Why is it that some people become millionaires and others don't? Is it because they're the beneficiaries of wealth handed down from older family members who were rich? Surprisingly, no! Surprisingly, a lot of today's millionaires are self-made and came from humble beginnings not much different than you and me. Thanks to more economic opportunities... Continue Reading →
Biden’s New Student Loan Repayment Plan Announced
While millions of federal student loan borrowers are eagerly awaiting to see if the supreme court allows President Biden to fulfill his promise of forgiving as much as $20,000 in debt per student, the Department of Education has silently released the details of a new student loan repayment plan - one that could be just... Continue Reading →
8 Ways to Lower Your Home Energy Bill
If there’s one place where budgets were really hit hard last year, it’s home energy costs. Due to inflation raising the cost of nearly everything, fuel prices increased by 28% for natural gas, 27% for heating oil, 10% for electricity, and 5% for propane leading into the winter. That means in most households, they saw... Continue Reading →
5 Investment Resolutions to Make for the New Year
The start of the new year is a great time to make changes for the better. While things like your health and relationships should always be at the forefront of your priorities, refining your investment style will also make a huge impact on your well-being. In this post, we’ll go through five important investment resolutions... Continue Reading →
5 Ways to Save More Money in 2023
2022 was undoubtedly a rough year for many people financially. Between record-breaking inflation, rising interest rates, and a plunging stock market, there were a lot of forces working against most American households. Yet, that doesn’t mean that we can’t loop optimistically to the new year and start off on the right foot. With that said,... Continue Reading →
What Higher Interest Rates Mean for You
2022 has been a whirlwind year for interest rates. The year started off with the federal funds rate (i.e., the interest rate range set by the U.S. Federal Reserve) between 0.25% to 0.50%. However, after multiple unprecedented rate hikes - escalating at one of the fastest paces in 40 years - the new federal funds... Continue Reading →
2022 Year-End Financial Checklist
The end of the year is a great time for getting together with family and holiday cheer. But it’s also a good opportunity to fine-tune your financial habits and make some improvements. Here are 10 year-end things to put on your 2022 financial checklist as we go into the new year. 1) Audit Last Year's... Continue Reading →
Why Giving Is Good for You
When the holidays come around, it can be a stressful time – both for your bank account and your well-being. The pressure and commitments to get presents, host family events, and spend time with other people can be taxing. However, this time of year can also lead to darker feelings like anxiety, sadness, and depression... Continue Reading →
Does It Still Make Sense to Pay Your Mortgage Off Early?
With interest rates on the rise as a result of efforts by the U.S. Federal Reserve to curb inflation, consumers in the market for a new mortgage have seen APRs essentially double over the course of 2022. At the end of October, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 6.94%. That's up 3.85 percentage points from... Continue Reading →
Why the FTX Collapse Matters Even If You Don’t Own Bitcoin
On November 11, 2022, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange FTX filed for bankruptcy. Earlier that year, the company was estimated to be worth approximately $32 billion. Their 30-year-old CEO and co-founder, Sam Bankman-Fried (also commonly known as SBF) also saw his personal net worth plummet from an estimated $15.2 billion to $991.5 million. So, what... Continue Reading →