The holidays are a very special time of year. But they can also be very expensive as many people feel the pressure to buy more than they should. According to the NRF (National Retail Federation), Americans spend around $998 on gifts, food, and other related items. Considering the median pre-tax weekly salary in the U.S.... Continue Reading →
What Should I Invest in When Interest Rates Go Up?
The Federal Reserve is on track to raise the federal funds rate to 4.5 percent before the end of 2022. Although this is intended to help reduce the rate of inflation in the U.S., many people are becoming concerned about the negative side effects it's having on the economy. Stocks are already down over 20... Continue Reading →
New Retirement Plan Contribution Limits for 2023
Every year, the IRS publishes whether or not there will be any new updates to their retirement plan contribution limits and income requirements. With inflation stubbornly hovering over 8 percent for most of 2022, many people guessed that contribution increases were on the horizon - and they were right! In this post, we'll review those... Continue Reading →
7 Ways to Create a Positive Money Mindset
What is your relationship with money like? Do you believe that financial opportunities are abundant and that given enough time and energy you'll get what you deserve? Or do you think that only certain people can become rich, and for whatever that person is not you? It’s important to understand that thoughts like these can... Continue Reading →
What is Inflation-Induced Debt Destruction?
With inflation stubbornly hovering at a rate of 8 percent throughout most of 2022, its general effect on the economy has been less than desirable - rising interest rates, drops in the stock market, and higher prices all around for consumers. But could there be some sliver of good to come from inflation? At least... Continue Reading →
Should I Still Save for Retirement Even When the Markets Are Down?
A falling stock market is a scary time to invest. At times it can feel a lot like you’re throwing good, hard-earned money at something bad – like a sinking ship! This might cause you to ask: What’s the point? Should I just turn off my retirement contributions for a few months until things turn... Continue Reading →
5 Ways to Make More Money at Your Job
Who doesn’t want to get paid more? With inflation at a 40-year high and the economy slowly slipping into a recession, most people would love it right now if their employers gave them the chance to earn more than they are right now. The problem is that businesses aren't in the habit of handing money... Continue Reading →
5 Smart Ways to Use Your Home Equity
When was the last time you checked the value of your house? With the recent surge in demand since the start of the COVID pandemic, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that overall house prices are up 17 percent since last year. This means for the average homeowner likely has tens of thousands of... Continue Reading →
What Is Dollar-Cost Averaging?
"Buy low and sell high" is the classic mantra when it comes to investing. But how exactly does a person know when the market is at an actual low point? It's easy to look at a graph of historical stock prices and think about all of the money you could have made “if only you... Continue Reading →
7 Ways to Spend Less at Restaurants
Dining out at restaurants has been a luxury enjoyed by many for decades. What’s not to like? Good food, a lively atmosphere, and someone else to prepare the meals for you ... sounds good, right? The problem, of course, is that eating out can be expensive. The average U.S. household spends $2,375 annually on restaurants.... Continue Reading →