While investing in a 401(k) retirement plan is a viable option for some people, there are several alternatives for building a nest egg that will provide you with more flexibility. Your employer may not offer a 401(k) plan, or even if they do, you may be seeking a backup plan. Here are four options for saving for retirement outside of a 401(k).
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You may be like so many other people and be confused about what your credit score means and how it impacts you. Another common misconception is that you shouldn’t use credit unless you can’t afford something. This may be putting you at a disadvantage when you need to make a larger purchase, such as a car or a home. Continue reading
Getting laid off is a devastating life event for anyone to have to bear. It is troubling for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that you still have to figure out how you are going to survive monetarily.
A large number of people live paycheck to paycheck. It is not a great way to live, but it is the reality of the lives of plenty of people. Given this, there are a few things worth taking a look at in terms of dealing with this situation.
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Financial freedom can be difficult to obtain without the right habits and rules established. For those who live paycheck to paycheck, it can be challenging to plan for the future or enjoy life while living on limited funds.
To obtain financial freedom in 2017, there are a few important tips to follow that will prove to be effective.
Pay Off Debt
Debt is one of the main inhibitors of growing your wealth due to money that must be repaid in addition to interest, which can add up to thousands of dollars each year. Continue reading
From the mundane to the catastrophic, there’s never a good time for a financial emergency. The funny thing about these emergencies, though, is the fact that they’re never surprising at the core; they’re all inevitable at some time or another, but few are prepared when it happens to them. Continue reading
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Making consecutively poor spending decisions can leave you drowning in a sea of debt. The following article explains the most common ways you could end up shooting yourself in the foot financially.
You may be good at keeping up with big expenditures but not so good at monitoring your spending habits when making small purchases. Small purchases can quickly add up, especially when they’re made on impulse or done by habit. Continue reading
Whether you are a teenager or about to retire, it is important that you are able to manage your money effectively. Although your financial goals may be different as you get older, it is never too early or too late to learn and master sound fiscal habits.
Let’s take a look at some common financial goals and how you can achieve them. Continue reading
One of the most shocking pieces of information that most people eventually discover is that their spending habits can literally control their lives.
While most people want to believe that they have full power over what they spend, habits are what truly set the pace for what ends up being spent or saved. Realizing that habits have a dramatic impact on how much money we have is the first step in taking control, but after that, critical decisions must be made in order to create a life of wealth and freedom.
This summer, avoid making terrible financial decisions by understanding how to get rid of the worst of the offenders. The following three bad decisions are some of the worst that can be made, and anyone would be wise to eliminate them from their day-to-day habits. Continue reading
Every generation wants to believe that it is the last, greatest generation. It believes that technology has never been better.
But here are 5 reasons that you should continue to balance your checkbook, even with all of the technological gains.
Have you ever read the terms and conditions on your bank account? Do you really understand what the financial jargon means?
Banks must notify you usually about 30 days before they add on new fees, charges or penalties.
You should balance your checkbook to ensure that you don’t receive a “non-sufficient funds” (NSF) charge; the bank might have been subtracting money from your account for new fees and you bounced a check because you didn’t know how much was available.
Many banks go through numerous customer service representatives in a short amount of time. One mistyped “0” can mean a big difference in your account.
People are only human, we all make mistakes. Balancing your checkbook can find these errors before they become big.
There may be a statute of limitations on certain errors. You want to bring mistakes to your bank’s attention as soon as possible.
Computers are programmed by humans. While it is extremely rare, there may be a computer glitch in dealing with fractions that could effect your bank account.
Remember that your interest is a percentage of the value of money in your account. If the computer does not properly handle these mathematical calculations, there could be an error.
Your credit score could be unduly damaged by human or computer errors.
Malware allows hackers to steal millions every day according to federal cyber crime police.
One of the negatives of mobile banking is that the security features are still not completely safe.
Balancing your checkbook can lead you to becoming aware of hacking attacks or identity theft before these dangers can completely ruin your life.
Wealth management skills are learned not innate. By continually balancing your checkbook, you become aware of how much you have, how much you added and any discrepancies in your account. Y
our bank account information remains in the forefront of your mind. You also develop better financial discipline. This can help you when there is an unexpected downturn in your financial situation.
Banking technology is better, but nothing is foolproof. Children and adults should learn how to balance a checkbook in order to manage their money. Wealth management skills can be the difference between life success and failure.
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There is nothing more exciting than driving off the dealer’s lot in a brand new vehicle. However, before you can take the keys and drive home, you have to determine whether or not to buy the car or lease it.
Let’s take a look at a few of the factors that need to be considered before making such an important decision.
How Much Can You Afford to Spend?
If you don’t have a lot to spend each month, it may be best to lease the new vehicle. This is because the monthly payment is almost always lower when you lease as opposed to buy the vehicle.
However, you may need to pay a security deposit and an acquisition fee when you lease a vehicle that you don’t need to pay when you buy a car outright. Those who have a trade may be able to put their trade toward some or all of the money that needs to be paid upfront.
How Many Miles Do You Drive Each Year?
Those who drive more than 12,000 miles a year should consider buying instead of leasing. In most cases, the lease allows you to drive 12,000 miles a year before charging as much as 20 cents per mile or more after that.
Therefore, it could actually cost you more to lease if you have a long commute or travel regularly for any reason. The good news is that you may be able to prepay for additional miles if you think that you will need them.
How Long Do You Plan to Drive the Car?
Drivers who want to drive the latest model may want to consider a lease because they can simply turn in their current vehicle when the lease expires.
Whether you decide to buy or to lease, you get the same manufacturer’s warranty, which can be important if you want or need something that is reliable. As a general rule, if you don’t plan on driving the car for more than three years, opt for the lease.
Do You Know What You Want to Buy?
At any time during a lease, you can trade in the vehicle if you find something that you really want. You can also try to transfer the lease if you decide that your current driving arrangement isn’t working out.
When the lease expires, you can decide to buy the car at its residual value if you like it and can afford to keep making payments. By purchasing the car, you agree to pay for it until you sell it, trade it or make the final monthly payment.
Therefore, you are often better off leasing if you aren’t sure that you are ready to commit to a particular vehicle.
There is a lot to think about before deciding whether you want to buy or lease a vehicle. For those who aren’t ready to commit or can’t afford to make a large monthly payment, a lease may be the best decision.
However, if you plan on driving the car for a long time and rack up the miles each year, buying is probably the better option.
