How much do you know about your mutual fund investments? Not knowing what companies are held by the different funds in your portfolio is another common investment mistake. The best way to avoid investment mistakes is to keep it simple. By building a well-diversified portfolio your financial future will be secure.
If you didn't put down 20 percent in cash on your home, you're probably paying private mortgage insurance, also known as PMI, and you're wondering how to get rid of it. A lender will be able to tell you what specific steps to take to cancel PMI. Lenders must automatically cancel your PMI once you've reached 22 percent equity based on your original home loan and sales price.
Chicagoans aren't as financially savvy as industry experts would like. Local banks, lenders, schools and credit unions are banding together to create a money management week to education people on their finances. Financial education programs are being offered in several languages.
When you come from a country that doesn't have a sound banking system, putting your money in a mattress might seem to make good financial sense. As the largest minority group in the US, accounting for nearly $600 billion in purchasing power each year, a movement is afoot to raise Hispanic financial literacy.
Since the stock market bubble burst three years ago, investors have been on a roller coaster ride, with the market going up and down, but not really moving ahead. The only answer is to understand why the stock market appears to be in a holding pattern and what you can do to protect your wealth.
As your parents age you may find yourself having to decide how to care for them. Part of choosing the right elder care solution for your family is financial planning including looking at what assets are available to pay for the care and whether the family member is eligible for Medicaid. It's important to realize that hospitals who help care for elder family members may refer you to a hospital-affiliated nursing home as opposed to a solution that may be best for your unique situation.
It's tax day, and if you haven't filed yet, you've still got about 12 hours to get your return i the mail. There are even faster ways to get your return to the IRS without going through the U.S. Postal Service. The IRS is pushing hard to get more Americans to file electronically.
As the weather gets warmer, more homeowners are thinking about starting summer home improvement or landscaping projects. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), there are a few simple things to keep in mind when planning your summer home improvement project. First, take as much time as you need to plan out the home improvement.
Avoid getting auditing by not making easy mistakes that can draw the IRS' attention, like math errors, forgetting about interest and dividends when calculating your income. not using the IRS' pre-printed label, forgetting to sign and date your check, using the wrong tax table, and missing the deadline to file an extension. Also, if you are self-employed or in other professions that tend to draw attention, make sure you keep all of your receipts.
