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• Planning for Retirement While You’re in the Military
  Whether or not you, or your spouse, are considering a full career in the military, it is important to think about, prepare and plan for your retirement years. While it can seem like it is very far off and your everyday needs and wants are more important, starting to save for retirement now – even in
• I don't really need to worry about saving and investing enough now for my retirement. If it isn't enough, I'll just have to keep working no matter how old I am.
  Regardless of whether you have saved enough money to retire, it is very likely that at some point in your life you simply either will not be able to work or there will be no work opportunities. Yes, people are working at jobs later into life, delaying retirement or gradually working their way into f
• Getting Married
  Scenario: Jennifer and Kevin are a newly engaged couple, living in Colorado, beginning to plan their wedding. Jennifer is a 25-year-old teacher earning 28,000 a year.. Scenario: Jennifer and Kevin are a newly engaged couple, living in Colorado, beginning to plan their wedding. Jennifer is a 2
• Retirement Planning Worksheet
  OBVIOUSLY, DECIDING how much money you need for retirement is a highly personal calculation. It depends on any number of factors, from your current lifestyle to your general state of health to whether you plan to retire early.. OBVIOUSLY, DECIDING how m
• Which IRA Is Best?
  IRAs offer you a way to create tax-advantaged retirement savings. But with three flavors to choose from - Roth, deductible or nondeductible - figuring out which IRA is the most appropriate for your retirement savings and investment plan can be confusing.. IRAs offer you a way to c
• Ready to Buy a Home
  Scenario: Malcolm and Gayle are a young couple living in Iowa. Both have full-time jobs earning a combined annual salary of 80,000.. Scenario: Malcolm and Gayle are a young couple living in Iowa. Both have full-time jobs earning a combined annual salary of 80,000. Their main monthl
• Retirement
  Do you have a plan for your retirement?  Whether you are a few years or a few decades away from leaving the workforce it’s never too late begin making choices to ensure that you have the resources you’ll need to enjoy your retirement years. Although retirement planning can seem complicated there are
• Create or Update Your Wills
  While no one particularly likes to think about their eventual death, it is incredibly important that both you and your spouse have wills drawn up to specify what you want to happen when you pass away. It is estimated that nearly 70% of all adults die without a will.. While no one particularly
• Borrowing Against Your Retirement Savings
  While experts don’t recommend tapping into your retirement savings for any reason- because you are putting savings and potential interest and growth opportunities at risk- you may be considering this as one of your only options. Before you do anything, let’s look at what’s involved in borrowing agai
• Financial Issues and Concerns
  One of the top reasons that most families give for merging households is economic pressure and an inability to afford more than one household. This situation is compounded if families are suddenly faced with an additional setback such as a divorce or a family member getting ill, losing a job or beco
• Steps to Take in Your 30s and 40s
  At this stage of your life you have probably settled into a career and have a few thoughts about where you would like to be personally, professionally and financially in your future. This is also a stage where you may begin making some significant choices and investments such as returning to school
• The Retirees
  Scenario: Roy and Helen are both 67, retired, and live in West Virginia in the same house they raised their kids. Their kids and 4 grandchildren just live down the road from them.. Scenario: Roy and Helen are both 67, retired, and live in West Virginia in the same house they raise
• The Young Couple
  Scenario: Marcus and Julie, both 27, live in Tennessee and have been married for a year. Julie is in nursing school and also works part-time as a nursing assistant at a local hospital.. Scenario: Marcus and Julie, both 27, live in Tennessee and have been married for a year. Julie is in
• I have a pretty good budget, but....
  Ultimately, you'll need to decide for yourself what financial goals are most critical for you to reach. Everyone's financial planning methods are different…personal.. o decide for yourself what financial goals are most critical for you to reach. Everyone's financial planning methods are different…personal. Following
• Asset Allocator
  ASSET ALLOCATION is a crucial first step in creating a well-diversified portfolio. The worksheet below will help you tailor your asset mix to your own particular needs.. ASSET ALLOCATION is a crucial first step in creating a well-diversified portfolio. The worksheet bel
• Should You Borrow from Your 401(k) or 403(b)?
