Earn Extra Money for the Holidays – 10 Ways to Boost Your Gift Budget
November 29, 2013
It’s hard not to break out the credit cards during the holidays when you don’t have any extra money to buy gifts. Budgeting and planning ahead of time for Christmas gift shopping is the key to staying away from getting into holiday debt. However, some of you have budgets that are too tight to save extra […]
3 Non-Financial Factors That Make a Better Retirement
November 28, 2013
When we think of retirement, we often think of money. It’s important to save enough now, and invest it prudently, if you want to be able to live the life you want later. However, it’s important not to get so caught up in the financial aspects of retirement that you forget about other aspects of […]
What is the Difference Between an ETF and a Mutual Fund?
November 27, 2013
One of the investment choices that has become increasingly popular in the last few years is the exchange traded fund (ETF). ETFs and mutual funds (including index funds) share some similarities, but there are some very important differences, and these differences explain why ETFs are becoming so popular amongst traders. ETFs and mutual funds are […]
How to Quickly Build an Emergency Fund
November 26, 2013
I’ve often thought that having an emergency fund is the most basic component of good financial planning. Everything else you do with your finances is based on this simple, single building block. You can have money coming in, money going out, and even a healthy reserve for your golden years. But if you don’t have […]
6 Investment Costs You Pay to Play
November 25, 2013
Investing costs can reduce your return on investment and many of us know to try and steer clear of investing fees and expenses. However, avoiding investing expenses can sometimes be easier said than done. For example, the AARP released a report on 401(k) fees and found that 62% of the respondents didn’t know how many […]
When Does it Make Sense to Rent a Home Instead of Buy?
November 22, 2013
For years, the idea of the American Dream has been homeownership. That particular dream, though, is fading a bit. After the last economic crisis and real estate crash, many people are rethinking the idea of buying a home. For some consumers, it just makes more sense to rent. Is the mortgage affordable? One of the […]
How to Handle Money Discussions Around the Holiday Table
November 21, 2013
My dentist has mounted a flat screen TV on the ceiling right above the dentist chair. As a result, as my teeth were cleaned the other day, I had a clear view of the Today show and what they were talking about. In one of the segments I watched, the hosts discussed holiday table etiquette with […]
Why a Good Credit Score Matters When You’re Not Borrowing
November 20, 2013
Why does a good credit score matter if you’re not planning to borrow any money? Many of us think that, as long as we already have a house and we pay for our cars in cash, a good credit score doesn’t matter that much. Unfortunately, that’s just not the way the system works anymore. Your credit report […]
What is the Difference Between a Credit Report and a Credit Score?
November 19, 2013
Whether you are buying a home or looking for a quote on your auto insurance, chances are that someone is going to be checking your credit. Sometimes this means looking at your credit report, and sometimes it means looking at your credit score. Sometimes it means looking at both. It’s easy to get a little mixed […]
How to Negotiate Your Debt to Find Freedom
November 18, 2013
One of the most difficult situations to be in is that of someone who feels overwhelmed by debt. Indeed, you might have a great deal of debt – and be unable to pay it all off. However, going to collections isn’t something that’s desirable, either. If you are in a tight spot, but have the […]
