David S. Chang, Author at The Art of Thinking SMART

Tips For Refinancing Your Home

February 20, 2013
David S. Chang

Mortgage rates today are at a 60-year low, giving many Americans the ability to refinance their mortgage. Home mortgage or home loan refinancing is basically taking out a new mortgage to pay off the existing one. Refinancing can be a good idea if you can get a lower mortgage rate to save on costs, lower […]

February 13, 2013
David S. Chang

Your credit score is one of the most important numbers in your financial life. It plays a huge role in buying a house, a car, getting loans, credit cards and even, in some cases, a job! Your credit score is primarily made up of paying bills on time, credit history, credit mix, recent inquiries and […]

February 11, 2013
David S. Chang

If you see that a train, long stoplight, or traffic jam will block your vehicle for more than 30 seconds, turn off your engine to save gas and reduce carbon output. An idling vehicle burns more fuel than restarting your engine.

February 11, 2013
David S. Chang

Research shows that America’s happiest people spend at least six hours a day with friends or family. A Harvard University study found that each happy friend in our network increases our happiness by nine percent.

February 6, 2013
David S. Chang

Many financially savvy people understand that how you spend money is more important than how much money you make. Here are some signs that you may be living beyond your means. Being aware of these signs can help you keep your financial goals and protect you in case of emergencies. You don’t have an emergency savings […]

February 4, 2013
David S. Chang

A good night’s sleep is one of the best things you can do to lose weight since it gives you more energy to burn calories during the day. According to an AARP report, people who get fewer than six hours of sleep are 27% more likely to become obese. Those who sleep only four hours […]

January 29, 2013
David S. Chang

Protect Your Air Quality Many old vacuum cleaners disperse small particles of dust into your air, lowering your indoor air quality. Look for vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters (high-efficiency filters that catch dust particle) and sensors that alert you when the filter needs to be cleaned.

January 29, 2013
David S. Chang

Rapidly losing weight, and then regaining it (yo-yo dieting), can be hazardous to your health. Research shows that weight rebounds can increase your risk of cardiovascular problems and diabetes. Instead of focusing on rapid weight loss, work on gradually increasing activity levels and changing your overall eating habits.

January 29, 2013
David S. Chang

Did you know that people eat their way through about 6,000 calories on Christmas day? That’s about three times as much as we need. With all the tasty drinks and snacks around at Christmas, it’s easy to over-indulge. Just a single piece of mince pie contains about 250 calories! So, if you can, keep tempting […]

January 23, 2013
David S. Chang

Investing is an important part of your personal finances, and it seems simple: Buy low, sell high and keep the profits! Studies have shown, however, that a chimpanzee throwing darts picks stocks better than the average investor! The average investor in the past 20 years made only 2.4 percent, whereas the S&P500 returned 7.7 percent. […]