Periodically checking your personal credit reports should be priority. It will help detect suspicious activity and errors that may prevent you from getting the best interest rates on loans or even a job offer. AnnualCreditReport.com is the go-to-site, not FreeCreditScore.com, the one continually advertised on TV. AnnualCreditReport.com provides free access to reports from all three… Read more

I am quoted in this article on the website Credit.com. The writer makes some excellent points about how to prioritize saving for retirement vs. paying down student debt. However, for many, the choices are not just between those short-term and long-term goals. Many younger families have to decide how to rank those goals with aspirations… Read more

From time to time, I encounter people who have accounts spread out all over the place. They want to know if there are any advantages to consolidating them. With certain exceptions, it can be a good idea to bring the accounts together to simplify your life. Here are some of the reasons: Rebalancing may be… Read more

I am of two minds regarding investing in TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities). On the one hand, there seems to be little threat of inflation at the moment. On the other hand, it’s good to have a long-term hedge against the possibility of unexpected inflation. This article explores the pros and cons of TIPS and makes the… Read more