First Time Homebuyer Programs First Time Homebuyer? – These Programs Are for You June 1, 2021  Do you fantasize about one day owning a home but don’t think you’ll ever be able to afford it? Do you wonder how you’ll ever come up with the down payment needed to purchase a home or how you’ll

Estate Planning Basics: Don’t Leave Your Estate in a “Purple Haze” Estate planning may be one of the last things that anyone wants to think about. Not only is it difficult to contemplate our mortality, but human beings may also have a natural tendency to procrastinate. The importance of proper estate planning can become clear

To Buy or Lease a Car? That is the Question Think about how many choices you make each day based on personal preference: shorts versus pants, tennis shoes versus sandals,  coffee versus tea. If only financial choices could be just as simple! One of the most common financial dilemmas people face is whether to buy

Having Kids? Financial Items to Consider You found the spouse of your dreams and got married. So now what?! For some, the next step is to have kids. While having children can be the greatest gift ever received, it is important to remember that they are expensive (especially when you have two at the same

Best Practices for Data Security One of my all-time favorite movies is Mel Brooks’ classic 1980’s Star Wars inspired spoof: “Spaceballs.” Other than being hilarious,  it can teach us some life lessons. For example, never underestimate the power of the Schwartz, buckle your seat belt before going to ludicrous speed, and absolutely do not hit

Avoid Breaking the Bank This Holiday Season How is it that time of year already?! Time goes by fast, and so can your money during this time of year! The holiday season always makes me think of the classic movie “Home Alone.” Kevin McCallister was accidentally left behind while his entire family went to Paris

Credit Cards: Which Credit Card is Right for You? Credit cards are kind of like chainsaws. When used properly they can be extremely helpful tools, but if they are used improperly, they have the ability create a horrendous amount of damage. Considering this, it’s important to take the right steps to make sure that you

How to Protect Your Wealth as You Get Older As you get older and closer to retirement, your financial practices need to shift slightly as you transition from working and saving to relying on your nest egg. As you approach this stage of your life, you need to take steps to protect your wealth. Keep

Budgeting: The Nose Game Budgeting: The Nose Game September 1, 2020 A budget is a tool for allocating your income; budgeting can be helpful in meeting short and long-term goals Get started by determining after-tax income and how income can be allocated Track spending and savings on an ongoing basis to determine if you are

Did You Know? – Low Mortgage Interest Rate Environment Home Buying Opportunity Historically Low Mortgage Interest Rates   If there is one good thing to come out of the coronavirus pandemic it’s that it has created a huge opportunity for home ownership! Did you know that for the first time in recorded history, the average