Guest Posts Archives - Page 2 of 5

How to Jump-Start Your Retirement Savings

If you’ve got three or even four decades to go until retirement, saving for that time of your life may be the last thing on your mind. But you’ve actually got the most incredible element on your side — time.

In fact, with the power of compound interest, you’ll be able to get more bang for your contributions than your peers who wait until they’re closing in on retirement age to start really planning and saving.

Of course, wanting to save for retirement and actually doing it are two very different things. When you’re just getting started, it’s easy to feel intimidated by the confusing alphabet soup of terminology — 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Roth SEP, SIMPLE, HSA, and so on.

So I’m demystifying the options for retirement savings. And I’m walking you through the process of kickstarting your journey to a successful future. [Read more…]

What You Need to Know Before You Get a Cash Back Credit Card

Who doesn’t love free money???

It’s so tempting to jump on the opportunity to rake in dollar bills by signing up for cash-back credit card. However, before you apply for one, it’s important to understand how these cards work and determine which one, if any, is right for you.

This guide will not only answer those questions but will also help you get the most bang for your buck with a smart cash-back credit card strategy.

[Read more…]

Should You Save for a Home or Pay Down Student Loans?

When you’re repaying student loans, it can feel as though you’re frozen in time. After all, if you’re buried under $10k, $25k, or $100k in educational debt, it’s easy to think you have to put the rest of your life on hold.

In fact, according to a recent report from the National Association of Realtors, wannabe homeowners with student loan debt wait seven years longer to buy homes than those without.

But is kicking those loans ASAP while waiting to buy a home really the smartest move you can make? Or is taking your time while amassing a down payment the way to go?

The path you should choose depends on your financial circumstances. Here’s how. [Read more…]

Credit 101: Why Your Credit Score Matters & How to Improve It

Remember that college course you had to take about managing your credit? No? Don’t worry, you didn’t miss it.

And you probably never attended a seminar on one of the most important and frequently misunderstood areas of finance, either — your credit.

So it’s no surprise that some people struggle with understanding and managing their developing credit histories. In fact, a recent LendEDU survey found that only 25% of millennials could correctly define what a credit score is, and only 17% knew one of the best ways to improve their score.

Today, it’s time to set the record straight.

Here’s the scoop on what really makes a difference when it comes to your credit and the low-down on how you can take control of your financial destiny with a few easy strategies.

[Read more…]

5 Big Life Insurance Mistakes You Didn’t Know You Were Making

So you think you need life insurance. Or you have it already . . . but you’re worried your family isn’t sufficiently protected.

For many people, life insurance is a complex, intimidating entity with high stakes. Today, we’re looking at five of the biggest mistakes people make with their life insurance policies. And we’re demystifying the process, so you can take care of your loved ones with confidence. [Read more…]

How to Keep Your Paper & Digital Documents Secure

One thing that’s certain in life is its innate uncertainty. Everyday living can surprise you unpleasantly with burst pipes, health problems, financial upset, tax audits, and more.

But there are things you can do now that will protect your family and your financial interests against future unknowns. In particular, you can take steps to ensure that your most important records and documents are simultaneously preserved and accessible — to you and to anyone to whom you want to grant permission.

So we’re looking today at ways you can keep your precious papers safe and your digital documents secure. [Read more…]

5 Habits of People with Excellent Credit

You know a strong credit score is invaluable to your financial life. Want to secure the best mortgage rate? Nab that charming apartment? Pay less for your insurance premiums? Your FICO score, the most popular score used by lenders, makes it happen.

Ranging from 300 to a perfect 850, your FICO score determines what credit is available to you and at what rate. According to NerdWallet, once you hit 760, you’ll usually be offered the very best rates.

But some people can’t resist the challenge of achieving a FICO score in the 800s. If you want to know how to gain -– and maintain –- a top-notch score, you can learn from these five habits of card-carrying members of the 800 club. [Read more…]

6 Smart Things to Do with Your Tax Refund

The holidays are long gone, but it feels like Christmas morning when your tax refund lands in your bank account!

Before you burn through that cash, though, take a beat. With the right strategy, you can use your refund to make some powerful financial moves in your life.

Here are the steps you should take — in order — to maximize the benefit of that windfall . . .

[Read more…]

How to Build Your Credit History From Scratch

Being an all-cash person isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it probably means you’ve got little or no credit history to speak of — which can come back to bite you when you finally do need to apply for a loan or line of credit.

But starting on the right foot when it comes to building credit isn’t as hard as you might think. In fact, you can by tackling a few basic steps. [Read more…]

Here’s Why I’m Not Paying for College

Let’s get one thing straight: I am 100% pro-college.

If a college education helps you get to where you want to be professionally and if you can afford it, then you go ahead and earn that college degree! I spent six years in college and graduate school and benefitted hugely from both experiences. So I’d love to see my son succeed in higher education.

But the price tag for that education … well, that’s going to be on him. Here are four reasons I’m not paying for my kid’s college costs: [Read more…]