A survey that Bankrate conducted last year showed that only 20 percent of American adults have no financial regrets, while more than 70 percent of respondents said there were very specific mistakes that they wish they had not made. Among the respondents’ biggest regrets, the one cited most often was not starting retirement savings early… Continue Reading
One of the most crucial considerations when preparing for retirement remains the forms of insurance that will keep individuals and their nest eggs safe. Recently, high premiums have driven down the sales of long-term care insurance. This form of insurance provides coverage for long-term supports and services—from in-home custodial care to stays in skilled nursing… Continue Reading
In today’s world, your credit score is important for everything from obtaining a loan to securing the lowest possible interest rate on a mortgage. Your credit score can even have a bearing on your ability to land a job. While a number of different tools exist to take control of your credit and improve your… Continue Reading
Many people struggle to answer the question of whether or not they are ready to retire. Whether you have been saving for decades or working hard to catch up, it can be difficult to decide when it’s time to call it quits for good. Too often, people focus solely on the amount of money they… Continue Reading
Investors often see their investment activity as a form of saving money, but in reality, these are entirely different processes. Saving and investing have specific purposes, and both should play a role in a person’s overall financial strategy. While investing can help generate wealth, savings provides a safety net that is critically important for everyone,… Continue Reading
Auto loans are generally one of people’s largest expenses, behind mortgages and student loans. When purchasing a car, you should not wait until you are at the dealership to think about financing. With a little preparation, you can get a great deal that will save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Since cars… Continue Reading
One of the most common misconceptions that people make when trying to save money is thinking that it will be painful. Often, people think that saving money means making drastic cuts in their budget and foregoing the things that they like to do for fun. When individuals approach saving with this mindset, they set themselves… Continue Reading
One of the most critical yet confusing aspects of personal finance is saving for retirement. Individuals have a number of different options for saving, and it can become difficult to decide which avenue is the best. Many people do not even realize all the different options that exist and tend to stick primarily with the… Continue Reading
One of the most confusing aspects of taking out a loan is figuring out exactly what the interest will cost. Several different types of interest exist, and individuals should try to have a basic understanding of each of these categories before they even begin shopping for a loan—and certainly before signing any loan agreement. In… Continue Reading
To buy and sell stocks, you need to hire a stockbroker. This individual acts as a middleman between investors and the stock market. Brokers act sort of like salesmen to facilitate a sale on behalf of a larger brokerage house, such as Charles Schwab or Merrill Lynch. Once brokers carry out a transaction, they typically… Continue Reading