Do you want to become a millionaire one day? If so, are you on track to reach your goal? Would you like to know how you can tell if you are? In the best-selling book The Millionaire Next Door, authors Thomas Stanley and William Danko profiled traits of the wealthy. Let’s take a look at three of these traits. How Wealthy Should You Be? The authors created a way of determining whether a person was wealthy or not based on... Read more
Spend–and save–when using your credit card Here’s a challenge: use your credit card as much as possible, and get richer while doing so. All it takes is a good card and some discipline. A “good” card is one that pays generous benefits for spending money. The discipline is to only use the card as a replacement for the cash in your bank account, rather than to buy things you can’t pay for today. You’ll therefore be able to pay off... Read more
It’s said that probate was designed to ensure that your wishes are honored and your family is protected after you’re not around to oversee matters yourself. During the process, an impartial court supervises everything, looking out for the interests of both your family and your creditors. What’s wrong with that? A lot, actually. Here are five reasons why you should avoid probate. 1. Probate is Public A will is a very private document, revealing much about both financial and family... Read more
If you have student loan debt, you know how frustrating it is to manage all the payments and loan companies. This can get especially difficult to manage when your student loans are transferred between different lenders. For students juggling loan payments between two or more lenders, the idea of consolidating your payments can seem like a no brainer. While student loan consolidation is possible, it’s important to know how it works and why you might want to consolidate your loans... Read more
If you run a small business, you know how much of a hassle it is to keep track of your finances. But doing so is crucial to staying profitable. That’s why investing in a reliable, easy-to-use small business accounting software is a must. But when it comes to small business accounting software, there are tons of options. Which one do you choose? Is it worth spending a hundred dollars to keep organized? Are the free accounting software options even worth... Read more
If you weren’t already aware, the biggest expense for most retirees is that of health care. According to a Fidelity report, the average couple can expect to incur over $240,000 in health care costs during their retirement years. If you have loved one who needed specialized care or a nursing home during their later years, you understand how the costs can add up fast. To the surprise of many people entering retirement, Medicare does not cover the rising cost of... Read more
When people get a little too deep in debt, thoughts of debt consolidation pop up. It’s a fairly simple way to deal with the financial sins of your past. Unfortunately, debt consolidation is often less of a solution and more of an enabler to people who have too much debt. It’s often the first step in a debt stacking strategy that doesn’t usually end well. Is a Credit Card Consolidation Loan Ever a Good Idea? Debt consolidation usually leads to... Read more
It’s nearly impossible to make it through college without a computer, but luckily there are a number of excellent options for big spenders and frugal students alike. Of course, you’ll want to do your research before you take the plunge; some colleges require you to use a certain OS, and sometimes it’s a good idea to get your laptop directly from them since they may have an on-site repair facility with quicker turnaround times than companies like Dell or HP... Read more
Investors are beginning to find they like having control over their investments. In the wake of the Great Recession, many of the large banks have been unable to repair the broken trust between themselves and their former investors. These investors are finding ways to take control by using the vast amounts of information available over the Internet. One of the questions being researched: is Silver a good investment? With this great power comes great responsibility. Investors must be responsible for... Read more
Most people think of financial independence in terms of money—like a lot of it. They might think of a high powered career with an outsized income, or a seven figure bankroll that will enable them to live the rest of their lives in comfort without ever having to work another day in their lives. It’s exciting to think about such things, but it’s mostly a fantasy. And it may not be a harmless fantasy. If your definition of financial independence... Read more
Faith and Finance
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