Countdown to College

As a parent, you of course want to give your child the best opportunity for success, and for many, attending the “right” university or college is that opportunity. Unfortunately, being accepted to the college of one’s choice may not be as easy as it once was. Additionally, the earlier you consider how you expect to … Read more

Do Your Kids Know The Value of a Silver Spoon?

You taught them how to read and how to ride a bike, but have you taught your children how to manage money? One study households with student loan debt showed that the average amount owed was $47,671.1 And more than 20% of recipients with outstanding loans will either default or be delinquent in repaying those loans.2 … Read more

A House Divided

The latest research suggests that divorce rates in the U.S. have been falling in recent decades. Still, many people face the difficult crossroads that comes when their marriage ends.1 Getting a divorce is a painful, emotional process. Don’t be in such a hurry to reach a settlement that you make poor decisions that can have … Read more

To Catch a Thief

Many Americans have taken steps in recent years to protect their identity. According to one report, published in 2020, total dollars lost due to identity theft was $16.9 billion. If you haven’t taken measures to protect yourself, it may be a good idea to consider your options.1 Identity theft is a crime in which an … Read more

Fixed or Variable Mortgage, Which Should You Pick?

Buying a home is the single-largest financial commitment most people ever make. And sorting through mortgages involves a lot of critical choices. One of these is choosing between a fixed or variable interest rate mortgage. True to its name, fixed-rate mortgage interest is “fixed” throughout the life of the loan. In contrast, the interest rate … Read more

Lots of Variables with Fixed-Rate Mortgages

When selecting a fixed-rate mortgage, a prospective borrower has to determine how many years to finance the loan. Some financial institutions offer 10-year and 20-year, fixed-rate mortgages as well as 15-year and 30-year, fixed-rate home loans. For the purpose of comparison, this worksheet takes a look at 15-year and 30-year, fixed-rate loans. The payments on … Read more