  These days more than 85% of workers with 401(k)s can borrow money from their retirement plans. And a growing portion of 403(b) plan participants can too.. These days more than 85% of workers with 401(k)s can borrow money from their retirement plans. And a growing portion of 403(b
• Work and Child Care
  Perhaps the biggest question facing soon-to-be parents is what they will do regarding their current employment and caring for their newborn. If both you and your spouse are working to earn an income, you’ll need to figure out how you will care for your child until s/he is school-age..
• Investing
  Many of us do not think of ourselves as investors. We may have created a budget and watch our spending; we may have savings accounts—or even a checking account that earns interest – but we may not have begun investing our savings because we haven’t mentally crossed the line from being a saver to bei
• Grandparent with Grandchild
  Scenario: Olivia is 72 year old retired widow living in Nevada on her Social Security benefit and her husband’s pension. She has always lived modestly and was sure she would be okay in retirement.. Scenario: Olivia is 72 year old retired widow living in Nevada on her Social Security benefit and he
• Caring for Dad
  Scenario: Bill is 54, married with 2 kids and living in Michigan. His father, John, a widower, suffered a stroke 6 months ago and had to be moved to a nursing home.. Scenario: Bill is 54, married with 2 kids and living in Michigan. His father, John, a widower, suffered a stroke 6 months ago
• A Divorcee
  Scenario: Jill is a 30 year old public relations assistant living in Massachusetts. She is in the process of getting a divorce from her husband of 4 years.. Scenario: Jill is a 30 year old public relations assistant living in Massachusetts. She is in the process of getting a divorc
• Saving
  Saving money is not something that we, as Americans, are very good at. In fact the U.. hing that we, as Americans, are very good at. In fact the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that America’s personal savings rate is the lowest in the industrialized world. .Saving money is a critical habit to develop a
• A Widow
  Scenario: Marilyn is a 51-year old widow, living in Delaware, supporting two teenagers. When her husband died unexpectedly, she had to return to the work force full-time.. Scenario: Marilyn is a 51-year old widow, living in Delaware, supporting two teenagers. When her husband died unexpectedly, s
• Financial Planning for Unmarried Couples
  Emily and Roberto had both weathered difficult first marriages but after dating for a year they were confident enough about the relationship to move in together. They’re both quick to fend off questions from well meaning friends about when they. Emily and Roberto had bot
• Investing
  One of the most common questions single women have as they begin taking control of their finances is “how do I become an investor? Too often women are under the wrong impression that there is some sort of “one size fits all” way to invest. There isn’t.. estions single women have as they begin taking con
• Taking Control and Financial Tools
  Personal financial planning can seem like an intimidating topic to tackle. However it’s important to feel like you have a basic grasp on how to manage money so that you can reach important life goals.. Personal financial planning can seem like an intimidating topic to tackle. 
• SmartMoney 401(k) Planner
  The goal of participating in your employer’s 401(k) retirement savings program is that it will grow over time so that when you’re ready to retire you’ll have the money you need to do so. Our 401(k) calculator can help you see how your retirement savings will grow — and how long you can expect that m
• How Long Will My Money Last?
  IT SEEMS these days that everybody wants to retire by the age of 45. Is it just wishful thinking? Our calculator will help you figure how long your investments will last.. IT SEEMS these days that everybody wants to retire by the age of 45. Is it just wishful thinking? Ou
• The Single Woman
  Scenario: Rosa is a 40-year old single woman living in Rhode Island. She is a manager of media development for a large Fortune 500 company.. Scenario: Rosa is a 40-year old single woman living in Rhode Island. She is a manager of media development for a large Fortune 500 company. She earns
• Start Out Smart! 7 Money Moves to Make Now
  Congratulations – you have a job! Your first full or part-time job can be exciting, overwhelming and scary…all at the same time. The biggest benefit is of course having a real paycheck! Before you run out and spend that entire first paycheck, there are a few wise financial “first moves” you should c
• Figuring Out the “What Ifs”
  Although this is a very exciting, hopeful time for you as a couple it’s important to talk about, and make contingency plans for, things that none of us particularly want to consider but need to be discussed. These include… Thinking about a prenuptial agreement. While it can seem extremely unromantic
• Starting Out in Your 20s
  When you’re just entering the workforce it’s a great time to develop some financial disciplines that will become financially-rewarding habits for your future such as: Establishing some short- medium- and long-term financial and life goals Creating, and sticking to, a realistic budget Keeping a tight
• Our family is drowning in debt and bills due to a medical situation. Any type of future financial planning is pointless.
