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Making an investment plan involves more than just choosing a few stocks to put money in. You have to consider your current financial situation and your goals. It’s also important to define your timeline and how much risk you’re willing to take on in order to determine your optimal asset allocation. Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to make an investment plan. Read More...
If you’re starting a new job, there’s a good chance you’re going to have the option to join an employer-sponsored retirement plan, and it’ll probably be one of two types of plans: a 403(b) or a 401(k). Both are defined contribution plans. Employees who participate in the plans choose how much to put into their account each month, and the payout in retirement is determined based on how much they save during their careers. This article will take a look at both plans, comparing 403(b) vs. 401(k). Read More...
When creating an investment plan for your portfolio, diversification is the most important rule. Diversification essentially means spreading your assets among a variety of investments. Doing this helps to mitigate risk and provides the potential to improve returns. Read on to find out more about how to diversify your portfolio. Read More...
Over 80% of renters have a desire to own a home, according to a 2015 survey from the National Association of Realtors. One big hurdle for many renters who are hoping to buy a home and take on a mortgage is saving for a down payment. In some cities, the average home is worth so much more than the average income it can take over a decade of saving to have enough for a down payment. Below we rank the cities where the average workers need to save the longest to afford a down payment. Read More...
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Dec 12, 2017 Gallup polls from 2014 show that the average American has 2.6 credit cards and it isn't hard to see why. Credit cards lessen the need for…
Apr 13, 2018 The first step towards getting financial help is recognizing that you need it. The second step is figuring out exactly why you need help.…
Feb 26, 2018 If you’re young and you're looking to purchase a new home to live in, maybe you should consider turning your first home into an investment…
Jun 09, 2017 If you’re looking to buy a home, you will most likely need a mortgage to pay for the home. Most people don't have enough cash on hand to…
Apr 05, 2017 Depending on how proactive you are about investing, you may or may not have heard the term tax-loss harvesting before. If you've only…
Data Articles and Studies
The fight for equal rights for working women remains an uphill battle. That’s one reason why about 3 million people around the world recently participated in women’s marches and thousands took part in demonstrations on International Women’s Day. An analysis from the Center of American Progress estimated that A Day Without a Woman could have cost the U.S. GDP $21 billion if every woman who worked outside the house went on strike. Read More...
Credit card complaints can be difficult to address. Sometimes credit card companies are hard to reach or it’s not clear who you should be complaining to. In the wake of the financial crisis of 2008, the federal government set up the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to help protect consumers. The CFPB government agency helps consumers address complaints they have with banks, credit unions, credit card companies, payday lenders and other financial companies. Read More...
Home is where the heart is, so the saying goes. For homeowners, their home is also where they probably invested a large chunk of their money. In some places homeownership has proved to be a worthwhile investment, as the home values skyrocket. But in other places, depressed home values and high property taxes may have made owning a home less worth it. Read More...
Videos
Patrice Washington says she is an accidental personal finance blogger. Regardless, it’s a role she seems born to play, and one she’s certainly making the most of! Patrice is now much more than a personal finance blogger, she is a personal finance educator, author and advocate. You can see, hear and read Patrice pretty much everywhere from the Steve Harvey TV and radio show to her own books on personal finance. We caught up with Patrice in New Orleans for this edition of SmartAsset Talks. Read More...
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