There’s a secret financial weapon that we all have in our arsenal but very few of us use (alright, none of us use) – but we should be using it daily! It’s the most powerful weapon in the world. And since you’re reading this right now, I know you have it. What is it made of? Financial […]
Archives for January 2013
10 Solid Tips To Pay Off Your Student Loans Quickly
A lot of college students borrow money to pay for their higher education expenses. However, it can prove to be overwhelming if you graduate with student loan debt hovering over your head. Here are ten tips to help you pay off your student loans in a shorter amount of time so that you can live […]
Is Your Identity Linked to your Financial Troubles?
I’ve started the process for filing my taxes for 2012. And right now, the little progress bar of my online tax software is telling me that the amount of my refund is higher than my total remaining debt. I know that might change once I put more information into it, and that’s okay. As an […]
5 Best Investing Books to Get Started Investing
A lot of people have written about the best investing books or the best books about money, but what about books for the beginning investor? I wanted to put together my list of favorite books to get started investing. These books are designed for the beginner, but still have a lot of solid topics that […]
Why Aren’t You Investing in The Most Important Thing?
Too often, college kids and recent graduates (like me) get sold the same pale of career and investing advice: save up your money, make wise stock investments, dump some cash into your 401(k), and dear God, take absolutely no risk…take joy in sitting in your cubicle crunching numbers all day! I’m not going to say […]
Is The Municipal Bond Market Going to Rebound?
2012 was a great year for the municipal bond market – it returned a nice 7.3%. While that is not even half of the 16% that the S&P 500, it was still almost triple the 2.2% that Treasury Bonds returned last year. Even though there were some bumps in the road in 2012 (most notably, […]
How to Get Started with Minimalism
The top four resolutions for the New Year are: Lose Weight Quit Smoking Get Finances in Order Get Organized. Let’s assume we’re all fit non-smokers, and since we’re all reading The College Investor, obviously we have our finances in order (or we’re on the right track!). So, then, let’s get organized. I’ve recently gotten on […]
Does H&R Block’s Second Look for Tax Return Errors Really Work?
Have you seen the commercials on TV already this tax season? H&R Block is offering a ‘Second Look‘ at your prior years’ tax returns to see if you qualify for a bigger tax return. They try to make the process very simple, and even offer a free assessment on their website. But the real question […]
Reader Question: Applying For A Mortgage While Using Income Based Repayment
Welcome to another reader question! This question comes from John, who is trying to get a mortgage while being on an income based repayment (IBR) plan for his student loan debt. Here is John’s story and the question: I have about $80,000 in student loan debt and am currently on the Income-Based Repayment Plan (IBR […]
5 Step Guide to Understanding Investment Risk
Investing money isn’t all about sitting back and waiting for plump returns. Risk is a key factor, and the level of risk an investor is willing to live with determines their potential for large rewards – and also for large losses. Understanding exactly what risk entails should be the first task of any would-be investor. […]
SolarCity: Interesting Business But Lacks a Moat
Saying the word “solar” on an investing blog might be a lot like dropping an f-bomb in the middle of a church. The solar industry has been nothing short of a total money loser for investors who have tolerated rapidly declining margins, changing subsidies, and intense competition. Suffice it to say, the only people who […]
The “Magic” of Compound Interest: How $400 Today can be $1200 in the Near Future
Over the last several months, I have been looking at the real estate market in Portland. Last week, I put in an offer. I didn’t end up getting the place, but I am not sad about it. I decided to back off, and stop looking for a while, and see where life takes me. When […]
Beware of Black Swan Events
As I mentioned last week, I’m a believer that this upcoming decade will be a bull market, with a solid run over time. But I also forewarned that it may not be a perfect line, and it could be mired with a couple Black Swan Events. Black Swan Events are a metaphor for a surprise […]
How to Deal with the Capital Gains Tax 2013 Increases
Tax efficiency is a key goal of any investment strategy. Over time, investors have become better at avoiding taxes by investing in tax efficient ETFs, and tax shelters like real estate, master limited partnerships, and municipal bonds. This is a great strategy if looking to avoid the capital gains tax 2013 increases. Avoiding capital gains […]
The Bull Market is Set to Run for Years
If you’ve been paying attention to any financial news this last week, you know that stocks have been nearing their five-year highs. Whenever the stock market reaches a new high, it always creates two different arguments: Bears: Stocks have reached their peaks – sell, sell, sell! Bulls: Stocks have room to grow – buy, buy, […]
How to Transition from Vacation Back to “Real Life”
Whew! The holidays lasted forever, didn’t they? Either you were on a long vacation, or you came back to work sporadically over the holidays, including three days this week. I don’t know about you, but I crave routine. It’s one of the idiosyncrasies of my life. When there is structure and routine, I crave adventure […]
Invest in a Lump Sum or Small Chunks (Dollar Cost Averaging)?
There are two major competing philosophies when it comes to investing: do I invest in a lump sum, or do I invest in small chunks (i.e. dollar-cost averaging)? It also seems that almost every financial analyst has a different perspective when it comes to how to invest. Many recommend investing in small chunks and dollar […]
The Importance of Positivity When Setting Resolutions
Today is New Year’s Day. Everything that has happened last year is done. Today starts a new year, equipped with a blank slate. You’re welcome to look back on your resolutions from last year, but without judgement, since what’s done is done. I view January 1 the same way I view a snowy landscape through […]