This post brought to you by Chase. The content and opinions expressed below are that of MoneyNing.
I mentioned last time how rising mortgage rates create an interesting dynamic because while the rates affect monthly payments directly, the higher cost of ownership puts downward pressure on home prices. The recent survey by Chase along with the infographic below shows the math involved, so let’s dive into the numbers today to give you a better picture of what I mean.
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Over the years, I’ve developed a financial philosophy that works for me. Research for the work I do as a financial freelance writer has provided me with the chance to learn about finances, investing, and more. As I’ve learned more about money, I’ve been able to develop my own philosophy and priorities.
However, I’ve also learned that sometimes it’s important to be flexible in your approach. Being open to new ideas of money can help improve your finances and increase your chances of achieving financial success.
When I first starting being more conscious about saving money, one of the first things I tried to do was stop going to Starbucks. It seemed a little ridiculous to be spending so much on a cup of coffee when I could easily make it at home.
Unfortunately though, my efforts didn’t work out very well. I was able to avoid all Starbucks (not easy in NYC!) for about a week and then immediately went back to my old ways.
For me, coffee every morning is essential. It helps me get my day started off right. And I just really enjoy a Starbucks latte. Yes, it’s probably better for my wallet to avoid it altogether. But coffee is my spending vice and one luxury I fit into my budget.
However, a daily trip to Starbucks can get quite expensive. As I tried to minimize my spending and still fit in a cup of coffee, I discovered some great money-saving hacks that can help you at Starbucks, too.
One of my favorite strategies for saving money on baby items is to buy items slightly used. In fact, most of the time, I buy a gently used baby toy, baby equipment, or clothing, use it, then sell it for a small profit.
Since babies tend to grow out of their clothes and toys, it makes sense to avoid buying everything new at a retail store. However, there are baby things you should not buy used. Here are a few baby items that should always be bought new.
Apprenticeships have been around for as long as skilled trades. Traditionally, apprenticeships have been geared toward fields like mechanics, construction, electrical, and engineering, all of which require hands-on training. In the face of skyrocketing unemployment and student loan debt, this fact may be changing for good.
The United States is surprisingly behind the trend toward apprenticeship-based training in expanded fields as European countries like Germany and the U.K. are already way ahead in the game.
So why has it taken so long for the U.S. to jump on the apprenticeship bandwagon? The biggest reason, in my opinion, is the cultural value placed on 4-year degrees from a traditional college or university.
Are you thinking of buying a house sometime soon? Or how about refinancing your student loans? If you’re thinking of doing either, there’s a number you should know aside from the all-important credit score.
It’s your debt-to-income ratio, and it could get in the way of you being able to buy your first home, or refinance your student loans. How?
Your debt-to-income ratio is used in a variety of situations to determine your level of risk as a borrower. If your debt-to-income ratio is too high, your opportunities to make a big purchase (like getting approved for a mortgage) may be limited.
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