  It’s understandable that dealing with the financial fallout from an emergency and/or significant medical condition can be stressful and make “financial planning” seem beyond your reach. However, financial planning simply means to be intentionally aware of how you are making actively choices about yo
• If a Servicemember Dies
  It’s a difficult reality to face but it is important to discuss and plan for what would happen if your, or your spouse, die during military service. The military provides assistance and benefits for survivors.. It’s a difficult reality to face but it is important to discuss and plan fo
• Steps to Take in Your 50s and 60s
  You are now at a transitional point of life where you need to realistically assess what you have and what you need going forward: Re-evaluate your retirement needs with our retirement calculator Evaluate how your assets are allocated and work with a financial professional to ensure that your investm
• Earning
  You may have one sole source of income or you may have many different “streams” of income – such as part-time jobs, seasonal work, alimony, settlement income, etc. In large part your financial security will depend on your ability to obtain jobs that will provide you with adequate income and benefits
• The Single Male
  Scenario: Steve is a 32-year old single male, working as an accountant for an oil drilling firm in Texas. He has been with the company for 2 years and currently earns 48,000 about 39,000 after taxes.. Scenario: Steve is a 32-year old single male, working as an accountant for
• Starting Your Marriage Off on the Right Financial Foot
  Planning to get married is an exciting time. But it also involves making a lot of decisions – where to get married and when, who to choose for the wedding parties, which cake and invitations…the list of choices and things to discuss with your significant other can seem endless..
• My family never had money when I was growing up, but my parents did okay.
  All of us have a “financial past” and for most of us our present-day views on money were, to a smaller or greater extent, built upon that past. But times change.. All of us have a “financial past” and for most of us our present-day views on money were, to a smaller or greater extent, bui
• A Baby on the Way
  Scenario: Eddie and Ellen are both in their early 30s, have been married for 3 years and are living in Connecticut. They bought Ellen’s grandmother’s house when she decided to downsize.. Scenario: Eddie and Ellen are both in their early 30s, have been married for 3 years and are living
• What's New This Month
  July '09 : IOUs Issued by the State of California Strapped for cash, the state of California has started issuing more than 3 billion in IOUs to businesses, individual tax payers and county governments to whom it owes money. California state government officials have indicated that the IOUs – which
• Planning to Manage Wedding Day Costs
  According to a Conde Nast Bridal Group survey, the average cost of a wedding is approximately 27,800. Nearly one-third of all American couples pay for their own wedding and laying out that much money (or accumulating that much credit card debt) early on in the marriage can have a significant im
• College Education Cost Planning
  Being able to pay for – or help pay for – a child’s education is one of most parents’ significant, and costly, financial goals. In fact “Money” magazine found that: 41% of parents plan to pay their child’s full college bill 54% plan to pay some costs 95% plan to pay at least something toward their c
• Planning for a Baby
  Colleen and Ted had talked about having children before they got engaged, and had envisioned waiting perhaps only a year or two after getting married to start a family. However as they began creating long-term financial goals and considering how having children would change their life, they realized
• Estate Planning
  Many single women mistakenly think that since they may not have a spouse, partner or biological dependents that it’s not actually that important to have a will. But wouldn’t you like to know that the money you work so hard to earn will continue to benefit the people you love and the causes you belie
• Estate Planning
  One of the results of divorcing and then remarrying when you have children is that both you and your new spouse will need to make some important decisions about how your assets and possessions will be handled and managed after your death(s) You will need to decide upon and “name” beneficiaries (mean
• Financial planning, saving and investing isn’t really my thing. I believe it's better to simply live for today. You don’t know what will happen tomorrow anyway.
