personal finance
The ABCs of personal finance and investing; how to invest wisely and grow your wealth.
Should I Pay for Home Renovations by Refinancing?
Homeowners should always keep updated records of their personal finances. Keeping financial information up-to-date and having a financial plan mapped out enables homeowners to more easily adjust their budget in the event that expected or unexpected events take place. Should a homeowner experience events including, but not limited to, moving to a new home or making home repairs, changing their marital status, welcoming a new addition to their family, becoming responsible for caring for elderly or ill family members of friends, retiring, or getting a job promotion and increase in their salary, they would have to change the way they save and spend their money.
By Casey Chesterfield6 years ago in Trader
Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures 2019-2020: Am I Eligible?
Discovering that you have a US tax obligation on assets or financial accounts held abroad is surprising. But once you understand this responsibility, there are many programs that you can use to become compliant. If you meet the requirements, then you can file under the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures (SFOP)
By Rebecca Smith6 years ago in Trader
Can I Sell My Life Insurance Policy?
When it comes to insurance, life insurance tends to fall fairly low on the list of priorities for many. Plus, since most policies tend to follow a sort of “set it and forget it” model, it can be easy to disregard a life insurance policy once it’s in place. However, there are plenty of extenuating circumstances that may prompt a policy holder to sit down at the computer and Google “selling my life insurance policy for cash.” But it’s not only about knowing if it can be done, but also how, so you don’t make any costly financial missteps.
By Claire Peters6 years ago in Trader
Becoming Effective
You’re probably familiar with interest. Maybe you’ve had a savings account that accumulates a small amount every month. Or maybe you have a credit card or loan that accumulates a huge amount every month. But do you know that there are different types of interest? And did you know that you can make interest work for you? It’s an effective way to grow your wealth, and it's easier than you might think!
By Isaiah Goodman6 years ago in Trader
What’s the Average Interest Rate on a Hard Money Loan?
In the past, hard money loans had a negative connotation. If you heard the words “hard money loan,” you may have thought about shady business dealings with questionable lenders and loans with exorbitantly high-interest rates attached to them.
By Casey Chesterfield6 years ago in Trader
Improve Your Credit Score
Your credit is as important as your money. If you don't have the money to pay for something, good credit could get it for you anyway. You could walk into a bank, and get the money to get what you need because they trust you. The bank knows that you have a history of being responsible with money, because of your credit. Good credit will get you a credit card that could pay for something you want as well. Your bank knows that you will pay the money back on time.
By Craig Middleton6 years ago in Trader
Ways to Mix Money and Morality
Virtually everyone wants to be a good person. The vast majority of us would like to live comfortably and make plenty of money, too. But those two things don’t always play nice with each other. As we strive for success, we might find ourselves questioning our actions and our accomplishments. Are we doing the right things? Are we honoring our values? There’s a reason so many movies are about leaving the “wrong” job for a more charitable one, or finding out that family is more important than long hours of the office. These stories are based on anxieties that many of us have.
By Carlos Fox6 years ago in Trader
Becoming Attentive
Everyone has heard the saying that nothing is certain except for death and taxes. Both of these are scary things for people. However, by learning a little about taxes, you can make smart decisions to ensure you understand how you can optimize your resources.
By Isaiah Goodman6 years ago in Trader
Top Tips for Finding the Best Mortgage Rates in Kansas City
When it comes time to purchase a home, one of the most important steps is finding the right mortgage. A mortgage is something people carry with them for a very long time, so it’s important to find the best rate possible. Fortunately, with some dedicated time and plenty of research, borrowers can find the right rate for their situation. But what exactly can borrowers do to ensure they’re getting the best mortgage rate possible?
By Tobias Gillot6 years ago in Trader
I Actually Started Budgeting
For the past month, I’ve been obsessing over finances. Not how to make money—but what to do with the money I make. I get a paycheck twice a month doing contracted tutoring through a company. I have students loans I need to pay off and want to come up with a plan on how to get that taken care of so I don’t have to defer it indefinitely (bad move).
By Fully Functioning Female6 years ago in Trader
Join the Revolution: Fee-Free Bank Accounts and Feature/ Benefit Comparison
Banking is a huge part of modern day economics. Banks have a large role and as such, sometimes too much power. I got my first bank account at around age 12 because I was making some money buying and reselling items on Craigslist and thus needed an account for safe-keeping. I thoroughly enjoyed the benefits of having my money so easily accessible in the online world, yet many things about the whole system bothered me. I distinctly remember one situation where I'd run out of money but they still processed an online order AND charged me an overdraft fee. I didn't understand why they couldn't just not let the transaction go through. Even as a kid, I knew that practice was wrong. Today, I understand more about banking and the economy, and still adamantly believe that bank fees are yet another way to make everyday life harder for those surviving on low incomes, and as such should be stopped.
By Brittney Walker6 years ago in Trader
