Are you getting the best rate of return on investment? Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine annually discusses ways to boost your investment yield in their latest issue. I have to say that I am always pretty disappointed in 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. … [Read more...] about Ten Ways to Earn a 10% Rate of Return on Your Investments
Why It’s A Mistake Teaching Financial Literacy In Schools
In 2015, a stringent new financial literacy law took effect in Oklahoma. It requires all high school students to pass a class on personal finance before they can graduate. Banking, taxes, investing, loans, insurance, and identity theft among other subjects will be part of the curriculum, and the teachers will have to certify that their students comprehend them all. Other states have followed suit over the past few years. A recent study analyzed 11,000 high school course catalogs and concluded only 1 in 6 high schoolers are currently required … [Read more...] about Why It’s A Mistake Teaching Financial Literacy In Schools
5 Apps That Will Pay You to Exercise
While many companies offer employee discounts on gym memberships and other fitness programs, wouldn’t it be great if you could actually get paid to live a healthy, active lifestyle? Fortunately, there are plenty of apps out there that do exactly that. They'll pay you through PayPal or gift cards to get moving, whether that’s simply walking or something more intensive like working out frequently and running multiple miles each week. Unless you’re already a personal trainer or professional athlete, you’re not going to be able to quit your day … [Read more...] about 5 Apps That Will Pay You to Exercise
How to Save Money on Your Electric Bill This Summer
This past winter, I wrote about how you to save money on your electric bill this winter. But, now it is time to look at how to save money on your electric bill this summer. Come to find out, saving money in the summer is very similar to saving money on your electric bill in the winter as well. Saving money in the summer all comes down to keeping your cold air inside the house and not cooling down the entire neighborhood and also reducing the amount of air conditioning and electricity you are using in general. I routinely see my electric bill … [Read more...] about How to Save Money on Your Electric Bill This Summer
Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost? What You Need to Know!
There are millions of pet owners in the U.S., which means pet supplies and veterinary care creating a multi-million dollar industry. Almost 70% of U.S. households have pets, up from 50% a generation ago. of us would do anything to keep our favorite furry friends safe and sound, but at what cost? Even with adequate preventative care, veterinary bills still cost a fortune for some injuries and ailments, which can be disastrous for individuals and families who are already struggling to pay for their own health care-related expenses. While human … [Read more...] about Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost? What You Need to Know!
5 Things Every Couple Must do Before Combining Finances
Whether you’re already married, currently engaged, or in an otherwise long-term relationship, there are many considerations that every couple should make before combining their finances. After all, money is the number one cause of conflict in relationships, especially when you share expenses but don’t see eye-to-eye on all things finance-related. Combining Finances Before you get engaged, move in together, or open a joint bank account, here are the five most important things you must do if you’re thinking about combining finances with … [Read more...] about 5 Things Every Couple Must do Before Combining Finances
How Much Is Flood Insurance? Myths You Need To Know!
How much is flood insurance? And, do you even need flood insurance for your home or business? The answer may surprise you. Flood insurance is a very beneficial type of coverage that is useful for both commercial and residential property owners. Floods can cause significant amounts of damage to any type of property, and this damage can lead to thousands of dollars in losses. Flooding occurs more often than tornadoes, earthquakes or hurricanes. Between 2005 and 2014, flood insurance claims averaged more than $3.5 billion per year. The best thing … [Read more...] about How Much Is Flood Insurance? Myths You Need To Know!
5 Ways to Balance Your Investment and Debt Repayment Strategies
There’s no denying the importance of investing for maximum long-term returns. But, when people are confronted with credit card balances and other forms of debt with 20% or more interest rates, it can be difficult to decide which financial strategy to prioritize. On the surface, it may seem that debt repayment should come first in order to get your finances out of the red and back on track to continuous growth. However, when you calculate the potential long-term benefits of pouring at least a chunk of your money into compounding investments, you … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Balance Your Investment and Debt Repayment Strategies
Cyber Smart: Five Habits to Protect Your Family, Money, and Identity from Cyber Criminals
The following is a book excerpt from Cyber Smart: Five Habits to Protect Your Family, Money, and Identity from Cyber Criminals by Bart McDonough. Bart McDonough is the CEO and Founder of Agio, a hybrid managed IT and cybersecurity services provider. From Cyber Smart: Five Habits to Protect Your Family, Money, and Identity from Cyber Criminals Copyright © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc. William and Nancy Skog had cherry-picked an … [Read more...] about Cyber Smart: Five Habits to Protect Your Family, Money, and Identity from Cyber Criminals
Will the Proposed Fiduciary Rule Changes Actually Change Investor Behavior?
For nine years now, the financial industry and the federal government have been embroiled in a debate over a rule change to the ethical standards for investment brokers that are enshrined in law as consumer protections. Currently, the rules state that only those who sell investment advice have a fiduciary duty to their clients. Brokers and others engaged in sales have a duty to be sure the products they offer are suitable for the purposes they sell them for and for their clients' needs. This keeps them honest as salespeople, but it … [Read more...] about Will the Proposed Fiduciary Rule Changes Actually Change Investor Behavior?
RoofStock Review: A Marketplace for Single-Family Rental Homes
If you’re looking for the best passive income ideas, then buying rental properties is one of the most lucrative options out there. It’s not the “set it and forget it” type of passive income, at least not in the beginning. Oftentimes, people focus so much on the potential for high returns on investment without considering the upfront work required to research different properties, evaluate the quality of the neighborhood and surrounding community, assess what the long-term gains might be, find and screen prospective tenants, maintain the … [Read more...] about RoofStock Review: A Marketplace for Single-Family Rental Homes