Articles written by Dan Rafter

A growing number of entrepreneurs hope to make money with Web sites. But these sites need content, which is where freelance content writers come in.

Sep 23, 2009 - Dan Rafter

There are few numbers today as important as a person's credit score. Unfortunately, these scores are often based on erroneous information.

Sep 20, 2009 - Dan Rafter

A growing number of golfers are relying on laser rangefinders to lower their scores. But they still have to consider several questions to find the right rangefinder.

Sep 10, 2009 - Dan Rafter

If you're an aspiring comicbook writer, and you can't draw, you're going to need to find artists to bring your stories to life. Unfortunately, this isn't always easy.

Jul 9, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Writers won't get rich working for content sites. But those with the right skills can make several hundred dollars a month, if they're fast enough.

Jun 1, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Not every state allows drivers to tint their car or truck windows. Does yours?

May 31, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Divorcing couples willing to work together can use collaborative divorce attorneys to make a difficult process just a little easier.

May 31, 2009 - Dan Rafter

With unemployment soaring, the number of U.S. residents who must now pay for their own health insurance is rising. But there are ways to lower the cost of premiums.

May 4, 2009 - Dan Rafter

A new form of waste disposal - plasma gasification - may provide municipalities with an efficient, quiet and clean way to dispose of their solid waste.

May 2, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Escrow payments aren't something most homeowners think about. But the recent failure of a national escrow firm proves that this might be a costly mistake.

Apr 20, 2009 - Dan Rafter

By creating a series of niche blogs -- blogs that focus intensely on a narrow subject -- writers can build both a strong online community and a steady income stream.

Apr 17, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Freelance writing has changed dramatically. No longer is it enough for freelancers to send pitches to magazine editors. Blogs are now viable money making tools, too.

Apr 14, 2009 - Dan Rafter

This may not seem like the ideal time to buy a house. But homes across the country are more affordable than they've been in a decade.

Apr 4, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Mortgage interest rates in late March dipped to an all-time low. But not everyone qualifies for the lowest rates. Here's what borrowers can do to make sure they do.

Mar 28, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Taking out a mortgage loan is a big responsibility. You don't want to work with a loan officer who isn't right for you. Here are signs that you need to find a new one.

Mar 9, 2009 - Dan Rafter

U.S. residents are carrying more credit card debt than ever. For some, consolidating that debt is a wise move. For others, it's not. How do you know?

Mar 5, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Housing prices across the country are now at record lows. But is now the right time to buy a home? The answer depends on each buyer's situation and goals.

Mar 4, 2009 - Dan Rafter

During the housing boom years, everyone qualified for a mortgage loan. That's changed. Today, loan officers want borrowers with strong credit and steady incomes.

Mar 2, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Something odd has occurred in the world of journalism: A growing number of freelance journalists have grown fearful of using the telephone.

Feb 28, 2009 - Dan Rafter

With the housing industry slumping, sellers must take every step possible to set their residences apart. Those who don't may see their homes sit on the market for months.

Feb 25, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Consumer magazines are suffering today. Freelance writers looking for new markets should explore trade magazines, which pay well and can provide steady work.

Feb 24, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Many homeowners who are falling behind on their mortgage payments need just a bit of financial help to keep their homes. Will the Obama housing plan help them?

Feb 23, 2009 - Dan Rafter

IRAs can serve as important investment vehicles. But not every IRA -- there are several different ones -- is right for every taxpayer.

Feb 21, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Mortgage lenders aren't giving out loans as freely as they once did. They want buyers with top credit scores. The good news? Bad credit scores don't have to be permanent.

Feb 20, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Housing prices are falling across the country. Home sellers are growing desperate. That doesn't mean, though, that buyers can get any home for bargain-basement prices.

Feb 19, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Last year, more U.S. homeowners suffered foreclosure filings than in any other 12-year period in the country's history. Barack Obama hopes to prevent a repeat in 2009.

Feb 18, 2009 - Dan Rafter

It's a national obsession: Homeowners want to constantly know what their residences are worth. But a home's value means nothing unless it's time to sell.

Feb 17, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Prospective home buyers were hoping that a $15,000 tax credit would be part of the economic stimulus plan passed by Congress last week. Unfortunately, it wasn't.

Feb 16, 2009 - Dan Rafter

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the number of vacant homes in the U.S. has reached a record high. That's a problem because selling an empty home is no easy task.

Feb 13, 2009 - Dan Rafter

During the housing boom, people looked at renting as the option of last resort. Now that housing values are tumbling, this has definitely changed.

Feb 12, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Writers once looked down at their fellows who penned comic-book scripts. Today, though, the field is red hot. Too bad there's so little money involved.

Feb 11, 2009 - Dan Rafter

The unfortunate truth is that most blogging jobs pay peanuts. But those writers who blog for successful businesses can buck this trend and make solid money.

Feb 10, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Unemployment is soaring. Companies are closing. But you want a raise? Don't fret. It is possible. You just have to sell yourself like never before.

Feb 9, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Craigslist has become a major source for jobs for freelance writers. Problem is, many of these jobs pay far too low. Even worse, many are scams.

Feb 8, 2009 - Dan Rafter

The world of publishing is changing. Freelance writers must change with it or find a new career.

Feb 7, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Selling a home is never easy. When you work from your home, it can be especially challenging. The key is never letting potential buyers see the mess that work generates.

Feb 6, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Taxpayers who recently bought a home may qualify for a $7,500 credit on their income taxes this year. But even taxpayers who qualify may not want to take it.

Feb 5, 2009 - Dan Rafter

Interest rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgage loans are at historic lows. But analysts are predicting that they'll drop even lower. Should you wait to refinance?

Feb 2, 2009 - Dan Rafter