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 →
7 Ways to Give Christmas Gifts on a Budget
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 →