Student loans have become so common that both students and their parents may pay little attention to the details. But as is the case with any kind of loan, the details matter! There’s much to be aware of before you sign student loan papers. Go through all loan documents carefully, and consider having them reviewed […]
Are you looking for ways to save for college? With the average cost of a college education now at over $100,000 for four years at a public college, and over $200,000 at a private college, parents need all the help they can get to save for college. Fortunately, there are several well-established ways to make […]
Your credit score has a big impact on whether you’ll be able to buy a home. From being able to get approved for a mortgage to your interest rate and the amount of house you’ll be able to afford, your FICO credit score matters when you’re shopping for a home. What Your Credit Score Means […]
We hear a lot about inflation from the financial media, but less well discussed – and understood – is deflation. What is deflation and how could it affect you? What is Deflation? The net effect of deflation is a general decline in price levels. That includes not only a drop in prices for goods and […]
There are many adventures on the road to homeownership. One of them is learning the ins and outs of property taxes. Every year, millions of homeowners pay real estate property taxes to their local municipality. The amount of the tax, the way it’s calculated, and even how it’s paid vary from place to place. Adding […]
It’s always nice when you can maximize your retirement savings early in life. But the demands of life often make that hard to accomplish. It’s often easier to start small, and gradually boost your retirement savings over several years. It’s a strategy well worth putting into action. There are several ways to do this that […]
When a homeowner runs into problems on a mortgage, they may try a short sale to avoid a foreclosure. A short sale is a way for a homeowner to sell a home for less than the remaining mortgage loan balance. The process is more complicated than a typical home sale and can have a negative […]
Many first-time home buyers think a 20% down payment is recommended, or even required, to purchase a home. With today’s rising home prices, a 20% down payment is no small amount of money. However, you may be surprised to know that a 20% down payment is not necessary to buy a home in today’s market. […]
Buying vs renting housing usually involves a lot of number crunching. It’s an attempt to find an answer to the question in the numbers. But numbers don’t always answer all the important questions in this kind of debate. In this article, we’re going to focus on lifestyle factors to consider, instead of making it all […]
Though it can seem a bit obsessive to check your credit regularly, it’s absolutely necessary today. It’s not just lenders who rely on your credit report, but also employers, landlords, and even insurance companies. The average person’s credit is checked several times each year by different institutions. You should make sure that you also check […]