If you’re sadly looking at your portfolio and wondering what happened, you aren’t alone. Inflation has hurt a lot of portfolios because businesses are struggling to stay afloat. The higher the costs get, the harder it is for companies to be profitable, which hurts stock prices. 

If you’re only invested in the stock market, you could be doing yourself a disservice. During high inflationary times like now, it’s best to diversify your portfolio and the best way to do it is by investing in real estate. 

As people get older, many must begin to rely more upon their children for care and support. Even the most independent retirees often chat with their kids to discuss finances, medical concerns, and housing plans for their golden years. Some people wait until they experience an accident or health scare to share their plans with loved ones, while others put off these conversations until it is too late.

People with aging parents (or retirees with adult children) should be proactive about discussing these difficult topics and life decisions. If you are an adult with aging parents, consider sitting down with them to discuss retirement planning, estate planning, and their wishes regarding housing and end-of-life care. 

Think back to the last time you went to a doctor’s office or medical facility. You likely were asked to name an emergency contact, and you probably didn’t hesitate to write down the name of your significant other, a family member, or a friend. 

It makes sense to have someone medical personnel can get in touch with if something happens to you. After all, this can ensure your well-being. 

But what about your financial well-being? If your financial institutions and advisors asked you to name a trusted contact, would you be willing to provide the name of someone they could reach out to if they were concerned about activity in your account and couldn’t reach you?

It’s a seller’s market out there. 

Impulse buys happen to all of us. You’re in a store or on a shopping website, and you see something you really want to buy. It’s a new release of software you own, an expensive pair of shoes marked down to half price, or a miter saw that will work way better than the 15-year-old one you currently own.

You know you want it. Do you need it, though? You’ve already pledged to save money for an emergency fund. This purchase will make a dent in that fund.

When you retire, do you plan on doing one or more of the following?

• Travel the world and explore exotic locales
• Spoil your grandchildren
• Relax in your beach house or mountain cabin
• Live comfortably until you pass away

Internally, we all have big dreams for that day when we finally step down from our job and step into a life of leisure in our golden years.

f you’re a veteran, active duty service member, or surviving spouse, you have specific mortgage loan options available to you.

VA loans are offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

They can be used to build or purchase a home, refinance a mortgage, or make repairs. And they offer numerous benefits to borrowers.

Learn more about the VA loan types available to you, the benefits, and how to qualify.

If you have a credit card, chances are you’ve gotten a letter or email encouraging you to check your FICO credit score. 

But what is this score, and where does it come from?

Depending on the types of credit you have, you likely have multiple FICO scores. 

Mortgage lenders check these scores to evaluate your creditworthiness when you are looking to buy a home or refinance.

Learn why mortgage lenders look at your credit scores, how they use them, and which scores your lender may use when applying for a mortgage or refinancing.

So you’ve decided to put away some savings. Great choice. It’s never too soon to start.

A lot of Americans don’t have any savings, and many don’t have enough to last them through their retirement years, so you’re smart to make this decision.

But where should you put the money? Here’s how you can make good choices.

Even novice investors know that the key to investing is ensuring you’re not putting all your eggs in one basket.

Diversifying your portfolio allows you to hold a mix of low-risk, stable ventures alongside higher-risk investments that could produce significantly larger returns.

For those new to investing, mutual funds are an excellent place to start.