Canceling PMI can save you thousands. If you own a home and you put less than 20% down, it’s likely you have Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. This is insurance that you, the borrower, pays to protect your lender if you default on your mortgage. Stated another way, the loan-to-value ratio (LTV) is too high […]
Archive | Personal Finance
Compound Interest: Make It Work For You
Don’t under estimate the power of compound interest. It can work for you or against you. According to Investopedia the definition of compound interest is: Interest calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods of a deposit or loan. This concept is so powerful that Albert Einstein is said to […]
10 Ways To Improve Your Financial Wellness
If you’re looking to improve your financial wellness, it can feel like a tall order. Taking on any challenge is daunting and the first step is usually the hardest. Knowing where to begin is hard enough and sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. When it comes to our financial well-being, it can be […]
Retirement Planning Questions You Need To Ask
Retirement planning is a process, not an event. Asking yourself these questions will help you stay on track. Now that our taxes are done, it’s a great time to do some personal finance spring cleaning. Before we know it, we’ll be off on summer trips with our finances far in the back of our minds. Take […]
Student Loan Debt – 5 Things You Need To Know
Student loan debt is on the rise and the numbers are staggering. Total student debt is approximately $1.38 trillion and is second only to U.S. mortgage debt. If you’re like me, seeing these crazy dollar amounts can lead to information overload. Just trying to wrap my head around ONE TRILLION is a challenge. Rather than […]
David’s Personal Finance Q&A – January 2018
Through my work as a Certified Financial Planner™ I receive and respond to many questions throughout the course of a week. They come from clients, readers, colleagues, friends, family, and more. Some questions are general in nature while others are specific. Either way, there are still little nuggets of information that can be helpful to others. […]
Happy New Year! 10 Most Popular Posts From 2017
What a year it has been! As we say goodbye to 2017, here’s a look back at some of the most popular posts on The Astute Advisor blog. Hopefully you find some of these articles helpful. I love reading your comments and feedback. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach me via email […]
David’s Personal Finance Roundup – December 2017
When I launched The Astute Advisor personal finance site, I was excited to reach a much broader audience. But I’ve always believed that the blog shouldn’t be my voice alone. I’m convinced my readers will benefit by hearing from other financial professionals too. Here are some articles that are worth a read. Enjoy. Some Market Myths […]
Credit Card Debt – Don’t Let It Wreck Your Plan
Credit card debt is the enemy of financial success. Not all debt is created equal and there are no set standards as to what is considered too much debt. What is manageable for one may not be for another. Don’t underestimate the power of compound interest. With credit cards, it’s not your friend. If you […]
David’s Personal Finance Roundup – November 2017
When I launched The Astute Advisor personal finance site, I was excited to reach a much broader audience. But I’ve always believed that the blog shouldn’t be my voice alone. I’m convinced my readers will benefit by hearing from other financial professionals too. Here are some articles that are worth a read. Enjoy. Discovering Your Values […]