The Stellar Communicator

You can take many paths to increased wealth, but it helps to have a recognized and easy-to-apply framework to structure your goals. The S.M.A.R.T. framework provides the structure and accountability that can help you turn your financial intentions into tangible results. Consider using the S.M.A.R.T. strategy to achieve financial goals like saving for college, starting a business, growing your income, paying off debt, reducing your taxes, or accumulating tangible assets.

With concerns about recession and inflation as a backdrop to this holiday season, you may wonder whether you can give to loved ones in ways more reflective of your personal and family wealth goals. That can include saving on taxes and hedging against inflation — while remaining consistent with the values you and your gift recipient hold. One of your values may be transferring wealth to the next generation to ensure they're prepared for the future and can weather macroeconomic shocks. Here are some ways to give the gift of economic well-being while protecting your finances.

If you have special charitable goals, you may want to consider a donor-advised fund (DAF). A DAF lets you set up charitable accounts at a variety of institutions — like community foundations, financial institutions, and national foundations — and donate money through them to your favorite causes. Here's what to know about the charitable and tax implication of establishing a DAF.

It's an honor when a friend or loved one trusts you to become their estate executor. But being a will executor is a significant responsibility. It makes you their fiduciary and it can be time-consuming and expensive. It may come with emotional challenges, particularly related to dealing with the departed's remaining family. Here's how to overcome those emotional and logistical challenges.

Most people know that inflation — the gradual rise in prices over time — decreases your purchasing power. And the recent bout of inflation has certainly had a profound impact on most people's purchasing power. At 8.5%,1 it's at its highest since the 1980s. This comes after price increases holding steady at the Federal Reserve's prescribed rate of a 2% annually since the Great Recession ended in 2009. What is the role of the Fed in mitigating inflation? [Note: I wrote this for the private wealth content platform for the bank's mass affluent audience.] (Image: Pexels)

When your credit card bills are due each month, you may wonder if you can pay a credit card with another credit card. While you can’t do it directly, using one credit card to pay off another through balance transfers or cash advances is possible. However, there are some considerations to understand about each strategy. (Image: Liza Summer on Pexels)

When planning for a financially secure retirement, you might consider two investment vehicles: individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and 401(k)s. Both help you save for retirement, but they come with their own sets of rules and benefits. Understanding the difference between an IRA and 401(k) can help increase your retirement savings. Here's what to know.

Today’s inflation is pandemic-related and temporary—but maybe not short-lived. So, understanding how inflation works can help you maintain the right mindset. It also helps you take steps to hedge against inflation and avoid long-term harm when prices rise. Learn what you can do to adapt your finances to this inflationary period and potentially come out ahead.

In 2020, 3,142 people were killed in motor vehicle collisions involving distracted drivers, according to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA). Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) show that nine people die daily in crashes reportedly involving distracted drivers. In most cases, mobile phones are the source of distraction. If you cause an accident, your auto insurance rates may skyrocket and you may experience significant legal problems depending on the accident's severity. So, you want to avoid distracted driving at all costs. Here's how.

A private student loan is a one that comes from a lender like a bank, credit union, or finance company. Since the government doesn’t issue these loans, they’re often called “non-federal student loans.” The "Best of" overviews 10 private student loan lenders who have special programs for different borrower types. •• About the Project: As an expert reviewer for this website, I substantially rewrote and updated this review, which was the equivalent of 13-15 pages of text. I used my expertise in SEO, personal finance, and U.S. politics and economics, and I provided editorial direction. A project like this takes substantial time to complete, especially when it requires multiple editor-requested revisions, and I charge by the hour to do the work. The editor was an SEO expert and said the end product met his high SEO standards for content. Click my name in the review to see why this website made me an expert. Image: Muhammadtaha Ibrahim Ma'aji on Pexels.com.

A debt consolidation loan combines multiple debts, like credit cards, personal loans, medical and others, into one loan. I summarize the features of each loan covered here. They may be different in your state and are subject to change frequently. So, please check the lender’s site for the updated information. In this "Best of" lender list, I also provide significant education on what debt consolidation loans are, the application process, and alternatives to debit consolidation. •• About the Project: I wrote this original "best of" from a client-provided detailed project brief that supplied SEO keywords, the lenders to review, and the required questions to answer for each lender. I extensively researched each lender and wrote the reviews. I also used my expertise in SEO, personal finance, and U.S. politics and economics in my writing, and I provided editorial direction. This project, which was the equivalent of 15 pages of text or 5,000 words, took about 30 hours to complete. The editor was an SEO expert and said the end product met his high SEO standards for content. Because of my work and extensive expertise on the two original reviews I wrote for the site, the client editor made me an expert on the site. Click my name in the review to see why this website owner made me one of its experts. (Note: Clients pay me by the hour or word for projects like this and provide detailed project briefs.) Image: Monstera on Pexels.com.

