Recently I received an email from a reader named Mike asking me about some of the tools I use. He specifically wanted to know about Empower and YNAB as tools to track your net worth. Mike’s question gives us an opportunity to walk through how to monitor and track your net worth. In this article,…
Online savings accounts are one of the best places to stash your cash. Also called high yield savings accounts, you earn some of the highest available interest rates for a savings account, and you get the convenience of online account management and easy transfers to and from your existing bank accounts. Recently, a reader e-mailed…
I recently learned that my father has decided to cash out his UPS pension. The immediate question from my dad was, “How do I avoid paying taxes on this thing?” After running through the various options in my head, I remembered something about my parents’ portfolio. My extremely risk-averse parents continue to keep nearly all…
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 0.25% on July 26, 2023. The hike is an effort to help bring inflation down. While higher interest rates are not great for borrowers, they are excellent for savers. If you’re in search of the best interest rates for your money, look no further. Our list of highest…
Saving for a down payment to buy a home is both exciting and overwhelming. When my wife and I were saving to buy our first home, I thought we’d never have enough for the down payment. But somehow we came up with the money. One of the keys to our success was saving the cash…
It’s official. Credit scores are the most confusing aspect of personal finance. The FICO formula largely remains a mystery. And don’t get me started on the multiple versions of credit scores out there. Learning how to start building credit has become critical to your financial success. By one account, you may have 49 different FICO…
Switching banks can be a hassle, particularly when it comes to your checking account. Changing savings accounts is easy–just move your money from one bank to another. But with a checking account, you have to consider direct deposit, automated payments, and even ordering new checks. To help, we offer our simple guide on how to…
If you’re looking to buy a new home – particularly if it’s your first home – you’re probably asking yourself a few big questions. “How much house can I afford?” is likely at the top of that list. It makes sense, too, as this is a pretty significant concern. Ensuring that you can not only…
My in-laws paid a small fortune for our wedding 35 years ago. Today, the average wedding costs $30,000 according to The Knot. While the wedding day is a special moment in life, it shouldn’t break the bank. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through strategies and tips to have a great wedding on a reasonable…