The first step is to avoid those who answer every question on here with a copy and paste answer full of misspellings and grammatical errors. That is the first area to start. Also find one or two reputable local mortgage brokers. Have them all prepare a preliminary quote based on your credit, income, and needs. Loans vary greatly and a 30 yr. Check out the different products available and determine what works best for you. Then compare the total cost of the loans and choose the one that is best for you. You can apply online with reputable mortgage companies no matter the amount of the loan. My local bank offers an apply online option as does the local National City Mortgage office here. Canadian airwaves this summer, disappointing those who want their MTV. MTV Canada and MTV2 specialty channels. Rob Hooper would not specify what those plans are, or say whether MTV will try to come back into Canada on its own or with another partner. Mortgage Rates Compare national rates by lender: See Chart Still, some MTV programming has been syndicated in Canada on other channels and will continue to be shown here, he said. For example, MTVs The Osbournes and Punkd appeared on CTV. MTV channels at the end of June, but isnt ready to announce the new names or the new content yet.

It is already heavily into music videos on its Much Music and Much More Music channels. CHUM picked up the two MTV channels when it bought their owner Craig Media Inc. CHUM Television, said CHUM already provides more than half of the programming appearing on MTV Canada, so it will not have any trouble filling in the rest of the timetable. MTV2s content consists almost entirely of music videos, and there will be little effort needed to revamp that channel, he said. MTV Canada has about 800,000 subscribers, while MTV2 has 265,000. CHUMs relationship with MTV has been rocky for years. When Craig signed its deal to bring MTV to Canada in 2001, CHUM was furious over the prospect of direct competition for Much Music. MTV format was mostly videos. Telecommunications Commission, and Craig was forced to alter the MTV Canada format. MTV 2, complaining when Craig asked the CRTC to loosen restrictions on the kind of videos it could show. But CHUMs bad blood with MTV goes back even further, one former broadcasting executive said yesterday. TV founder Moses Znaimer developed the Much Music format in the first place, the executive said, because it was perceived as very similar to the MTV brand. Having a partner who is also its main competitor was an uncomfortable position for MTV to find itself in, he said. 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. Sounds like fun and your dreaming of your office and owning your own home. Or perhaps over the years the relationship fizzles. Now your committed by law to fulfill your obligation for payment.

Since your not married I highly suggest that you have a lawyer work with both of you to protect each of you if something were to happen. That way you both can have a peace of mind and nobody develops bad credit or health problems through it all. Your best bet is to first call around for interest rates to see who has the best interest rate. It just helps keeping you out of a lawsuit Earnest Money. Typically people ask for a 30 year rate fixed but others like adjustable rates. Some closing costs are negotiable and whenever you sit down with anyone make sure they disclose a HUD to you so their isnt any hidden costs. So with all that, I suggest you not get a loan from the first Bank you walk into. Also,if you have a Realtor, they work with lenders and maybe they have a reputable lender they trust and do business with.