  Many people fear dealing with financial issues, feel overwhelmed at the thought of managing their money, are convinced that they don’t have the skills needed to create their own financial security, or don’t think it will matter anyway. The truth is that not only do you have the basic abilities neede
• Common Financial Myths Single Women May Believe
  Most women heard or sensed certain negative messages about money growing up such as: men should or will earn more money than women; men are better in math and therefore in understanding how to work with money than women; a woman’s income will most likely as be a “second income” within a family’s fin
• Finances
  The personal finance statistics for military families are sobering. A 2006 national survey found that: 22% of all servicemembers reported occasionally or usually having trouble paying bills 26% of all servicemembers have not invested for their future financial needs and goals within the past two yea
• Your Blended Families’ Financial Reality
  Eight out of 10 people who divorce remarry, and, according to U.S.. Eight out of 10 people who divorce remarry, and, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics they usually do so within three years. But in addition to having some marriage “experience, divorced men and women with children who
• Eleven Steps Single Moms Need to Take
  Single moms have mastered the art of multi-tasking. Working, making phone calls, vacuuming, paying bills, feeding kids and taking them places, responding to emails …. Single moms have mastered the art of multi-tasking. Working, making phone calls, vacuuming, paying bills, feeding kids and ta
• Welcome to Tomorrow's Money
  Wouldn't it be nice to look forward to the future confident about your finances? The truth is that most women aren’t. In fact, three-quarters of all American women are worried about their financial future but not sure about what to do about it.. ok forward to the future confident about your fina
• It's too late for me to start.
  Nonsense. You know the tired bumper sticker “It's never too late to have a happy childhood” Well, it's true that it's never too late to start saving and investing.. red bumper sticker “It's never too late to have a happy childhood” Well, it's true that it's never too late to start saving and investing. Sure, your
• I'm fearful of looking for outside help...
  You're wise to be wary. When looking for outside help in planning your finances, you'll want to do your homework.. hen looking for outside help in planning your finances, you'll want to do your homework. Many resources are free – online services, the staff at your local bank or credit union, and nonprofit counseli
• I don't know where to begin.
  The most important part about beginning to save and invest is just that…beginning. In fact, changing your attitude toward saving and investing may be the biggest hurdle you have to overcome.. bout beginning to save and invest is just that…beginning. In fact, changing your attitude toward saving and investing may be
• Will They Need Help?
  IT'S ANYTHING BUT a sure bet. But before you help a parent or other elderly relative, sort through the long-term-care strategies.. IT'S ANYTHING BUT a sure bet. But before you help a parent or other elderly relative, sort through the long-term-care strategies. It's a good idea to
• About Our Partners
  Our Donors SIFMA Foundation Supporters can be found here: . Our Donors SIFMA Foundation Supporters can be found here: http:www.sifma.org/ education/ pdf/ SIFMA-Fdn-Supporters-SF.pdf Our Pr
• Teenagers
  Your teenage children will need to take increasing responsibility for spending and saving and learn from the natural consequences of personal financial choices. Talk with your teen about the values you and your spouse hold regarding money, how those values have shaped your financial choices as a fam
• Banking and Saving
  Banking and savings are two basic building blocks of personal financial planning. Saving money is fundamental to creating the resources necessary to invest for your financial future.. Banking and savings are two basic building blocks of personal financial planning. Saving money is fu
• Welcome to Tomorrow's Money for Young Adults
  What do you want out of life?  Almost any goals you have—start a job, rent an apartment or buy a home, buy a car, get married, have a family, be more financially independent and secure…The common denominator of nearly all life goals is that they require money. Every day you interact with money. You s
• About Our Partners
  Our Donors SIFMA Foundation Supporters can be found here: . Our Donors SIFMA Foundation Supporters can be found here: http:www.sifma.org/ education/ pdf/ SIFMA-Fdn
• Transferring Military Homeowners to Get Expanded Assistance
  Military service members, their families, and federal Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees who stand to lose a lot of money on the sale of their home as a result of a transfer order may be able to get some much- needed financial assistance. The U..
