How to Prepare for a Disaster
Are you prepared for disaster? If floods, fires, tornadoes, or job loss come to your door, are you ready? We’re conditioned to run for eggs and milk at the first sign of a snowflake, but a grocery store run can’t fix everything. In Genesis 41, we read how God gave Joseph the interpretation for a […]
401(k) Hardship Withdrawals Are Up
Do you have a 401(k)? Vanguard reported that 401(k) “hardship” withdrawals hit a record high in October. This fact – plus rising credit card debt and declining personal savings – reveals how many households are struggling financially. “Hardship” withdrawals are allowed for immediate and heavy financial need. They’re abnormal for the typical 401(k) saver, but […]
Do You Want to Sell a House This Year?
Want to sell your house? If you want to sell your home, Zillow recommends listing your home for sale in March and no later than Labor Day. If you’re trying to sell quickly, then list in March. If you want the greatest profit, try listing the end of April. Of course, this varies depending on […]
Don’t Fear Economic Cycles
Does a recession strike fear in your heart? If you consistently spend less than you earn you need not fear economic cycles. How is that possible? Well, you either have to earn more money or cut some expenses. Like the Apostle Paul, you can learn to be content in any circumstance, even while sacrificing your […]
Love Your Neighbor
Do you love your neighbor? Martin Luther once said: “A true Christian lives and labors on earth not for himself but for his neighbor. Therefore the whole spirit of his life compels him to do even that which he needs not do, but which is profitable and necessary for his neighbor.” I enjoy studying history […]
Paying Off a Mortgage
Want to pay off your mortgage before you retire? If you’ve paid off your mortgage, you know the peace of mind that comes with owning your home, but if you’re in the process of paying yours off early, don’t neglect other financial goals. Pay off your high-interest debt first. Credit cards, payday loans, car loans, […]
Is It Time To Buy a New House?
Is this a good time to buy a house? The housing market appears to be cooling in parts of the nation. High home prices, a doubling in mortgage rates, and economic uncertainty are contributing to slower sales. This is evident in lower listing prices, longer days on the market, and price reductions. There are fewer […]
Is your rent increasing? Renters worry about having to pay more. Aside from rent-controlled or rent-stabilized apartment units, there’s no limit to how much landlords can raise their rates. Granted, they must stay competitive, and legally, they can’t raise rent as a punishment. A punitive rent increase is grounds for a civil lawsuit. Landlords can […]
Recession-Proof Jobs and Financial Protection
Do you have a recession-proof job? Economics professors say there are industries that offer strong job security during economic downturns. Those are health care, government, computers and information technology, and education. These occupations added tens of thousands of jobs during the ‘01 and ‘09 recessions, according to data from Zip Recruiter and the U.S. Bureau of […]
Recession-Proof Your Job
Are you worried about losing your job? Many economists believe we are headed towards major changes in our economy. Here are a few reasons: Jobless claims are at an 8-month high as layoffs increase. You’ve probably read about recent high-profile layoffs. Our nation’s GDP dropped 1.6% in the 1st quarter of the year, 0.9% in […]
