Let’s say that about a year ago, you bought a car and opted to finance it instead of buying the car in cash. If you didn’t get the best deal on your loan at purchase, you might be able to refinance in order to take advantage of lower interest rates, lower monthly payments, or a shorter loan term. Because refinancing can help save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in interest over the entire … [Read more...] about When and How to Refinance an Auto Loan
Life and Money
Should I Buy a Car with Cash or Take Out a Loan?
Suppose you decide to buy a new car and, after considering whether to buy or lease it, you’ve decided to buy. Now comes your next big decision: should you pay cash for a car or finance it? Once again, there’s no one “right” answer. It truly depends on a few factors, like: The kind of car that fits your needs The cost of that car The cash you have in savings The other things you’d need … [Read more...] about Should I Buy a Car with Cash or Take Out a Loan?
Should I Buy or Lease a Car?
Getting a car is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make, and it’s one that can affect your cash flow for years. Beyond the cost of the car, you’ll have to pay for maintenance, fuel, insurance, and parking. A car can cost you just over $700 per month on average, according to AAA (and that doesn’t include depreciation). When it comes to the buying vs. leasing debate, I lean towards … [Read more...] about Should I Buy or Lease a Car?
The Best Financial Tools, Apps, and Calculators I Recommend All the Time
Managing and automating your finances has never been easier. There are so many online and mobile tools available (most for free!) that setting yourself up for financial success involves little more than 30 minutes of set-up and a few minutes of monitoring a month. You’re more likely to meet your financial goals if those goals are specific and actionable. Online tools, apps, and calculators put … [Read more...] about The Best Financial Tools, Apps, and Calculators I Recommend All the Time
My Favorite Online Experts
Helping a client with their financial plan involves a lot of conversations about numerical data. We chat about their current net worth, their debts, the amount they have in savings, and their financial goals like buying a home or retiring. My clients are in a phase of life that comes with a ton of change -- they’re completing their educations, moving to new cities, starting businesses, buying … [Read more...] about My Favorite Online Experts
Personal Finance Blogs and Podcasts to Add to Your List
Summer’s a quiet time for financial planners. Lots of clients worry about money in January after setting New Year’s resolutions, or in April when taxes are due. For now, everyone’s going on vacation! But summer is a great time to learn about personal finance. You’ve got time to fill on long flights, after all! And when you head into the winter and start thinking about what goals you’d like to set … [Read more...] about Personal Finance Blogs and Podcasts to Add to Your List