Personal Finance
DGLimages / Shutterstock.comAdvertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links within this article, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend. Your favorite Friday night restaurant could be dishing out a hefty blow to your retirement dreams. In a recent MarketWatch…
Since starting Financial Samurai in 2009, I’ve encouraged folks to keep an open mind and embrace as many different perspectives as possible. So often, we get set in our ways and think our approach is the only right way to do things. But I can assure you, you’re probably missing…
Wavebreakmedia/Getty Images Key takeaways VA loans are available to active-duty military personnel, veterans and surviving spouses who need to finance a home purchase. You must provide a VA-approved lender with a certificate of eligibility (CEO) to prove you qualify for a VA loan before you can get preapproved. The VA…
Living abroad doesn’t mean you can leave your U.S. tax responsibilities behind. If you’re an American expat, the IRS still expects you to report your worldwide income — no matter where you live or work. Here’s the good news: There are a few different tax breaks that help many expats…
PhotoAlto/Eric Audras/Getty Images Key takeaways A quitclaim deed is a legal document used to transfer ownership interest in a property without it being sold. They are often used in transactions between people who know each other well — a parent handing over ownership to a child, for instance. Once a…
Nitat Termmee/Getty Images Key takeaways Collateral protection insurance (CPI) is a lender-chosen safeguard when borrowers lack full coverage car insurance. CPI coverage typically focuses on physical damage. Avoiding unwarranted CPI charges requires active communication and promptly sharing insurance updates with lenders. When you’re purchasing or leasing a vehicle, your lender…
JLco Julia Amaral / Shutterstock.comGrowing older has its advantages. As time passes, you get a little wiser. After retiring, you have more free time to channel that wisdom into doing the things you enjoy. Even better, all that fun often can be had at a steep discount. There are many…
Key takeaways An emergency fund helps ensure you can handle unplanned expenses, whether from a job loss or a substantial car repair or medical bill. Saving three to six months’ worth of essential expenses is often recommended, but individual circumstances may require saving more or less. Automating savings and using…
Key takeaways Business credit cards offer unique benefits such as the ability to build business credit and better access to record-keeping tools and employee spending tracking. Personal credit cards can offer longer 0 percent intro APR periods, consumer protections, and allow you to continue building personal credit. Business credit cards…
Getting your retirement right is a big deal, and investing through a robo-advisor can help you get there. These automated advisors can build an investment portfolio based on your needs — such as when you want to retire and how much risk you can stomach — and typically at a…
