Finance Globe

Are you shopping for a new home? Are you ready to get serious about the process? If so, it won’t be long before you find yourself seeking a pre-approval from a bank. Once you have this in hand, it’s much easier to understand what you can afford, how much a particular home will cost each month, and much more. Unfortunately, many buyers make mistakes after receiving a pre-approval for a mortgage. As a result, it can...

As of this past March I’ve been posting monthly tips for saving money, which I’m calling “frugal flips.” So far, the flips I’ve shared in this series have the potential to save around $1973 a year. Frugal Flip #6: Re-think your coffee brewing method This one will be especially useful for those of you who regularly make your own coffee at home with a single cup brewing machine, such as a Keurig. If you’ve been thinking...

It takes a lot of time, effort, and sacrifice to build a healthy emergency fund. Seeing so much money in your bank account can be tempting, especially when you’re constantly bombarded with advertisements for electronics, events, and trips. If you want to your money to be in your account when there’s actually an emergency, you have to avoid dipping into your emergency fund.  Reduce your spending to within your income.  Living within your means prevents the...

When it comes to saving money there’s no denying the popularity of coupons. In their 2017 Coupon and Promo Code Use Study, public opinion research firm PRRI found that 92% of consumers have used coupons in the past year. But do they really help us save money? Unfortunately, too many of us end up spending more money when we use coupons than we would have without them. And that is exactly why coupons exist. Budget conscious...

Do you ever think about your money and doubt that you’re doing well because you’re not where you want to be? Your finances might be in a better place than you think. Here are eight signs you’re doing well financially. You could survive a few months on your savings if you had to. If you lost your job today and couldn’t get another right away, do you have enough money in savings to last you two...

Some relationships are meant to be forever. Your relationship with your bank isn't one of them. Breaking up with your bank means going through the process of changing your direct deposit, getting a new debit card, and get used to the new bank. But, if your bank is no longer serving you well, the changes are necessary. Here are some signs it's time to leave your bank. They’re charging too many fees. A monthly fee might be acceptable...

When buying a home, there are few things more important than securing a solid interest rate from a reputable lender. There are many ways to go about doing so, such as contacting a variety of lenders on your own time. With this approach, you control the process from start to finish. Another common strategy is to rely on the services of a mortgage broker. With this approach, a broker takes on the process of shopping around...

In today’s day and age, you can purchase pretty much anything online. From groceries to construction supplies, there’s no reason to leave your home when it comes time to shop and make a purchase. A growing number of people have come to find that buying a car online is one of the most enjoyable ways to get a new set of wheels. Although the entire process is not typically completed via the internet, you can definitely...

Major life events can affect your finances and your ability to pay your bills. Job loss, disability, death of a family member, or relocation can create temporary hardship and make it difficult to stay on top of all your expenses. One option for affording your bills during short-term financial hardship is forbearance. Under forbearance, the lender agrees to lower or suspend your monthly payments for a specific period of time; six months or a year, for...

Have you come to the conclusion that your employer should be paying you more money? Are you ready to negotiate your salary for the first time? Although this can be a stressful situation, it’s something you’ll probably face at some point in your career. Despite your concerns, such as the possibility of your employer shooting you down, it’s important to move forward and take immediate action. After all, you don’t want to work for less than...