Finance Globe

During the winter months it is not always easy to think about summer. After all, it seems so far away. However, if you have plans on vacationing this summer, now is the time to begin the preparation process. In addition to selecting a location, you need to set a budget and start saving. It won’t be long before you need to make a payment to reserve your hotel, flight, and/or rental car. Here are three tips...

It doesn’t matter what you have done in the past, you never know what will happen to your credit score in the future. Even if you keep a close eye on every move you make, there is always the chance that your score could tank. Remember this: it only takes one mix-up to ding your credit score. At that point, you may find yourself wondering what went wrong. Rather than get down on yourself, rather than...

Are you in the market for a new home? Have you come to the realization that securing a mortgage is the only way to pay for your purchase? Generally speaking, you have two options for finding a mortgage: •    Communicate directly with multiple lenders, eventually deciding on the one that is best for you. •    Hire a mortgage broker to “shop around” and explain your many options. The primary benefit of using a broker is time...

To get better at anything, you have to work on it often. That includes your finances. You can’t take a peek at your budget and balances once a month or so and expect to excel financially. Here are five things you should do everyday for better finances. Review your financial goals. Goals aren’t like an alarm clock that you can set and forget, not if you want to ever reach your goals. You have to review...

If you’re serious about achieving your financial goals, follow these twelve tips to ensure your goals are more than just simple dreams.  Make sure they’re specific enough. If you set a goal “to save more money,” how will you know when you’ve saved more money? When you’ve saved $5? $500? $5,000? If your goals are too vague you won’t know how to achieve them or when you’ve reached them. Make sure your goals are specific so you...

Many consumers immediately turn their attention to term life insurance when it comes time to buy coverage. There is one reason for this: cheaper premium payments. While there is a place and time to purchase term life insurance, you should not do this by default. There are many benefits associated with a whole life insurance policy, some of which could point you in this direction in the near future. If you are on the fence, don’t...

Has the time come to open your first bank account? Are you interested in opening another account with a bank you already do business with? Regardless of your situation, you need to be patient as you learn more about your many options. Assuming that one bank account is the same as the rest would be a big mistake. For example, there are many differences between a checking and savings account. The same holds true when you...

There are many benefits of saving money in an emergency fund, including the peace of mind this will bring to your financial situation. But here is the problem: it is not always easy to determine when you should use this money and when you should leave it be. To get on the right track, here are five questions to answer before using your emergency fund: 1. Is it an unexpected expense? It can’t be considered an...

This topic has been discussed time and time again, but now is the time of the year when it should really hit home. If you have a tax professional you trust, it won’t be long before you are scheduling an appointment and filing your final return. But what if you don’t have a tax professional? What if you need to make a change this year? With the filing deadline closing in quickly, you don’t want to...

Just the same as anybody with a budget, yours includes each and every utility that you pay. For most, this means gas, water, sewage, electric, and cable. While the cost of each can change by the month, often based on factors such as the weather, you have a basic idea of how much each expense will set you back. And then something happens. You get a crazy high bill in the mail and you wonder what’s...