People love to complain about inflation, but it isn’t some evil force out to drain your bank account. It’s a natural part of the economy, sometimes helpful, sometimes brutal, and almost always misunderstood. Back in 2022, inflation in the U.S. hit 9.1%, the highest in over four decades, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics….
You work hard, put in the hours, and somehow still feel like your bank account is running on fumes. The paycheck comes in, the bills go out, and what’s left barely lasts. Living like this isn’t just stressful, it’s exhausting. A recent study found that 60% of Americans are stuck in this cycle, stretching every…
Buying a house can be intimidating, especially if you need more money to make a down payment. But it doesn’t need to be that way. In my several decades as a landlord and real estate investor, I have purchased more than a dozen homes, with a total of $800 out of pocket. I bought my…
Credit cards are more than just plastic for swiping and paying bills. Hidden perks can save money, protect purchases, and make travel smoother, yet most people never use them. Banks aren’t going to remind you, but that doesn’t mean these benefits aren’t there. Most cardholders focus on points, cash back, or low interest rates, missing…
Remember when a night at the movies or a round of mini-golf didn’t feel like a luxury purchase? Those days are gone. Everything fun now comes with a price tag that makes you double-check your bank account. A recent study by Visa found that Americans are spending more than ever on entertainment. Nearly 13% of…
America is more financially divided than ever. The gap between the rich and poor isn’t just growing, it’s stretching into completely separate realities. Some are building generational wealth while others are barely scraping by. A recent analysis by Investopedia using data from the Federal Reserve confirms just how wide the financial divide has become. Median…
You’ve probably heard people say, “Rates are too high, I’ll wait to buy a house.” That’s nonsense. The truth is, there are always plenty of ways to get a lower interest rate. You just have to know where to look and not believe the headlines. I’ve been a mortgage expert for more than half my…
Boomers didn’t just build wealth, they stacked it. They played the game when the rules were different, and they played it well. While younger generations are stuck with soaring costs and shaky economies, Boomers are sitting on trillions. According to Visual Capitalist, Baby Boomers hold 52% of the nation’s wealth, despite making up just 20%…
Retirement isn’t a one-size-fits-all plan, it’s a personal roadmap to financial freedom. Some want to retire early, others aim for a secure and stress-free future. No matter your goal, the right strategies make all the difference. I know this because I spent over 20 years in Financial Services, specializing in financial planning tools, investments, and…
How to separate or combine accounts with a spouse is a difficult decision. I have a system that has worked well. When we first got married, my wife was rightfully worried about me analyzing all of her purchases. And honestly, she wasn’t wrong to think that. I’m the type who tracks every dollar, but I…
529 plans are way more flexible than people realize, and if you know the rules, there are smart ways to use those funds without getting hit with penalties. Considering that as of June 2024, there were 16.8 million 529 plan accounts in the U.S., holding a total of $508 billion in savings, it’s clear this…
Taxes are a headache. Audits are worse. Nobody wants to deal with the IRS sending a letter, asking for records, and possibly demanding more money. But is an audit something most people should actually worry about? My CPA friend Bo from The Crunch has gone through IRS audit data to separate fact from fiction. Bo…
Ever feel like your money just disappears? It’s not the big splurges that hurt the most, it’s the little habits that drain your account without you noticing. These small leaks add up fast, making it harder to save, invest, or even just breathe easier financially. A study found that 28.2% of Netflix users in the…
Money isn’t just about earning, it’s about keeping it. Some risks are worth taking, but plenty of financial mistakes will cost you more than you realize. The problem is, most people don’t see the damage until it’s too late. A recent survey found that three in five adults have made expensive financial mistakes due to…
Every single day, we make choices that shape our financial future, often without even realizing it. The little choices about what you spend, save, or even ignore might seem minor at the moment, but over time, they add up in ways you can’t imagine. Wealth isn’t about what you earn, but how you manage what…
Wealth isn’t created equally. Some inherit it, guard it, and move through the world like it’s always been theirs. Others earn it, spend it, and make sure everyone knows they made it on their own. A recent study shows that 79% of today’s millionaires built their wealth instead of inheriting it. That’s a massive shift,…
