The best way to finance a home improvement project is not to do one. That’s because the cost of these jobs almost always outstrips the value they add to the resale price of your home. And if the job is big enough, like doing a major remodel or adding another floor or pool to your […]
Three Ways Smart People Use Banks
No matter how you’ve arranged your finances, chances are you have at least one banking relationship. But are you using your bank well or is your bank using you? It’s an important question because not only can banks dip into your pocket, they can also lead you down the wrong path – and that can […]
Is This Cheap Estate Planning Tool Better Than A Trust For Property Owners?
If you own property you have to think about how you’re going to pass that property on after you pass away. Some people use living trusts to do that. I for one think it’s often the way to go. But I’ll admit that I’m not a lawyer and I also admit that this is not […]
Smart Money Tactics When You Are In Your 50s
If you are in your 50s you may feel as though you don’t have much time to accumulate wealth. In reality you probably have a lot more time than you think. That means you can have far greater financial security if you play your cards right. What does “playing your cards right” mean? For starters, […]
7 Ways You Hurt Your Credit Score Without Even Realizing It
You could be damaging your credit score without even being aware of it. That’s because many financial steps that seem benign are actually costly credit score killers. This is important no matter how solid your financial situation is. Even slight blemishes can result in higher credit costs and worse. Employers, potential business partners and landlords […]
Should You Help Your Kids Buy A Home?
Even though interest rates are still pretty low, it remains a huge challenge for kids to buy a home these days. The biggest obstacle is the down payment of course. So what do you do if your children can’t buy a home without your financial assistance? Do you whip out the checkbook or do you […]