Category Archives: Credit & Debt

Home Loans · February 15, 2017

Get Your Finances in Shape for the Spring Home Buying Season

We all know that the busy season for buying homes starts in the spring and runs through early summer. That means that right now, in the middle of winter, is when anyone considering buying a home this year should focus…

Read Now ›

Debt, Saving, Student Loans · December 14, 2016

This Ridiculous Trend is Driving Me Nuts!

According to the car data experts at Edmunds.com a record number of Americans are making one of the worst financial moves ever. Edmunds.com says that nearly 1 in 3 new car buyers are paid less when they trade in their…

Read Now ›

Car Loans, Debt, Saving · November 24, 2016

Nearly 1/3 Of New Car Buyers Are Making A Very Big Mistake

According to Experian, the percentage of consumers who chose a lease when purchasing a new car jumped from less than 27% a year ago to a record high of 31.4% in the second quarter of this year.

Read Now ›

Student Loans · August 24, 2016

My House Rules for Boomerang Kids.

More adult children are living with family than at any time in the past 60 years.

Read Now ›

Home Loans, Insurance, Saving · August 3, 2016

Avoid This Costly Refinancing Trap

In late July, the 3.4% average rate for a 30-year mortgage was near the historic low set in 2013. That’s great news for so many homeowners who were unable to refinance back in 2013 because they didn’t have the 20%…

Read Now ›

Student Loans · July 27, 2016

Teach Your Children Well-Part 4: Have the College Cost Conversation Early

I see parents let down their college bound kids all the time. Not because they can’t afford to foot the often insanely high bill for a four-year private college education, but because they don’t explain the family’s college finance reality…

Read Now ›

Saving, Student Loans · July 13, 2016

Teach Your Children Well-Part 2: Instill the Pleasure of Saving

You know your kids are sponges. So let me ask you a question: what lessons about saving are they absorbing from you? I can’t overstress the importance of instilling an appreciation for saving.

Read Now ›

Debt, Student Loans · June 29, 2016

A Taxing Reason to Not Buy a Home

There are two potentially large tax breaks that come with buying a home. But listen to me: I never think it is a good idea to factor in the tax breaks when deciding if you are ready to buy your…

Read Now ›

Home Loans · June 22, 2016

Step 4: Closing the Deal: Scour your all-in Mortgage Costs

It takes a hefty wad of money to get a mortgage. It’s typical for all the fees associated with securing a mortgage—called Closing Costs-to add up to 2% or more of the loan. That’s a stiff $4,000 or so on…

Read Now ›