Author Archive and Biography: Amy Fontinelle

Amy Fontinelle

Amy Fontinelle is a freelance writer and editor with clients located across the United States and in Canada. She has written over 300 published articles and blog posts for a variety of national and local publications and websites on topics including travel, restaurants, food and drink, fitness, budgeting, credit management, real estate, investing and historic preservation. Her articles have been featured on the homepage of Yahoo! and on Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo! HotJobs, several local news websites and Forbes.com.

Amy's editing clients include the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and the Urban Institute Press. She has edited articles, research papers, and books on public policy topics, such as corporate tax policy, public housing, public schooling and government spending.

Additionally, Amy is the author of Disappearing St. Louis, a book presenting 55 color images captured over a three-year period in the city of St. Louis. The photos depict the poor conditions of homes, churches, and commercial buildings in historic neighborhoods across the city. In her free time, Amy enjoys traveling, reading with her cats, long bike rides, cooking, and trying new restaurants. Amy is fluent in Spanish and has a working knowledge of German and French.

You can read more of Amy's personal finance articles at Two Pennies Earned, her own personal finance website, and at PF Advice, one of the web's leading personal finance blogs.

To learn more about Amy, please visit her personal site at amyfontinelle.com.

• 10 Reasons To Use Your Credit Card - Charging purchases is not always a no-no. In fact, there are some very sound reasons for choosing this option.

• Debunking 10 Budget Myths - Don't let these excuses prevent you from reaching your financial goals.

• Selling Your House? Avoid These Mistakes - Don't put the sale of your home at risk by committing one of these dirty deeds.

• Extreme Socially Responsible Investing - Make your money work for you without putting it into ventures that don't support your values.

• Debit Card Fraud: Is Your Money At Risk? - As criminals are becoming more savvy, your money is becoming more vulnerable.

• Tips For Avoiding A Holiday Spending Hangover - Use these tips for a bountiful Yuletide on a Scrooge-like budget.

• 5 Ways To Control Emotional Spending - Follow these five simple steps to keep your spending under control.

• Green Mortgages Save Money And The Environment - This emerging type of loan is not just for treehuggers. It rewards you for eco-friendly housing, in the form of cold, hard, cash.

• 9 Ways To Save On Winter Bills - Winter heating bills can leave your finances in the cold. These tips will help warm things up.

• Easy Ways To Cut Rental Costs - If rent payments are crippling your finances, then read on to learn how to save your money.

• Do-It-Yourself Projects To Boost Home Value - These simple projects can add value to your property without taking too much out of your wallet.

• 8 Financial Tips For Young Adults - You don't need an MBA to learn how to save money and invest in your future.

• Insurance 101 For Renters - If it's time for you to leave the nest, find out how to protect your new home from disaster.

• 5 Money-Saving Shopping Tips - Reducing the amount you spend is the easiest way to make your money grow.

• 9 Reasons To Say "No" To Credit - Instead of rationalizing, learn to talk yourself out of buying things you can't afford.

• 6 Questions To Ask Before You Refinance - Refinancing your mortgage can be a quick way to save on payments, but it's not for everyone.

• 5 Ways To Fund A College Education - You can go to college without going broke, but it may take an unconventional approach.

• Buying Private Health Insurance - Getting your own policy isn't easy or cheap but in some cases, it's well worth the effort.

• Top Tips For First-Time Home Buyers - Follow this step-by-step guide to make your homeownership dreams a reality.

• 7 Ways To Recession-Proof Your Life - Find out what you can do to prepare and cope in tough economic times.

• 10 Tips For Getting A Fair Price On A Home - Don't let buying a home bust your budget. Make sure the house you choose is worth the price you pay.

• Self Employed? 5 Steps To Scoring A Mortgage - Convince lenders that you're a good bet despite your lack of a steady income.

• It's Raining Lawsuits: Do You Need An Umbrella Policy? - This type of insurance protects your assets and future wages against lawsuits. Find out if it might benefit you.

• 6 Major Credit Card Mistakes - Avoid these pitfalls to keep your credit score healthy and your debt under control.

• Should You Refinance Your Mortgage When Interest Rates Drop? - Refinancing is a great way for many homeowners to improve their financial situation - but beware of the downsides.

• Globetrotting On A Budget - Don't let a shoestring budget trip-up your vacation plans.

• Save Money On Summer Bills - From lawn care to summer fairs, expenses can skyrocket if you're not paying attention.

• Budget Without Blowing Off Your Friends - With a little planning, you can maintain your social life without breaking the bank.

• The Hidden Costs Of Home Ownership - Mortgage lenders don't factor the extra costs into your loan amount. Make sure you save for the "little" things.

• Understanding Mortgage Impound Accounts - Home buyers with low down payments may get stuck with higher mortgage payments. Find out what you get for the extra money.

• 10 Hurdles To Closing On A New Home - It's the biggest purchase of your life - find out what can go wrong before you even close the deal.

• Teaching Your Partner About Household Finances - This is just one more way to take care of one of the most important people in your life.

• Paring Down Moving Costs - Unexpected costs can add to the stress of relocation. Plan ahead and anticipate what may pop up.

• 7 Smart Steps Every New Homeowner Should Take - Don't let the excitement of owning your own home lead you to make bad financial decisions.

• Reporting A Tax Cheat - If you report a tax evader to the IRS, you could be eligible for a reward.

• Insuring Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Mortgages - This insurance has an edge over private mortgage insurance. Find out why.

• Surviving On An Irregular Income - Being self-employed provides freedom, but only if you learn to make your money last.

• Avoiding Tax Scams - These schemes can lead to fines - and even jail time - for both the scammer and his victims.

• Can You Live A Debt-Free Life? - Avoiding loans goes against the norm but it can be possible - and enjoyable.

• Reduce Tuition With A Work-Incentive Program - Find out how to gain valuable work experience and cut the cost of your education.

• Outfox The Debt Collector's Hounds - Dealing with a collection agency is scary if you don't know your rights. We help you take back the power.

• Making Sense Of The Tax Code - If tax rules and regulations are Greek to you, read on to learn how to decipher them.

• Should You File An Early Tax Return? - When it comes to filing your taxes, it can often pay to wait until the deadline.

• 10 Tax Benefits For The Self-Employed - Running your own business has both personal and financial perks.

• Top 8 House-Hunting Mistakes - These mistakes will blow your cool - your budget is likely to follow.

• 4 Fatal Financial Fantasies - These dreams are likely to burst - and may blow away your financial future in the process.

• Cut Your Bank Fees - Find out how to get the bank to pay you for using their services, not the other way around.

• Standard Of Living Vs. Quality Of Life - These measures may seem similar, but the reality is an issue of qualitative versus quantitative.

• Foreclosures: Bargains Or Money Pits? - Find out if the house you're eyeing is really a good deal.

• How To Owe Nothing On Your Federal Tax Return - You have the control to determine whether you owe in April. Learn more here.

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