4 ways to save on monthly housing costs. Homeowners who are interested in lowering their monthly housing costs should give these money saving tips a try. Owning a home is cheaper than it was five years ago. Believe it or not, on average, homeowners are spending about $65 less per month on their mortgages than [...]
Here are a few of the topics covered on this week’s radio show. Caller question: I’m moving to a new city for five years—should I buy a new house in cash or take out a mortgage? [3:22] Consider a 10-year mortgage. The interest rates are so low that you can borrow money cheaply, while keeping [...]
Most luxury homebuyers are looking for two amenities when they start house shopping. http://youtu.be/WMa_WPh9bD0 A survey by Realtor.com looked at what luxury homebuyers want the most in a house. The majority of respondents – 54 percent – said they wanted a chef’s kitchen. Another large group – 44 percent of people surveyed – said [...]
Anyone preparing to go back to school has probably considered paying tuition, at least in part, with their retirement savings. After all, the money is just sitting there, waiting to be used. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you should use it to pay for your degree. “Don’t do it,” says Kathy Ruby, senior college financial [...]
The Fed was right about some of its stimulus policies, basically. A new study shows that the Federal Reserve's bond-buying stimulus program, which has kept mortgage rates artificially low for the past four years, had a measurable, positive impact on American households and the economy. Of course, it didn't work in the exact way the [...]
It’s possible to buy a house with no regrets – if you’re willing to do your homework first. http://youtu.be/N7CALu_mAk0 In a survey conducted in the second quarter of 2014 by Chase Bank, 39 percent of people said they’d choose a house of a different size, different price or even in a different area if they [...]
If you want to throw your hard-earned money into a hole, then buy permanent life insurance. While life insurance is a key component of your financial planning, it shouldn't be an expensive investment vehicle. Your policy should cover enough to replace the lost income if you die, or your spouse dies, so that the remaining [...]
Whether you're finishing your bachelor’s degree, getting your master’s degree or a professional certificate, or going to college for the first time, furthering your education is an expensive investment. But, like any other investment, you can earn a lot more than you initially spent, if you do it right. According to 2012 data from the [...]
Want a lower interest rate, late payment fee forgiveness or a higher credit limit? Just ask for it. Nearly nine out of 10 credit cardholders who asked their credit card companies to waive a late payment fee were successful, and about two-thirds who asked for a lower interest rate were approved, according to CreditCards.com. “It’s [...]
An increase in property value isn’t always a good thing. Increased property values may mean increased property taxes, leaving you with a much higher tax bill than you anticipated. Some homeowners are shocked when they open that letter and find out their home has suddenly jumped 40 percent in value—at least according to their local [...]