• Seasonal Stories
  Fall Home Buying 101 Want to become a homeowner? Wonder what it will take to get there? Click here to check out our new series on "Home Buying 101" - a step-by-step monthly guide to turning the dream of homeownership into a reality . Open Enrollment It's fall - the "open enrollment" season for thous
• Story File
  We know you're under pressure to file relevant, factual stories on tight deadlines. To help be a premiere "GO TO" resource for personal financial planning issues, we've compiled a list of seasonal and evergreen story ideas.. We know you're under pressure to file relevant, fa
• Calculators
  Our calculators are designed to help boost your confidence to make informed financial decisions by giving you a stress-free way of comparing different scenarios and outcomes. We have an array of calculators related to managing your personal finances such as planning for retirement, managing debt, pa
• Important Steps at Each Stage of Your Life
  Each stage of life presents different opportunities and challenges. For example, single adults just starting out in the workforce have the gift of time to begin planning for their future, but need to begin developing wise financial habits at the start to reach them.. Each stage of life presen
• I am not sure how to help someone who is in financial trouble and is looking to me for assistance.
  Every day people find themselves facing sudden, unexpected or unwanted life changes that affect their ability to earn money, pay bills, and make choices to keep life working for themselves and their families. Young people, college graduates, seniors, single parents, middle-aged workers – none of us
• Topics to Discuss
  As the old saying goes, the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. You’re not going to discuss every financial topic and reach an agreement on all of your priorities in one discussion.. As the old saying goes, the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. You’re not going to d
• Decisions to Consider Making
  As you become more comfortable talking about financial issues, sharing thoughts, opinions, plans and paperwork you should start working through some important decisions. Areas to talk about include: Goal-Setting.. As you become more comfortable talking about finan
• I can't do anything different financially for the future because I need every penny I make now for my kids.
  While it’s true that most families feel financially stretched, there are ways to make simple changes in your everyday spending and budget to create savings. It can be very encouraging to realize that small changes can create significant savings.. While it’s true that most families feel financiall
• Tax Issues
  While none of us particularly enjoys having to file and pay taxes it is an important part of our financial planning. Our Tomorrowsmoney.. While none of us particularly enjoys having to file and pay taxes it is an important part of our financial planning. Our Tomorrowsmoney.org website pr
• Insurance
  Insurance is an important part of your overall financial planning. It will ensure that you can maintain your income, your assets and keep you on track with your financial plan.. Insurance is an important part of your overall financial planning. It will ensure that you can maint
• The Emotional Transition to Homeownership
  The process of looking for, negotiating and finally buying a new home can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Being so invested in something can really change your views on some things – like how you think about making financial decisions or how you choose to spend time to care for your home..
• Work and Taxes
  Over your lifetime you’ll spend a majority of your time at work. How do you make choices about your work that will help you create financial security for yourself and your family?  And as you collect earnings how do you make choices to minimize the taxes you’ll need to pay on that money?  This section
• Financial Steps to Take Together
  Whether you are considering remarriage or if you have already entered into your second marriage and are working on blending your family structure, there are some critical financial-planning steps you need to consider.. ng remarriage or if you have already entered into your second marriage and are working on blending y
• Places to Turn When Money is Tight
  No matter how much you work and plan and take wise financial first steps, like those outlined in the “11 Things Single Moms Must Do, there are times when financial issues can become overwhelming and money seems impossibly tight. Take heart.. No matter how much you work and plan and take wise
• Financial “Red Flags”
  As you talk about financial matters you may begin to realize that you and your partner aren’t exactly on the same page. Perhaps you’re feeling increasingly uncomfortable about some of your conversations and you can’t quite put a finger on what it is that’s bothering you.. As you talk about financi
• Protecting Your Assets as a Single Woman
  As a single woman you have to create your own “fall-back” plan in the event that something unexpected occurs. You do not have a husband’s or partner’s income, resources and assets to rely upon if something goes wrong.. As a single woman you have to create your own “fall-back” plan in the event
• Critical Habits Single Women Need to Develop for Financial Independence
  What most of us secretly want is someone to say “this is the big picture and here’s how to get there. While there is no “magic formula” (and steer clear of anyone who promises you that there is! there are some guiding principles that you can adopt to increase your financial confidence and security. 
