debt payments

I often get asked the question – “How can my family live comfortably off of a single income?”. In my response, I always let people know that it is possible and is not that hard. My wife and I have chosen to support our family on one income (by me) and have her stay at [...]

One of life’s rites of passage — whether right or wrong — is getting that first credit card. When used properly, a credit card can help you create a good credit history that will serve you well when it comes time to buy a car or a home. When used irresponsibly, though, credit cards can [...]

Do you need a whole life insurance policy? When it comes to life insurance, most people knows very little about the subject, and the many alternatives available only add to the confusion. Typically, we don’t take enough time to sit down and understand each type of life insurance policy and which one is the best [...]

No matter how much solid financial planning we put in, life cannot be reduced down to complete predictability. Indeed, there are always unexpected expenses, large and small, that can crop up. And, you never know when something catastrophic, like a major illness or a job loss, will happen. The reality of unexpected financial situations should [...]

Since passing my CFP® exam, more and more of my friends are coming to me for financial advice. Sometimes they have a specific question, sometimes they want to create a plan to get out of debt, and sometimes they just want some advice on how to manage their finances going forward. No matter what they [...]

The Associated Press reports a new finding by FICO, Inc. that 25.5 percent of consumers, or nearly 43.4 million people, currently have a credit score of 599 or less. With a quarter of the nation suffering from credit card debt and poor credit scores, it’s obvious that many are not aware of the number of [...]

We are currently in a time when too much emphasis is placed on grades.  Far too many graduating seniors believe that good grades lead to good jobs which leads to a good life.  However, there are many other attributes necessary for success. What is success?  This post isn’t about equating $200,000 a year and success.  [...]

A Homeowners Association serves a purpose – to manage the common areas of a community including parks, pools, and roads. Homeowners who live in the area are obligated to pay dues that usually cost between $100 and $10,000 annually. The cost depends on the location and the amenities included. In addition to the dues obligation, [...]

The economic decisions that you make on a daily basis have a direct impact on your financial future. Your decisions can either set you up for a nice comfortable retirement or force you to work much longer than you ever planned. If you want to get on the right track to a successful retirement then [...]

If you are a first-time homebuyer and missed out on the $8,000 Homebuyer Tax Credit because you didn’t make the April 30th deadline, you still have tax incentives to look forward to in the future. One of the benefits of buying a home is that you can deduct the mortgage interest you are paying on [...]