Consolidation vs. Refinancing: What’s The Best Option For Your Student Loans?
Student loans: an all-too-common phrase for most college-educated Americans. While there are common misconceptions out there about the differences between student loan consolidation and refinancing, the fact remains that both options are worthy of exploring if you’re looking to better manage your repayment plan. Most Americans can’t afford to repay student loans in full, but […]
It’s 2018 & It’s Time to Pay Your Future Self First
The holiday season has officially come to a close, and consumers are kick-starting the new year with new goals and resolutions to enjoy a prosperous 2018. ‘Saving more money’ is often found on many resolution lists, with many aiming to improve their financial standing or to put away for a major expense like international travel […]
How to Choose a Credit Card That Rewards You for Your Lifestyle Spending
Do you own a credit card that rewards you for spending your money? If not, it may be time to evaluate the credit cards that you own. Using a credit card to pay for bills or lifestyle expenses monthly is not necessarily a bad thing. Now, that doesn’t mean you should go on a spending […]
What’s the Difference Between an Account Versus an Investment?
It may seem like a no-brainer to know the difference, but it’s a common misconception — especially for those not in the finance world — that an account is synonymous with an investment. I often hear statements such as: “I want to invest in something that will make me money, so, which account should I […]
Why we need to redefine what retirement means
Planning for your retirement can be a daunting task, not because of the “math” you have to do to determine how much you need during your retirement years but rather defining what you actually want, need, and expect in your retirement. Determining when you want to retire is just as important as well. Asking yourself […]
What to Ask Yourself When Planning for Your Child’s Financial Future
A lot of parents come to me for advice on how to save for their children’s futures. Most of the time, they ask if a 529 account is the best way to do it. Saving for your kids is not just about the best types of accounts to open. You may need to assess your […]
Will closing your credit cards hurt your credit score?
You’ve finally paid off a credit card and now you want to decrease the number of cards you own. Before you officially close it out, consider what action is best for you to take to maintain a good credit score. Do you really need to cancel your credit card or do you simply want to […]
Will your business credit hurt your personal credit?
This is a very common question I get asked by my small business clients, especially those who are new entrepreneurs needing funds to pay for initial startup expenses. Whether your business credit will appear on your personal credit depends on several important factors and how you are listed on the loan. The general rule of […]
Roth 401(k) vs Traditional 401(k): Which should you choose?
In recent years, an increasing number of employers have been offering Roth 401(k) Plans or have been allowing their employees to contribute to both Traditional and Roth 401(k)s. Since this has become more and more common, you may face the question: Which option is best for me? The answer is not as cut and dry […]
The One Financial Question Millennials Aren’t Asking
If you were born between the years 1981 and 1997, you are considered a Millennial. If you’re part of this generation, you’re probably more concerned about building an emergency fund, paying off student loans, starting a family, buying a home for the first time, traveling the world, or determining how to start saving for retirement. […]