Since 2009, Kevin Mercadante has been sharing his journey from a washed-up mortgage loan officer emerging from the Financial Meltdown as a contract/self-employed “slash worker” – accountant/blogger/freelance blog writer – on OutofYourRut.com. He offers career strategies, from dealing with under-employment to transitioning into self-employment, and provides “Alt-retirement strategies” for the vast majority who won’t retire to the beach as millionaires.
He also frequently discusses the big-picture trends that are putting the squeeze on the bottom 90%, offering workarounds and expense cutting tips to help readers carve out more money to save in their budgets – a.k.a., breaking the “savings barrier” and transitioning from debtor to saver.
Kevin has a B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Montclair State University.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank or financial institution. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
You’ll need the kind of returns the stock market provides to reach FIRE status. You can invest in the entire stock market through two popular funds, VTSAX and VTI. VTSAX and VTI are an easy, convenient way to get the benefit of stock market gains without the need to select individual stocks or even a collection of funds.
Homeowners insurance covers the homeowner for damage or loss related to hazards like fire, storm damage, and theft. The average cost of homeowners insurance nationwide is $1,249 per year. In this guide, we’ll explain the various factors that will impact your cost of homeowners insurance.
In the world of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early), Barista FIRE is like 'retirement light'. It's easier to achieve because it lets you supplement your income with part-time work. Even if you never become a millionaire, you may still be able to enjoy a partial life of FIRE - Barista FIRE.
Stash is a micro-savings and micro-investments app that gives users access to investment accounts, and teaches them how to invest. Stash may be the perfect platform for a new investor to begin their investment journey.If you’ve wanted to invest but are having trouble getting started, Stash may be just what you need.
An SDIRA is an IRA in which you can hold alternative assets, particularly physical assets, like gold bullion and real estate. You can also store other types of assets not permitted in regular IRA accounts.In this article, I'll cover what we believe to be the seven best self-directed IRAs. Or better put, the seven best self-directed IRA custodians.
Zacks Investment Research is relied on by thousands of investors and is frequently quoted in the financial media. But even if you’ve heard of Zacks Investment Research, you may not be aware that Zacks also offers an investment trading platform. How does it all work? We'll take a look in this Zacks Trade Review.
Financial independence is one of those rare goals many people hope to accomplish – someday. But few ever do. Most of the time, the problem isn't a lack of desire, but the absence of a plan or willingness to commit. The good news is that you can start working towards financial independence now, no matter where you're at in your life.
Meme stock prices are driven purely by social media hype. More specifically, individual investors use social media platforms to create a buzz around the stock, which results in a buying frenzy. Pretty soon, the stock's price no longer resembles its true value. The question is, do you buy in or choose to stay out?
A self-directed IRA is a special brokerage account that enables you to invest in assets and asset classes that are not available in conventional IRAs. For example, it’s possible to have a self-directed IRA that will allow you to hold investment real estate. But are self-directed IRAs suitable for the average investor? Find out why or why not.
Reverse mortgages have been growing in popularity in the last few years, due to a combination of factors. In addition to rising property values and higher living costs, millions of seniors on fixed incomes are using reverse mortgages to remain in their homes. But how does a reverse mortgage work, and is it right for you?
Developed in 2014, Stellar Lumens (XLM) has become a popular cryptocurrency, alongside names like Bitcoin and Ethereum. But unlike many other cryptos, Stellar Lumens was meant to function as a medium of exchange, not just as a standalone investment. Our guide will tell you how and where you can buy Stellar Lumens.
There are thousands of cryptocurrencies, with more being added all the time. But one that’s rising in popularity is Ripple. More commonly referred to by its symbol XRP, it can be bought and sold easily on both crypto exchanges and through certain investment brokers. If you've never purchased Ripple before, we'll walk you through the process.
