Buying vs. Leasing a Car
Some people approach buying a car like they approach marriage, “‘til death do us part.” Others prefer to keep their options open, trading in every few years for the latest make and model, the most cutting-edge technology,
Life and Death of a Twenty Dollar Bill
Every year, the government prints millions of notes a day. Here's a quick look at what goes into creating a $20 bill and what determines when a bill's lifespan ends.1 Paper A $20 bill starts out life
Revising Estate Strategy Assumptions
When the rules of the game change, tactics should follow in response to the new landscape. While estate tax exemptions have ridden an uncertain roller coaster in recent years, the rules appear to be stabilizing after the
Fixed or Variable Mortgage, Which Should You Pick?
Buying a home is the single-largest financial commitment most people ever make. And sorting through mortgages involves a lot of critical choices. One of these is choosing between a fixed or variable interest rate mortgage. True to
A Penny Saved is Two Pennies Earned
The famous saying from Poor Richard’s Almanack is frequently misquoted. It was published by founder Benjamin Franklin in 1737: “A penny saved is two pence clear.” Finding ways to manage expenses is one of the cornerstones of a sound
Keep Your Umbrella Handy
In 2020, the U.S. had a record 22 million millionaires, up from 20.2 million in the previous year. An increase in personal wealth may bring greater financial flexibility; it may also bring greater liability. Individuals with high
Inflation and the Real Rate of Return
The real rate of return is an important personal finance concept to understand. It’s the rate of return on your investments after inflation. The real rate of return indicates whether you are gaining or losing purchasing power
Dog Bites Neighbor. Now What?
In 2020, there were 16,991 dog bite claims nationwide totaling aggregate damages of about $854 million, according to the Insurance Information Institute.1 For most homeowners (and renters), a standard policy generally covers any legal liability that may