Budgets & Financing

It can be difficult to choose between saving for a house and paying off debt. The good news is that you can do both as long as you create a plan that works for you. Here's some guidance for achieving these financial goals. 

The 50/30/20 budget strategy allocates 50% of your income toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. Learn more about this financial plan and whether it's a sensible option for you.

You might consider the FIRE movement if you're hoping to retire early. Learn more about this program and how else you might be able to achieve financial independence at a younger age.

Saving for a house can often seem like an impossible task. But there are numerous ways to reduce your spending and boost your income. Continue reading for tips on putting away funds for your dream home.

There's no question that the pandemic brought a lot of uncertainty. It reminded us to always value our health and finances because life can change in an instant. Here are a few ways to safeguard your assets this year.

Ready to take control of your money for good? Then it's important to have the right plan in place. Learn more about financial goals, their potential impact on your life, and tips for setting one.

In order to put yourself in a good position financially, you must spend your working years increasing your emergency and retirement savings accounts. Continue reading to see how much you should have saved at certain ages.

It's pretty much impossible to retire without first putting money away while you work. Yet many retirees struggle to save once they reach their golden years. Here are a few tips worth considering as you approach this next chapter of your life.

Everyone needs a plan for their money and a budget is just that. Continue reading for tips on how to make a monthly budget, regardless of your income.

Every new homeowner needs a budget. After all, having a financial plan can help you pay for everything from appliances to repairs. Read this article for tips on how to stay in control of your funds after closing on a house.

It won't be long until Americans start receiving their stimulus checks. So when can you expect your payment and how should you use it? Continue reading for must-know information regarding this coronavirus aid.

After months of searching, you finally found your dream home. But before putting in an offer and planning the housewarming party, we suggest getting a professional home inspection. Here are some tips for hiring a local home inspector.

Hire a professional painter or do it yourself? The overall cost to paint a home includes more than just the price of paint. Know how to budget and what your options are before you begin.

When used as down payment assistance, second mortgages may carry a zero or low-interest rate; or interest may be deferred for a certain amount of time. This means that the borrower can focus their effort and resources in paying off the original loan first while the secondary loan remains silent.

Getting ready to hire a contractor? Make sure to do your homework homeowners. American Financing lists the top 12 essential questions to ask candidates and tips to help you hire the best contractor

Home buying can be tricky. But shopping for interest rates, comparing mortgage lenders, and being patient can literally save you thousands of dollars. Check out our guide to shopping for rates and comparing lenders!

Umbrella insurance gives you an extra layer of liability protection that can prevent a lawsuit from wiping out your savings, assets, and future income. It can be a lifesaver and is relatively cheap. Learn what an umbrella insurance policy can do for you!

Meal kit delivery services have become very popular among individuals and families that either have hectic schedules, recently relocated, or just want to simply cut out most of the prep work. Learn about the different types of meal delivery services and how they vary.

Making extra mortgage principal payments has its merits but only in certain circumstances. Learn how and why making extra payments may not be the best choice and get alternative ways to use additional money to reach your homeownership goals.

Under the right conditions, purchasing mortgage points when you purchase a home can save you quite a bit of money over the life of the loan. The trick is knowing when to purchase the points and the benefits of doing so.

Your credit score can make or break the financing of your home. To get the lowest mortgage rate, you need the highest credit score you can get. Find out what lenders consider a "good credit score" and what you can do to improve it!

It’s common knowledge that you’re going to pay interest when borrowing money. But, did you know there are ways to pay off mortgage interest sooner? It's true. Let us provide you with some of the easiest and affordable ways to do so.

Budgeting for homeownership can seem overwhelming for a couple, let alone for singles that only have their income to work with. Although dual-income homebuyers tend to have a financial advantage, we have budgeting tips for single homebuyers.

As another holiday season comes to an end and a new year upon us, a common goal is to achieve financial stability. Is it as easy as it sounds? That depends on your commitment to succeed. Let’s consider the following tips to get you started.

Finding the home of your dreams is hard enough. Funding the home of your dreams can be just as a difficult. Let this be your roadmap to who pays the closing costs for your new mortgage.

A major benefit of homeownership is deducting mortgage interest on your taxes. Learn what you can deduct and a bit of history behind the tax code.

Lenders use your FICO® (Fair Isaac Corporation) score to determine your credit risk, or ability to repay a loan. The more you understand how much it can affect how lenders see you and what loan terms they offer you, the better prepared you’ll be when it comes time to apply for a mortgage.

Often times people find themselves living in a home that is simply too large. This can lead you to the question, “should I move into a smaller house?” Whether reasoning is due to your age, space requirements, or the ability to maintain your home, it just might be time to consider a change. We’re here to offer six downsizing home tips to help get you thinking about options.