Are you getting the best rate of return on investment? Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine annually discusses ways to boost your investment yield in its latest issue. I have to say that I am always pretty disappointed with their recommendations. I love the magazine, but I didn't really care for a list of mutual funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). But, I wanted concrete ideas on how to earn a 10% annual rate of return on my investments. US Treasuries are earning less than 1% and money market funds are not fairing much better. Certificates … [Read more...] about The Ultimate Guide to Earning a 10% Rate of Return on Your Investments
Review of Drop App – Earn Cash Rewards While You Shop
There are plenty of personal finance apps and browser extensions designed to help consumers save more money on everyday and major purchases alike. However, few apps have the seamless user experience and popularity of Drop, a free savings app with more than 1 million users who have earned over 1 billion points and redeemed over $3 million worth of rewards since the app first launched. This flexible, intelligent mobile app functions as a consumer’s wallet-saver: by linking your credit or debit card to your Drop account, you could earn points … [Read more...] about Review of Drop App – Earn Cash Rewards While You Shop
Can a Divorce Hurt Your Finances as Much as a Recession?
Whether you’re just starting out in an entry-level career in your 20s or preparing for the final years of your career in your 50s, retirement is one of the most important financial goals anyone can have at any point in their adult lives. Marriage is also another goal that many people share, but unfortunately, research has shown that 40% of marriages will likely end in divorce. But, how much does divorce hurt your finances? This means your goals for marriage and retirement could potentially conflict with each other, as new research from … [Read more...] about Can a Divorce Hurt Your Finances as Much as a Recession?
Tally Review – An Automated Debt Manager in a Smartphone App
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a magical calculator that told you exactly how much you needed to pay towards what cards/loans in order to stretch your dollar furthest? Surprise: it already exists in the form of an automated debt management app called Tally. Commonly described as a “robo-advisor for credit card debt,” Tally has become enormously popular with consumers juggling multiple credit cards and loans because this nifty app makes debt repayments a breeze. Rather than having to keep track of several different due dates (and different … [Read more...] about Tally Review – An Automated Debt Manager in a Smartphone App
What Are Limit Orders? And Why You Should Definitely Use Them to Trade Stocks
Getting the best returns on your investments involves so much more than just buying and selling stocks at the right moment. Maximizing portfolio returns also demands closer attention to how you’re trading investments, such as getting the lowest possible price when purchasing stocks and selling while prices are still high. You can never fully predict which way the market might swing for your favorite industries and investments, but you can minimize your risk and maximize gains with limit orders. This unique trading strategy involves price … [Read more...] about What Are Limit Orders? And Why You Should Definitely Use Them to Trade Stocks
Getaround Review – Get A Rental Car For Less
Although car rental costs vary widely, you can typically expect to pay between $50-$100 for a two-day rental. And, that's not to mention a $25-35 “young driver fee” for anyone between the ages of 21-24. Worse yet, you typically have to wait in a long line at the car rental office, fill out a bunch of paperwork, and wait for an employee to retrieve your rental vehicle, a process that can take more than an hour or two! Now, imagine if you could rent a car directly from your smartphone and for as little as $5 per hour. Your information would be … [Read more...] about Getaround Review – Get A Rental Car For Less
Should You Take Social Security Early After All?
One of the most common pieces of financial advice given to 50 and 60-somethings is that you should wait until you’re at least 65-67 to take out Social Security. However, new research from the Journal of Aging Studies found that seniors who had filed for Social Security benefits early expressed remarkable satisfaction with their decisions to file early (about 45% of the focus group respondents had filed at age 62; the rest filed before Full Retirement Age at 65-66 years old). This new study contradicts everything you might have heard about … [Read more...] about Should You Take Social Security Early After All?