Blog Posts

7 Things To Consider Before Selling (and 7 Things to Do Now!)

April 20, 2020 By Greg Phelps, CFP Leave a Comment
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One question that I get asked often in times of major market declines like the one we are in is, “Is it time to sell?”. It’s easy to say “NO!” but there’s a much lengthier discussion to be had.

Over the last month and a half or so we have essentially grounded to an economic halt here in the United States and globally. There is a lot of fear and anxiety.

Times like these when you look on the screen and you see the Dow down 10% and the next day it’s up 5% can be very frustrating. I get it!

The frustration is normal, although, freaking out is not! And what I mean by freaking out, is effectively saying, “Hey, I have to get out of the market, I have to sell everything.”

You’re faced with this overwhelming desire to just “stop the pain” because that’s the way that our brains work. You end up being faced with three decisions.

Boring Investing Strategies RULE! (How My 529 Plan Survived the Crash)

April 14, 2020 By Kathy G Mills Leave a Comment
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The economic tumult brought on by COVID-19 reminds us, once again, that trying to time the market is a fool’s errand. Following the zigs and zags of stock values during the first quarter of 2020 was like watching a high-speed Wimbledon match; you risked giving yourself financial whiplash. And trying to time your trading to profitably coincide with those zigs and zags? Impossible.

So what can you do in a topsy-turvy market that has spun out of control? How can you maximize your gains and limit your losses? For me, the answer is simple. I do what I always do; I stick to my plan.

Having an Investment Strategy is Crucial to Building Wealth!

Successful investing isn’t about predicting market trends. It isn’t about bobbing and weaving in an effort to constantly “buy low and sell high.” And it definitely isn’t about following stock charts daily and reacting to economic news as it happens. In fact, when done correctly, investing can be a remarkably hands-off activity. The best investors stick to just three basic rules to ensure that they come out ahead. [Read more…] about Boring Investing Strategies RULE! (How My 529 Plan Survived the Crash)

Why Right Now May Be the Time to Join the FIRE Movement

March 26, 2020 By Jackie 6 Comments
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The FIRE movement has its share of haters.

And honestly, I don’t get it. (Much.)

Sure, the biggest objections are understandable:

People don’t want to retire early and sit on their rear doing nothing.
It can seem out of reach for many people.
People don’t want to live waaaaay below their means and never do anything fun.

So let’s tackle those things one at a time. Doing so will help explain why right this very moment — with all the economic upheaval and ongoing problems — might be the exact right time to join the FIRE movement. [Read more…] about Why Right Now May Be the Time to Join the FIRE Movement

Rakuten Review: An Easy Way to Put Money Back in Your Pocket

March 23, 2020 By Josh Patoka Leave a Comment
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We strive to provide you with valuable information and resources. Opinions are from the author alone, not from any advertiser or partner. Many or all products featured here are from partners, and we earn from qualifying purchases/signups.

Are you looking for an effortless way to make extra money from your daily habits? Rakuten is one of the easiest ways to put some money back into your pocket when shopping online, and this Rakuten review will show you how.

This online shopping tool is free and lets you earn cashback at over 2,500 retailers. You don’t have to spend time answering surveys or possess a unique skill. As long as you can shop online, you can earn cash rewards.

I have personally been using Rakuten (previously known as Ebates) since 2015. It’s my favorite shopping app because it’s easy to use compared to other online shopping apps.

And as of right now, you can get a $10 cash bonus with your first $25+ online purchase by joining Rakuten. [Read more…] about Rakuten Review: An Easy Way to Put Money Back in Your Pocket

Clueless at 40 to Financially Independent by 50

February 2, 2020 By EFI Leave a Comment
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Can you go from clueless at 40 to financially independent in less than 10 years? We are. And, we’ll do it as two public educators, not doctors or investment bankers.

We aren’t quite there yet, but here’s how we’ve turned things around and why I’m confident we’ll get there.

If you’ve just started paying attention to your finances in your 30s, 40s, or even 50s it’s not too late. No doubt your situation is different, but you’re aware now and that matters. Ours is just one story – you can write your own!

Our First Twenty Years

We Started Out Broke

We started out as two new teachers, more than $100,000 in debt thanks to student loans and consumer debt from our college years. We then bought a house on a zero down mortgage and jumped into our careers. Living the American dream! [Read more…] about Clueless at 40 to Financially Independent by 50