Bill Davis
The Surprising Therapeutic Benefits of Yardwork
Many people look at yardwork as something they have to do, not something they enjoy. When viewed as an obligation, people might feel an urge to procrastinate and push the job off. However, yardwork has many benefits beyond beautification and lawn maintenance.Yardwork is a chore and an obligation, but it is also beneficial to your […]
Bull Versus Bear Markets: What You Should Know
If you pay attention to the stock markets, you have likely heard experts discussing the possibility of a bear market. The market typically experiences two types of markets: bear and bull. Bear markets are generally short-lived, lasting about 289 days on average. Bull markets, alternatively, last approximately 991 days or around three years. What does […]
The Value of Gardening
The National Gardening Association claims that over 33% of households in the U.S. grow some of their food. Unlike other hobbies, gardening has the potential to yield practical returns on investment.According to the NGA, a garden can yield a half-pound of fruits and vegetables per square foot. The yield for a 20 by 30-foot garden […]
Generic Versus Name Brand: Is There Really a Difference?
The general public assumption is that generic items are of less quality than name brands. The cheaper packaging and poor marketing strategy of generic brands equate them to low-value goods. The funny thing is most generic products are identical to their name-brand counterparts. In fact, some generic items are even made by name-brand companies, essentially […]
Refinancing 101: Review This Guide Before You Apply
With interest rates projected to rise over the rest of the year, it’s no wonder that you might be wondering about refinancing your mortgage. But, dad jokes aside, the decision to pay off your mortgage with a new loan requires careful consideration, even if you’re tempted by the promise of a lower interest rate. So […]
Inflation and Diminishing Wage Gains
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 […]
The Most Overlooked Things To Keep an Eye on When Buying Property
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: A Good Investment?
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 […]
Are You Taking Frugal Too Far?
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 […]
Retirement: The Goal, the Myth, the Legend
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. […]