Miranda MarquitWhen building an investment portfolio, most people focus on an asset allocation that includes two main types of assets: stocks and bonds. While we hear about stocks all the time (thanks to a financial media fixated on the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500), we don’t really hear much about bonds. However, bonds … Read more
When you purchase a new construction home, there are several hidden costs that you might not think about. The normal costs of homeownership like mortgage payments (e.g., principal and interest), property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and utilities are obvious. Other costs, though, can come as something of a surprise. When we bought our home (a new … Read more
Few people, when swiping their credit cards, or getting a car loan, do so with the intention of defaulting on their debt. In many cases, they are sure they can afford the monthly payments, and that they will be able to pay the debt off eventually. Unfortunately, debt tends to build up and can sneak … Read more
When buying auto insurance, you need to know the differences between your coverage options. Understanding what different types of coverage are included in your policy can help you make better decisions about protecting your car and your assets. Types of Auto Insurance Coverage There are three types of auto insurance coverage: liability, collision, and comprehensive. … Read more
My husband started buying Lord of the Rings action figures after the first movie came out, purchasing them a little at a time. He also has a box full of sports trading cards. A few of them are even worth something. We don’t think of the action figures and sports cards as investments, but if … Read more
Chances are, you know who Warren Buffett is. He’s one of the richest men in the world, and he’s famous for his ability to spot a good investment. He’s also a famous penny pincher who makes it a point to get good value for whatever it is he buys. He also famously gave one of … Read more
One of the ways that you can track your financial progress is to check your net worth periodically. Your net worth is a look at one moment in time as far as your finances are concerned. It provides you with a picture of what your overall financial position is right now. Net worth offers you the … Read more
When money is tight, and you need a little more liquidity to ease the situation, you might need to get a loan. But what if you have bad credit? Bad credit can be a deal-breaker when it comes to getting the cash you need. In fact, some banks will turn you down for a personal … Read more
One of the realities of earning more money is that you also need to report that income to the IRS. When you have a side hustle, you are supposed to report that income — no matter how insignificant it seems to you. Your income is reported on your tax return, usually using Form 1040. Additionally, … Read more
Homeownership is the ultimate American Dream. If you’re going to buy a home, though, you will likely need a down payment — especially if you want the best mortgage rate. For those trying to make a 10% or 20% down payment on a home, coming up with tens of thousands of dollars can be a … Read more