Blending finances requires shared goals and a strategy and can come with frustrations and rewards. As you combine your finances, expect an ongoing process with strategic renegotiations and recalibrations along the way. Here are some tips to make the process easier.

A personal loan is unsecured debt offered to borrowers in a lump sum. Most personal loans come with fixed interest rates, fixed monthly payments, and fixed repayment terms. This makes personal loans a good option for borrowers who need cash but don't want t the high interest rates and unpredictable monthly payment amounts of credit cards. Choosing a personal loan can be challenging, so this "Best of" overviews 10 lenders who offer the best loan types for a borrower's situation. •• About the Project: As an expert reviewer for this website, I substantially rewrote and updated this review, which was the equivalent of 13-15 pages of text. I used my expertise in SEO, personal finance and lending, and U.S. politics and economics, and I provided editorial direction. The editor was an SEO expert and said the end product met his high SEO standards for content. Click my name in the review to see why this website made me an expert. Image: Sarah Chai on Pexels

A credit score is a vital number in your financial life. It’s a three-digit number between 350 and 850 that gives lenders an idea of how likely you are to repay debts. Your credit scores are calculated based on the information in your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This three-digit number determines whether you can get approved for credit cards, loans, mortgages, apartments, and more. Here's how to repair it and keep it good.

If you want all your student debt—both federal and private loans placed into one private loan, possibly at a lower interest rate with lower monthly payments and longer to repay, then consider refinancing. •• About the Project: I wrote this original review from a client-provided detailed project brief that supplied SEO keywords and the required questions to answer for each lender. I selected the lenders to review from a spreadsheet provided to me by the marketing firm that owns the site. Then, I extensively researched each lender and wrote the reviews. I also used my expertise in SEO, personal finance, and U.S. politics and economics in my writing, and I provided editorial direction. This project, which was the equivalent of 15 pages of text or 5,000 words, took 30 hours to complete. The editor was an SEO expert and said the end product met his high SEO standards for content. Because of my work and extensive expertise on the two original reviews I wrote to the site, he made me an expert on the site. Click my name in the review to see why this website made me one of its experts. (Note: Clients pay me by the hour or word for projects like this and provide detailed project briefs.) Image: Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com.

According to myFICO, a credit score that’s lower than 580 is considered poor, and one between 580 and 669 is fair. Any credit score under 670 is below the average U.S. consumer credit score, and lenders will consider that borrower a higher risk. This "Best of" overviews loans available for borrowers with poor credit. •• About this Project: As an expert reviewer for this website, I substantially rewrote and updated this review, which was the equivalent of 13-15 pages of text. I used my expertise in SEO, personal finance, and U.S. politics and economics, and I provided editorial direction. A project like this takes substantial time to complete, especially when it requires multiple editor-requested revisions, and I charge by the hour to do the work. The editor was an SEO expert and said the end product met his high SEO standards for content. Click my name in the review to see why this website made me an expert. Image: Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com.

Many people enroll in life insurance coverage through work because the cost may be low and it’s easy to manage. If you have an employer-sponsored life insurance policy, how much do you really know about it? Have you reviewed your policy details closely? Here's how to evaluate your workplace insurance against your current needs.

Your credit score – three numbers that hold considerable sway over your financial life — is often the first thing a lender wants to see before considering giving you a loan. Your credit score can seem mysterious or even random, but you have more control over it than you may think. Understanding what a credit score tells lenders and how it’s different from a credit report is the first step to taking control. Here's what you should know.

While you have access to more credit score information than ever, there's a lot of misinformation and outright mythology floating around, too. Several myths rise to the level of hype and can be scary. Have you heard that your race, gender, age, job type, or neighborhood go on your credit? They don’t and they certainly don’t factor into your score. Here's what else not to believe about your credit score.

When you have no accounts reporting your good behavior to credit bureaus, you are very vulnerable. Having a thin credit file isn't as negative as having bad credit but it can have the same effect. Here are three ways to build a strong credit score starting from with no credit at all.