Finance Globe

What the heck is a 401(k) and how does it work? I remember the first time I ever heard of a 401(k) plan. I was barely twenty-one years old, and was just hired for my first good job that offered benefits. At the time, I didn't really understand much of what the human resources director told me about it all, except that I could buy company stock, they would match part of what I put in,...

Among the many other decisions you'll have to make when starting your new business, you'll need to decide on your business' legal structure. Before you decide what business entity is best for you, consider the complexity of your business, the financial risk involved in running your type of business, and the tax consequences of each business structure. There is too much information to put into one article about the various business structures, but this is meant...

When a couple decides to get married or live together under a joint financial arrangement, there are quite a number of financial subjects that should be dicussed. Couples often mistakenly assume they learned all they need to know about their partner through their courtship, but soon learn differently when they move in together. Talking honestly about those subjects will help a couple understand where they are compatible, compromises that must be made, the type of expenses...

Couples may be hesitant to mention the subject of money to each other, either because it's an uncomfortable subject, or because past attempts at the topic have resulted in getting no where. But as difficult as it may be, it's vital that couples communicate to each other about money. Effective communication about money matters will give you both a clear picture of where you are, and where you want to be. Money issues have done damage...

When couples get together, they're often attracted to their loved one's looks and personality. They have a spark, a knack for communicating with each other. They can laugh about the same things, and enjoy the same type of activities. They may anticipate a future together, sharing a home, having children, and growing old together. These happy couples often plan out their whole life together, but too many of them overlook one major issue that can often...

Starting your own business can be fun, exciting, and scary. There are a lot of unknowns when you venture into self-employment. Many business owners of the past have made an attempt at self-employment, but half of those businesses fail within the first five years, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Increase your chance of running a successful, profitable business with thorough research about the type of business you want to go into, as well as...

The big question many entrepreneurs have is, "How much will it cost to start my own business?" Some have started their own successful business with nearly nothing, and some have needed to use up their life savings or take out huge loans. It all depends on the type of business you plan to run. You may already know what kind of business you want to start, or you may just know you want to become self...

You may have considered starting your own business, and if you have, you are probably excited about the prospect of being your own boss. It's the other American dream; self-employment can provide good to excellent income, while you write your own schedule, and make all the decisions involving the operation of your business. But, if you are smartly cautious, you may also be fearful about what the future will hold; being your own boss means that...

Understanding how mortgages workWhen you choose to finance a home, the property loan is called the mortgage. The amount of the mortgage, also known as the principal, will be determined by the price of the property, minus the down payment. A larger down payment will reduce the amount of the mortgage, and will result in smaller monthly payments. The principal is reduced gradually with each monthly payment. Your monthly payments will be mostly interest in the...

It's just an unfortunate fact that health care costs are on the rise, and the cost of health insuranceis rising along with it. Millions of families currently go without any type of health care coverage, and health care costs are often at least partially responsible for about half of all bankruptcies. The leading reason for these families to go uninsured is simply the high cost of the insurance premium. When you don't have much expendable cash,...