Is a 401(k) loan a good idea? Some 401(k)s let you borrow $50,000, or half your account value, whichever is smaller. The wisdom of this move depends on your circumstances and other options. Taking out a 401(k) loan is typically cheaper and easier than getting a consumer loan. And you pay interest to yourself instead […]
If you want to build wealth, a good place to start is with your habits. The sooner you establish smart ones, the better your chances of reaching seven figures. Here are 10 habits that have worked for ordinary people as they worked to achieve goals like financial freedom or early retirement. Automate Self-made millionaire Chris […]
Airlines are now adding a new tier called “basic economy,” in addition to coach and first class, and these cheaper fares come with significant restrictions. “It might seem like you’re saving money, but if you travel with a carry-on bag like this one, you might not be able to bring it on the plane. A […]
A single unplanned expense could send millions of Americans into a financial tailspin. Across nearly all ages and generations, from millennials to baby boomers, one-quarter of Americans, or roughly 55 million people, said they had nothing saved in an emergency fund, according to a Bankrate.com survey of 1,000 adults conducted last month. (The Silent Generation […]
After the tassels have been turned and the mortarboards thrown into the air, many college graduates are about to be on their own for the first time. Their first step, financial experts recommend, should be taking stock of their finances. “Grab hold of your financial life,” said Jill Schlesinger, a certified financial planner and “ambassador” […]
If you want to build your wealth, making smart investments early on is key. And if you’ve collected some extra cash, and you don’t need to pad your emergency savings account or dig yourself out of debt, it’s an ideal time to try your hand at investing. With that in mind, we asked a handful […]
When you’ve made the decision to build a new home, selecting the right builder is a critical part of the process. You want to find a builder who business approach aligns well with your personal preferences. And staying within your budget will be a key part of positive home-building experience. Being an educated consumer, and […]
You already know you shouldn’t tap your retirement plan to fund frivolous purchases, yet in a handful of cases it just might be okay to take a loan. Retirement plans account for a large chunk of personal wealth: The average 401(k) plan account balance at Fidelity Investments hit $102,900 as of the end of the […]
Most of us have wasted money on ill-considered purchases or stuff we really couldn’t afford. As we get more financially savvy, that happens less often. But we can still profit from other people’s bad choices. People who prize the latest and greatest, for example, quickly need to upgrade to the next shiny thing. That leaves […]
Denise Phillips, a military veteran and mom who has three sons in the service, wanted to book a trip to Hawaii to spend Thanksgiving with one of her children. But she didn’t want to pay for the trip all at once. So she started searching online for installment plans and found one through the lending […]
Where it used to be that businesses were able to get by without a website, today that is no longer the case. Businesses are now becoming more aware of the value that a website offers, which is prompting them to take the necessary steps to create one. However, despite all the research, some two […]
When someone says “I’m not racist but…” they usually are. But, if research by insurer Direct Line is to believed, nearly a third of Britons are more likely to dispense with such shorthand and openly discuss their prejudices with their partners than they are to talk about the debts they might have. Perhaps that line […]
