Choosing when to claim Social Security is a big decision for many of us. Your benefit will depend on the average income you earned over your working years, the average income of your spouse, and when you file for benefits. As you make plans for your retirement, you may ask, “How much will I get […]
Yes, you can chop tens of thousands off your mortgage — without writing a big balloon payment check or forgoing a windfall to pay principle. The trick is to make biweekly payments, rather than one payment a month, for the life of the mortgage. The strategy is easier said than done for most mortgage owners. […]
During times of heightened risks and market volatility, it’s a great time to review your goals and objectives and make sure your portfolio is aligned accordingly. A diversified portfolio that includes holdings in a variety of asset classes can reduce overall portfolio volatility and improve risk-adjusted performance. For instance, over the past few years, it […]
There is no doubt that in today’s electronic world, where everyone has a computer at home and a smart device in their hand, managing your budget can be a relatively simple task. Some of the apps are simple in that track your spending and report back to you what comes in and what is going […]
After you have been living in your home for a while your income tends to grow but your mortgage stays the same. You may find yourself having extra money each month. There are many avenues you can take. You can put it in a college savings account for your kids, upgrade to a newer house […]
A time will come when age begins to catch up with your parents and they will need help with managing their finances. Even if your parents don’t want to feel dependent, when you sense that they need your assistance, you can approach the issue with sensitivity and extend your support for the management of their […]
The heights of happiness that you experience in life is ultimately determined by the quality of your personal attitude. There is always a good reason to look on the brighter side of life if you set your mind to it. And sometimes the best things in life can be free or reasonably affordable. And that […]
For many people, retirement means the end of their earning period. For these retirees, having a stable and well-diversified portfolio that provides them with a source of income even after their retirement is very essential. This would also go a long way in helping keep the tax liabilities at bay. People, to this day, are […]
Even though many people buy gift cards as gifts for others, they go unused in a lot of cases — around $3 billion’s worth a year. A lot of people get gift cards to redeem at retailers they don’t like, don’t use up the entirety of the card, or forget about them. Forgetting or throwing […]
A recent report from Ameriprise showed that the number one fear for people in the age group of 50 to 79 is managing the costs of healthcare. For people in their 30s and 40s, who are decades away from retirement, it’s still the second-most important concern. Here are a few proven strategies that could help […]
