March 2025

There are so many small mistakes that one can make that can completely derail any financial plans you might have had in place. By making small, consistent changes, you can avoid making these mistakes and reach your goals faster than you would have. 1. Overspending on Small, Recurring Expenses Small expenses can add up quickly if you allow them to get out of control. A $6 coffee might not seem like much, but having that same coffee every day quickly adds up to $180 each month, and that's if you only buy one per day, which is unlikely. Try being mindful of your spending habits by making your coffee for lunch at home instead of buying it

A lower mortgage rate can mean the difference between saving thousands or overpaying for years. But how do you lock in the best deal? Lenders consider more than just your credit score, and small financial tweaks can lead to big savings. Whether you're a first-time buyer or refinancing, these insider tips will help you secure the lowest rate possible—without the stress. 1. Seller-Paid Discount Points Most buyers focus on lowering their purchase price, but a smarter strategy? Have the seller buy down your mortgage rate instead. By negotiating for seller-paid discount points, you can permanently reduce your interest rate—saving thousands over time. Many sellers are willing to offer concessions, especially in a buyer’s market. Instead of applying

Planning for your retirement is a very important process that involves setting long-term financial goals and taking steps to achieve them. It is important to start this process early, which will allow your savings to grow over time. Retirement planning requires regular reviews and updates to ensure you're on track to meet your goals. Here are five tips that might help you. Step 1: Set Clear Retirement Goals The first step for retirement planning is to define what retirement means to you. Consider if you might want to travel, pursue your hobbies, or downsize your living arrangements. This will help you determine how much you need to save. Breaking retirement into phases, such as active, moderate, and

Personal loans are financial advances provided by banks, which allow individuals to borrow a sum of money to be paid back over a period of time, such as 12 to 24 months, at a fixed interest rate. Unlike mortgages and car loans, personal loans can be taken out for a variety of expenses, such as debt consolidation or funding for major projects or expenses. Personal loans often have higher interest rates than secured loans because they do not require collateral. It's crucial to assess your financial needs to decide if taking a personal loan is wise or risky. Advantages of Personal Loan Personal loans often have fixed interest rates and consistent monthly payments, which can help with

Most people aim for financial security at some point in their lives. Reaching those goals can be challenging at times, but they don't have to be. These simple steps will get you one step closer to reaching your goals in a sustainable way. Start by Identifying Your Financial Goals If you want to start planning your financial future, knowing what it is you want to achieve is essential. Goals can range from paying off credit card debt to saving for a home, retirement, or a child’s education. Having set specific goals can help you achieve those goals. Instead of knowing you need to "save money," having a particular goal like "Save $10,000 for a car deposit". This

Homesteading has come a long way from traditional methods, and technology is playing a huge role in shaping the future of self-sufficiency. From smarter farming tools to energy-efficient solutions, tech is making it easier than ever to live off the land. Ready to take your homestead to the next level? Here are 9 game-changing tech trends every homesteader should know to boost efficiency, sustainability, and success. 1. Drones Redefining Urban Homesteading Forget the rural-only homesteading model. Drones are revolutionizing urban agriculture by managing vertical farms within cityscapes. With AI and IoT sensors, drones help startups like Plenty produce 350x more crops per square foot than traditional farming. The result? A new frontier in hyper-local food production, turning