It can be difficult to establish a hierarchy of savings. What should come first when you are paying yourself? Three basic areas represent parts of your life that need financial attention; your retirement fund, your money set aside for emergencies, and debt repayment. The last one doesn’t sound like you are paying yourself--at first. But debt management is an important part of establishing financial freedom. Emergency Fund: A Savings Account You … [Read more...]
Why Is It So Expensive To Live In A Major City?
Why is it so expensive to live in a major city? There are many variables; escalating rents, excessive licensing and permitting for small businesses, ever-escalating property taxes, and much more. What follows is NOT journalism. It is OPINION. And that’s a bit of transparency badly needed in today’s 24-hour news cycle reporting. But these are opinions made by observing conditions in a single major city for well over a 10-year period. I’m … [Read more...]
Stay Financially Healthy In 2020
What does it take to be financially healthy in 2020? If you ask a consumer credit expert or someone at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the advice may have a lot to do with the timing of your payments and not just how much you are able to pay and save in the new year. Buying A Car In 2020 If you plan to buy a car in the new year, staying financially healthy means not only shopping for the best new car or used car deal you can find. It … [Read more...]
Credit Report Correction: How Long Does It Take?
How long does it take to correct your credit report? Unfortunately, the answer may depend on what kinds of corrections may be needed. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires credit agencies to respond to you over complaints of erroneous, incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate information. According to the FTC, “To take advantage of all your rights under this law, contact the credit reporting company … [Read more...]
How To Recover From Holiday Spending
Holiday spending is stressful, and many Americans overextend their credit cards, take credit card cash advances, and apply for new credit during their holiday shopping. How can you recover from all of the money you spent on Christmas presents or similar shopping “obligations”? The Simple Start: New Year Austerity Measures? Some people cannot afford to spend much after the holiday season, others choose not to purchase. No matter whether you’re … [Read more...]