Home ownership has several advantages over renting, including lower monthly payments, deductible mortgage interest, and the accumulation of equity. But there is a definite price to pay for these benefits, including the expenses we detail here. The biggest spend is your initial equity. There are two costs that constitute the beginning equity in your home. The [...]
How to effectively and securely use AI tools What is Artificial Intelligence? Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science focused on creating systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, understanding language, and recognizing patterns. By using algorithms and large datasets to simulate cognitive functions, AI can [...]
A New Form of Malware Slowing Down Machines With the growth of digital currencies and online transactions, cryptocurrency has grown to become an everyday topic. Cryptocurrency is a virtual form of currency that operates on a decentralized network called the blockchain. Crypto mining is the process used to create new currencies by using computer processing [...]
View Your Accounts Securely Using Account View 2.0 LPL Financial takes the security and privacy of our products seriously. To safeguard data, we advocate for security in the conception, design, and implementation of our investor-facing platforms, like Account View 2.0. We strive to build the most innovative, secure, and empowering tools for financial professionals and [...]
Are you a fit for Whole Life Insurance? In exchange for fixed premiums, an insurance company promises to pay a set benefit when the policyholder dies, but also offers additional benefits as well. Whole life insurance policies can build up cash value — effectively a cash reserve that pays a modest rate of return, and [...]
Renters sometimes overlook the need for insurance based on the belief that they may not have a significant amount of personal possessions, or because the property is already insured by the owner. While it is true that a rental property is insured by the owner, the destruction or loss of your personal belongings is not. [...]
The city of Detroit emerged from bankruptcy in 2014. Still, its previous inability to pay investors left some questioning their long-held assumption about the relative safety of municipal bonds. Without question, in the wake of Detroit’s troubles, gaining a better understanding of municipal bonds makes more sense than ever.1 At their most basic level, there [...]
Insurance is meant to protect you against financial loss. But is it really meant to protect you from any and all financial loss? When it comes to filing a loss claim on your home insurance, there may be times when not filing may be the wisest course of action.1 According to one study, the national [...]
Whether through inertia or trepidation, investors who put off important investment decisions might consider the admonition offered by motivational speaker Brian Tracy, "Almost any decision is better than no decision at all." This investment inaction is played out in many ways, often silently, invisibly, and with potential consequences to an individual’s future financial security. Let's [...]
Age 50 At age 50, workers in certain qualified retirement plans are able to begin making annual catch-up contributions in addition to their normal contributions. Those who participate in 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans can contribute an additional $7,500 per year in 2025. Those who participate in Simple Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or Simple 401(k) [...]
