Debt is a four letter word, but you certainly don’t have to cringe every time you hear about it! Far too many think being in debt is just the way of life these days, but that’s simply not true. By spending some time employing simple strategies to pare down that financial burden, people actually end… Read More
The Dangers of Credit Cards (as reported by Derek Thompson on Finance.Yahoo.Com)
The convenience of credit cards may be appealing, but if you look hard at how credit cards are changing people’s money habits, there may be more negatives than positives. The nature of credit cards is that people are more careless than they might otherwise be with cash. Some would argue that they make us less… Read More
In Finance, Lead by Example (As Reported by Jennifer Calonia on USNews.com)
One of the surest ways to develop a financially savvy young adult is for parents to reinforce sound personal finance decisions at home. And while not all parents will see eye to eye on good financial habits, being open about money management can have a huge impact on kids’ future financial literacy. By talking openly… Read More
Plan for Unexpected Medical Costs (As Reported by Gerri Detweiler on Finance.Yahoo.Com)
Even the most prepared and financially savvy of us can be caught off guard because of medical emergencies. Costs can be high and paying bills can be difficult. It is important that you plan for the unexpected so that these events don’t ruin an otherwise strong financial strategy. There are steps that you can take… Read More
Cost of Selling a Home (As Reported by Carla Fried on WSJ.com)
The good news is home sellers are in a better position now than they’ve been since before the financial crisis. The bad news is that most don’t plan enough for the costs that most people incur when going through the sales process. In addition to commission for real estate agents, there are often out of… Read More
Common Sense Investment Advice (As Reported by Pinyo Bhulipongsanon on Moolamony.com)
Most people who are new to investing want to know where to put their money, what the hot stocks are, or how they should choose a broker. But the experts will tell you that before you act, you should educate yourself and define a plan. It’s important to understand where you are financially, and what… Read More
The Unpredictable Economy (As Reported by Quentin Fottrell on MarketWatch.Com)
We look to economists to help us understand why things happen the way they do, and try to shed some insight into what the economy will do in the future. But, as this article lays out, that last part is not as easy as it sounds. Even economists, who study it full time, have a… Read More
Preferred Stock vs. Common Stock (As Reported by Miranda Marquit on Moolanomy.Com)
When most people think of stocks, we’re thinking of common stock. Preferred stock is different, and comes with certain privileges. One such privilege is that most preferred stock offers higher dividends than common stock, which is one of the primary reasons that people own preferred stock. They are also less risky and less volatile than… Read More
Financial Advice for Your Twenties (As Reported by Dan Caplinger on DailyFinance.Com)
For young people heading out into the real world for the first time, managing your money can be one of the more difficult tasks. Though it may be complex, understanding your finances is crucial when you’re just starting out. It is at this time in your life that you need to start planning, budgeting, paying… Read More
Reevaluating Risk in Today’s Market (As Reported by Tom Lauricella via WSJ.com)
Buyer beware! Some of the “truths” of the investing marketplace that we have long held onto are changing. The investment landscape today may not resemble that of even a few years ago. A combination of uncertainty in the global economy and the Federal Reserve’s efforts to keep the interest rate near zero have made traditionally… Read More