3 Month Car Insurance
What percentage of your income should your rent be? - Rent or Buy
A Tribune article yesterday reported that more and more renters in Chicago are becoming rent-strapped- spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent. But that begs the question, how much is too much to spend on rent?
I came to Chicago in 2007 with a three-digit bi-weekly paycheck and a roommate, spending more than 40% of my post-tax income on rent and another 5% on parking. But somehow I didn't feel beyond my means. At the time, I didn't have any fear of losing my job and was less than three months from a significant raise. But looking back, the move wasn't the best idea. I saved no money during that time and had to dip into my savings account to pay for car insurance. I found myself sometimes unable to afford concert tickets or other small luxuries I would have liked.
After I got a raise, I moved with another roommate into a significantly cheaper apartment, spending about 31% of post-tax income on rent. This is about what experts recommend, and it was a lot more comfortable. I didn't feel free to spend on whatever I wanted, but it was best that I didn't since I ended up losing my job just five months into the 12 month lease. Luckily, unemployment insurance more than covered my rent, food and car costs... but maybe that's why it was good I didn't have a higher rent.
I recovered from the job loss with another bump in salary plus some freelance funds, and having moved into my own place, I'm now paying about 38% of my post-tax base salary in rent. But now, my utilities have risen (or are no longer cut in half by my roommate). I'm trying to save money by keeping lights off, not turning on the air conditioning (not hard this year) and turning off my computer and TV when they're not in use. But I don't feel nearly as strapped as when I was at 40%. I think there's something to be said for giving up a few luxuries to live in a nicer place, if you're the kind of person who spends significant time at home.
...NewsChannel5 Helps You Save Money On Car Insurance
In Ohio, it is illegal to operate any motor vehicle without insurance. But being covered can also be costly. So NewsChannel5 hit the streets and asked viewers if they wanted to lower their car insurance rates. The On Your Side consumer team found three drivers -- different ages, different zip codes -- and all with different driving records. College student Evanne is still on her family's plan. But insuring her and her brother costs $325 a month. Retiree Connie and her husband pay just $42 a month. And single professional Arnold pays $125 a month. NewsChannel5 gave each of them a worksheet and a challenge: call five of the leading car insurance providers and get quotes for coverage, to lower their rates. "To compare apples, to apples I actually pulled our policy and read off every bit of coverage we had," Connie said. And that's the first tip if you want to pay less for car insurance. Jarrett Dunbar of the Ohio DepartmentCar Rental Tip #3 - Rental Insurance
travelwishtv.com Most renters know to decline the insurance and then are often swayed at the last second by a salesperson pressuring them that the ...
3 Month Car Insurance- News
Grading the Baucus Health Plan
|
Should Americans Be Forced to Get Health Coverage?
|
Mandated Health Insurance Squeezes Those in the Middle
|
|
Admiral Drives in Buffett's Wake as Car Insurer Heads for US Admiral Drives in Buffett's Wake as Car Insurer Heads for USAdmiral will start selling car insurance through Elephant.com at the end of this year or early 2010, Finance Director Kevin Chidwick said last month. and more » |
|
JD Power and Associates Reports: Among Pharmacy Customers ... For more information on car reviews and ratings; car insurance; health insurance; cell phone ratings; and more, please visit JDPower.com. |