Preparing for retirement can seem intimidating and stressful, but it doesn't have to be. By planning for retirement one small piece at a time, you can eliminate the stress many people experience in the months leading up to it. If you are in your 40s and looking for practical, tangible ways to ensure your retirement is secure, it’s time to begin looking at the big picture while also paying Continue Reading
7 Financial Planning Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make
Becoming wealthy doesn’t mean you have to invent a billion dollar idea, become CEO of a company, or strike it rich. Even a meager salary can lead to long-term financial security if you make smart decisions along the way. However, you can just as easily derail your financial success if you make poor decisions and mistakes. Characteristics and Habits That Lead to Trouble Over the past few Continue Reading
Making the Most of Open Enrollment
It’s that time of the year when you get to snuggle up next to the fireplace, sip hot cocoa ... and look at your employee benefits. Yes, it’s open enrollment time, and you may find yourself looking at a big ol’ packet of information, not really understanding what everything is, and electing the same stuff that you had last year. This may mean that you are missing out! Since employee benefits can Continue Reading
10 Things Every Aspiring Homeowner Needs to Know: Making an Offer and Closing
We are covering the 10 Things Every Aspiring Homeowner Needs to Know. So far, we’ve discussed: Whether you should really be buying, or if you should stick with renting What your credit situation looks like to lenders How much house you can afford How to pick a realtor, or if you should do it yourself How to pick a lender, and whether you need to get pre-qualified How to pick the Continue Reading
10 Things Every Aspiring Homeowner Needs to Know: Which Mortgage is Best for You
Hi there, home-buying hopeful! We are covering the 10 Things Every Aspiring Homeowner Needs to Know. So far, we’ve discussed: Whether you should really be buying, or if you should stick with renting What your credit situation looks like to lenders How much house you can afford How to pick a realtor, or if you should do it yourself How to pick a lender, and whether you need to get Continue Reading
10 Things Every Aspiring Homeowner Needs to Know: How To Find Your Home Buying Dream Team
Hi there, home buying hopeful! We are covering the 10 Things Every Aspiring Homeowner Needs to Know. So far, we’ve discussed: Whether you should really be buying, or if you should stick with renting What your credit situation looks like to lenders How much house can you afford? Now, you need to know how to start shopping around for a Realtor® and a mortgage lender. Choosing a Continue Reading
10 Things Every Aspiring Homeowner Needs to Know: How Much House Can You Afford?
So, you want to be a homeowner? Congratulations! Get ready to roll up your sleeves and learn what you need to know. One of the first the things you should do is to figure out how much house you can actually afford. You want to have a number in mind before you get together with a Realtor® or a lender, because they may have a different idea of how much you can spend on a house. The traditional Continue Reading
10 Things Every Aspiring Homeowner Needs To Know
Buying a house or condo is equal parts exciting and stressful. It’s easy to get carried away thinking about actually owning a home of your own, not to mention all the barbecues you’ll have in the back yard. There are many questions that come up when you are considering buying your first property. Make sure you ask yourself the following before taking the leap. You need to know: Whether Continue Reading
Having A Good Relationship With The IRS
Does the word “tax” make you want to take a nap? Yeah, me too. But taxes are an important part of your financial picture, and one that is often overlooked. Paying close attention to all aspects of your tax picture — from how much is being withheld from your paychecks to which credits and deductions you qualify for — can either save (or lose) you thousands of dollars over the years. After Continue Reading
Negotiating What You’re Worth
The ability to successfully negotiate your salary, benefits and promotions will have a huge impact on your finances, both in the present and in the future. In this article, you will learn why negotiation is so important and how you can develop or improve this important skill. Why is Negotiation Important? A study conducted by George Mason University and Temple University researchers found Continue Reading