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How to Protect Your Finances While Traveling On Vacation

by Keith A. Rhodus on Jun 16, 2017

Vacation season is almost upon us and, for many Americans who haven’t traveled abroad in several years, their vacations have been years in planning. However, even the best laid plans can quickly come unraveled if you don’t take some extra measures to ensure that your finances are protected before you leave on your trip. Your vacation planning checklist needs to include these essential steps of how to protect your finances while traveling on vacation:

Investment to Watch: Smart Home Technology

by Keith A. Rhodus on Jun 15, 2017

Technology

The term “smart home” sounds like something out of a movie on Syfy or a place where intelligent people go to converge. Yet, the concept isn’t new by any means. John Chambers, CEO of Cisco, referenced the concept at the Consumer Electronics Show in 1999. Now, almost 20 years later, the components that comprise a smart home are becoming an increasingly present part of everyday life.

Robots versus Humans: Financial Advisers for the Digital Age

by Keith A. Rhodus on Jun 15, 2017

The digital world has transformed professional industries in unique ways that prior to internet access would have been impossible. Doctors can monitor patients remotely, lawyers can offer counsel online, software can complete your taxes for you, and even financial investments and advising can be made without any face-to-face contact. To some this would sound ludicrous and to others it sounds convenient, but one thing is for certain—the robo-advisor is another option that’s here to stay for investors to grow wealth.

How to Control Your Debt

by Keith A. Rhodus on Jun 8, 2017

The one aspect of personal finance that most Americans share in common is debt accumulation. Average household credit card debt exceeds $7,000. But then, controlling debt becomes a truly subjective issue. Some people might think that having a few hundred dollars of debt is a major problem while others are can barely survive under the weight of their out-of-control debt. In either case, controlling and reducing debt is a concern which requires a deliberate strategy if it is to be achieved.

Student Loan Debt Consolidation

by Keith A. Rhodus on Jun 6, 2017

The figures out last year show that the average amount of student loan debt a student graduates with is $18,625. Most graduates are carrying multiple student loans from multiple sources, and the cost and complexity of managing them can become overwhelming, especially if they are unable to secure steady employment with sufficient cash flow to make the payments.

What To Do When You Win the Lottery

by Keith A. Rhodus on Jun 4, 2017

If you’re human you couldn’t possibly have avoided thoughts of what you might do if you had won the recent Mega Millions lottery of over $640 million. While that type of windfall is way outside of the mainstream of reality for most people, it’s not uncommon for some of us to suddenly find ourselves sitting on a more earthly windfall such as can occur through an inheritance, a settlement, or perhaps a stroke of good luck with an investment or even lottery winnings. You have no doubt read of the major failings of people, who have come into big money only to see it blown away.

Parents Need to Get Ahead of Rising College Costs

by Keith A. Rhodus on Jun 2, 2017

Along with most consumer prices, college tuition costs are heating up again. It seems as though we have become accustomed to college cost increases that have outpaced the rate of inflation; however, recent data shows them rising at an even more alarming rate  into the double digits in many states and as high as 30% in California. At this rate, the cost of a college education could be beyond the reach of most parents in the near future. That is, unless parents take full advantage of the college savings plans that have been created over the years.

Intelligent Options for College Savings

by Keith A. Rhodus on May 31, 2017

If you are the parents or grandparents of child of any age chances are good that the escalating costs of higher education are on your mind.

Consider the following statistic; a recent study by Bloomberg found that since 1978 college tuition and fees have increased in price 1,225%. Over the same period of time medical care, another fast-ballooning source of costs, increased by just 634%, while inflation clocked in at a paltry 279%.1

Personal Loans and Credit Card Payoffs - What You Need To Know

by Keith A. Rhodus on May 29, 2017

With credit card interest rates ranging between 11 to 22%, it’s no wonder people are looking for alternative ways to handle and pay off their credit card debt. This is where a personal loan might come into play. Using a personal loan to pay off your credit card debt can help you manage your overall debt once and for all… if you know how to navigate the pitfalls. Find out what you need to know to use this method to effectively manage your personal debt.

Finance 101: A Lesson in Helping your Student Pay for College

by Keith A. Rhodus on May 27, 2017

You think back fondly on those halcyon collegiate days--studying in the quad, late-night pizza, tailgating for the big tailgating game, dorm living, tossing your graduation cap in the air...beyond the lifelong friends and the parties and fun, college helped you get to where you are today. Looking ahead, your student is planning on following in your footsteps and will be receiving that admissions letter of acceptance sooner than you think.