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Is a personal line of credit right for you?
November 19, 2020 / Sarah Stansfield
A personal line of credit (PLOC) enables borrowers to withdraw funds for a set period of time – known as the “draw period” – on an as-needed basis. A draw period can last for several years. Lines of credit are helpful if you need access to cash…
Three ways to protect yourself from stimulus scams
October 15, 2020 / Ray Wills
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is cautioning Americans to be mindful of various schemes targeting Economic Impact Payments, also known as stimulus checks. Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself if Congress passes a second stimulus package…
Interest Rates 101
September 24, 2020 / David Bimler
If you’ve been researching loans, you’ve certainly noticed the term interest rate. Expressed as a percentage, usually in annual terms, an interest rate is the amount of money your lender charges you for a loan. Nearly every type of loan, including mortgages, car loans and student loans, charges an interest rate. Rates vary depending on your credit score, the type of loan and the lender.…
Work-from-home scams and how to avoid them
September 10, 2020 / Ray Wills
As the coronavirus crisis causes unemployment numbers to increase, a trend has emerged: Many people are falling victim to work-from-home scams. Identifying these scams can be tricky, as work-from-home opportunities have skyrocketed due to nationwide stay-at-home orders.…
A GRAT in action
August 17, 2020 / The Merrill Anderson Company
The Grantor-Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT) has emerged as a popular strategy in the estate planner’s toolkit. The idea is that a grantor places assets in a trust while retaining the right to receive payments from the trust. When the term of the trust expires, any assets remaining in the trust pass to a beneficiary, typically a family member.…