Free Money News January 2015

2015 — it’s here! Have you made your resolutions? Seen any interesting predictions? We know there must be more important things ahead than marriage between Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello. And we know there are great places to invest your efforts in the New Year! Here are some interesting predictions:

Apple will sell 30 million Apple Watches (rather than buying the watch, why not buy at least one share of stock and share the profits?).

More jobs and a tight labor supply will force wages to rise. Are you ready? Need more education (college or trade school)? Our Pell Grant news can help!

The Dow recently hit 18,000 — and signs say the economy will continue to improve in 2015. That means a favorable outlook for new businesses. Do you have a plan for your own new business? It’s easier now than ever before and we have some great tips and resources to get you going.

Not all predictions will come true. But even if they’re partially true they mean opportunity. Free Money News helps you take advantage of these predictions and more. Check out our favorite 2015 opportunities and what they can mean to you:

Home Repair: New Help
 Home repair is a major issue for many Americans. A recent study indicates that 35 million homes in the U.S. are in need of repairs for health or safety reasons. Many more also have roofing problems and structural issues.

If you are one of those who needs to make repairs there are new programs and organizations that can help you! NeighborWorks is a non-profit created by Congress to support Community Development. Through their nationwide network you may be able to get approved for a loan (even if you didn't think it was possible!) and/or get advice or other types of financial assistance. Check out the new information in Grants for Home Repair to see how you can take action to improve the safety and comfort of your home.

Starting a New Business
 An improving economy is good for everyone — and it means it’s a good time to start that business you’ve been dreaming about. In addition to a stronger economy technology is making it easier to get a new business going. An amazing array of resources are available for free — not just offering advice but letting you create a web site, promote your business, communicate with customers and distribute your product. Great ideas are even available to get your business started with less than $100! You’ll find plenty of inspiration and tips in our articles Small Business Ideas and Small Business Loans.

Minority Businesses 
 The favorable economy applies to *everyone*! Some smarts, good information, lots of hustle and the support of others make a huge difference to your success. And Black Business Resources provides specific sources of support. Need some inspiration? Check out Black Business Resources for a story about an up and coming black CEO in Silicon Valley.

A government agency like the Minority Business Development Agency is a also good place for information and support.

Pell Grants: Are you equipped to take advantage of an improving job market? Pell Grants — government grants for low-income students — can help you get there! The maximum amount available this year has increased, and January is the very best time to apply. The earlier you apply, the bigger the award you can receive. Take our free, quick Pell Grants quiz to find out if you are eligible and how to apply (note: you do NOT have to pay anyone to help you apply!)

Buying a New Home: That may seem like an impossible dream but it doesn’t have to be. Most people are amazed when they find out the kinds of help available to new home buyers. Some of that help comes from the government, but there are also non-profits who exist to help folks make the down payment necessary for a new home. Discover more in our articles about grants to purchase a home and about grants for first time home buyers.

Resolve to make 2015 a great year!
 Attitude and determination are everything. Real “free money” is very rare. Even winning a grant — money that never needs to be paid back — takes some work (often a lot!). Lots of people and organizations work hard to help others and you can take advantage of that. Check this site frequently for news and information. And see us on Google+ for daily posts about free money opportunities.