• Single Women Managing Money
  For the first time in American history more women are single than married. Single women are earning more money than ever before, are making more financially-related decisions than ever before and yet most single women still do not feel adequate or empowered to successfully navigate their own financi
• Goal Setting
  Think of the last time you felt really proud of yourself. What was it that you achieved that you took pride in?  Was it an award that you won at work?  Losing a certain amount of weight?  Finishing coursework toward a degree?  Chances are that whatever it was, you thought about it, planned for it and wo
• Saving and Spending
  When two families come together spending money – and intentionally saving, or not spending, money - is often an issue. Two previously single parents usually have had no one else involved in their decision-making about spending and/or saving money.. When two families come together spending money – a
• Talk About Your Financial Goals
  Just as you and your new spouse probably have goals for how you as husband and wife, and your children, will merge into a new family structure, it’s important talk about what type of financial goals you want to set for your blended family. Some common financial goals for couples are: Raise a family
• Bill-Paying Tips
  You have a lot to juggle and make time for – kids, work, maintaining a home, etc. Consider processes that can reduce the time it takes to pay your bills and make it easier to create savings automatically for your future.. You have a lot to juggle and make time for – kids, work, maintaining a home
• The Difficult Financial Reality Facing Single Mothers
  The reality can be difficult to acknowledge: single mothers have often more than double the workload and yet financially typically have far less than half the income and assets than their married or single father counterparts. Most single working mothers are faced with the sobering reality that they
• Is That Balance Transfer Worth It?
  LIKE MANY PEOPLE THESE days, 69-year-old Ira Stoller uses cash-rebate credit-cards for all of his purchases, lowering his bills by as much as 5% But these savings are nothing compared with the profit the traveling salesman from Butler, N.. LIKE MANY PEOPLE THESE da
• If a Servicemember Becomes Disabled
  It is a difficult reality, but servicemembers can become disabled during their military service. It can be a physically and emotionally difficult time for the servicemember and his or her family.. It is a difficult reality, but servicemembers can become disabled during their military service. It
• A New Family Budget and New Financial Decisions
  In many ways, your newborn’s arrival is just the beginning. In addition to all of your child-rearing duties there are important financial decisions to make and action steps to take as well.. n’s arrival is just the beginning. In addition to all of your child-rearing duties there are important financial decisions to
• Insurance Benefits
  It can be easy to think that it’s not financially possible for your family to afford insurance. But with some work and help from the staff in your family support center you may be able to find affordable forms of insurance to provide for and protect your family’s future.. hat it’s not financially
• To Rent or to Buy?
