If there’s one thing I don’t recommend, it’s buying stock on margin. Due to the volatility of stocks and high margin interest rates, borrowing money to buy stocks is a bad idea. Conversely, I’m not opposed to buying a home on margin, namely through a mortgage, if buying follows a homebuying guideline like the 30/30/3 […]
Bought Stock On Margin At A 12.575% Interest Rate And Survived Read More »
Money is great, but it can also create awkwardness among friends, colleagues, or even strangers. In this post, I want to share an awkward money situation that dragged on for months. In the end, the money situation was resolved. However, it made me realize that we personal finance enthusiasts are an unusual bunch. It also
An Awkward Money Situation Reveals An Uncomfortable Truth Read More »
One of the concerns about the resumption of student loan payments is that it could tank the U.S. economy. Paying back student loans may cause consumers to reduce spending to the point of causing another recession. About 43.4 million Americans have federal student loans, collectively amounting to $1.63 trillion of debt, according to the National
Why Student Loan Repayments Won’t Tank The Economy Read More »
After a three-year COVID pause, student loan interest resumed starting on Sept. 1, 2023, and payments started in October,” according to the Department Of Education. Given the pandemic was officially declared over on May 11, 2023, it makes sense that student loan debt should start to be paid back. But of course, not everyone agrees. Some
Entitlement Mentality Is A Sneaky Wealth Destroyer Read More »
Not raising the debt ceiling could cause another sell-off in the stock market. If so, history has shown it is worth buying the dip as politicians eventually agree to raise the debt ceiling limit and curb some spending. However, have you ever wondered why the government doesn’t spend more responsibly? After all, we individuals are
Debt Ceiling Debacle: Why Not Just Spend More Responsibly? Read More »
Have you ever wondered what the ideal income is to live a comfortable life before retirement and after retirement? Well, look no further than the student loan forgiveness income threshold of $125,000 per individual and $250,000 per married couple. On August 24, 2022, President Biden unveiled a plan to cancel up to $10,000 tax-free in
Why The Ideal Income Is The Student Loan Forgiveness Income Threshold Read More »
Lending money out or asking to borrow funds from friends and family can be quite a conundrum. One of my tennis buddies told me a funny story about borrowing money from his parents. He was 28 at the time and asked for a $30,000 loan to buy a condominium. Since his parents had the spare
Lending Money To Friends And Family: How To Determine When It’s OK Read More »
Even if the Fed hikes rates, it may have little impact on borrowing costs for mortgages. In general, the Fed is behind the curve when it comes to hiking rates. And that’s understandable. The Fed would rather be a little too slow in hiking rates than a little too fast in order to help our
Why Fed Rate Hikes Will Have Little Impact On Borrowing Costs Read More »
As a homeowner with a mortgage, the holy grail is having a mortgage rate below the 10-year bond yield. When you have this situation, it’s like living for free and you should not pay down extra principal. If you had the money, you could invest an amount equal to your mortgage into a 10-year Treasury
Negative Real Mortgage Rates Means Don’t Pay Down Extra Principal Read More »
The average credit score in America is now 715 according to Experian in 2025. Back in 2019, the average credit score was 703. Hence, the average credit score has been inching up over time as household balance sheets strengthen and the excess of the past fade. During a global pandemic, the average American improved their
The Average Credit Score In America Is Now Excellent Read More »
