years this week, which could break the hearts of many die-hard coffee lovers. Meat lovers may have to share in this sadness, too, since cattle prices have also seen significant increases since the beginning of July. With both prices rising fast, investors and consumers alike are wondering, how expensive can food get?

Coffee and Cattle Prices Jump

According to the Department of Agriculture, coffee futures (the contract price for coffee that will be sold at a later date) jumped to $1.88 a pound this week. This is the highest level in nearly 13 years.

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If you’re looking to grow your money in a low-risk account, you probably already recognize that your standard savings or checking account may not yield much of a return. Rather than look at annual interest earnings sheet of a few pennies, you can explore money market accounts for a safe way to an increased return. Here are a few guidelines for finding the best money market rates.

Save more to earn more

Many banks offer money market accounts with interest rates that vary depending on your account balance. Once your balance crosses incremental thresholds, you reap the reward of higher interest rates. Do your research, though. At many banks, the best money market rates are reserved for big balances over $10,000. Read more…