Debt
20 Second Advisor: Getting prepared for unemployment
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…
Read More20 Second Advisor: PPP and pursuing loan forgiveness
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…
Read More20 Second Advisor: Time to Refi?
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,…
Read More20 Second Advisor: Vacation Home – Rent or Buy?
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…
Read More20 Second Advisor: Make it happen in 2019!
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…
Read MoreLiving In A Post-Equifax-Hack World: What I’m Doing To Protect Myself
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…
Read MoreA credit score overhaul
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
Read MoreDebt…Right or Wrong?
It’s neither! It’s not an issue of right or wrong; it’s a matter of risk. What is debt? Debt is borrowing money to buy something and paying it back over time with interest. This includes your home, car, vacations, appliances, education, or anything else. What do debt and risk have to do with each other?…
Read MoreSaving in your 30’s
In your 30s, you start feeling like an adult. You may be married and have a family by now. You may be starting to really hit your stride career wise. Or you are considering buying a house or starting a business. With all of these new responsibilities, it is critical to have a structured game…
Read More