Are you looking for a way to get into Costco for less? Our family has been Executive Costco member for over ten years, so we know a thing or two about Costco. If you are not sure if the $60 or $120 membership fee is worth it (psst…it is!), we have a couple of methods … Read more
Debt is a problem that we all face at one time or another to some degree. Sometimes, it is just bad luck, but most of the time, it is good people that made terrible choices. Regardless of what got you in debt in the first place, there is always a way to get out of … Read more
Unlike stocks, which represent equity or ownership in a company, bonds are loans. When you invest in loans, you are actually investing in debt. You loan your money to an organization for a set period of time. The organization uses the money to fund its operations and pays you interest over the life of the loan. … Read more
Every year, we set up big audacious goals that we want to accomplish in the new year. Somehow, we are magically more likely to succeed because a number changed on the calendar. Personally, I subscribe to another method: achieving financial success is making the commitment to take a series of small steps in the right … Read more
How close are you to financial independence? What if I tell you that you can calculate this number down to a reasonably precise percentage. Regardless of where you stand financially, knowing where you are is a great way to help you move closer toward your goal of financial independence. Like measuring distance or time, knowing … Read more
If you are new to investing and asset allocation, you might see some recommendations to invest in International Stocks. Still, every person you ask seems to give you a different answer about what percentage of your portfolio should be in international stocks, and why. Personally, I have about 30% to 35% of my portfolio invested … Read more
When building an investment portfolio, most people focus on an asset allocation that includes two main types of assets: stocks and bonds. While we hear about stocks all the time (thanks to a financial media fixated on the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500), we don’t really hear much about bonds. However, bonds … Read more
Many different financial products can help you achieve your saving and investing goals. Each product is better at meeting specific objectives, while others are better for other purposes. When you start investing, it is a good idea to become familiar with the more common ones. I am an experienced investor, so I know many of … Read more
Are you earning the most from your savings and money market deposit accounts? Savings and MM accounts are the foundation of a strong financial plan, providing you with financial stability as you work to achieve your goals. There are many banks and credit unions that offer savings and money market accounts. This article aims to … Read more
The Dogs of the Dow is a straightforward investment strategy first introduced by Michael B. O’Higgins in his book Beating the Dow. The procedure is very simple. At the end of the year, look at the Dow Jones Industrial Average index, pick the ten stocks with the highest yield, and invest an equal amount of … Read more