We cover the basics and more about personal finance, answering frequently asked questions about credit and debt, identity theft, saving for college, retirement, estate planning, insurance, taxes, job hunting, and raising money-savvy kids. Check out the articles, columns, blog posts, radio shows and videos for tons of personal finance advice.
Mortgage Delinquency is Down, Credit Delinquency is Up
Mortgage delinquency rates are down, credit delinquencies are up. CoreLogic reports 30-day-plus delinquency is the lowest it’s been in over a decade. It’s a good news, not-so-good news situation. First, the good news: More people are paying their mortgages on time. Unfortunately, credit delinquencies are up as more people are having trouble getting their [...]
What Is the Purpose of a Home Inventory?
What is the purpose of a home inventory? A home inventory list can make filing an insurance claim in the event of a major loss much easier. Seventy percent of Americans have gone through a natural disaster at some point in their lives, according to research by Farmers Insurance. With that in mind, it’s surprising [...]
How Much Should I Spend on a Valentine’s Day Gift?
How much should I spend on a Valentine’s Day gift? Here are the best DIY Valentine’s Day gift ideas that show you care but won’t break the bank. Love is in the air and so are the sweet scents of chocolates and roses! And, who wouldn’t like either as a Valentine’s Day gift? Valentine’s Day [...]
Do You Need to Renovate an Old Inherited Home Before Selling?
Do you need to renovate an old inherited home before selling? The first step to deciding involves speaking with a local real estate broker to lay down the numbers. Q: Our sister recently passed away leaving the family home that mom left her six years ago. She had no will and left outstanding debts as [...]
4 Personal Finance Resolutions You Need to Make Ahead of a Recession
These are the 4 personal finance resolutions you need to make ahead of a potential recession in 2019. Putting them to work now can help your financial foundation in the future. Here’s something we haven’t heard in a long time: whispers of a looming recession. And those in the know think it could start in [...]
Buyers Remorse: Is It a Bargain or a Bad Idea?
Buyer’s Remorse: Is it a bargain or a bad idea? Sponsored posts from influencers and ads in social media streams motivate Americans to buy into the hype. It’s the time of year when cash and credit fly around freely. But, it’s also the season of buyers remorse. It probably won’t surprise you to learn that [...]
Is Black Friday Shopping Worth It?
Is Black Friday shopping worth it this year? Your Thanksgiving night might be better spent with loved ones thanks to Cyber Monday, pre-holiday sales and post-holiday extended sales. Between Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday, U.S. consumers will spend well over $20 billion, predicted by Adobe Analytics in their holiday sales forecast. That makes up a huge [...]
What’s Causing Millennials’ Money Woes?
On Stress Awareness Day, we take a look at the pain points causing Millennials to stress about their money. A new Bank of America report, which analyzed the financial habits of over 1,000 Millennials, found that the majority of respondents felt they weren’t saving enough for future expenses like home buying and retirement. Best Money [...]
How Much Money Do Americans Spend on Takeout and Lattes?
Americans spend a lot of money on takeout and lattes but just how much are they spending and what does that mean for their savings and retirement readiness? How much money do Americans spend on takeout and lattes? Americans spend an average of $2,944 each year on financial vices like takeout, drinks and lottery tickets, [...]
Is the American Dream Out of Reach?
Is the American Dream Out of Reach? Some Americans think financial stability and homeownership are out of reach. But a good strategy can help them get out of debt, buy a home and prepare for retirement to achieve the American Dream. Hard to buy a first home More than 80 percent of Americans agree that [...]