Getting Started: Establishing a Financial Safety Net

In times of crisis, you don’t want to be shaking pennies out of a piggy bank. Having a financial safety net in place can ensure that you’re protected when a financial emergency arises. One way to accomplish this is by setting up a cash reserve, a pool of...

Mutual Funds: Building Blocks for a Retirement Portfolio

Diversification–not putting all your eggs in one basket–is one of the most cherished principles of investing. That’s one reason why mutual funds have become a popular choice for many investors’ workplace retirement accounts. They’re an...

Investing for Major Financial Goals

Go out into your yard and dig a big hole. Every month, throw $50 into it, but don’t take any money out until you’re ready to buy a house, send your child to college, or retire. It sounds a little crazy, doesn’t it? But that’s what investing...

Will debt consolidation hurt or help my credit rating?

Answer: Debt consolidation can lead to an improvement in your credit rating by making your debt easier to manage. Sometimes, debt consolidation means taking a loan at a lower interest rate to pay off several smaller loans at higher interest rates. Making one payment...