Why Americans are losing millions of free dollars
“Americans Are Missing Out on Millions: The Surprising Way to Get Free Retirement Money”If I told you there was a way to get free money, would you do that? I’m not talking about anything criminal or even a bit sketchy. Imagine there is a completely honest and...
What is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) and who does it benefit?
Insurance is typically one of the most beneficial expenses you can buy. The protection and peace of mind it brings can be vital. Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, is something that many home buyers will encounter when getting their mortgage. But what exactly is it...
What is compound interest and how does it work?
I think it’s pretty safe to say that most people have heard of Albert Einstein. Although many of us probably have no clue what he did and couldn’t explain it anyway, we do know that he was pretty impactful in the areas of science and math. While I don’t understand...
What is a Conventional Home Mortgage Loan?
On our site we have discussed different aspects of a mortgage including Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), interest rates, and refinancing. One common term that is often found when discussing home loans is ‘conventional loans.’What are conventional loans though? When...
What is a budget
What is a budget? Should I have a budget? One of my many jobs is a financial coach. As a financial coach, I deal with many different financial topics but the most common is helping people build a budget. When people think of budgets, they typically think restrictive...
What are closing costs
When buying your home, there are more financial decisions you need to be concerned about besides simply a down payment. When you purchase a home, one of the least understood expenses is closing costs. Today, we will look at what they are and if you should be concerned...
Ways to save on your mortgage over time
Are you in the market to buy a house but are concerned about the potential of a mortgage? Do you own a house now and feel overwhelmed by the pressure of your debt? Today I want to discuss 8 ways that whether you are buying your first house or are halfway into a...
8 Ways credit cards can change your life
Ever heard of a credit card? Chances are you probably have. That’s because there are roughly 2.8 billion credit cards in circulation in the world. If you are in America, the numbers get even higher. According to data, the average credit card per person in America is...
Understanding inflation and four ways to combat it
By the middle of 2021, inflation was becoming a major problem. With interest rates jumping as high as 9.1, the impact was deeply felt by millions.Many people do not understand, however, what inflation is. Because of a lack of knowledge, many people also unnecessarily...
Spending plan
Getting into the holiday season and getting close to a new year. With increased spending on everything from inflation, understanding where your money is going is vitally important. This is why we at the financial feast pod really push the idea of a budget for...
Refinancing your home
Before refinancing your home, you should take the time to understand what exactly that means. The process certainly can be confusing and a bit overwhelming, but hopefully this article can provide some confidence and understanding as you consider refinancing. ...
Mortgage 101 – Understanding the Basics
Mortgage payment – in addition to interest and principle payments, it will include home insurance and property taxes. (just a note but can write additional posts and link them) Understanding the year lengths of a mortgage and when you should get one. (check out my...
11 common questions about credit cards – answered
Credit cards tend to be a somewhat divisive conversation point in the financial realm. While many people view credit cards as a necessity, there are a healthy number of those who staunchly oppose them. Both sides have valid arguments for their own opinions. This...
How to open a 401k
Of the many ways to save for a successful retirement, a 401k is the most common in America. Sadly, many people are missing out on the many benefits a 401k provides because they do not know how to open a 401k. Below we will quickly explain the 6 steps you need to take...
6 steps to confidently know how much money is enough in retirement
When working through a client’s financial plan, the most common question I receive is how much money is enough money. This question is on everyone’s mind for a few reasons. One, we do not want to run out of money. Two, we have goals in retirement, and we want to have...
Understanding the true costs of acquiring a home mortgage
My wife and I bought our house 7 years ago. We signed up for a 30-year mortgage at a reasonable interest rate and with manageable monthly payments. Despite all the research we did and counsel we had, I can say now, looking back on all I’ve learned since then, I really...
Down Payment
What is a down payment?A down payment is simply a large sum of cash paid upfront on a larger purchase, where the remaining cost will be financed.What can I use a down payment on?There are two typical purchases where a down payment is usually found: the purchase of a...
Credit Cards – Understanding the Basics
What is a credit card? A credit card is a thin, rectangular piece of plastic or metal that is provided by a store, a bank or a different financial institution that allows the cardholder to pay for services or goods with borrowed funds. These borrowed funds must be...
6 steps to confidently know how much money is enough in retirement
When working through a client’s financial plan, the most common question I receive is how much money is enough money. This question is on everyone’s mind for a few reasons. One, we do not want to run out of money. Two, we have goals in retirement, and we want to have...
5 Quality Options for Cash Savings
5 Quality Options for Cash Savings – Overview A few notes to begin: Still need a checking account – somewhere to deposit paychecks and access it whenever you want These are not places to get rich, or drastically grow your money. There are two categories we will...
5 Cash Savings Account Options
When choosing where to put your hard-earned cash savings, the options are many. Unfortunately, not all savings accounts are created equal. For those who do not understand the difference, the financial impact could be large. Below we will discuss 5 quality options to...
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No matter how prepared you think you are, financial emergencies can strike when we least expect them. Whether it’s an unexpected medical bill, a car repair, or an urgent home improvement project, sometimes we need cash immediately. But what options are there to...