My quest to get our mortgage refinanced started off with great promise – like a hot air balloon up and off into the sky. But … it didn’t take long for it to come crashing back down onto the ground. Here are my experiences this week: Local Mortgage Company: The first place I called was a local mortgage company that was recommended to me by my neighbor. I have a very strategic reason for choosing this company: • My neighbor and I have the same exact model house. Our neighborhood is a new-build subdivision built around 8 years ago. My neighbor is also getting a home appraisal right now and that will give me a very good idea about what my house is worth (say to +/- 10%). After answering some initial questions, the agent gave me three … [Read more...] about Adventures in Refinancing, Chapter 2
Personal Finance
Adventures in Refinancing, Chapter 1
I’ve recently decided that I should take a hard look into getting a home refinance loan. Home interest rates are the lowest they have ever been in history and I need to take advantage of this opportunity before it is too late. However, the road may not be easy given how much I still owe on my house and what I think it is worth. I feel a lot of people are probably in this situation and curious about what options they may have. With that said, hopefully you find this series of posts useful towards your own efforts. … [Read more...] about Adventures in Refinancing, Chapter 1
Help! I’ve Got 401k Questions! – Your Complete 401k Guide
Let me be the first to say “Congratulations”! Despite the intimidating packet of papers you need to review and fill out as well as the dozen 401k questions you probably have, this is a great opportunity for you! Not only will you be starting down the road to financial freedom (in other words: retirement), but you'll also be given the opportunity to make FREE MONEY! Yes, I said free money! Why is it free? 1) The money you put away comes out of your paycheck BEFORE taxes and it grows tax free until you retire! 2) Your company will likely (as a lot of companies often do) kick in a little bit extra cash in addition to the money you plan to put away. Who wouldn’t take a little extra money for free! Without further ado, let's see if we can … [Read more...] about Help! I’ve Got 401k Questions! – Your Complete 401k Guide
Trying Out “The Big Secret” Stock Picking Strategy
Just admit it. You do it. I do it too. I’m talking about reading a book with reasonable advice and then never acting on any of it. Not even for a test run. It’s not that we’re lazy or not smart enough to carry it through. It’s just that for some reason it’s really hard to make that leap of faith and act on what we know we should be doing. Well, there’s always a time to start. This summer, I read the book “The Big Secret for the Small Investor” by Joel Greenblatt because I was interested in stepping up my stock picking game. If you’d like to read my book review, click here. In Part “A” of Greenblatt’s “Big Secret” plan, he concludes that: … [Read more...] about Trying Out “The Big Secret” Stock Picking Strategy
Honoring the Decade Anniversary of 9/11
On the decade anniversary of 9/11, there is no greater topic I can think to write about than to honor the memory of those who lost their lives on that horrific day. I remember that morning very clearly as I’m sure most people do. It was the most unthinkable course of events – something I would have never imagined would happen in my lifetime. But it did, and it changed things forever. I can only wonder how the families of those who have fallen have coped for the past 10 years. … [Read more...] about Honoring the Decade Anniversary of 9/11
Book Review: “The Little Book of Big Dividends” by Charles B. Carlson
If you think that putting your money into bonds or CD’s is the only way to hedge against the roller-coaster ride of the stock market, think again! Author Charles Carlson demonstrates that an age old benefit of owning stocks called “dividends” can be used to create a stream of income and protect against market conditions. Right now if you asking yourself “what is a dividend?”, then this is the right book for you. “The Little Book of Big Dividends” is a great introduction for anyone looking to get acquainted with dividends and how they relate to stocks. The material is easy to read and it is not overly equation-heavy (except for the Appendix) or preachy on risky investments. In fact, Carlson’s advice is very modest and follows the lines of … [Read more...] about Book Review: “The Little Book of Big Dividends” by Charles B. Carlson
Book Review: “The Big Secret for the Small Investor” by Joel Greenblatt
Click the image to visit Amazon.comPersonality. Sarcasm. Normally I don’t use entertaining words to describe personal finance books, but this one embodies those qualities. In this very brief read by Joel Greenblatt (an investment company owner and professor at the Columbia Business School), Greenblatt colorfully lays out his arguments and foundation for his two part (A and B) investment plan which he refers to as his “Big Secret”. … [Read more...] about Book Review: “The Big Secret for the Small Investor” by Joel Greenblatt
