While the task of saving for a down payment on a home might initially seem overwhelming, these five tips will help you to create a solid plan. Continue Reading
5 Tips for Saving for a Down Payment on a Home
Category Archives: Budget
5 Points to Think about When Shopping for a Financial Advisor
Thinking about these five key considerations can help individuals understand what they need from a financial advisor. Continue Reading
5 Signs That You Could Benefit from Hiring a Financial Advisor
While using a financial advisor involves an expense, hiring one will likely prove beneficial in the long run. Continue Reading
6 Changes to Social Security in 2019 That Beneficiaries Need to Know about
In the United States, more than 62 million people rely on Social Security as a source of income, including about 43 million retirees. Recently, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced some important changes to benefits that will begin in 2019. Individuals who rely on this income need to make sure that they understand these changes… Continue Reading
6 Great Apps that Beginning Investors Can Use to Get Started
The advent of smartphones has spawned a number of apps to help people with personal finance goals, from budgeting to becoming debt-free. Beyond these uses, apps can also help novices gain confidence with investing. Given the wide range of different investing apps available, it’s important to think hard about your particular investment goals and to… Continue Reading
How to Decide between Paying off Debt and Investing Money for Growth
In the United States, it is very common to carry debt. According to a survey conducted by Pew Charitable Trusts, about 80 percent of American households have some kind of debt. The most common form of debt is a mortgage, although many individuals also have other monthly liabilities. These may include unpaid credit card balances,… Continue Reading
5 Tips and Strategies for Introducing Children to Personal Finance Issues
It’s a sad fact that the public school system in the United States does little to introduce children to the concept of money and financial responsibility. Even at the college level, colleges typically only offer such classes as an elective, if at all. The results of this lack of financial education are clear: a report… Continue Reading
These Are 5 of the Steps You Need to Consider If Your FICO Score Is 740 or Above
Repairing a poor credit score takes a lot of diligence and work, but the payoff can be very exciting. For many people, reaching a credit score of 740, which is widely accepted as the threshold between good and very good credit, is a major milestone. At this point, individuals become candidates for virtually any form… Continue Reading
5 of the Best Smartphone and Online Apps for Becoming Debt-Free
Modern technology provides a wide range of tools for taking control of our personal finances. While many people have heard of Credit Karma, which provides guidance with improving personal credit scores, or Mint, a budgeting app, individuals may be unaware of the many specialty personal finance apps out there. For example, a number of excellent… Continue Reading
5 Simple Ways to Maximize Your Income during Retirement
One of the most pressing concerns for people nearing retirement is the possibility of running out of money. Unfortunately, this fear is grounded in reality. The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRA) reports that more than 80 percent of Baby Boomers in the lowest income quartile will run out of money within two decades of retirement.… Continue Reading