Share Savings Certificates are an excellent savings option. First of all, they’re NCUA-insured. Second, they have a better dividend rate than a savings account. And, generally speaking, they’re safer than the stock market. But, before you lock up your money, answer these questions: 1.) What am I saving for? If you’re saving for a rainy day, you’ll need the flexibility …
4 Home Improvement Projects With High Long-Term Return
When you’re making improvements to your home, you’re not just making your life better in the short term. You’re also making an investment in your future. Ideally, the increase in the value of your home will exceed the cost of the improvement projects. However, it seldom works out like that. The most efficient home improvements don’t pay for themselves immediately. When …
7 Ways To Stop Worrying About Debt And Love Your Mortgage
Debt is the wealth killer. Debt is the single greatest threat to your retirement planning, college savings, and financial independence. Except, as it turns out, there is one kind of debt that defies all of these rules: mortgages. The money you owe on real property can be a boom to your financial independence in a lot of ways. Let’s talk …
Which Is Right For Me: Adjustable Or Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loan?
The choice of which mortgage loan to go with starts with a simple question: fixed-rate or adjustable? There are many different terms, points, and rates associated with each, but narrowing your search to a category simplifies the process. Fixed-rate mortgages are the more traditional choice. You and a lender agree to a length of time (or term) and an interest …
Private Mortgage Insurance – What You Need To Know
Whether you’re a long-time homeowner or you’ve just started shopping for your dream house, you’ve seen stacks of papers full of acronyms. Buried amid the dense undergrowth of legalese are three letters that could be costing you more than you think. Be on the lookout for PMI: Private Mortgage Insurance. PMI in a nutshell Close your eyes and imagine yourself as …
Should I Get A New Or Used Car?
Can’t decide between a new or used car? Looking at the financing for both could help sway your decision. Let us help break it down for you. New Auto Loan Generally speaking – It’s much easier to get a new auto loan than a used auto loan from a lender. A lender looks at the value of the auto purchase …
Setting Yourself Up For Car Loan Success
When shopping for a new car, it’s always too easy to let your emotions do the shopping. After all, you’ve been fantasizing about that red convertible for how long? For most people, a car is the most expensive purchase they’ll make aside from their house. So, keeping this sobering thought in mind is a substantial step toward reining in those emotions. …