Buying or selling a home will likely be one of the greatest financial decisions most people will make in their lifetime. Oftentimes this decision can be made from a place of feelings and emotion rather than logic and wisdom. For many military families, these decisions are compounded by difficult challenges like unfamiliar markets, doing business […]
Tag: Financial Health
Can I Afford an Investment Property?
As military members with a transient lifestyle, you may not be able to purchase a home and live there until the mortgage is paid for. Over the course of a career, you may live in dozens of homes. But frequent relocation doesn’t have to mean opting out of making homeownership work for you. In fact, […]
Financial Considerations Before Starting an Outdoor Remodel
Outdoor spaces are often a key motivator for buying a home. Is the back yard expansive? Is the view incredible? Maybe the area that highlights a pool, creek, or water feature is a selling point for your family. As summer sets in, perhaps you are thinking about buying a home for the potential you see […]
Saving Money for a PCS
One of the most frequently cited stresses in the life of most adults centers around money. For military families on the cusp of a relocation, adding a financial strain to an already exasperating situation isn’t something you should have to worry about. With a little clarity on the process and some advanced planning, having financial […]
Teaching Kids About Money in a Creative Way
Only 23% of kids say they talk to their parents regularly about money, according to survey results shared by Money Confident Kids. In a 2014 survey of 15-year-olds in the United States, the Organization for Economic Co‑operation and Development found that 18% did not learn fundamental financial skills that are often applied in everyday situations, […]
Ways to Invest for Your Future
Times are uncertain right now. Peek in on Wall Street on any given day and you might see wild swings of more than 1,000 points either way. With people out of work, PCS orders on hold, and the general confusion as to when things will “return to normal,” it can seem as if the last […]
Things to Consider When Insuring Your Home
Congratulations on taking the plunge into homeownership! This new level of adulting can bring about many other new purchases and decisions. And we’re not talking about curtains and flooring here: We mean homeowners insurance. You’ve probably had to secure insurance for your car, and we hope you’ve had renters insurance in the past, but homeowners […]
How to Improve Your Credit Score
If you’re even considering purchasing a home, you should be paying attention to your credit history. When was the last time you checked your FICO score? It’s a good idea to check your score at least annually to see what your score is and if there’s anything incorrectly reported that could be counted against you. […]
How Much Should I Have in My Rainy Day Fund?
When you’re factoring in the expenses of home ownership, the cost of things like your mortgage, taxes, and insurance are calculated. And there’s a general sense of “I’ll need to plan to cover the cost of repairs and maintenance.” But how much do you need to have accessible (saved) to cover the expense of home […]