Emergency Fund
Being Prepared for the Next Time
I hope you, your family and all those you hold dear are healthy, both physically and emotionally. And that you reach out, at a social distance, to connect to as many people as you have the energy for.
How to Reduce Your Expenses During the Crisis
I know some of you have already lost your jobs as the economy reels from the impact of the coronavirus crisis. And many more of you are worried about a job loss or sharply reduced hours.
Getting a Tax Refund? Don’t Blow It.
Over the next few weeks plenty of you will receive a refund on your federal tax return, and for those of you in states that charge income tax, you may get money back from your state treasurer as well.
Top Priorities for Funding your Ultimate Retirement
Previously, I made the case for how you can refine your spending choices today so you have more money to put toward retirement goals.
Your 2020 Financial Road Map
The New Year has just started, and that’s the riskiest time of year as far as I am concerned.
What Will You Do with your 2020 Raise?
A recent survey of employers says they expect the typical raise next year to be around 3%. I hope you are the rock star who lands an even bigger pay increase. But, 3% is good when you consider that th
What Every 2019 College Grad Needs to Do…Right Now
If you are a recent college grad, or love one, please listen up on the must-do financial moves you need to tackle right now. Not next year. Right now. The choices you make today will make all the diff
Financial Do’s and Don'ts After Disaster Strikes
Hurricanes and tropical storms have been devastating for so many. And heart wrenching for all of us. You know I have always said, People First. Then Money. Then Things.
Yes, There Will be a Recession. Here’s How to Prepare.
It’s been more than a decade since the U.S. economy fell into a recession. That’s a long time ago. But I know for many of you, far from forgotten, as the Great Recession that lasted from late 2007 to
Are You Really Making the Grade in Managing Your Finances?
More than 50% of Americans gave themselves a personal finance grade of A or B in a recent survey. I sure hope you are making the grade, but in the same Equifax survey there were some disturbing facts.
How to Handle a Rocky Stock Market
The stock markets delivered a lump of coal at the end of 2018. December was one of the worst months for investors in years, and when you take a glance at your year-end statements, you will likely...
A Credit Card Strategy for Dealing with Natural Disasters
Digging out from the losses incurred when a natural disaster strikes can take time. Waiting for insurance claims to be processed, or emergency aid to be disbursed can take weeks, or longer. Meanwhile households have bills to pay, and the financial strain of needing to replace so much right now just to get back to functioning.
Time to Cash in on Rising Savings Rates
You know I believe there is no substitute for keeping an emergency fund in a federally insured bank or credit union account. That is the best—the only way—to ensure your “what if” money is always safe and will always be there for you. Yet I know how frustrating it has been to follow my safe—not—sorry advice since late 2008. That’s when the Federal Reserve pushed safe savings rates down to zero. The Fed’s move was focused to help the economy pull out of recession and then regain some positive momentum. But that was done at the cost of savers earning pretty much nothing.
Why I Hate Guaranteed Acceptance Whole Life Insurance
I was glued to the TV recently watching the news when an advertisement for Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance came on. Whoo boy, did my blood pressure rise. I am not a fan of this type of life insurance.
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 etc.) And then you will also be presented with some options to “buy down” or reduce that interest rate.
Emergency Fund 101
It makes me so sad to read reports that many households don’t have even $1,000 set aside to cover an unexpected expense. What’s so sad is that I know that must cause such stress.
The Three Communication Skills That Make Suze Orman An Influential Celebrity
More than 300,000 financial advisors in the United States provide saving, investing and retirement advice, but only one made the top ten of the Forbes 2013 list of the most influential celebrities: Suze Orman.
