2024-10-26
What Is PMI and How to Avoid It (Down Payment Strategies)
Private Mortgage Insurance protects the lender, not you. Learn how much it costs, when it's required, and 3 ways to get rid of it.
Read more →Latest Financial Insights
Expert advice to help you make smarter financial decisions.
2024-10-26
What Is FICA? Social Security & Medicare Explained
Why is 7.65% missing from every paycheck? We explain FICA taxes and where that money goes.
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States With No Income Tax: Pros, Cons, and Take-Home Pay
Moving to Texas or Florida could boost your paycheck by 5-10%. We rank the no-income-tax states and the hidden costs to watch for.
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Should You Refinance Your Mortgage? A Break-Even Guide
Refinancing can lower your rate and payment, but closing costs matter. Learn how to calculate your break-even point before you sign.
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Salary vs Hourly: Which Is Better for You?
Stability vs. Overtime. We compare the pros and cons of salaried and hourly employment to help you negotiate.
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Mortgage Payment Breakdown: P&I vs Taxes vs Insurance vs HOA
Your mortgage check covers more than just your loan. We decode PITI and explain where every dollar goes.
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How to Read an Amortization Schedule (And Why It Matters)
Demystify the amortization table. Learn why your early payments are mostly interest and how to flip the script.
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How to Increase Your Take-Home Pay (Legally)
You don't always need a raise to get more money. Here are 5 actionable ways to boost your net pay today.
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How to Calculate Take-Home Pay (Gross vs Net Explained)
Why is your paycheck smaller than your salary? We explain the journey from Gross Pay to Net Pay.
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How Much House Can I Afford? Rules of Thumb (28/36) Explained
Don't become 'house poor.' Use the 28/36 rule to find a monthly mortgage payment that fits your budget comfortably.
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How Extra Mortgage Payments Reduce Interest (With Examples)
See the math behind extra principal payments. Learn how a small additional contribution can save you tens of thousands of dollars.
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How 401(k) Contributions Affect Your Paycheck
Saving for retirement lowers your take-home pay, but less than you think. Learn how pre-tax contributions save you money.
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Common Paycheck Mistakes: Withholding, Deductions, and Surprises
Is your paycheck wrong? Learn to spot the 5 most common payroll errors that cost employees money.
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Common Mortgage Mistakes That Cost Thousands (And How to Avoid Them)
From ignoring your credit score to buying too much house, these are the 5 pitfalls that trap new homeowners.
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Closing Costs Explained: What You Pay When Buying or Refinancing
Closing costs can add thousands to your home purchase. We break down what they are, how much to budget, and what you can negotiate.
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Biweekly vs Monthly Mortgage Payments: Which Saves More?
Discover how switching to biweekly mortgage payments can save you thousands in interest and pay off your loan years earlier.
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Biweekly Paycheck vs Semimonthly Pay: What’s the Difference?
26 checks vs. 24 checks. It sounds similar, but the difference affects your budgeting and those 'magic' 3-paycheck months.
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After-Tax Income: Why It’s Lower Than You Expect
Feel like you are losing too much to taxes? Learn about effective tax rates, marginal brackets, and withholdings.
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$25 an Hour Is How Much a Year? (Full Breakdown)
Convert $25/hour to annual salary, monthly pay, and weekly checks. See the impact of taxes and overtime.
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15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgage: Costs, Tradeoffs, and Breakdowns
Is the lower rate of a 15-year loan worth the higher monthly payment? We crunch the numbers to help you decide.
Read more →2024-03-15
How to Calculate Mortgage Payments with Taxes and Insurance
Learn how to accurately estimate your monthly mortgage payments including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI).
Read more →2024-03-14
Bi-Weekly vs Monthly Mortgage Payments: Which is Better?
Discover how bi-weekly payments can save you thousands in interest and help you pay off your mortgage years faster.
Read more →2024-03-13
The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Amortization Schedules
Learn how to read an amortization schedule and understand exactly where your monthly mortgage payment goes.
Read more →2024-03-12
How Much House Can I Afford on a $50k Salary?
Find out how much home you can realistically afford with a $50,000 annual income, considering current interest rates and debt-to-income ratios.
Read more →2024-03-11
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): What It Is and How to Avoid It
Learn what PMI is, how much it costs, and strategies to avoid paying this extra monthly fee on your mortgage.
Read more →2024-03-10
How to Pay Off Your 30-Year Mortgage in 15 Years
Discover strategies to accelerate your mortgage payoff and become debt-free in half the time.
Read more →2024-03-09
Fixed vs Adjustable Rate Mortgages: Pros and Cons
Compare Fixed-Rate Mortgages (FRM) and Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARM) to decide which is right for your financial situation.
Read more →2024-03-08
What is a Good Debt-to-Income Ratio for a Mortgage?
Understand DTI requirements for different loan types and learn how to improve your ratio to qualify for a better mortgage.
Read more →2024-03-07
Closing Costs Explained: What to Expect When Buying a Home
A breakdown of common closing costs for home buyers, including appraisal fees, title insurance, and origination charges.
Read more →2024-03-06
How Interest Rates Affect Your Buying Power
See the dramatic impact that even a small change in interest rates can have on how much home you can afford.
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