Your problem will be the second loan. So does Chase home equity. Most A lenders will have a rapid or stated stated doc type that is very cheap, for excellent credit. Again, the issue is the second loan, try Aegis mortgage home equity. Fixed rate, no draws, kind of thing. Experts say it almost never is, and people would be better off staying put until theyve unloaded their first residence.

If thats impossible, they warn, be prepared to shoulder a heavy burden. Richard Roll, president of the American Homeowners Association in Stamford, Conn. Terms can vary widely A tool used by movers in a bind, bridge loans vary widely in their terms, costs and conditions. Some are structured so they completely pay off the old homes first mortgage at the bridge loans closing, while others pile the new debt on top of the old. Borrowers also may encounter loans that deal differently with interest. Most share a handful of general characteristics though.

They usually run for six month terms and are secured by the borrowers old home. As for rates, they accrue interest at anywhere from the prime rate to prime plus 2 percent.

50,000 in mortgage debt outstanding, says Patty Stubbs, branch operations supervisor for the companys Des Moines, Iowa mortgage division.

16,000 for the new homes down payment, closing costs and fees.

This example helps to show how the high fees associated with bridge loans can cause problems. Real estate market risks can exacerbate the danger, Roll says. For example, Norwest and others are usually willing to extend bridge loans slightly beyond the standard six months. Stubbs says, or a customer could deed the property to the bank, which would sell it and apply the proceeds toward paying off the loan. Kevin Hughes, a mortgage loan specialist at Cambridgeport Bank, based in Cambridge, Mass. Some lenders also offer hybrid mortgage products that behave similarly to bridge loans. 184 in additional costs for the second mortgage. 50,000 worth of equity to simultaneously pay off the new homes second mortgage and recoup the money that covered the down payment.

Cambridgeport borrower, for instance, would have to make three payments each month in order to cover the old homes mortgage, and the first and second mortgages on the new house. John Bollman, a mortgage product manager with National City Corp. Bridge loans nevertheless remain relatively obscure in a lending landscape dominated by more widely publicized home equity loans and lines of credit. Remember, the best fares may not be out of the airport closest to you. Ask which days of the week and times of the day have the lowest fare. Even if you are using a travel agent, check airline and Internet travel sites, and look for special deals.

If you call, always ask for the lowest fare to your destination. Rental car companies offer various insurance and waiver options. Check with your automobile insurance agent and credit card company in advance to avoid duplicating any coverage you may already have. Ask your local librarian for new car guides that contain this information. Having selected a model and options you are interested in, you can save hundreds of dollars by comparison shopping.

Once you have signed a contract, you are obligated to buy the car. Consider purchasing a used car from an individual you know and trust. They are more likely than other sellers to charge a lower price and point out any problems with the car. Dont decide to lease a car just because the payments are lower than on a traditional auto loan. The leasing payments are lower because you dont actually own the car. Leasing a car is very complicated. Keys to Vehicle Leasing: A Consumer Guide, which is published by the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Trade Commission. 100 a year on gas by keeping your engine tuned and your tires inflated to their proper pressure. Consumers lose billions of dollars each year on unneeded or poorly done car repairs. The most important step that you can take to save money on these repairs is to find a skilled, honest mechanic. Call your state insurance department for a publication showing typical prices charged by different companies. 500 or, if you have an old car, dropping this coverage altogether. This can save you hundreds of dollars on insurance premiums. Make certain that your new policy is in effect before dropping your old one. Ask your state insurance department for a publication showing typical prices charged by different licensed companies. Then call at least four of the lowest priced insurers to learn what they would charge you. If such a publication is not available, it is even more important to call at least four insurers for price quotes.

Make certain you purchase enough coverage to replace the house and its contents. Make certain your new policy is in effect before dropping your old one.

