There’s a good chance you’ve heard a lot of talk about retirement savings plans. In particular, most people are familiar with 401(k) plans. But if you work in the public sector, you likely won’t be able to get your hands on a 401(k). Instead, your employer probably offers a 403(b) option. Those retirement plans are […]
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Robo or Traditional Financial Advisor, which is better?
At this point in time, there should be little doubt technology innovation continues to change the way we live our lives. But who would have thought the investment community would reach the point where automation plays a big part in helping us investors develop our portfolios? When not wanting to manage your investments yourself, you […]
What Should You Know as a Beginning Investor?
It feels like you can’t go a minute without hearing someone mention the stock market, saving and investing for retirement, or preparing for a financially secure future. You’re constantly hearing about investment hype, doomsday forecasts, or the latest get-rich-quick-scheme. So, what are you to make of all this? You want to build wealth and think […]
Holding a Mortgage: What Does it Mean and Can It Make You Money?
You’ve worked hard to pay off your home. But the time has come to sell. Whether you’re upgrading, downsizing, or moving to a new state – you’re in the financial position to “act as the bank” for the new buyers. Holding a mortgage note, also known as seller-financing, owner-financing, or private mortgage, is an alternative […]
Is Real Estate Investing a Good Way to Build Wealth?
The answer to whether or not real estate investing is a good way to build wealth depends entirely on your definition of wealth. Your individual long and short-term goals, as well as your threshold for risk, are crucial factors in determining if investing in real estate is the right path for you. Let’s unpack that. […]
Is Investing in Fine Art Right for You? [Masterworks Review]
This article is sponsored by Masterworks. All opinions are our own. Now that you’ve been investing in the stock market for a while, you’re thinking about diversifying into alternative investments. You might decide to start with peer-to-peer lending. Although investing in real estate or tax liens might interest you more. You can also buy gold […]
What Are Employee Stock Options and How Do They Work?
While you might enjoy your job, there aren’t many people who wake every day and go to work just because they like it. Unless you’re financially independent, there’s a good chance one of your primary motivations for working is earning a paycheck and benefits. With the unemployment rate under 4% in the US, there’s plenty […]
What Does it Take to Be a Successful Investor?
Several studies in the last few years have found that many women are really good investors. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that women often earn higher returns on their investments than men. They also tend to add more to their account balances over time. But there is still a confidence gap when […]
The $1K Investor: A guide to help you start investing [Book Review]
You know it’s important to save for your future, but it’s definitely a challenge. As you’re building the foundation of your financial house, getting your emergency fund in place is a great main focus. Having money in the bank protects you from having to take on debt when the unexpected happens. After you have money […]
Cryptocurrency Craze: In the past, or a big part of the future?
With over 1500 different cryptocurrencies available over the Internet, and with Facebook recently announcing its version, Libra, more investors want to know what cryptocurrency is, how it works, and if it’s a viable investment. Even after more than five years in the financial limelight, the public still views cryptocurrencies with skepticism today. They first garnered […]
Money Market Account: Best place for your savings?
You prioritized your financial savings goals, opened a high-interest savings account, and even automated deposits to build an emergency fund. But now you’re hearing you may earn more money on your money by putting it into a money market account. What the heck is a money market account? Is it a savings account or an […]
Is a Backdoor Roth IRA Right for Me?
When it comes to retirement savings accounts, there are several options available. But your choices for individual retirement accounts can seem limited if you’re a high-income earner. This is especially true when you look at the Roth IRA. A Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Account) is an excellent way to save for retirement. Though you pay […]
Why Women Need to Invest and Not Just Save
You hear about people not saving enough for retirement on the news. Oodles of articles report on women living longer than men and the struggle many women have with money in their later years. Family members, friends, and online communities mention the importance of women investing and they encourage you to get started. You know […]
Which of My Business Ideas is the Best to Pursue?
You’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Maybe you have family members or friends who’ve started successful companies. You’re realizing a hobby you enjoy could bring in money if you made it a business. Diversifying streams of income is something you want to pursue. There are lots of reasons starting a business is on your mind. […]
Is Investing a Lot Of Money at Once the Best Idea? [or Spread it Out?]
It’s the week your big bonus from work hits your bank account. Or you receive a sizeable cash gift or inheritance from a relative. Perhaps you have proceeds from the sale of your home or cash from a rollover retirement account. Or you’ve just been saving money for a few years and now understand why […]
Compound Interest: What it is and why you need to understand it
Whether you’re an investor or a borrower, you’ll want to pay careful attention to the interest rate you’re earning or paying. Why is the interest rate so important? Other than the fact it becomes a source of income or the cost associated with you borrowing money, the calculation of interest rates occurs in different ways. […]
What Do I Need to Know About Buying Bonds?
Money sitting in traditional checking or savings accounts usually loses value over time due to inflation. Even high-interest online accounts just started beating inflation rates over the last year. The best thing you can do with your excess cash (assuming you have extra) is to invest it and create more value. As an investor, you […]
Best Robo Advisors for Socially Responsible Investing
Maybe it’s because you have kids. Perhaps it’s because you only want to support companies inclusive in their hiring practices. Maybe it’s because you love Jesus. Maybe it’s because you’re a humanist that understands our planet is not going to sustain life much longer at our current clip. Whatever your reason for being interested in […]
Are Timeshares Worth the Money? [Maybe, but not likely]
Compensation in the form of free entertainment tickets, five-star dinners, reduced-priced trips, or gift cards for attending timeshare presentations might be worth a couple of hours of your time. But are vacation timeshares worth the money in the long run? While it might be hard to say no to these free or great “sale” priced […]
Tax Lien Investing: Is it safe and can you make good money?
You want to diversify by adding some alternative investments to your portfolio. As you research options to help you build wealth, your interest in real estate investing grows. You have many opportunities to consider. Does buying a single-family rental make sense? Should commercial real estate be on your radar? Is joining a Real Estate Investment […]
Alternative Investments: What are they and should I hold any?
Saving cash in money markets or CDs, and investing in the stock market via stocks and bonds through 401(k)s or IRAs are where many of us start when looking to grow our money beyond a simple savings account. As we continue to look for ways to build our wealth and secure our financial house, we […]
Are There Advantages to Buying a House in the Winter?
Ready to buy your first home or move up to your ‘forever’ home, but waiting for winter to pass first? For many, the cold winter winds and snow squalls put house hunting plans on hold. But, could waiting for flowers to bloom and backyard pools to open stop you from finding a home you love […]
Should You Invest in a Vacation Property?
You loved the house you rented at the beach. The ski-in, ski-out condo you rented over the holidays was perfect for your family. Your lanai overlooking the 4th tee at the golf resort was amazing. The leaves at peak color all around the cabin you rented in the mountains reminded you of your childhood. Now […]
What Can I Do With an Old 401(k)?
Leaving a job is a significant life transition. Whether you planned to depart or not, there’s a myriad of things to keep track of during that time. One of the most important is what happens to your 401(k) retirement savings plan. You want to ensure the account continues to support your overall financial goals as […]
What Investing Terms Do I Need to Know Starting Out?
At first, investing can seem confusing, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. The great thing about it is, you don’t need to know everything there is to know about investing to begin. As long as you understand some basic investing terminology, you’ll have what you need to start. Though this isn’t a comprehensive list […]
