If you have credit card debt and pay over 20%, it’s time to look at ways to lower your card’s interest rates. Getting a lower annual percentage rate is easier than you think, especially if you’ve already paid down part of the debt. Follow this simple guide for great tips.How To Negotiate a Lower Interest […]
Many Americans experienced wage increases over the last several years; the national average was about 4.5% last year. Unfortunately, the progress in wages is all but canceled out by increasing inflation. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, prices increased by an average of 7.9% over the last year.Therefore, while many Americans saw increases […]
It doesn’t take a genius to know that property is often a wise investment. Typically, the value of property doesn’t depreciate over time (in fact, most types of property increase in value). Property can be improved upon to add even more value to it. But with all that being said, I have seen people make […]
Cryptocurrency continues to enthrall investor interest and raise questions of security. Savvy investors are making money off the crypto boom, but many more are losing everything.Additionally, crypto presents opportunities for criminal activity. The U.S. Secret Service confiscated more than $102 million in cryptocurrency assets since 2015, and the agency has 254 active investigations in this […]
Many people complain about taxes in the United States. The 37% tax rate on higher-income Americans can seem unfair, but it is not without merit. Still, how does the U.S. stack up against other countries? Is the federal government worse than or better than other territories?When examining the tax systems of other countries, seven systems […]
The third act. Retirement has many names, but referencing it as a final climactic finish is fitting. Your retirement years represent the final stage of your life, a time to do everything you ever wanted. How will you spend your twilight years?1. TravelTravel is a popular choice among most retirees. People spend much of their […]
A frugal lifestyle has many benefits. Above all, it gets you in the habit of saving. You learn the value of planning and spend less when you make purchases by avoiding interest payments. That said, it’s possible to take frugal too far. Look out for five common traps of being “cheap.”1. Stressing ExcessivelyThe whole point […]
For many people, retirement represents a lifelong goal. The idea of spending their “last act” free and doing as they please is enticing, if not romantic.Truthfully, retirement and the reality of it are changing. Retirement as part of the law has only been a concept since 1935 after the passing of the Social Security act. […]
You know that investing is important. Investments are how you allow your money to work for you, but investing is a patience game. Despite some day traders claiming repetitive thousands a day, real gains take time.One thing about investing is it is a personal journey. Every person will have to learn from their failures and […]
People think of two institutions for savings and investing: credit unions and banks. Banks are the more conventional option, but they do not offer as many advantages as credit unions.Credit unions are community-focused institutions. Consumers who save and invest with a credit union have access to several features:Lower fees Better interest rates Reduced loan rates Insured deposits Personalized customer […]