For those with parents or grandparents that lived through the Great Depression, they no longer possess the luxury of naivety, when it comes to financial security. This is especially true for those people who lived through the economic difficulties of the last three or four decades. Unfortunately, the stress of never knowing if their job is secure, or if something will happen in the future that will deplete their savings and be dependent on things like payday loans, makes people live day to day, in a panic. They worry if they will be able to provide for their family. There are ways to … [Read more...]
Understanding Finance: Basic Loan Terms
Image via Wikipedia Getting a good grip on finance takes an understanding of the basic terms that go along with it. When it comes to loans, keeping track of definitions could prove as tricky as installing advanced home security systems. Understanding basic terms like “interest rate” and “annuity” will help you make educated decisions about potential loans. Interest Rate If you’ve ever considered taking out a loan, you’ve come across this term. Interest rate is the amount paid over a certain period of time for the use of the money. Compounding Compounding is … [Read more...]
Maximize Your Earnings
Image via Wikipedia Getting the most for your money seems to be a high priority for most people in these hard economic times. There are ways to maximize your earnings that are not complicated, but these methods will need to be researched thoroughly for each person's individual needs. One way to maximize your money is to open a high interest account for savings. By simply keeping your money in the bank, it can create cash. Research should be done to find out which financial institute will work best for your personal needs. In order to qualify for higher interest … [Read more...]
Maximize Your Earnings
Image via Wikipedia The common questions that graduates are asked is what they are going to do next. The reason that this question comes up again and again is because making money and earning money will be a concern for the rest of your life. The best way to ensure that you will have a worry free life is to make sure that you learn how to balance your finances. There are several ways that you save money without even realize you are doing so. Ask your bank to set up a savings account for you that automatically pulls out a sum from your check every month. If the thought of … [Read more...]
Obtaining Credit for the First Time
Image by Getty Images via @daylife Sometimes the business of establishing a good credit rating can be a catch-22 situation. Creditors want to see a good credit rating. If you have never bought anything on credit, you have no credit rating, which is as bad as having a bad credit rating. If you are a renter and do not have a driver's license, obtaining a credit card or a loan for a large purchase, can be a daunting task. However, it is not entirely impossible. If you rent an apartment or house, and have no credit cards, you may become discouraged when it comes time for you to … [Read more...]
Two-Parent VS Single Parent Child Expenses
Image via Wikipedia The USDA came out with an interesting study regarding expenses incurred by two parents in the home vs. a household with a single parent. Studies in family economics use micro-economic theory, which is a theory that studies the behavior individual household's decisions of allocating certain limited resources. Using this theory, economists are able to study how these decisions affect the supply and demand on goods and services. Supply and demand determines prices, which then determines quantity and quality of the goods and services most in demand. According … [Read more...]
Becoming a Financial Advisor
Being a financial advisor is considered by many to be one of the best careers, and the earning potential can be nearly limitless. A financial advisor will give small and large businesses as well as individuals’ advice pertaining to stock investments, mutual funds, investment strategies and purchasing bonds. They can also help individuals plan for retirement and they can guide you when you need financial advice when major life changes occur, like getting married or having kids. Choosing which one of the accredited online degrees to pursue is the first step in becoming a financial advisor. … [Read more...]
Setting Goals in Personal Finances
Image by alancleaver_2000 via Flickr Given the current unemployment rates and the shape of the economy, families want financial security. Families must pay bills, feed and clothe family members, and have a plan in place to take care of unforeseen expenses, such as medical costs or emergencies, as well. Financial planning involves figuring out how much income a family brings in and how much of that income goes to paying the bills and meeting the family's needs. The ideal situation is to bring in more money than the family needs to cover all the basics, and have cash left over to … [Read more...]