Author: Valerie Zell
Are you about to overpay for your dream home?
Written by: Valerie Zell
Have you ever felt the pressure to become a homeowner? If so, you’re not alone. Even if you haven’t been encouraged into homeownership directly, you may …
How are employee stock options and RSUs different?
Written by: Valerie Zell
Two of the most common employee stock plans, employee stock options (ESOs) and restricted stock units (RSUs), both give you the chance to eventually become …
How much should I spend on a house?
Written by: Valerie Zell
Enjoying a leisurely dinner with friends. Hearing laughter as the neighborhood children play on a swingset out back. Snowy evenings curled up with a cup of …
How often can you refinance your home?
Written by: Valerie Zell
Other than possible lender-imposed waiting periods after a mortgage loan closes, you can refi as many times as your heart desires. But you’ll want to crunch …
How to determine your retirement goals
Written by: Valerie Zell
The median retirement account balance for all working Americans is $0, and half of those households are over age 55 (not a typo). But it’s not just …
Tips for creating a financial plan
Written by: Valerie Zell
It’s time to talk about the big picture for a minute, so close your eyes and imagine your future. What does it look like? Are you …
Student loan options: What is refinancing vs. consolidation?
Written by: Valerie Zell
Student loans can have a way of making you feel like a hamster in a wheel — spinning like crazy but getting nowhere fast. And while …
5 ways to achieve financial security
Written by: Valerie Zell
We all have a vision for our financial futures, whether it’s a vacation home on a tropical beach, a completely debt-free (and work-free) retirement, or selling …
6 moves to make before a market downturn
Written by: Valerie Zell
For Americans who view the stock market as a spectator sport, it can be entertaining to watch TV’s financial pundits roll up their sleeves and start …
4 tips for paying off a large credit card bill
Written by: Valerie Zell
You know which three little words no one wants to hear? Credit card debt. It can go from zero to thousands with one quick swipe or …
How often should you check your investment accounts?
Written by: Valerie Zell
In theory, the concept of “set it and forget it” feels pretty ideal with the rise of automated investing apps. But in reality, investment opportunities should come with …
