Debt can be scary, overwhelming, and isolating. When all you can afford is the minimum payment on a high-interest-rate credit card, it’s too easy to believe that you will never get out of the red.

Where can you turn for debt help? Here’s a debt elimination tip that you shouldn’t overlook: The answer might be the creditors themselves. They have the same goal in mind — helping you find the best and quickest strategies to pay down your debt.

Are you one of the many individuals who are taking charge of their careers by choosing to become self-employed?

If so, you need to take charge of your record keeping (especially for tax purposes), and that process can be a bit daunting. Here are some tips that will help you achieve the best financial outcome and ease the pressures of tax season.

Tax planning is not always simple or straightforward, but there are a variety of affordable products that can help guide you through the process and make it as efficient as possible.

These five top-rated tax-planning products can help you navigate your tax-filing journey, allowing you to reach the best outcome for your individual financial and business goals.

There’s something slightly grand and sinister about the word “landlord,” harking back to medieval days of feudal serfdom when the lord lived off the fat of the land and the toil of the peasants.

These days, though, landlords are half of a mutually beneficial relationship that can earn them a nice income.

But how do you become a landlord, and what are the most efficient ways of earning money through rental properties?

Paying off debt is hard. If you have a little extra time, energy, creativity and motivation, you should strongly consider starting a side hustle.

Most of us have some debt. But there’s good debt and there’s bad debt.

Taking out a mortgage or student loan are examples of good debt because both will generate money over time.

Credit card debt is an example of bad debt. And most of us have it.

Taxes can be a headache, so if you’re always looking for tools to make them easier, we don’t blame you. An online tax calculator might be the answer.

However, don’t wait to calculate your taxes until the night before April 15. To avoid any nasty surprises, it’s good to think about taxes year-round and make a point of regularly estimating how much you might owe. 

This is where an online tax calculator can help. This tool can save you a lot of time estimating the amount of money you might owe.

Here are four of the best free tax calculators.

A dividend is a return on your investment paid out at intervals throughout the year, typically on a quarterly cycle, by the company in which you purchased shares.

Established, financially secure companies are more likely to issue dividends, an indication that funds are plentiful and that the company is able to both reinvest in its operations and reward shareholders.

Many investors put their money into dividend-paying stocks because they offer a significantly better return than bonds, and they are typically not high-risk investments.

Mortgage interest rates fluctuate often, which can make it frustrating for homebuyers to snag their ideal rate at closing time. This is where a mortgage rate lock comes in.

Locking in your interest rate can save you the stress of losing a great rate while you wait to close on your mortgage. 

Generally, the benefits far outweigh the risks, but working closely with your loan officer will help you make the right moves.

If you’re saddled with significant debt, you might wonder if refinancing your mortgage to pay off debt is a good idea.

Millions of Americans are dealing with consumer debt—estimated to have increased to $15.31 trillion in the third quarter (or Q3) of 2021, an increase of 5.4% or $772 billion.

And consumer debt is not the only kind they have to figure out how to repay. 

An overwhelming majority of older adults want to remain in their homes as they age. A survey by AARP found that 77% of adults 50 and older want to age in place. Other surveys have found that the percentage is even higher—nearly 90%.

It’s one thing to want to age in place. It’s another thing altogether to actually be able to make it work. That’s because there are several financial factors that can jeopardize adults’ ability to remain in their homes as long as possible. In fact, without adequate financial security and safeguards, living independently at home isn’t possible.

It’s important to understand the financial risks that can make it difficult to age in place and to take steps to reduce those risks.