Author: Austin Kilham
How long is the average car loan?
Written by: Austin Kilham
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
Written by: Austin Kilham
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?
Written by: Austin Kilham
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
Written by: Austin Kilham
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
Written by: Austin Kilham
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
Written by: Austin Kilham
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?
Written by: Austin Kilham
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
Written by: Austin Kilham
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
Written by: Austin Kilham
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
Written by: Austin Kilham
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
Written by: Austin Kilham
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
Written by: Austin Kilham
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
Written by: Austin Kilham
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
Written by: Austin Kilham
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
Written by: Austin Kilham
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
Written by: Austin Kilham
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
Written by: Austin Kilham
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?
Written by: Austin Kilham
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
Written by: Austin Kilham
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?
Written by: Austin Kilham
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. …
