The Importance and Suggested Frequency of Credit Monitoring
According to the Federal Trade Commission, one in five Americans experiences errors on at least one of their credit reports. Unfortunately, most people do not realize the mistakes because they do not check their reports often or not often enough. Credit reporting errors at TransUnion, Equifax, or Experian can lead to weaker credit scores regardless of […]
The Real Estate Cooldown: What Does It Mean for You?
The real estate market typically peaks in the summertime, but this past year experienced a somewhat historic rise in home values. Sellers loved the growth because it allowed for increased profits, but buyers were frustrated because nearly every purchase became a bidding war, which is not good from an investment standpoint. The market is cooling, […]
7 Legal Ways to Decrease Your Tax Liability
If there is anything worse than filing your taxes, it’s finding out that you owe money at the end of the year. While everyone is posting to social media about their massive returns and what they plan to do with them, you’re over there wondering how you’re going to come up with the funds to […]
Planning a Vacation Without Breaking the Bank
You don’t need to run a survey or review the data to know that vacations are expensive. While the average cost of a vacation varies drastically from family to family and based on several factors, one survey found that approximately three-quarters of Americans admit to falling into debt of at least $1,100 following a holiday. […]
Credit Cards: Is One Enough or Do You Need More?
For anyone who has experienced credit card debt, the decision to have even one credit card can lead to feelings of anxiety. However, while credit cards are easy to abuse, the little pieces of plastic do play a vital role in rebuilding and establishing credit.The American Bankers Association recently estimated that approximately two in three […]
Quit Trying to Time the Market, and Focus on Long-Term Gains, Instead
Active investing, such as day trading, is a popular investment strategy. Still, it depends on the investor’s ability to consistently outperform the market, which growing evidence says is improbable and more volatile than other strategies. If you plan on active trading based on timing the rise and fall of stocks, it might be time to […]
Six Inflation-Proof Investments Your Portfolio Needs
Like death and taxes, inflation is one of life’s few certainties. With smart investment choices, however, you can hedge against or even profit from the never-ending increase in product prices over time. While inflation itself is a constant, the rate at which prices rise varies depending on the cost of labor, raw materials and other […]
Should You Invest With Robo-Advisors?
It wasn’t that long ago when Equifax was breached, leaving many people’s financial data not secure. However, even with financial establishments facing backlash for poor security, robo-advisors are growing in popularity among many financially curious and digitally knowledgeable consumers. Is that a wise decision?The investment market has long been considered a tool for the wealthy, […]
Why I Don’t Day Trade More Than $500
The idea behind day trading seems simple: you buy a security and sell it in the same day. Unfortunately, this “easy” trading strategy is far more complex, and dangerous, than it sounds. That’s why protecting your finances is so important.How Does Day Trading Work?Let’s say you have the feeling that an important announcement is coming […]
Do Electric Cars Save You Money in the Long Run?
Comparing the costs of electric versus gas is tricky. Prices range a ton depending on vehicle manufacturers and even where you live in the United States. I’m going to do my best to explain five important factors that can help you make the best decision.1. Sticker PriceThe first glaring difference in the total cost of […]