Hawk Eyes / Shutterstock.com Sorting through possessions accumulated over years can be stressful when you inherit a home or property. But before you rush to throw out or donate everything, take a moment to think: Some of these seemingly ordinary items could be worth a surprising amount of money. From vintage cookware to rare books, … Read more
If you’ve been home shopping since early 2022, when mortgage rates rose, you’ve probably encountered redemption. Buydown is used to reduce a buyer’s mortgage rate, either temporarily or permanently. This can make the mortgage payment cheaper for the first few years of the loan term, or for the entire 30 years. These buyouts serve as … Read more
You’ve saved $250,000 and want to know how to invest it wisely. Reaching this number is a huge accomplishment, so congratulations. It took a lot of discipline and hard work to earn this amount, and with continued hard work and discipline, you can grow your $250,000 even further. If you keep your money in a … Read more
Published on: June 12, 2024 Imagine you need to cover an unexpected expense, perhaps a car repair or medical bill. Should you use a personal loan or a credit card? Credit cards and personal loans offer a way to quickly access funds, but they are not one-size-fits-all solutions. Let’s take a look at the difference … Read more
Jacob Lund / Shutterstock.com The holiday season may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also the busiest for many people. If you’re looking for a job during the holidays, you might think that this means the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day are the perfect time to take a break … Read more
Published on: June 14, 2024 Secured and unsecured loans are two broad categories of loans with one major difference: the need for collateral. For example, when purchasing your dream home, you might consider applying for a loan, but notice that the interest rates on home loans are significantly lower than on personal loans. Why then? … Read more
When applying for a loan, lenders consider several factors to ensure that you are a responsible borrower who can comfortably repay your debt. Lenders will only lend you money if they know you can repay them, but how can you be sure? This is where the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) comes into play. It’s a factor … Read more
Although mortgage rates have already seen some improvement since the election dust settled, they remain quite high. At last glance, the 30-year fixed rate was hovering around 6.875%, down about 0.25% from its recent highs. It’s been a good few days, but rates are still at least 0.75% higher than they were in mid-September. Why … Read more
Have you ever wondered why you pay interest on a loan or earn interest on your savings? It all depends on interest rates. Interest rates affect everything from mortgage and auto loans to the financial activities of businesses and governments. When you borrow money, you pay a fee to use it for a certain period … Read more
Andrey Zastrozhnov / Shutterstock.com Medicare is a lifeline for many seniors, providing basic health insurance backed by the federal government. However, it doesn’t cover everything, leaving some unexpected out-of-pocket expenses for beneficiaries. Understanding these gaps is key to effective financial planning for retirement. Here are seven essential expenses that Medicare typically doesn’t cover.