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
Do You Qualify for a Business Credit Card?
Whether you’re an established enterprise with multiple employees and a brick-and-mortar location or you’re a work-from-home freelancer with a side gig here and there, chances are you have monthly business-related expenses to cover. While some freelancers, consultants, and other solo-preneurs typically cover these expenses with their personal credit cards, you could be missing out on valuable opportunities to get extra perks while paying for business expenditures. Fortunately, applying for a business credit card is just as easy as applying … [Read more...] about Do You Qualify for a Business Credit Card?
How Your Cognitive Biases Can Hurt Your Investment Returns
In his book, Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions, author Dan Ariely writes, “Wouldn’t economics make a lot more sense if it were based on how people actually behave, instead of how they should behave?” In the same vein, investors of all backgrounds and net worth levels generally know how they should invest but nevertheless make bad investment decisions like getting deeply involved in penny stocks, gambling on the potential of a new cryptocurrency, trying to “time the market,” or investing much too … [Read more...] about How Your Cognitive Biases Can Hurt Your Investment Returns
6 Strategies for Getting the Highest Possible Salary from a New Job
Negotiating salary, bonuses, benefits and other job perks can be an enormously stressful experience when you’re already looking for new job opportunities. Unfortunately, people who are unemployed or unhappy in their current jobs tend to under-sell themselves in hopes of getting a better opportunity elsewhere as quickly as possible. In fact, a 2018 study found just 39% of people tried negotiating higher salaries for their last new job offers – and women generally tend to negotiate less than men, according to the survey. But, are you getting the … [Read more...] about 6 Strategies for Getting the Highest Possible Salary from a New Job
Do You Need Renters Insurance? Here’s What You Need to Know
When you’re renting an apartment, condo or single-family home, your landlord may or may not require renter’s insurance before signing the lease. Even if your landlord doesn’t require it however, you may still want to take out this insurance as a precaution against the potentially devastating consequences associated with personal property loss/damage and even the unlikely (yet possible) circumstance in which the residence becomes uninhabitable. Renter’s insurance can be a financial lifesaver in some cases, yet only one-third of renters … [Read more...] about Do You Need Renters Insurance? Here’s What You Need to Know
The Effects of Stress on Your Finances
Are you currently or have you ever worried about the state of your financial situation? Whether you’re struggling to pay off debts, living paycheck to paycheck, living with minimal savings, or falling behind on retirement contributions, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced anxiety about your finances at some point in your life. After all, a January 2020 CreditWise survey by Capital One found 73% of Americans rank finances as their #1 cause of stress, significantly more than the rates of stress caused by politics, work and family. … [Read more...] about The Effects of Stress on Your Finances
6 Things You Should Know About Social Security Survivor Benefits
Nobody wants to think about dying, but unfortunately, it’s such a big component of financial planning that you can’t afford to ignore the prospects of dying earlier than expected. In addition to planning for the future with life insurance options, you should also be aware of Social Security survivor benefits. Social Security Survivor Benefits When You Report a Death In most cases, funeral homes are responsible for reporting deaths to the Social Security Administration (though you need to give their Social Security number beforehand). … [Read more...] about 6 Things You Should Know About Social Security Survivor Benefits