Dear Chuck, My husband and I bought our first home in an older neighborhood where young families are choosing to live. We put 10% down and now want to build equity in our home, but we have more time than money. What are the best ways to build “sweat equity” as “do-it-yourselfers”? First-Time Homeowners Dear […]
Dear Chuck, We like our bank, but we get next to nothing while they hold our money in checking and savings accounts. We need to do better, but we fear moving money to banks we do not really trust. What would you do? Looking for a Better Return Dear Looking for a Better Return, […]
Dear Chuck, We are senior citizens. My wife thinks we need to start stocking up on some gold. I am not so sure; plus, I would not know how to do it without getting ripped off. Any advice? Gold for the Golden Years Dear Gold for the Golden Years, The Bible speaks to a […]
Dear Chuck, I thought car prices were going to drop when chips reentered the market. I’m not seeing a drop where I live, and I really need to replace a vehicle. What should I do? Waiting for a Deal on a Car Dear Waiting for a Deal on a Car, Most of us have […]
Dear Chuck, One step forward and two steps back seems to be the story that describes all my efforts to achieve any financial goals. No matter how hard I try, discouragement overtakes me, and I am back to square one with too much debt, too little savings, and not enough motivation to keep trying! Discouraged […]
Dear Chuck, The Federal Reserve raised interest rates—again. I’m hearing murmurs of a recession, and though most think it will be mild, it creates fear and trembling. How can I prepare myself? Recession Fears Dear Recession Fears, Raising interest rates is a means to try to tap the breaks on inflation. It does not […]
Dear Chuck, I know I’m supposed to save, but I really don’t know how I can or even why I can’t seem to make progress! No Savings Dear No Savings, Well, you are not alone. Saving money is becoming a bigger and bigger challenge for many. According to MarketWatch, nearly one-in-five Americans saved […]
Dear Chuck, I have lost $300,000 in my 401k in the past 12 months, and things appear to be getting worse. I plan to retire in 5 years. Should I get my money out of the market or try to ride out the economic storms? Worried Dear Worried, This question came just last week […]
Dear Chuck, We’re considering hiring a financial advisor to help us develop an estate plan. We want to protect and pass down our assets and possibly set up a giving fund that the children will jointly manage. Any suggestions on how to do this right? Stewarding Our Estate Dear Stewarding Our Estate, It is encouraging […]
Dear Chuck, We usually pay down Christmas debt with our tax refund, but I am worried we will not get as much back this year. What can we expect? Waiting for Our Tax Refund Dear Waiting for Our Tax Refund, You are correct; changes to the tax laws are underway, so resetting expectations for […]
