There are many people who are thinking about buying a home for the first time. Even though this is an exciting experience, there are also people who develop anxiety when purchasing a home. This is a major financial decision, and it is critical to get it right. What do people need to do if they want to overcome anxiety as first-time homebuyers? Maximize The Credit Score Before applying for a home loan, everyone should maximize their credit score. Everyone has the right to request one free credit report per year. This is an opportunity for people to take a look at their credit reports and … [Read more...]
How Much Will Your Child Tax Credit Be?
There are millions of homeowners that are parents waiting for their advance child tax credits to arrive; however, they might not be sure exactly how much money they are going to get. This makes it difficult to set a budget. Some parents could expect to receive $300 per month between now and December. The rest of the credit should arrive after filing their tax returns next year. How much will parents receive? The Process Of Calculating A Child Tax Credit Because of recent changes in federal tax laws, the expanded child tax credit has increased the limit from $2,000 (the limit in 2020) to a … [Read more...]
It’s Not Just a Mortgage: Understanding the Financial Implications of Buying a New Home
When it comes to home ownership, the biggest buzzword of them all is mortgage and it’s often all people think about when it comes to price. While the ‘m’ word will be a large part of the expense that goes into owning a house, it’s important to be aware of all of the other costs that are aligned with having a home. From taxes to utilities, here are some of the other items that you won’t be able to do without once you’ve made the big purchase. The Perils of Property Tax Outside of the mortgage, one of the other more marked expenses you’ll be paying when … [Read more...]
Worried About Mortgage Rates Going Up? Steps to Prepare Yourself Financially
Mortgage rates have been at record lows for quite some time, making it easy for new homebuyers to finance their dream homes. But what comes down will eventually go back up, and with the world economy expected to rebound in 2016, we're about to start seeing more expensive mortgages. So what can you do to prepare yourself before mortgage rates start to rise? Here are some strategies that will keep you ahead of the game. Start Saving More Money Now If you have a variable rate mortgage, you've benefited from great interest rates that this world won't see again for quite some time. Hopefully, … [Read more...]
How to Reduce Your Expenses During Retirement
You have worked hard for most of your adult life and the day has come that you will retire and enjoy the freedom of your golden years. You might take up a hobby, volunteer, or just enjoy working in your garden and socializing with your friends. If you have been planning ahead and contributing to your retirement fund, you will likely have a nest egg built up which will help you support yourself once you leave your job. However, it is important to keep your expenses down when you are retired so that your spending won’t outgrow your savings. If you can reduce your outgoing costs during your … [Read more...]
