In a GoBankingRates.com survey, more than 5,000 respondents identified the number one financial topic they wished they’d learned as teenagers in school. The six possible answers included: How to create and stick to a budget How taxes work The importance of credit scores/building credit How credit cards, loans, and interest rates work Retirement accounts and […]
investments
Bad Investing Advice: What to ignore [and why]
Investing is an excellent way to build long-term wealth. But how do you decide the best way to invest? You might ask your friends or family for advice. Perhaps you see how billionaire investors, like Warren Buffet, choose their investments. Or, maybe you hire a financial professional for guidance. The problem is there is so […]
What is an Accredited Investor and the Benefits of Being One?
You will discover many investment options as you explore ways to build your long term wealth. In your search, you might come across the term “accredited investor.” Perhaps you noticed certain investments are only open to accredited investors. You might wonder what one is and the benefits of being one. Read on to find out! […]
Sunk Costs: What they are and when to ignore
If you’ve ever watched an entire movie you didn’t enjoy or ate food you didn’t like – just because you paid for them, you’ve experienced the sunk cost fallacy. In these examples, the money you spent on the movie and food is a sunk cost. The reasoning behind your decisions to watch the movie and […]
What are Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)?
Investing in the stock market can be an excellent way to build long term wealth. There are many different ways to invest, depending on your financial goals and risk tolerance. Creating a diversified investment portfolio is one of the best ways to grow your money. Diversification helps you build wealth while lowering the risk of […]
Why and How You Diversify an Investment Portfolio
For decades, experts have warned Americans not to rely on Social Security as a viable way to support themselves during retirement. The Federal Government implemented Social Security in 1935 to provide Americans with some income to supplement their finances after retirement. But Social Security was never intended to be a total solution. The best option […]
Can You Make Money Investing in a Duplex and Renting Half Out?
Investing in real estate is a popular way for people to build wealth over time. Commercial real estate may interest more seasoned investors. But those who are just starting usually invest in single-family rentals or smaller multi-family properties. House ‘hacking’ has also grown in popularity for those who are new to real estate investing. Making […]
Pay Down Debt First or Start Investing?
Getting ahead financially isn’t merely about earning more. It’s also about what you do with that money once you receive it. Investing can help your net worth grow, but debt can eat away at it. That means most people understand they need to invest and pay down debt. But it leaves a lot of people […]
How Do I Choose a Financial Advisor? [10 questions to ask]
As you prepare to begin investing in the stock market, you may have plenty of questions. One thing you might wonder about is how to choose a financial professional. You can ask family, friends, or co-workers for names of financial advisors they like and trust. Then, you’ll need to narrow down your choices and decide […]
Can I Invest with Five Dollars (or less)?
Have you been wanting to invest but you don’t know where to start? Do you think investing is too complicated or too risky? Are you one of the millions of Americans who can’t even fathom how you’d come up with extra money for investing? Micro-investing could be the solution for all of these questions. Micro-investing […]
What Assets Go Through Probate Upon Death?
What happens to your assets when you die? Unfortunately, there isn’t a cut and dry answer to that question. Some of your things will go through probate, while others won’t need to. It depends on the type of property you have and where you live. The process varies from state to state. What happens to […]
Investment Policy Statement: What is it and how do you write one?
Writing an investment policy statement (IPS) is one of the most important things you can do to build long-term wealth. It isn’t complicated or something that only people with a ton of investments do – writing an IPS is useful for everyone. Your IPS will help you identify and define your long-term financial goals. It […]
How Do I Begin Investing in Stocks? [Stocks 101]
Investing in the stock market can be an excellent way to grow long-term wealth. Some people think you have to be an expert or have a lot of money to start investing. But once you know the basics of stock market investing, you have what you need to begin. Below we outline the fundamentals to […]
Is Buying Rental Property in a College Town a Good Idea?
Whether you currently invest in real estate or are new to the idea, buying rental property in a college town might have crossed your mind. Much of the standard real estate investing advice applies to properties in college cities. But there are some key differences to consider before you start buying rental properties near a […]
Why Is Taking Financial Risk Important?
No matter where you are on your financial journey, controlling your finances is one of the most important things you can do for your future. While it’s challenging to break the cycle of living paycheck-to-paycheck or find money to invest when you’re supporting kids or helping aging parents, building your own financial house must be […]
What Is Tax-Loss Harvesting? [How it can save you money]
There are many facets to investing. One thing all investors will not want to overlook is the tax consequences that come with being a successful investor. Because all net profits made from investments sold in taxable brokerage accounts come with tax liability, your investment strategy should consider the consequences. To reduce tax liability, a strategy […]
Are Precious Metals a Good Alternative Investment?
Good investment advisers always promote the importance of investment diversification. While each investment market comes with inherent risks, the riskiest move of all would be putting all your investment dollars in one basket. A lot of bad things have to happen in a short period for a well-diversified investment portfolio to suffer colossal damage. A […]
Worthy Bonds Review: 5% fixed return on your investment [Worth it in 2021]
In order to build wealth, you want your money making more money. If you keep your savings in a traditional bank, your money has less buying power over time due to low-interest rates and inflation. High-interest online savings accounts and Certificates of Deposit (CD’s) can help. But the interest rate they pay hovers near the […]
Important Financial Rules of Thumb: What to know [and ignore]?
From a financial perspective, living today and planning for the future are difficult tasks. It takes work to figure out how to allocate our earnings both for our current needs and for investing in our futures, including retirement. Luckily, we can learn a lot from all those who’ve already done it. If we follow some […]
457(b) Plan: What is it and who qualifies for one?
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 […]
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 […]
Rich vs. Wealthy: How do they differ?
Do you want to be rich? Or would you prefer to be wealthy instead? Most people consider rich and wealthy as the same thing. But contrasting them and considering what they mean on a deep level can make a big difference in your finances. In simple terms, being rich is having the ability to spend […]
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 […]
Health Savings Accounts: Pros, Cons and Contribution Limits of HSAs In 2021
During health plan or open enrollment time, your place of employment probably looks like many others. There are lots of “water cooler” conversations about different plans, past experiences, deductibles, and copays. Health savings accounts or HSAs are drawing your attention, and you want to learn more. Let’s say last year you spent $8,000 on the […]
