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Debt
Two solutions for elderly parents who are house rich but cash poor
Written by Bruce Yates, Financial Advisor A Common Financial Conundrum If your parents are getting on in years, they may find themselves facing a situation shared by many older Americans. The majority of their wealth may be tied up in the house they bought decades ago, while their liquid assets—cash and securities that can be…
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Renting vs Buying
Written by Joe Erickson, CPA People are often faced with the question of whether buying or renting a home is smarter. Seattle has grown rapidly over the years, and many of our clients – either for themselves or their grown children – ask us whether renting or buying is financially more advantageous. Like many things, this…
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How Can You Manage Your Debt?
Understanding how much debt you can handle and being smart about managing it can help you pursue long-term financial goals. Consider the following tips when analyzing how much you owe. 1. Calculate how much debt you carry. Although there are exceptions for special situations, many mortgage providers consider the most attractive candidates to be those…
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Medicaid Liens and Estate Recoveries
What are Medicaid liens and estate recoveries? Federal law encourages states to seek reimbursement from Medicaid recipients for Medicaid payments made on their behalf. There are two types of cost-recovery actions against the assets of Medicaid recipients: (1) real or personal property liens, and (2) recovery from decedent’s estate. A Medicaid lien is a form…
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Alternative Ways to Fund Your Down Payment
How much money will you need for a down payment? It used to be that most lenders would require a down payment equal to at least 20 percent of a home’s purchase price. Today, however, there’s good news for homebuyers who have little money saved for a down payment. Many lenders have relaxed their requirements…
Read MoreUnderstanding Your Paycheck
Congratulations! You’ve just landed a new job. Here are some important things to be aware of before you receive your first paycheck. When will I receive my paycheck? How often will you be paid? Typically, your payday will depend on the company you work for and which state you work in. You might be paid…
Read MoreAll About Credit Scores
It’s difficult to imagine functioning in today’s world without credit. Whether buying a car or purchasing a home, credit has become an integral part of our everyday lives. Having easy access to credit goes hand in hand with having a good credit score, so it’s important to know how to maintain a positive credit score…
Read MoreDebt Consolidation
If you have a lot of debt, you’re not alone. Today, more and more Americans are burdened with credit card and loan payments. So whether you are trying to improve your money management, having difficulty making ends meet, want to lower your monthly loan payments, or just can’t seem to keep up with all of…
Read MoreCredit Traps for the Unwary
It’s hard to imagine functioning in today’s society without access to credit. However, you need to be careful not to fall victim to some of the pitfalls associated with it. Revolving credit can make it hard for you to pay off debt Credit cards allow you to spend money you don’t currently have, and to…
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