Author: Austin Kilham
How long is the average car loan?
Editor’s note: Lantern by SoFi seeks to provide content that is objective, independent and accurate. Writers are separate from our business operation and do not receive …
SIMPLE IRA contribution limits for employers & employees
A SIMPLE IRA, or Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees, is a way for self-employed individuals and small business employers to set up a retirement …
Am I on track for retirement?
If everyone got a dollar every time they wondered, “How much do I need to retire?” we’d all be a lot closer to retiring. …
Understanding property valuations
If you’re applying for a mortgage, you probably expect the lender to take a look at your income, debt, credit history, employment and assets. There’s another …
Traditional IRA income and contribution limits
A traditional IRA is a tax-advantaged investment account that helps individuals save for their retirement. The contributions a person makes are typically fully or partially …
How to win a bidding war on your dream home
In housing markets teeming with buyer demand, it’s not uncommon to put an offer on a home, only to be outdone by a competing offer. …
Should you take out a personal loan to pay off credit cards?
People talk all day long about their workouts, favorite apps and their love lives, but bring up the subject of money, especially credit card debt, and …
6 simple ways to reduce your mortgage payment
It’s often said that your mortgage payment should be no more than 28% of your gross monthly pay. A really conservative take is that your …
The dos & don’ts of using social media for investing tips
Social media has become an important new source for many people, including for investors looking for ideas to guide their strategy. That said, social media users …
Savings goals by age: Smart financial targets by age group
Mapping out your financial future can be daunting, especially if you only have a vague sense of what you want to accomplish. It can …
How to read financial statements: The basics
A company’s financial statements are like a report card that tells investors how much money a company has made, what it spends on and how …
Top 50 safest cities in the US
For many homebuyers, safety is a top concern when shopping for a house. It can influence where you feel comfortable living, and safety ratings can have …
Tips for buying a home in the winter
Sunny days can mean that more people are primed to go out and look at houses. There’s the common adage that spring or summer is one …
When to count your home equity as part of your net worth
Your home may be your largest asset, but should you include it in your net worth calculations? In some situations, it’s a good idea, and in …
How to calculate stock profit
You’ve just sold some of your stocks and were lucky enough to make a profit. Now, like Scrooge McDuck rubbing his hands together with dollar signs …
8 steps to buying a vacation home
If you’re like many Americans, you dream of having a beach house, a desert escape, or a mountain hideaway. Perhaps you’re tired of staying at hotels …
History of the stock market
The stock market can feel like a vast nebulous force that’s difficult to comprehend. Yet these markets had humble beginnings in Western Europe in the 1600s. …
What is a stock market crash?
A stock market crash is defined by double-digit declines that happen quickly across a broad stock market index or group of related indexes. As the coronavirus …
Short-term vs. long-term investments
Financial goals exist on a timeline that stretches into the future. Some goals, like buying a new car, might take place in the near future, perhaps …
How do negative interest rates work?
When you put money in the bank, the bank pays you interest. In exchange you allow them to lend out your cash to other bank customers. …
Ways to build wealth at any age
A down payment on your first home? A beach house where you can spend your golden years with your grandkids? Whatever your financial goals may be, …
The difference between secured vs. unsecured debt
Debts fall into two broad categories: secured debt and unsecured debt. Stop paying one and in addition to credit issues and loan collectors, you could also …
22 money moves to make this month
A month can make a huge difference to your personal finances. While there are some financial goals that will be long-term works in progress, there are a …
Should I trust a robot to invest for me?
We’ve all seen the movies where robots try to take over the world disguised as humans, use humans as living batteries, smooth-talk red lights, or try …
Biotech investing 101
Biotech can be an exciting sector full of companies using cutting-edge technology to create the medicines and foods of the future. Like the tech sector, it’s an …
What is modern portfolio theory?
No man is an island, and according to modern portfolio theory (MPT) — no investment is either. The theory provides a foundation for building a portfolio of multiple …
Investing for beginners: Basic strategies to know
As an investor, you are unique. And as you start building your portfolio, there are many strategies you can draw upon to help you achieve your …
Investing in precious metals
Precious metals have held a place in human culture for thousands of years as currency, decoration and industrial materials. Think of the treasures in King Tut’s …
Building a well-balanced crypto portfolio
Investing in a cryptocurrency can mean signing up for a wild ride, with prices up thousands of dollars one day and down again the next. Take …
10 tips for investing long-term
When it comes to big goals like college tuition and retirement, long-term investing is your friend. Yet, the market can be an uncertain place, and it …
How to create an investment plan for your child
You just had a baby. In addition to important short-term decisions like whether to use cloth or disposable diapers, this is a great time to plan …
