by Nick FriedmanBranded Content EditorIf you’re selling a house, you’re probably pumped about how much money you could be making when the deal closes.But before you go all Scrooge McDuck and start diving into a pile of money, remember the costs that come with selling a home — like commission fees. And they can be significant.In Florida, for example, closing costs can be around 7% of the total selling price.
by Kent McDill The blistering 2022 real estate market has extended to apartment shopping and how to rent an apartment has now become a test of research and will. Oh, and also your credit score and employment history. Renting an apartment with all of the comforts and amenities you want, at a price you can afford, has become challenging, especially in the nation’s most popular urban areas. Yes, the usual
Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorMy boyfriend and I have been together for seven years now. Unfortunately, we are not doing too well financially and are paying off debt with a debt relief company. Even with this, we still struggle to get by. I make $40,000 a year. He barely makes $30,000 a year as a construction contractor who isn’t even on a W-2, so his taxes
by Nicole DowSenior WriterYou go to the doctor for your annual physical to make sure your body’s healthy. But when’s the last time you had a checkup for your financial health?It’s important to know how well you’re managing your money and where you can make changes for the better. Without a regular financial checkup, you might continue to repeat poor money moves, like giving into frivolous impulse buys or only
by Timothy MooreContributor When banks advertise themselves as fee-free, you’ve got to question how truly fee-free they really are. For example, major banks that boast no monthly maintenance fees can still get you with overdraft fees, foreign transaction fees and even paper check fees. ATM fees are a different breed. Your own personal bank isn’t benefiting from the ATM surcharges you pay when using out-of-network ATMs (the ATM operator is),
by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterThe housing market is turbocharged these days because of a shortage of homes for sale is leading to heavy competition between home buyers. That keeps pushing home prices higher and higher.If you’re looking to buy a home, you better buckle up.The housing market remains hot, even though things might be starting to slow down just a little bit, according to news sources like CNBC and The Wall
by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior WriterMillions of people use 401(k) accounts to save for retirement each year.These tax-advantaged savings accounts invest your money in long-term mutual funds, stocks, bonds and other securities to grow your nest egg over time.But there’s a catch: You can only open a 401(k) at work — and not all employers offer them.In 2020, about 33% of private industry workers didn’t have access to any employer-sponsored retirement
by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterWith rising rents and housing costs, people all over the United States are being priced out of the cities they once called home.In 2021, rents jumped up by 20 to 30% in cities ranging from Phoenix to Boise to Tampa, and more rent hikes are coming in 2022. Home prices have been rising at a record pace, too.It’s not just the notoriously expensive cities like New York
by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterWouldn’t it be great to be the first millionaire in your family? Think of the bragging rights!None of your relatives would ever be able to question your judgment again. You could brush them off by asking, “I’m sorry, are YOU a millionaire?”Also, as a millionaire, you’d be able to help the rest of your family, if you’re into that sort of thing.Ah, but how to make your
by Adam HardyContributorAnytime a letter bearing the seal of the Social Security Administration arrives, James feels afraid to open it.A 34-year-old with cerebral palsy, he depends on Social Security disability benefits for the majority of his income. The benefits cover his rent and bills each month. But it’s not enough to live on, so he supplements it with side gigs like DoorDash, Instacart and other delivery apps.It’s a difficult, frustrating
