Protect Yourself When Shopping Online The holiday season is a prime time for hackers, scammers, and online thieves. Due to the pandemic, this holiday season may look and feel a bit different, but we all still need to be aware of the potential dangers online shopping can bring and the ways we can protect ourselves. While millions of Americans will …
Understanding Health Insurance
Understanding Health Insurance One of your biggest financial risks is confronting unexpected expenses that you can’t afford, no matter how careful you are with your money. That’s why learning how to navigate health insurance could save your health and your bank account. There is no way to predict what will happen; you may lead a lucky life without serious illness …
Working with a Lender
Working with Your Mortgage Lender Investing is like life – nothing ventured, nothing gained. And, purchasing a home may be the largest investment you ever make. Most lenders require you to complete a mortgage application—a comprehensive financial statement, which can feel overwhelming and complicated. But with the right lender, you’ll be able to easily navigate the necessary steps it takes …
50/30/20 Rule
50/30/20 Rule The 50/30/20 rule is a practical rule of thumb for individuals who want a budget that is easy, yet effective, to implement. It offers guidelines for enjoying your income while putting savings on autopilot. Humans are fallible—sometimes we just need guidelines. If you struggle making sense of a sea of budgeting systems and mobile apps, consider the 50/30/20 …
Transitioning to Retirement
Transitioning to RetirementThinking about retirement? Wondering if that’s something you can do? You may be mentally or emotionally ready but are you ready financially? If you have a pension or you’ve participated in a retirement savings plan where you work, and income from that source is a mainstay of your budget, the ideal solution is having your first retirement payment …
Buying A House
Buying a House How do you know when it’s the right time to consider buying a home? Where do you begin? Start by defining your goals. Consider where you want to live, the features you’re looking for, what you can afford, and a realistic date for having the money you’ll need. Then apply your knowledge to making this key decision. …
Refinancing Your Loans
Essentially, refinancing replaces an old loan with a new one with terms that are better for your situation. But there can be trade-offs associated with refinancing. While mortgage loans may be most commonly refinanced, you can also refinance auto, personal, and student loans. You can even “refinance” credit card debt by transferring the amount left to pay to another credit provider with …
The Cost of a Mortgage
The Cost of a MortgageSince monthly payments spread the cost of a mortgage loan over an extended period, it’s easy to forget the total expense. For example, if you borrow $200,000 for 30 years at 6% interest, your total repayment will be around $431,680, more than two times the original loan. What seems like minor differences in the interest rate …
Taxes: What Parts of My House Payment are Tax Deductible?
While there are plenty of expenses that come along with owning a house, there are some tax benefits too. If you’re looking to get the most out of your home, here are four tax breaks for homeowners you want to stay on top and keep a record of. Mortgage Interest Deduction When you make your mortgage payments, you may have …