Category Archives: Credit & Debt

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.

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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.

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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%…

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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…

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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.

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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…

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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…

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Emergency Funds, home loans, saving · June 15, 2016

Step 3: Get to the Point: When It Pays to Buy Down Your Mortgage

Lenders like to give home borrowers choices when it comes to their mortgage rate. You’ll always be presented with a standard rate: what you qualify for based on how the lender sizes up your financial profile (credit score, income, debts…

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home loans, investing · June 8, 2016

Suze’s Mortgage Tip #2: Know the Down Side of Making a Small Low Down Payment.

My absolute best advice is to strive to make a 20% down payment when you buy a home. I know that can be a lot of money. But hear me out. What you need to understand is that a small…

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