As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on what has been a phenomenal year for investors. The S&P 500 delivered an exceptional year-to-date return of 28%, far surpassing its historical average annual return of 7.9% since 1928. This remarkable performance is a testament to the resilience and dynamism of the market, particularly in a year filled with economic uncertainties.
Time really flies—it's hard to believe we're already in Q4 of 2024! As the year marches on, it's time for another update on my dividend income. In this post, I will be sharing how my investments performed in Q3 and reflect on the progress of my passive income journey.
The third quarter has been challenging for many investors, with inflationary pressures, interest rates, and geopolitical tensions driving market fluctuations. Despite these headwinds, my dividend portfolio remained a source of reliable income. Diversification and a focus on quality dividend stocks helped buffer the impact of market turbulence.
In today's rapidly evolving automotive landscape, the decision to purchase a car involves more than just picking a model you like. With factors such as fluctuating fuel prices, environmental concerns, and a diverse range of financing options, making the right choice can be daunting. In this post, we share our journey to finding the perfect vehicle, starting with the critical decision of electric vs. gasoline, followed by a detailed examination of whether to buy outright or lease.
In today’s financial landscape, where mortgage rates are significantly higher than they’ve been in recent years, homeowners and prospective buyers are searching for ways to make their monthly payments more manageable. With mortgage payments often representing a substantial portion of a household's budget, finding strategies to reduce these payments is crucial. Throughout my own mortgage journey, I explored several methods, including buying discount points, making additional payments toward the down payment, and performing a mortgage recast. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll delve into these options, explain why buying discount points may not be the most effective strategy in a high-interest environment, and offer alternative approaches that might better suit your financial needs.
Buying a home is a monumental decision, one that often comes with a mix of excitement and anxiety. For most of us, purchasing a home outright with cash is a dream far beyond reach, which leaves us with the more common path—a mortgage. Specifically, a 30-year mortgage is the most popular choice among homebuyers in the United States. While it offers lower monthly payments, it also extends the debt obligation over a long period. So, when you sign that mortgage agreement, your home is technically yours only after 30 years of consistent payments. In this post, we will delve into the intricacies of the 30-year mortgage, using a loan of $1,000,000 at an interest rate of 7% spread across 30 years as our case study.
