In the wake of the Great Recession and the damage done to the real estate market, many homeowners have an underwater mortgage or facing foreclosure. The government has set up programs intended to help, but unfortunately many scammers have also jumped on the bandwagon. According to the Homeownership Preservation Foundation (HPF), an independent national nonprofit [...]
It’s one thing to go to the doctor if you have an illness or other immediate need for care and to have that visit covered by your health insurance policy. But some people also need to see a medical professional for issues such as mental illness, physical therapy, or other health concerns. Not all insurance [...]
Whether you’re sick of your laminate countertops or you just want to spruce up your bathroom, you might want to consider whether your remodeling projects will yield much money when you’re ready to take the steps toward selling your home. With housing prices continuing to decline, it’s important to think about the return on investment [...]
While becoming a homeowner has long been a cornerstone of the American Dream, the recent recession has caused many Americans to question if buying a home is still the right move. For some, renting a home and saving the money that would have been spent on a mortgage has become the new American Dream, and [...]
There’s a lot happening in the real estate market these days, and the jury’s still out on whether or not we’re in a real recovery. Foreclosure rates remain high despite a national dip in foreclosure activity, and the mortgage industry continues to struggle. To top it off, the $25 billion settlement between the states and [...]
I grew up with a wonderful dog, Maverick (maybe why my dad loved the movie Top Gun so much). Our dog brought great joy to my family, and I couldn’t imagine my childhood without him. However, while having a pet was wonderful, now I see that there are also effects certain types of pets may [...]
Gone are the days of paper ledgers and tallying up your cancelled checks. With smartphones, people are emailing, making dinner reservations, destroying angry birds, and impressing friends with their words. Now, with advancing technology and increased security for mobile apps, smartphone users are also managing their finances safely and conveniently from the palms of their [...]
Tara Holloway, the IRS Special Agent in Diane Kelly’s book, Death, Taxes, and a French Manicure, fantasized about what to do with her tax refund. She noted that the $400 she was due was “enough to pay for the bikini I’d ordered and then some. Woo-hoo!” Over the years, I’ve heard lots of great ideas [...]
Owning a car is expensive. In addition to maintenance, parking, and gasoline, drivers are required to pay for car insurance—it’s mandated by law, and it could save you a lot of money if you end up in an accident. Even so, an auto insurance policy is an expense most drivers wish they could do without. [...]
Withdrawal Sequencing Strategies: Excerpt from The Smartest Money Book You’ll Ever Read Dan Solin is out with a new book, “The Smartest Money Book You’ll Ever Read,” in which he answers some of your top retirement and retirement strategy questions. Most people have their retirement funds in various accounts—401(k) plans, IRAs, annuities, taxable accounts, and pensions. The sequence in which [...]
