Once you decide to purchase a home, you’re faced with a variety of questions, tasks, and responsibilities. One of the most important steps is applying for a mortgage. While you hope that everything works out, there may be a major concern on your mind: a denial. There are things you can do to tilt the scales in your favor, such as saving up a down payment of at least 20 percent. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee...
As credit cards become more secure and consumers become more savvy about protecting their financial accounts, there’s another type of account that we should be on guard for - account takeover fraud. Criminals can do just as much damage by taking over your accounts as they could by having direct access to your credit card or bank account. What is Account Takeover Fraud? Account takeover fraud is a type of theft where a criminal gains access...
Buying life insurance is never easy, as you may find yourself pulled in two different directions. On one hand, you want to put a lot of time into the process because you understand how important it is to purchase the right policy. On the other hand, who really want to think about what will happen when they pass away? Below are five of the most common mistakes people make when buying life insurance: 1. Neglect to...
As you search for your dream home, you’ll soon find yourself facing a variety of important questions. While most your attention is focused on finding the right property, it won’t be long before you begin your search for the perfect mortgage. Many people turn to the service of a mortgage broker, as doing so is one of the best ways to secure a competitive rate from a reputable lender. Unfortunately, this process is easier said than...
Every year, millions of consumers turn to a personal loan to tackle expenses ranging from home improvement projects to medical bills. While you always have the option to speak with local financial institutions about your borrowing needs, a growing number of people are turning their attention to the internet. In today’s day and age, you can do almost everything online. So, it’s only natural that you also have the option to secure a personal loan in...
With so many small business credit card offers to compare, it can take several hours (or longer) to gain a better understanding of what’s best for you, your finances, and your company. There are some small business credit card features you don’t want to overlook, as they’re important to your overall experience. Here are several to focus on as you compare your options and make a final decision: Online account management: Every credit card issuer offers...
When you’re first starting out with credit, it’s natural to have a limited amount of information on your credit report. In the credit industry, that’s called a “thin” credit file. Unfortunately, having a thin credit file can make it difficult to get approved for many credit cards and loans. In some cases, you may not have a credit score if you have a thin credit file. You need at least one account on your credit report...
There is an issue I think needs to be addressed in public high schools. While the core classes like algebra, geometry, and English are critical, these schools are putting enough focus on everyday skills like personal finance. I think personal finance should be a core class in high school. Learning these skills in high schools will help the student through adulthood, and may even find a job. I bet there are many that find themselves behind...
Savings for your current child or future child needs to be a big goal for you and your family. I found this amazing, but a recent government study found that it can take over $235,000 to raise a child from infancy to age 17. In fact that number does not include college, extracurricular activities, or family vacations. Now that you know its going to cost a lot to provide for a child, I wanted to lay...
In today's startup world, you have probably heard of the terms accelerators, incubators, and innovation labs. These are great to help startups and founders grow their business into something viable. While there is a lot of similarities, the programs do have some key differences and are set up differently as well. Below I will describe these in detail. Please feel free to ask any follow up questions in the comment section. Also please feel free to...
