Debt

If you’re looking for a prediction on when interest rates will rise or fall, alas, I cannot give you that info as I left my crystal ball at home this morning. But, I want to point out how much the recent rise in interest rates affect the monthly payments homeowners must pay when refinancing or…

Last week, our family took a trip for our kids’ winter break from school. On the long drive, I had the chance to listen to a podcast, The Just Enough Family. It details the rise and fall of Saul Steinberg, an American businessman that rose to great wealth by the age of 30 only to…

Retirement Contributions – Make 401k, IRA or employer contributions. Charitable Contributions – Give cash or appreciated investments to your favorite charities. 2021 Reflection – Did I save, give, spend intentionally, and pay off what I had planned? If so, celebrate! If not, why? 2022 Plan – How much will I save, give, spend intentionally, and…

Last time, I wrote about the financial elements to consider when you’re deciding whether to pay off your mortgage early. See here for that post. Today, I want to touch on the emotional elements of paying off debt early. As discussed in the last post, you are almost always better off financially to slowly pay…

With interest rates near their all time lows, I want to write a few blogs about mortgage debt. It’s a question we get asked all the time: “Should I pay off my mortgage quicker than scheduled?” Before we answer that question, I want to explore the true cost of carrying mortgage debt. The factors that…

You are in your 20s. Oh the age where you just graduated from college, are starting to earn a paycheck, and living on your own. While the novelty and newfound freedom is fun, make sure to avoid these pitfalls in your 20s: Spending more than you make Using credit cards and not paying them off…

Unemployment probably never crossed your mind until COVID-19 hit. If you or someone you know may be affect, here are a few practical steps you can take to make sure you are prepared: Cash is king. Make sure to prioritize beefing up your emergency cash savings. We recommend having 3-6 months worth of expenses set…

As the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) enters the second round of funding, loan recipients should be considering a thoughtful approach to pursuing loan forgiveness. Although the loan forgiveness parameters are still being clarified, the key elements for forgiveness are discussed below. Have a plan for spending during the 8 week period. You will need to document…

Mortgage rates have dropped in the last month to the lowest rates since 2016 (see chart below). At the same time, many homeowners have seen their home value increase over the last few years. Now could be an advantageous time to refinance your mortgage to pay down debt, renovate your house, get rid of PMI,…

It’s summer time. And that means vacations. Families feel the draw of buying a 2nd home while they’re on vacation. On the trip to Florida, couples may think, “Wouldn’t it be great if we had a beach house?” Before you dig into the financials of buying a 2nd home, here are the top non-financial questions…

20 Second Advisor: 6% vs 2.5% Mortgage – The impact of rising rates on home affordability

20 Second Advisor: Keeping Up With The Steinbergs

20 Second Advisor: 5 Things To Do BEFORE 2022

20 Second Advisor: To borrow or not to borrow? Part 2 – Freedom from debt feels good.

20 Second Advisor: To borrow or not to borrow? Part 1 – The true cost of mortgage debt.

20 Second Advisor: 20 year-old money mistakes

20 Second Advisor: Getting prepared for unemployment

20 Second Advisor: PPP and pursuing loan forgiveness

20 Second Advisor: Time to Refi?

20 Second Advisor: Vacation Home – Rent or Buy?