Without access to the proper financial resources, the poor and underprivileged have little hope of bettering their economic standing. Nonprofit microfinance organizations issue small loans to individuals unqualified to borrow from traditional financial institutions. Rather than simply gifting charitable donations, microfinance organizations allow individuals to make investments in economic opportunity. Check out a few of our favorites, and feel free to make a donation or two in the process!
For helping those who help others: Accion
Founded in 1961, Accion has helped build 62 microfinance institutions in 31 countries around the globe. Their reach extends to 4.9 million clients in the US, Mexico, Latin America, Africa and Asia. They provide instruction and assistance to microfinance institutions worldwide, offering guidance in management, investment and governance.
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Florists around the country are scrambling as they deal with a flood of delivery orders and Mother’s Day 2012 preparations. As the most popular day for floral retail sales, even outweighing sales from Valentine’s Day, finding flowers for Morther’s Day at a reasonable price may prove challenging for some consumers with a tapped-out savings account.
Despite tight budgets this year, consumers are expected to spend an average of $152.52 on moms, an increase over the $140.73 spent on average in 2011, according to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) 2012 Mother’s Day Consumer Spending Survey.
The survey confirmed that the leading item being purchased to make mom feel special are flowers, with 66.4 percent of Americans planning for this purchase.
With designer floral arrangements being advertised by big-name wire services at upwards of $50 (not including additional deliver fees and other tacked-on charges), you’ll need the inside scoop on how to treat mom on her special day without sacrificing the rent.
Mother’s Day Flowers for Less
To get a hold of affordable Mother’s Day flowers, you’ll have to get creative. Here are a few con
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Hold on to your wallets, Citizens Bank customers: going green is about to cost you more green. Starting April 23rd, your Green Checking Account’s monthly fee will increase from $4.99 to $9.99. Got a Personal Checking with Interest Account instead? You aren’t off the hook either: your monthly fee will increase from $9.99 to $11.99. To avoid these new fees, you’ll need to make five qualifying transactions each month or maintain an average daily balance in your account ($1,500 for Green Checking and $2,500 for Personal Checking with Interest). “Qualifying transactions” include ATM withdrawals, online bill payments, direct deposit, debit card purchases and paid checks. We personally don’t mind one requirement to avoid a monthly fee, but a high minimum balance and five qualifying transactions? No thanks!
We’re not gonna take it
If you feel the same way we do, it’s probably time to find a new bank. The nerds at Ne
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If you’re well-acquainted with HBO’s Game of Thrones series, you may not realize that in addition to the excitement of rivalry, war and brow-raising scenes, you’re getting sound financial advice. The Game of Thrones season premiere brings with it the wise house words of the families residing in the land of Westeros. These family mottos, as broad as they are, carry important lessons on topics like saving money and planning for your future.
Money Mottos From the Game of Thrones
The creator of the Song of Ice and Fire book series — in which the Game of Thrones is an installment — probably wasn’t thinking about personal finance when he crafted the house words into the story.
But many of the mottos, however, provide great examples of how to set yourself up for financial success.
Tullys clearly have their priorities straight, which is exactly the kind of approach needed to manage money effectively.
To get a better understanding of your financial priorities, itemize your bills and take note of details like interest rates, balances on each account or debt and the minimum monthly payment requirement for each. Then, determ
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Who doesnt love Costco? The giant wholesale warehouse is as American as apple pie. They are so American, the only credit card they accept is American Express. So, it is only natural they would team up to provide their own card. The True Earnings Card from Costco and American Express is a card that has found its way into the purses and wallets of Americans across the country for those regular Costco customers.
The True Earnings® from Costco and American Express provides a viable cash back and gas card on the market for most Costco users (you must be a Costco member to own this card). Lets take a look at the basics.
- 3% Cash back on gas (maximum $3,000 spent annually)
- 2% Cash back on travel and at restaurants
- 1% Cash back on everything else
One caveat for prospective cardholders; there have been reviews and complaints around the web of users having their card cancelled by Costco or American Express before they were able to claim their rewards. Strange yes, but not uncommon from credit card issuers these days so make sure to use your rewards as soon as your eligible to do so!
The True Earnings Card from Costco and American Express also includes a lot of other excellent perks. Most notably:
- Six months of no interest when you first sign up for the card. The standard interest rate is 15.24% variable (which is pretty good compared to other cash back credit cards).
- No annual fee if youre a Costco member, which is $55 per card in the home. Executive Costco memberships cost a little bit extra but come with additional perks so weigh your membership options carefully.
- Standard interest rates and foreign transaction fees. This card isnt made for the traveler, so, youre better off keeping this card at home while youre abroad, because international fees can get a little pricey.
- Extended warranty and purchase protection on purchases, just in case you get those accidental damages early on in a products shelf life.
Overall, the True Earnings® Card from Costco and American Express provides a basic competitive cash back and gas card on the market. One of the lone questions I have for this card is why no extra incentives and cash back for purchases made at Costco? Yes, youll earn 1% cash back on Costco purchases but I think a greater incentive is needed. It would only make sense since this card is aimed toward the regular Costco shopper.
Like most store cards of its ilk, the True Earnings Card from Costco and American Express doesnt offer the added bonus for points or cash back for shopping at their own store. Regardless, if youre a regular Costco user, especially for their gas, which is typically the cheapest around anyway, this card is a must own.
Here’s a little secret big banks may not want you to know: free checking is alive and well at banks and credit unions across the country. And when we say free checking, we don’t mean conditionally free. We mean really and truly free: no minimum balance requirements or monthly fees. Although most checking accounts are free when you meet some basic requirements, such as setting up direct deposit or maintaining a minimum balance, you don’t have to deal with the hassle if you look for other offerings elsewhere. Better yet, some of these truly free checking accounts also earn interest! The only thing better than free checking is free money. After searching high and low, we found the best deals at Internet banks, community banks and credit unions. Here are ten of our top picks.
Internet Banks
If you’re the tech-savvy type who doesn’t mind managing their money online, it’s time to consider an Internet bank. Internet ba
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— Cindy Williams @ 3:43 pm — 
May 16, 2012