How to Incorporate Yourself to Save Money (and Protect Your Assets)
So you are a freelancer or independent contractor and you want to know how to incorporate yourself. Smart. My feeling is that if you are self-employed in this way, you're…
Big Picture Investing: Why You Need to Get in the Game Now!
If you have been poking around my blog, you’ve probably figured out that my ultimate goal is to help you reach some version of "financial independence" (or even just plain…
What is Asset Protection Planning (and How Do You Achieve It)?
What do we mean when we say "Asset Protection Planning"? To answer that, we first need to understand to what “assets” we are actually referring. Over the course of your…
How to Make Your Money Work for You: 7 Modern Methods for Investing in “The Market”
You work hard for your money, but do you know how to make your money work for you? No one wants to work until they die, right? If you feel…
Real Estate Strategy 101: Learn the Basics, the Lingo, and the Opportunities
Investing in real estate is well-known as one of the most effective ways to increase your wealth. It also can have the added benefit of generating passive income, which allows you to…
Early Financial Independence: Living Your Life in 4 Acts (Not Just the 3 You’ve Been Told About)!
You're probably living your life in "3 Acts"---so were we. (This may sound a bit esoteric right now, but just bear with me.) When we finally realized that life was…
The 5 Critical Components of Real Estate Investing Returns
Real estate investing is a big piece of my financial pie. The way I think about real estate investing in the same way I think about public markets investing...I look…
Solo 401k vs SEP IRA: A Comparing For the Self-Employed
Self-employment can offer an excellent work-life balance, as well as other freedoms and lifestyle benefits! Hahaha...wasn't that funny. Seriously though, self-employment will likely be the cause of you working 80…
What is a Personal Loan and How Does it Work?
Do you have expenses that you fail to pay on a regular basis? Or maybe a huge pile of high-interest debt requiring monthly payments that barely even cover the interest…
Futures Brokers: Some of the Best to Choose From
Futures Brokers: Some of the Best to Choose From! was written by Tim Thomas. It originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks and has been republished with permission. Futures trading isn't…
What Is A Debt Consolidation Loan?
If you've got lots of debt from various sources, a debt consolidation loan could help you organize your finances and set your future straight. "What is a debt consolidation loan?"…
How to Budget Money 101 (You Know You Need To)
How to Budget Money 101 was written by Kristian Borghesan, and originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. It has been republished with permission. Budgeting. The nine-letter word in personal finance…
Taxes on Dividends: Answers to 4 Key Questions
Taxes on Dividends was written by Prakash of Dividend Power. It originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. It has been republished with permission. Dividends are one of my favorite things…
How Does Real Estate Syndication Work?
Real estate syndication is an investment method that allows investors to pool their money and share in potentially massive profits. At some point in your life, you may find it…
The Best Precious Metals ETFs (for 2021)
As the market grows increasingly hot, it's hard not to wonder "when will it come down?" If you're worried about your stock market portfolio is too concentrated, there may be…
Personal Loans For Bad Credit
When looking at loan advice online, many sources assume that you have good or at least neutral credit. As a result, their solutions may not apply to those who have…
BEST Emerging Markets ETFs (for 2021)
Investing in emerging markets is an awesome way to capitalize on the growing and innovating world. If you believe that the world will get better in the future, then you…
9 Great Questions to Ask When Buying a House
Questions to Ask When Buying a House was written by Jonathan Sanchez. It originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks and has been republished with permission. For many people, homeownership is…
10 Receipt Scanner App Options to Save Your Expense Reports
This article was written by Ryan Luke. It originally appeared on Your Money Geek and has been republished with permission A receipt scanner app could be one of the easiest…
The BEST Small Cap ETFs (For 2021)
Investing is an awesome way to build wealth. You've probably heard the phrase "making your money work for you" and investing in the stock market can help you do exactly…
How To Get Out of Debt Fast: 10+ Tips You Need To Know Now
There are many reasons why people get into debt, but many don't know how to get out of it. This article will show you what you need to do to…
Here Are 40 of the Best Jobs for Retirees
This article was written by Linda Meltzer of The Cents of Money. It originally appeared on Your Money Geek and has been republished with permission. Are you a retiree but…
APR vs. Interest Rate: Understanding the Difference can Save You Money
This post was written by Cristian Ferrier, and it originally appeared on Your Money Geek. It has been republished with permission. APR vs. Interest Rate: What's the difference? Is it…
What Happens if You File Taxes Late? Here is the Good News and Bad
This post was written by Riley Adams, and originally appeared on Your Money Geek. It has been republished with permission. Just do it already. Reset your view on taxes if…
When Does It Make Sense To Refinance Student Loans?
Our contributing author, Travis Hornsby, CFA, is Founder and CEO of Student Loan Planner. He lives with his wife in St. Louis, MO, where he loves thinking up new student loan…
What is PMP Certification? And What Are The Benefits?
