Money Tips Network

Mortgage Escrow Account: Pros and Cons

If you own a home and are making monthly payments, you have probably read over the breakdown of your monthly mortgage charges once or twice. Your mortgage payment likely breaks out your monthly payment into three parts: principal, interest and funds that go to your escrow account. While you likely know that the principal is […]

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The Best Pay-Per-Mile Car Insurance Companies

Wouldn’t it be nice to pay for a service only when you used it? That’s exactly what usage-based auto insurance is. Getting low mileage insurance lets you pay less by only paying for the miles you use. It’s the perfect way to cut costs without getting rid of coverage.  Choosing the right car insurance can […]

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The Best Long Term Personal Loan Options

If you need extra cash to renovate your home, purchase a new car or pay off debt, a long-term loan can be a good solution. While some borrowers only need 12 to 24 months to pay off a personal loan, some people may need longer terms to fully take advantage of personal loan. This is […]

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Here’s Why 41% of Americans Might Switch Their Insurance This Year

The coronavirus pandemic created a slew of challenges for insurance companies when reviewing and paying out policies. But for some insurers, outdated systems highlighted how unprepared they were to cope with high volumes of online users.  “The crisis rapidly unraveled and exposed the shortcomings of companies. The crucial need to reduce costs and maximize the […]

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The Best $50K Loans Options

Much as we try, we can’t always prepare for life’s challenges. There are some events in life that can demand more of you financially than you are able to give. Personal loans have become increasingly popular during coronavirus, with more and more Americans looking to personal loans in order to make the bills and keep […]

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Where You Can Open a Roth IRA and Other Reader Questions, Answered

Roth IRAs are a powerful retirement investment vehicle accessible to almost all Americans, but the specifics of how to start and use one can be a little tricky. Knowing the difference between a Roth IRA and a 401(k) is a great starting point, here are three questions from readers on some of the details of […]

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The Pump-and-Dump Stock Scam, Explained

Investing in the stock market is a risky endeavor. Not only does it come with the inherent risk of investing in stocks and their fluctuating value, but the stock market is also a place where scams can take place, fooling and ripping off the unaware. One of the most historically popular of these scams is […]

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More Americans are Using Retirement Savings to Cover Expenses

Twenty-twenty has taken its toll on the average retirement savings, according to a new study by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine and Personal Capital, an online financial advisor. More than half of Americans are dipping into their savings, with 60 percent using their IRAs and 401(k)s to get them through the difficulties they are facing from […]

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Tax filing lessons courtesy of 2020

I thought I filed my 2019 business taxes on time. This week I got a belated surprise from 2020 …

It's plainly obvious that 2020 was a tough year.

Things got rough in most of the US around February / March. Social distancing and gathering restrictions happened very quickly and many normal business and government activities slowed, sometimes to a crawl.

It started around tax time

In Virginia, our governor instituted his first executive order dealing with COVID-19 on March 23rd, 2020, which is right in the middle of tax time.

The Best $20K Loans Options

There are times in life when you just need a little extra cash, and a personal loan can fit the bill. Perhaps, you’ve sprung a leak in the home or need to consolidate mounting debt. Your child’s tuition assistance may not have come through yet, or perhaps you need an extra boost to get through […]

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Mortgage Rates Hit Another 50-Year Low. Should You Buy?

The average 30-year mortgage rate broke record lows (again) at 2.65%, according to Freddie Mac. This marks the 22 weeks in a row that the average rate has been under 3% and the 17th time records have been broken since the start of 2020. Three of the records were broken in December alone. In response […]

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How to Negotiate Mortgage Closing Costs

Before you close on your mortgage, consider negotiating closing costs and save yourself some cash.

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How Do You Know You’re Ready to Buy Your First Home?

Owning your own home has long been a touchstone of the American Dream. It represents a certain level of independence, a place that provides shelter for you and your family and the memories you create there, and it also builds value over time. That dream often comes to the forefront in people’s lives once they […]

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The Common Types of Personal Loans, Explained

A personal loan is money you borrow from a bank, credit union, online lender or another financial institution to use for a variety of reasons. It offers flexible repayment terms and fixed monthly payments. Nearly all personal loans are unsecured, which means you are not required to provide collateral. The best personal loans come with […]

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The Best Home and Auto Insurance Bundles of 2021

The best home and auto insurance bundles Here are some of the best bundle offers from insurance companies: Best Customer Support: Progressive Best Coverage Options: State Farm Best for Discounts: Allstate Best for Military Members: USAA Note that some of these offers may not be available in every state. Some states might also have additional […]

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FHA Mortgages for Bad Credit: What You Need to Know

Wondering if FHA loans for bad credit exist? Or, if there are bad credit home loans in general? Today might be your lucky day. If you’re looking to buy your first house, then it’s likely you’ll be considering an FHA loan, which is ideal for first-time homebuyers. When buying a home, the lender or bank […]

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Do I Need Proof of Insurance to Rent a Car?

Do you need to show proof of insurance when renting a car? The short answer is no, but there’s more to the story. Read on to find out more.

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The Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in Florida of 2021

We know you want to find out which homeowners insurance companies are the best, so we’ll get right to it. Great Overall: State Farm Great for Damage Amount: USAA Great for Bundling: Allstate Great for Low Rates: Universal Property Casualty (UPC) Great for Customer Service: St. Johns Insurance Great Locally Based Provider: Florida Peninsula Insurance […]

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Better Mortgage Review

New York City-based online mortgage lender Better.com may be a younger lender, having started in 2016, but it’s certainly not growing slowly. While other companies were laying off workers in droves because of the pandemic, Better.com hired some of those displaced employees, having brought on at least 1,000 workers in early spring. The online-only mortgage […]

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Hate the Stock Market? Consider the Best Low-Risk Investment Options, Instead

Investing is a financial topic that fills a lot of people with uncertainty. Sometimes, this uncertainty comes from simply not knowing the basics of investing. At other times, that sense of uncertainty comes from the fear of risk, of losing your hard-earned money in an investment. One way out of the fear of losing your […]

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