Money Questions and Answers

The Ultimate Guide to Earning a 10% Rate of Return on Your Investments

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 of deposit are barely scraping by at 2% or so even for the longest maturities. But, are these levels going to last? The stock market has … Read more

How to Stop Impulse Spending and Conquer Impulsive Online Shopping

by Hank Coleman

Many people struggle with impulse spending at some point in – or throughout – their lives. Still, there are different factors influencing the severity of the impulsiveness and financial consequences of a dopamine-fuelled shopping spree. For instance, a 2016 study from Princeton Survey Research Associates International found that people were more likely to buy in-store than online – possibly due to the immediate gratification factor, compared to waiting for an item to arrive in the mail – and the most common impulse purchases are under $25. This may not sound like a problem, but little costs like unnecessary, impulsive purchases can really wreak havoc on your budget over time if you’re not careful. Furthermore, with millions of people stuck at … Read more

Top 4 Easy Steps to Take When Your Budget Fails and Goes Off the Rails

by Hank Coleman

Budgeting can be a challenge for many people, even if you’re good with numbers and diligent about regularly tracking your income and expenses. Sometimes, life gets in the way, and the budget goes out the window, whether it’s due to an unexpected and costly emergency or an extended period of impulsive shopping and overspending. But, what do you do when your budget fails and goes off-kilter? Steps to Take When Your Budget Fails The first step to getting back on track with your budget is by recognizing there’s a problem. Denial can be a powerful defense mechanism against confronting a problem spending habit, so there’s no point in making excuses like “I’ll spend within my means next month” or “It’s … Read more

Why Timeshares Investments Are Bad and What to Do If You Own One

by Hank Coleman

Ways to get out of bad financial decisions

Sales of timeshare vacation rentals have been consistently growing for the past 10 years, according to the American Resort Development Association (ARDA)’s State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry 2020 U.S. report. The same report also found the average weekly timeshare sold for more than $22,000, resulting in more than $10.5 billion in American consumer spending on timeshares in 2019. But how can this be? Aren’t timeshare investments known for being terrible money pits? Not necessarily. As this comparison from Consumer Reports shows, the first several years of timeshare ownership make little financial sense until you reach a point where the costs of renting similar accommodations for the same timeframe would have outweighed the costs of the initial timeshare buy-in and … Read more

How much is the Royal Family Worth? – Infographic on Royalty Net Worth

by Guest Contributor

Queen Elizabeth II has reigned as queen ever since, nearly 70 years. In her lifetime, she has achieved it all — power, prestige, and perhaps most significantly, wealth. But, how much is the royal family worth? According to Forbes, the British royal family is now worth over $28 billion; that’s more money than the entire GDP of Iceland. The queen herself is estimated to have a net worth of over $600 million, most of which comes from her investments, jewels, and two castles. The queen may be sitting comfortably, but how about the other members of the royal family? Sit back, pour yourself a cup of tea, and check out our latest infographic to find out the net worth of your favorite royals. … Read more

Top 6 Critical Things to Do When Your Tenants Are Behind on Rent

by Hank Coleman

It’s a tricky situation for landlords and tenants alike when rent is due, and the tenants cannot pay it for whatever reason. On the one hand, many landlords strive to be compassionate, understanding that life circumstances like unexpected medical emergencies or job losses may be causing a tenant to fall behind on rent. On the other hand, being a landlord is not a charity venture; if you don’t receive the rent you’re owed, then you’re stuck footing the mortgage bill for as long as it takes them to repay you. What to Do When Your Tenants Are Behind on Rent Since most cities and states have their own unique tenants’ rights laws and eviction regulations, let’s explore some general options … Read more

Top 5 Ways for Animal Lovers to Make Money on the Side

by Hank Coleman

Millions of people love and own pets in the U.S., even though some pet care expenses can rival the costs of having kids in some instances. To make pet care more affordable, many people have embraced the plethora of pet-friendly side gigs as a means for animal lovers to supplement their income while doing something they love. How Animal Lovers Can Make Money Side Hustling If you’ve been looking for viable work from home opportunities then consider some of the following side hustles and small business ideas for animal lovers who love being around animals. Professional Petsitting Petsitting is an excellent option for people with flexible job schedules and minimal responsibilities at home (e.g., no or low-maintenance pets, no young … Read more