Tag: credit

Finance

Credit Score and Credit Card Approval: Accessing Credit Lines

The majority of savers still buy stocks – either directly or through a mutual fund or exchange-traded fund – which are shares in a publicly listed company. Stock prices tend to rise over the long-term, which is why people buy them. Since 1926, the S&P 500 has posted a 10.24% average annual return with dividends reinvested, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. In other words, if you invest in equities in your 30s and retire in your 70s, there’s a high likelihood that your money will have grown over those 40 years. Years ago, retirement-focused investors would have likely put their money … Read More

Finance

Credit Score and Credit Counseling: Seeking Professional Assistance

Due to their high costs and the level of risk assumed by employers when funding and managing investments, defined benefit plans are increasingly rare. No matter where you’re starting from, our advisors can show you the right financial steps to take you closer to the retirement you want. Our financial advisors will help you make the most of your money, no matter how much you have, with a plan tailored to you and your retirement goals. These tax breaks can boost your retirement savings by tens of thousands of dollars, compared to what you’d have if you’d saved in a … Read More

Finance

Credit Score and Bankruptcy: Recovering Creditworthiness after Financial Hardship

While you may work part-time or pick up the odd gig here or there, it probably won’t be enough to sustain your current lifestyle. That’s why it’s so important to have a viable plan that allows you to get the maximum amount of money when you retire. Your estate plan addresses what happens to your assets after you die. It should include a will that lays out your plans, but even before that, you should set up a trust or use some other strategy to keep as much of it as possible shielded from estate taxes. So when it comes … Read More

Finance

Credit Score and Financial Planning: Incorporating Your Score into Your Strategy

After you’ve created your plan, remember to review it at least every five years or whenever you experience a life-changing event. If you need help building or vetting your plan, you can find a financial advisor to help. Before you can retire, you have to decide how you want to retire. Consider where you want to live, whether you’ll have a job (this may sound crazy, but some people like to work in retirement), and what your expenses will be. This can be difficult to predict, but you can always refine your estimate down the line. As you review, keep in mind … Read More

Finance

Credit Score and Credit History: Building a Positive Credit Profile

A secure retirement starts with leaving the workforce only when you truly have enough resources. While research has found that approximately 50% of those who retire at age 65 will have to cut back on their lifestyles, that percentage drops to just 15% for those who retire at age 70. That’s the power of more years of saving, and of delaying Social Security. Some people use the term “financial independence” as a synonym for retirement. While that’s understandable, the truth is your dependence just shifts — from a paycheck to your portfolio. Uncle Sam’s help comes in the form of … Read More

Finance

Credit Score and Rental Applications: Navigating the Landlord’s Evaluation

Even if you are only able to pull a meager amount each paycheck, do it. And, pull the amount right after the paycheck comes through. Don’t let the money sit in your account, or you will consider it money that can be spent. Even if you only read a few articles today and a few more tomorrow, do it.

Exchange-Traded Funds

Retirement planning

You may also consider robo-advisors if you want a low-cost, hands-off investment choice. A 401(k) is the most popular employer-sponsored retirement savings plan. With a traditional 401(k), you contribute a portion of each paycheck to the plan, pick your … Read More