Merging Finances: A Couple’s Guide to Yours, Mine, and Ours
Introduction Combining your life with a partner is one of the most exciting steps you can take. You build a shared home, create shared memories,…
Tag: personal finance
What Is a Credit Report? A Guide to Your Financial DNA
Introduction In the world of personal finance, we spend a lot of time talking about the credit score. That important, three-digit number can have a…
What Is a Home Insurance Score? The Hidden Factor Behind Your Premium
Introduction When you apply for a homeowners insurance policy, the insurance company will ask you a series of predictable questions. They will want to know…
Good Debt vs. Bad Debt: A Guide to Smart Borrowing
Introduction For most of us, the word “debt” carries a heavy, negative weight. It brings to mind the stress of monthly payments, the frustration of…
Understanding Your Credit Score: A Beginner’s Guide to Financial Health
Introduction Have you ever applied for a new phone, a car loan, or even just tried to rent an apartment and been told they need…
How to Start Planning for Retirement, Even With a Small Budget
Introduction Does the word “retirement” feel like a distant concept, something reserved for financial experts or people with six-figure salaries? For many young adults and…
What Is Disability Insurance? The Complete Guide to Protecting Your Income
Introduction When you think about your most valuable financial asset, what comes to mind? Many people might say their home, their car, or their investment…
What Is Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)? The Number Lenders Look At Most
Introduction When you apply for a major loan, such as a mortgage to buy a home or a loan to purchase a car, lenders look…
What Is a Brokerage Account? A Beginner’s Guide to Your Investing Gateway
Introduction You have done your research. You understand the difference between stocks and bonds. You have learned about the power of diversification through index funds…
What Is a FICO Score? Decoding the Number That Lenders Use
Introduction When you apply for a new credit card, a car loan, or a mortgage, a complex process happens behind the scenes. The lender needs…