Arrest Your Debt

If you love to read and give your opinion, why not combine those two passions and get paid to read books? I bet you’re the avid reader who always has your nose stuck in a book. Well, there’s nothing wrong with that, especially since you can get paid to do it with the book review opportunities available online! Can You Really Make Money Reading Books? Quality book reviewers are always in demand because authors are continuously publishing new books for the public to enjoy. However, being a quality reviewer doesn’t mean you have to be a professional with years of writing experience. Plenty of book review websites provide opportunities for beginners who want to perform a beta reading for a pretty penny. On the other hand, don’t get discouraged if you are more experienced and want to put your talent to good use. Many websites post opportunities where you can audition for the job. In addition, they are often looking for experienced book reviewers, so you have a great chance of being not...

Are you a retiree but still want to work? Retirement and the concept of transitioning to the next phase of life are undergoing reevaluation. People either delay their retirement to a later age or “retire early” after finding financial independence through the FIRE movement . Both can be excellent options. When it comes to retirement , no one roadmap works for everyone, including spouses. It is not unusual for spouses who have been together for decades to have different goals if and when they retire. Craig and I differ when it comes to the joys and virtues of working. I always enjoy working, facing challenges I could overcome, meeting people, and finding meaning in what I do. Craig is more traditional, enjoys being an attorney but would like to do other things besides work. These days there are more options to work from anywhere while you travel, or seasonally, so why not consider what is best for you? According to a Transamerica Center For Retirement Studies survey , many workers ...

My college professor once said you know when you’re an adult when you have a mortgage. His comment couldn’t be farther from the truth. Although, for many people, homeownership is a significant milestone in their life. Not knowing the right questions to ask when buying a house is financially unwise. There are many factors to consider during the home buying process . After all, buying a home most likely will be the biggest purchase ever in your life. Unfortunately, I wish I had thought more things when I purchased my first time home. After signing all the closing documents for my first home, I recall the escrow agent shaking my hand, saying, “Congratulations. You’re in debt.” We all laughed together. However, after owning six houses, three of them being flipped investment properties , I wish I would have done things very differently my first time around. So, learn from my mistakes, and be sure to ask these eight important questions when buying your first or next house. Questions to...

APR vs. Interest Rate: What’s the difference? Is it important to know? How do lenders calculate both? Which one should I use? These are all great questions! I have good news! This post aims to educate you on Interest Rates and APR, their differences, and how they are calculated. The basics: Interest rate is a general term in loans and lines of credit , and understanding how it works is a relatively simple task. But what about APR? APR is another prevalent term in financing, yet many people don’t understand its meaning, how it differs from the interest rate, and its impact on borrowing money. Understanding the APR of a loan or line of credit is a must, as it gives you an overall picture of how much such a loan will cost you in the long run. With that brief introduction, let’s get to it. APR vs. Interest Rate Interest Rate The nominal interest rate, or advertised rate, refers to the percentage you must pay for a specific period to borrow money from a lender. The interest rate ...

Just do it already. Reset your view on taxes if you think not filing a return is the best course of action for you. Why do you ask? If you file your taxes late, what will happen? Well, I’d love to keep it pithy and say, “You don’t want to know,” but you might care to learn what happens if you file your taxes late, regardless. Why else would you be here with this question in mind? I should be more realistic as this is a question many people ask themselves—but should be afraid to find out. The reality is, filing taxes late can have serious consequences, and what happens if you file taxes late largely depends on whether or not you owe the IRS money—or you’re even required to file (more on that later). If you owe them money, then what will happen is that the IRS will send you a notice asking for payment and detail the penalties and interest you owe with an explanation of what those fees are. However, if there’s no money due on your tax return, then it becomes less complicated. The I...