If you want insurance protection only, and not a savings and investment product, buy a term life insurance policy. If you want to buy a whole life, universal life, or other cash value policy, plan to hold it for at least 15 years. Canceling these policies after only a few years can more than double your life insurance costs. Credit Checking Accounts and Debit Cards 25. 100 a year in fees by selecting a free checking account or one with no minimum balance requirement. Request a complete list of fees that are charged on these accounts, including ATM and debit card fees. See if you can get free or lower cost checking through direct deposit or agreeing to ATM only use. Be aware of charges for using an ATM not associated with your financial institution. Financial institutions offer a number of products, such as mutual funds and annuities, which are not insured. These rates can vary a lot and, over time, can significantly affect interest earnings. Late payments on one card can increase fees and interest rates on other cards. You can avoid interest charges, which may be considerable, by paying off your entire bill each month. If you are unable to pay off a large balance, pay as much as you can. You can find listings of credit card plans, rates, and terms on the Internet, in personal finance magazines, and in newspapers.

Be aware that credit cards with rebates, cash back, travel awards, or other perks may carry higher rates or fees. To save as much as several thousand dollars in finance charges, pay for the car in cash or make a large down payment.

Always get the shortest term loan possible as this will lower your interest rate. 1000 in finance charges by shopping for the cheapest loan.

If you choose a mortgage broker, make certain to compare their offers with those of direct lenders. An increase of several percentage points might raise payments by hundreds of dollars a month, so ask the lender what the highest possible monthly payment might be. Consider refinancing your mortgage if you can get a rate that is lower than your existing mortgage rate and plan to keep the new mortgage for at least several years. Be cautious in taking out home equity loans. The loans reduce or may even eliminate the equity that you have built up in your home. If you are unable to make payments on home equity loans, you could lose your home. Compare home equity loans offered by at least four reputable lending institutions. Ask if the rate changes, and if so, how it is calculated and how frequently, as this will affect the amount of your monthly payments.

You can often negotiate a lower sale price by employing a buyer broker who works for you, not the seller. Do not purchase any house until it has been examined by a home inspector that you selected. Renting a Place to Live 45. Do not limit your rental housing search to classified ads or referrals from friends and acquaintances. Select buildings where you would like to live and contact their building manager or owner to see if anything is available. Remember that signing a lease probably obligates you to make all monthly payments for the term of the agreement. Home repairs often cost thousands of dollars and are the subject of frequent complaints. Do not sign any contract that requires full payment before satisfactory completion of the work. Consult Consumer Reports, available in most public libraries, for information about specific appliance energy star logobrands and models and how to evaluate them, including energy use. There are often great price and quality differences. Once youve selected a specific brand and model, check the Internet or yellow pages to learn what stores carry the brand. Call at least four of these stores to compare prices and ask if thats the lowest price they can offer you. Utilities Heating and Cooling 51. Ask your electric or gas utility if they audit homes for free or for a reasonable charge. If they do not, ask them to refer you to a qualified professional. 100 a year in electricity costs.

Once a year, review your phone bills for the previous three months to see what local, local toll, long distance, and international calls you normally make. Consider a bundled package that offers local, local toll and long distance, and possibly other services, if you heavily use all the services in the bundle. Check your phone bill to see if you have optional calling features or additional services, such as inside wire maintenance, that you dont need. 40 or more each year.

If you make very few toll or long distance calls, avoid calling plans with monthly fees or minimums. 10 numbers or prepaid phone cards for your calls. When shopping for dial around service, look for fees, call minimum, and per minute rates. Treat prepaid cards as cash and find out if there is an expiration date.

If you use a cell phone, make sure your calling plan matches the pattern of calls you typically make. Understand peak calling periods, area coverage, roaming, and termination charges. Contracts offered by most carriers will provide you with a trial period of 14 days or more. Prepaid wireless plans tend to have higher per minute rates and fees but may be a better option if you use the phone only occasionally.

Dial your long distance calls directly. To save money on information calls, look the number up on the Internet, or in the directory.

Other Food Purchased at Markets 59. Convenience stores often charge the highest price. Since pharmacies may charge widely different prices for the same medicine, call several. Plan ahead, making your wishes known about your funeral, memorial, or burial arrangements in writing to save your family or estate unnecessary expense.

Funeral Consumer Alliance or memorial society, which are usually listed in the Yellow Pages under funeral services. Before selecting a funeral home, call several and ask for prices of specific goods and services, or visit them to obtain an itemized price list.