Your College Diploma Is Like a Share of Stock

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Once you and your college friends have graduated, you may believe you can stop thinking much about what happens on campus at your alma mater. But you have a vested interest in your college’s well-being, even after you have your diploma. It’s like a share of stock. Think about what your school and its ongoing reputation say about you. What if your college or university fell apart after you graduated? Would that make your diploma worth less in value? Would it hurt your career prospects? That very scenario happened to a friend of mine. His college almost lost its accreditation. The consequences of such an institutional failure can be disastrous for an alumnus, especially if you’re depending on your degree … Read more

How Sunk Costs Keep You Stuck in Bad Investments

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Sunk Costs Keep You Stuck in Bad Investments

Last fall, I had tickets to an NFL game. It was freezing that day, and all my friends backed out. But I didn’t want to waste the $70 I’d spent on the ticket. So I went to the game and was absolutely miserable. I hate to admit it, but my friends were right. I didn’t even have much vested interest in the teams playing. Nor did I have a good time at the game; I would’ve been much better off just watching it from the comfort of my couch. But I was obsessed with not having wasted the money I spent on the ticket. In hindsight, I know I should have recognized that it was a sunk cost, chalked up … Read more

Should You Ever Break Your Home Lease Early?

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Save Money and Time with Your Short-Term Rentals

Most contracts between landlords and tenants include clauses about breaking a lease. In many cases, it’s possible to break a lease. Still, it’s going to cost you a pretty penny to do so (unless you have a very generous, forgiving landlord and/or a lot of advance notice, allowing them to fill the home with new tenants before your departure). If you’ve considered breaking a lease, your first step should always be thoroughly reviewing your lease contract to see what penalties (financial, legal) may be involved. It would help if you also read your state’s tenants’ rights laws to ensure your landlord isn’t trying to enforce an unenforceable clause when it comes to early lease terminations. Break Home Lease Early? Once … Read more

DiversyFund Review – Buy Shares of Multi-Family Real Estate

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Most investors know the value of diversifying their portfolios, but few investors have access to the same assortment of options that mega-wealthy investors pour money into, such as multi-million dollar real estate projects and structures. For instance, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) are popular options for investors who have a high net worth because the long-term capital appreciation on the properties frequently outpaces other types of investments (and is generally less volatile than investing purely in stocks). Until recently, however, REITs were very exclusive entities; everyday investors seeking higher returns through cash-flowing apartment buildings and commercial properties were mostly out of luck if they didn’t have the capital necessary to invest in these real estate projects on their own. Fortunately, … Read more

Insurance Companies Canceling Policies Might Not Be a Bad Thing

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Can a Insurance Company Deny a Claim?

I saw a segment on the news recently that highlighted a family whose insurance company had canceled their renters’ insurance policy. The family in question filed two claims against their policy over the holidays after burglars broke into their home before Christmas and again just before New Year’s. As a result, their insurer dropped them. Of course, the timing was horrible, and the local media covered the story exhaustively. But I’m glad the insurance company canceled their policy, and you should be happy, too. Here’s why: What are the odds of a family having two robberies in such a short span of time? It’s very unlikely. In fact, such unusual circumstances are strong warnings of potential fraud. And while I don’t … Read more

Is Investing In A Classic Car The Next Investing Craze?

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Is Investing in a Classic Car Right for You?

Are classic cars good investments? Is investing in a classic car the next big investing craze? If so, is it right for you? With TV shows about finding, fixing and flipping classic vehicles all the rage right now, it’s no surprise that investors burned by the real estate crash who are looking for a new get-rich-quick scheme are finding this one. Investing in a classic car offers the lure of a hefty potential profit, with a far smaller outlay of capital than a house requires. But is it a good investment — something you should consider to help diversify your investment portfolio? If you’re thinking about investing in a classic car, you don’t want to lose your shirt in the … Read more