Posts by Rickie Houston:
Scrounging up the money for a standard 20% down payment on a home can be a challenge for some. If you fall short of this prespecified amount, you will likely encounter private mortgage insurance, or PMI. PMI is there to safeguard lenders from the possible perils that a mortgage with a low down payment could induce. For those that prefer small down payments, though, PMI is virtually unavoidable. Below, we take a closer look at what PMI is, how much it’ll cost you and how to cancel it. Read more
Buying a home can be both an amazing and stressful process at the same time. But tackling the huge expense of a home in one fell swoop is often difficult for an individual or family to handle. That’s where mortgages come in. Typically in exchange for a down payment, a lender will grant you a mortgage loan to allow you to finance your home with an interest rate attached. Read more
Established in 1957, the Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS) provides pension, retirement and disability benefits for employees who meet its eligibility requirements. While APERS functions as the state’s primary system for public employees, it also offers additional pension and retirement systems. Below we take you through the ins and outs of the Arkansas retirement system. But if you want extra guidance from an expert, use SmartAsset’s matching tool to get paired with a financial advisor in your area who can best meet your needs. Read more
The Employees Retirement System of Georgia (ERSGA) provides a range of pension plans that mostly come with lengthy eligibility requirements. While each of its systems and plans serve different… Read more
Though Michigan’s pension fund is only the 18th-largest in U.S., that doesn’t stop it from offering its employees an array of retirement plans from which to select. The state of Michigan’s Office of… Read more
Under its Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS), Teachers Retirement Association and Public Employees Retirement Association, Minnesota offers retirement benefits through several different pension… Read more
Betterment is a robo-advisor that allows investors to create and manage their investment portfolios online. Whether you’re building wealth for retirement or other financial reasons, Betterment… Read more
Making a down payment for a new home can be expensive, even for those with decent income. If you’re eyeing a particular home but don’t know whether you can afford to make a down payment to secure a… Read more
When it comes to robo-advisors, both SigFig and Betterment offer a range of products and features to help you build your investment portfolio. The company you choose should ultimately align with your… Read more
A mortgage interest rate is the cost of borrowing money. It’s given as a percentage. A mortgage annual percentage rate (APR) is the interest rate plus other costs associated with a mortgage,… Read more
If you’re looking to minimize your tax liability and capitalize on tax deductions, a tax consultant could help you do just that. Tax consultants, also known as tax advisors, are professionals with… Read more
Though it’s uncomfortable to think about death, it’s crucial to take certain steps to protect your assets before that time comes. Living trusts and wills are two estate planning options designed… Read more
The first-time home buyer tax credit emerged during the 2008 financial crisis to help make buying a home more affordable for Americans. Though various other mortgage programs and loans exist, the tax… Read more
With homeownership comes home equity. Both home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) use the equity you’ve built up to help you pay off big expenses. You can use these loans to… Read more
Betterment and FutureAdvisor both operate as two of the most popular robo-advisors in online investing. Each company offers similar products to help you reach your investment goals, but the costs and… Read more
Whether you’re investing in mutual funds or simply looking to transform your wealth with a financial plan, you may be considering working with a financial advisor. Investment advisors and financial… Read more
When you’re deciding whether to open a savings account with Chase or Capital One, you should look at the rates and perks each offers and whether they’ll meet your financial needs. Both Chase and… Read more
Both PNC and Chase Bank offer a long list of banking products that can be conveniently accessed across the nation. Whether it’s checking and savings accounts, or branches, ATMs and mobile apps, both… Read more
TD Bank and Chase are two large financial institutions that provide an extensive range of products both through online services and numerous branches. If you’re looking to put your hard-earned… Read more
It’s never too early to start saving for retirement. Whether you’ve just started working for a company or have been employed for a while, you should take advantage of retirement savings options as… Read more
It’s exciting to know you’re going to be bringing a new member into the family. Decorating the baby’s nursery, buying children’s books and finding that perfect stroller are all important. But, what’s… Read more
Citibank and Chase Bank are two of the biggest names in the banking industry today. Both financial institutions provide easy access with online and mobile banking, plus thousands of branches and ATMs… Read more
Interested in investing in your retirement? You know you should be socking money away for your golden years, but you need to understand the savings vehicle your employer offers. The 401(k) plan,… Read more
