Wednesday, May 12

Show them the Money!

Finding personal financeangles on any beat

Today’s agenda:

Brainstorming personal finance angles from current events

Residential real estate

Show them the money!Finding personal finance angles on any beat

Big piece of art

To readers, nothing is sexier than a dollar sign!

The $even Dimensions of Personal Finance

Translating current events intoconsumer stories

Translating current events intopersonal finance stories

Product recalls DivorceUnemployed construction workers, teensEarth DayHalloweenNatural disasters

http://www.aaml.org/go/about-the-academy/press/press-releases/divorce-filings-have-dropped-in-the-recession-reveals-survey-of-top-matrimonial-lawyers/

http://uspoverty.change.org/blog/view/til_economic_recovery_do_us_part_divorce_too_expensive_for_recession-hit_couples

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/04/26/travel.insurance/index.html?section=cnn_latest

Current Events = consumer angles

Dearth of teen jobs: The going rate for baby sitters.

Unemployed construction & skilled trades workers: What to pay a handyman?

Halloween: Where is the homemade slime story?!Earth Day: Green schemes, green scams – from

fuel additives to investments to eco-tourismNatural disasters: How to get money to relatives,

avoid fraudsters, insurance

Residential real estate

EarningSmall business: Title companies, appraisers,

home inspectors, stagers, consultantsCareers: Realtors (NAR), agents, brokers,

mortgage processors

Residential real estate

Residential real estate

Spending: Home buying/selling: pricing,

gimmicks, incentives, staging, commissions, ROI of décor, landscaping, remodeling

Renting: caveats for renters, how to negotiate, insurance

Spending:Furnishing, remodeling, repair

Shopping/hiring strategies Remodeling/construction caveats, licenses, liabilityLandscaping / alternative energy pros & cons

Home maintenanceUtilities, utility taxes and feesHOA/condo dues, pros & cons, legal rights

Residential real estate

Residential real estate

Borrowing: Explainers on mortgage basics: limits, underwriters,

amortization, calculators Non-traditional: Land contract, rent-to-own, joint

ownership Stimulus-related programs Foreclosure prevention programs State, fed & private mortgage assistance programs Home equity loans & lines

Residential real estate

Saving Mortgage acceleration pros/cons/DIY www.goodadvicepress.com A Banker’s Secret Green appliance rebates, free energy audits

Misc: Vacation/second homes, time sharesQuirky ~ St. Joseph statues, haunted

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cottage-succession-planning-cnw-1172621348.html?x=0&.v=1

Residential real estate

Investing Rental properties pros & cons Appraisals, assessments Home prices/appreciation Flipping, buying foreclosures Related co. as investments

Taxes Mortgage interest, points deduction Energy rebates, deductions, credits (Pub 17) Pros & cons of home office deduction Tax-free rental income windfalls Tax forbearance for those in crisis Tax liens and sales Property taxes

Falling assessmentsExplainer on state prop tax, homestead credits

Residential real estate

Risk Insurance

Hazard, liabilitySpecial policies (flood plains)Running a business from home – liability New home warrantiesExisting home warrantiesSpecial situations – dog bite, child care, pools Appliance warranties, furniture warrantiesBuilding materials recalls

Residential real estate

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomebuyingGuide/AHomeWarrantyIsNoGuarantee.aspx

Thursday: Transportation and health care

Friday: Financial services and personal finance storytelling

Please feel free to e-mail me with additional questions at MPreddy@aol.com.

Show them the money! Finding personal finance angles on any beat