  THINGS BEING EQUAL it's almost always better to own your home rather than to rent. After all, you build equity and get to write off your mortgage interest.. THINGS BEING EQUAL it's almost always better to own your home rather than to rent. After all, you bu
• Digging Out of Debt
  THE SECRET to paying off credit-card debt is really very simple: All you need to do is earn more than you spend, and apply the savings toward paying down your debt. So then what makes tackling credit-card debt so hard ? Sadly, many seem to be losing the battle of the credit-card balance. Consider th
• Benefits of 529 Plans
  There are numerous benefits to investing in either a 529 prepaid tuition or savings plan: Federal tax advantages. Although you can’t deduct your 529 plan contributions from your federal income taxes (the way you can deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, for example) the money you invest in e
• Spending
  In order to keep moving forward financially we need to spend less than we earn. That doesn’t mean going without.. In order to keep moving forward financially we need to spend less than we earn. That doesn’t mean going without. It means making spending choices based on a well-defin
• Rising Interest Rates and the Mortgage Crunch and What It May Mean to You
  The initial housing boom began in early 2002 - 2003. Interest rates were falling to all-time lows.. The initial housing boom began in early 2002 - 2003. Interest rates were falling to all-time lows. A surge of homebuyers eager to take advantage of the low interest rates on mortgages began pushing ho
• Types of 529 Plans
  529 plans got their names from the section of the IRS tax code (section 529) which helped create this way of investing savings for college costs. There are two types of 529 plans: Prepaid Tuition Plans and Savings Plans.. 529 plans got their names from the section of the IRS tax code (section 529
• Next Steps: Recovering from a Service Member’s Death
  As you work through the initial grief of losing your loved one it is important to know what resources the military provides: Legal Assistance Your casualty affairs officer will accompany you to a meeting with a Department of Defense legal assistance officer where you will learn about the benefits an
• Staying in Financial Control While You’re in College
  Going to college can be exciting, fun…and expensive. And we’re not just talking about tuition, room and board.. Going to college can be exciting, fun…and expensive. And we’re not just talking about tuition, room and board. There can be a lot of unexpected, small expenses that can add up
• Finding the Right Home
  What words come to mind when you think about finding a new home? Exciting? Scary? Overwhelming? The truth is that finding a new home can be all of those things. The way you feel about finding a new home can depend on why you're moving and how much time you have to find a home.. What words come to mind w
• Preserving the Value of Your Home and Community When the Housing Market Changes
  With the increased rate of home foreclosures nationwide, many homeowners, and home sellers, are facing tough questions about how to maintain as much of their home's value as possible, how to sell a home in a slowing real estate market, and how to ensure that their community remains a desirable place
• Working with a Realtor or Going it Alone
  One of the first impulses most people have when thinking about buying a home is finding a Realtor® But who exactly is a Realtor? And is a Realtor (capital R) the same as an agent? And what about a broker? Who exactly can help me? Real estate professionals can be very helpful in the home buying proce
• What to Do When the Deployment is Extended
  Imagine learning that your spouse has 24 hours to report for duty and be deployed for combat. Now imagine that the day before the scheduled homecoming, you are notified that he/she won't be coming home for another 12-15 months.. Imagine learning that your spouse has 24 hours to report for duty and be de
• 13 Things Your Family Can Do Today
  All parents want their children to grow up knowing how to responsibly handle money – how to earn money, how to most wisely spend it, and how to invest it well for future needs. But how does that happen?  Here are 13 things that every family can do together to take control of your finances to reach im
• Comparing Mortgage Costs
  There are several costs associated with borrowing money to buy a home including the interest rate you’ll be charged to borrow the principal (loan amount) points, mortgage insurance closing costs and the down payment. Interest Rate One of the most important pieces of information you need from a lende
• Selling Your Home Part 1
  Every year millions of Americans sell their homes. Some of the most common reasons for selling a home are: Relocating for a job Needing or wanting more room for a growing family Moving after retirement Downsizing Moving to a more desirable or convenient neighborhood for work or school This month we’
• Parents Dealing with their Single Adult Child’s Deployment
  Most often deployment information and support is directed to the servicemember’s spouse. But what about the single servicemember?  What happens when he/she is deployed?  After being out of the family home and living on his or her own, suddenly he or she needs family members to help with the paperwork
• Selling Your Home Part II
  Once you have decided to sell your home, and prepared it to put it on the market you have several choices to make.. Once you have decided to
• Offers & Counteroffers
  When you've found the home you want the next step is decide whether or not you want to make an offer, meaning that you want to tell the seller that you want to purchase the home. Making an offer is where you put pen to paper and outline exactly how much money you're willing to pay for the home and u
• Dealing with Deployment
  Deployment is a stressful time for every member of the family. By taking time to talk together as a family, and separately as a couple, you can better manage both the emotional and logistical aspects of being apart from your servicemember.. Deployment is a stressful time for every member of