If you need to borrow for your college or post college expenses, you should know what borrowing options are available to you. Generally there are two major sources of student loans. Federal and private loans are available to individuals, however federal student loans are much more common. There are also advantages and disadvantages to each, so please make sure you research before selecting your borrowing option. However it is important to note that no matter what...
It is becoming fairly common that individuals have a side gig or business while working full time. Most are not able to quit their full-time day job, but still want a way to make supplemental income. Being your own boss is the new trend, but doing it full-time without a safety net is very risky. Below are a few tips to build your side business which is a great way to mitigate risk, learn your market...
Retirement usually means you are done working and you can enjoy what you are passionate about. Many picture themselves sitting on a beach, hitting the golf course, or spending time with family. However, now it is much more common to continuing work after you “retire” from your career. Working after retirement does not necessarily mean you have to work. It is a lifestyle reason as well, as many people enjoy working. It provides happiness and purpose....
While some of you may be familiar with what a bond rating is, many of you may also be unfamiliar and do not understand the bond rating process. Below is a high level overview of what a bond rating is, and feel free to ask any follow up questions in the comments section below. A bond rating is a rating that an independent or unbiased agency issues to measure the credit quality of a particular bond...
It's normal for retailers to pitch credit cards to shoppers during checkout. The pitch usually comes with an incentive - like a discount on the initial purchase. More retailers are offering a new payment option for consumers: point-of-sale loans. Customers are offered the loans both in-store and online at checkout. Point-of-sale loans are often offered for big ticket items. With the ease of lending, the loans are also offered for online purchases regardless of price. The...
When buying a home, a variety of financial questions and concerns will move to the forefront. While there are many numbers to keep in mind, 20 percent will come up time after time. This is the magic number when it comes to a minimum down payment.Basic math shows you that this is equivalent to $20,000 down for every $100,000 worth of home. So, if you’re buying a property for $200,000, a $40,000 down payment is what...
If you wear contact lenses, you’re familiar with the expense of buying replacements every three, six, or twelve months. Even if you’ve made it part of your budget, it doesn’t make it any less painful when you have to part with the money. Fortunately, there are many ways to save on the purchase of contact lenses, with buying online one of your best options. If you’re interested in giving this a try, here are a few...
The information in your credit report has a major impact on whether your new applications for credit cards and loans are approved. Having positive information is key to showing that you're a responsible borrower. Your credit report can only contain accurate, complete, and timely information and you're allowed to challenge any information that doesn't fit the criteria for reporting. If you spot errors on your credit report, you can have your credit report updated by making...
On the surface, a credit union appears similar to a traditional local bank. However, as you dig deeper, you’ll find that there are many features and benefits provided by a credit union that a bank simply couldn’t match. Above all else, credit unions are designed to help its members succeed financially. This should give you peace of mind, as you never have to concern yourself with your financial institution taking advantage of you. In regards to...
While there is nothing more exciting than shopping for a home, your good time can turn sour if you’re unable to secure a mortgage for your purchase. If your mortgage application is denied, there are a few key steps you must take: • Find out why: This is your top priority, as you can’t make things right until you find out what went wrong. The lender is supposed to provide the reason or reasons for your...
