Debt

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…

It’s the most wonderful time of year. That time when you gather with family, celebrate the holidays, and dust the cobwebs off your old budget. But, seriously, I love this time of year. We are looking into the new year and trying to guess/dream/figure out what we’d like to accomplish in 2019. Vision is the…

The personal information of roughly 1/2 the US population may have been compromised during the recent data breach/hack at Equifax. THIS IS A BIG DEAL! It wasn’t just account numbers and credit card info that was taken. For those affected, the hackers may have access to permanent information about you including your name, SSN, date…

A new credit score formula will be rolled out this fall that will track borrowing behavior over time rather than relying on a snapshot of your credit usage. You can read more HERE

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?

20 Second Advisor: Make it happen in 2019!

Living In A Post-Equifax-Hack World: What I’m Doing To Protect Myself

A credit score overhaul