Articles written by Starla Ross - Page 5

What is Helium

About me - Starla Ross

I usually don't like to talk about myself. I guess I don't find my life to be all that interesting.

Of course, I could tell you the boring details of my life like the fact I live in a very small town in Ohio, where there very well could be more cows than people.

+ more bio information

RSS Feed

Personal Finance > Mortgages & Home Loans Option payment mortgages: 1 of 3
As the housing and mortgage industry in the United States continues its descent, here comes yet one more product to add fuel to the fire: the option payment mortgage.Even worse than the infamous "no interest" mortgage, the option payment mortgage is a combination of many types of mortgages. It can be a 15-year mortgage, a 30-... More..
Health & Fitness > Emotional Health & Wellbeing Top ten "life coaching" tips in this new economy: 3 of 8
Changes in the financial and real estate markets over the last couple of years have taken many off their current path. Some families have seen drastic changes in their job situations, while still others have experienced the pain of foreclosure. Whether you have seen big or small changes in your life during these times, the c... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Christmas Trim a Christmas tree: Bring back memories and holiday magic: 3 of 8
Thanksgiving - Dressed Up on a BudgetI'm by no means Martha Stewart, and I'm not very artsy, but I always feel the pressure to somehow make my Thanksgiving table look like it came out of an interior design magazine. I never even seem come close to achieving that goal, but I figure if I can serve Thanksgiving at a table that d... More..
Personal Finance > Mortgages & Home Loans Exposing the unscrupulous practices of the mortgage broker: 21 of 54
After five years in the collections department of a mega-bank, I took a job in a small financial planning office. The office sold one service and one service only - a service for debt-ridden homeowners in financially desperate situations.For a hefty fee of $2995, the office would help the clients get a Home Equity Line of Cre... More..
Home & Garden > Home Repair (Other) When to use a contractor, and when to DIY: 9 of 23
While some home improvement projects are just perfect for the do-it-yourselfer, there are some projects that are better left to professionals.Remodeling projects involving major electrical or plumbing changes, local inspections and permits, or danger to the homeowner are projects perfect for professional contractors.While mos... More..
Personal Finance > Financial Planning How to set a budget in Excel: 2 of 5
When it comes to using software to design and develop a budget, Excel is by far one of the easiest and quickest solutions to working out a budget.You may be thinking that designing a budget plan may be difficult - or that it may so time-consuming it will take away from the things you really like to do on your computer - like ... More..
Personal Finance > Financial Planning How to construct a net worth statement: 2 of 5
Many families think net worth statements are only for large corporations and businesses. The thought of creating one can seem unimportant or unnecessary, but this couldn't be further from the truth.A net worth statement is a snapshot of your finances. It simply tells you exactly where your finances are at any one time, and it... More..
Personal Finance > Mortgages & Home Loans Compare today's mortgage rates to those of 15 or 20 years ago: 2 of 5
Changes in the housing and mortgage industry in recent years have left many homeowners hesitant to sell or purchase new homes.In an effort to reverse the problem with sub-prime mortgages, there is no doubt banks and other lending institutions have tightened mortgage guidelines. However, new mortgages and mortgage refinances a... More..
Personal Finance > Budgets & Saving Getting rich one dollar at a time: 3 of 7
The other day I tried to wait patiently behind a gentleman talking to the cashier behind the counter at the gas station. Irritated with the amount of time it was taking me to pay for my gas, I started paying more attention to what the man was purchasing. With cash in hand, the customer was buying a variety of different lotter... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: Bargain hunting and the thrill of the chase: 5 of 11
There's few things in life that rival the thrill of bargain hunting. Call me crazy. Call me cheap. I don't care. For me, it's all about the chase. It never used to be like this. What once (years ago) started as necessity and drudgery has now become an obsessive hobby that's an entertaining pastime. Bargain hunting has become ... More..