Our contributing author, Rajesh Jujare, is a Certified Digital marketer with 4.5 years of experience in SEO, Inbound Marketing, SMO, Content Marketing and Influencer Marketing. Industries served are E-commerce, Manufacturing,…
Real Estate Insurance: What Is It and How Can It Benefit Your Agency?
This post was written for Play Louder by a contributing author. Please note that contributing opinions and claims are that of the author. They are not always in strict alignment…
What is An Annuity (and How Annuities Work!)
Imagine getting paid $1000 every month for the rest of your life. You don't need to work for it and you can spend it however you want. Sounds like a…
Crypto Arbitrage: Everything You Need to Know to Profit
Ready to take your cryptocurrency investing to the next level and take advantage of the constant price movements? Crypto arbitrage will probably seem like an attractive prospect — who doesn’t…
Can I Work and Collect Social Security
Around 64% of Americans have not saved enough for retirement, and about half of those individuals may have nothing set aside when they reach retirement age. The pandemic worsened some…
A 1099 vs W2 Tax Calculator (To Estimate Your Taxes)
A 1099 and a W-2 are both tax forms that report income to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). That being said, they are also terms that are commonly used to…
How Much Does it Cost to Rekey a Lock (And Other Common Real Estate Costs)
If you happen to be a landlord or real estate agent, you know there are little things that always need to be done in order to keep properties in tip-top…
What is The Infinite Banking Concept? And What Are The Pros and Cons?
The infinite banking concept describes a way for everyday individuals to take charge of their finances and grow their wealth. Popularized by R. Nelson Nash in his book "Becoming Your…
Top Tech ETFs: Quality Funds To Consider (for 2021)
Technology is advancing at a faster rate than ever and there's no better way to profit from it than through top tech ETFs. Technology ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) are baskets…
Making a Will – 10 Facts You’ll Definitely Want to Consider
The pandemic has changed people's thinking on many things, not the least of which is estate planning and making a will. According to one study, over 68% of Americans do…
China ETFs: An Overview of 5 Top Offerings (for 2021)
China ETFs (exchange-traded funds) offer investors an easy way to diversify their investment strategy. In March of 2020, tons of short-sellers rushed into the Chinese markets hoping to capitalize on…
Indexed Universal Life Insurance – The Pros, Cons and Must-Know Information!
As it stands today, you might feel like you need an entire college course on life insurance to simply understand all the available options you have to consider. From navigating…
ETFs That Short the Market: Some of The Best Inverse ETFs (For 2021)
This post was written by Jeff Fang of Financial Pupil. Please note that contributing opinions and claims are that of the author. They are not always in strict alignment with…
Best Ways to Invest Money in 2021
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that investing is reserved for the already rich. Although having more money to play with makes investment simpler and less risky, anyone with…
Make Your Real Estate Business Standout (8 Branding Tips You Need to Follow)
This post was written for Play Louder by a contributing author. Please note that contributing opinions and claims are that of the author. They are not always in strict alignment…
What Is an LLC? And How Is It Different Than a Corporation?
I know a thing or two about the complexities of launching a new business. As the owner of several businesses in the Los Angeles entertainment industry, I know from experience…
DRIP Stock Investing: How to Collect More Stock on Autopilot
Do you want to reinvest your dividends without having to think about it? Then, DRIP investing may be the tool you need. Learn everything on how to reinvest your dividends…
How You Can Become Debt Free (And Even Get a Fresh Financial Start)
Being overwhelmed by debt can be stressful, frustrating, and even detrimental to your mental and overall health. If you're watching your debts pile up month after month, you may need…
Recession-Proof Stocks: 13 Stocks to Buy to Weather the Storm
This post was written by Steve Cummings and originally appeared on Your Money Geek. Steve Cummings is the founder of the personal finance blog The Frugal Expat. Please note that…
9 Unique Ways to Make Extra Money With a Tutoring Side Hustle
Looking for a side hustle to bring in some more cash? Have you considered tutoring? Most people think of tutoring as helping kids with schoolwork. Think again! While tutoring students…
What You Need To Know About a Sinking Fund
We all have something special we'd like to buy for our home or in life. That old couch that has seen better days in your living room begging for a…
Self-Discipline: Follow These 12 Steps to Make it a Habit
Developing self-discipline isn't easy. Procrastination is the enemy of self-discipline. Here's a perfect example: "I'm going to start the keto diet tomorrow because I want to lose 20 lbs for…
Adding Tax Diversification to Your Retirement Portfolio
Have you ever considered the possibility that you may earn a higher income after you retire than you have now? It sounds crazy, I know, but it’s not as uncommon…
How to Save For a House: 10 Ways To Make Your Biggest Purchase Ever!
Buying a home may be the biggest purchase a person can make. And, with home prices rising, it can also feel intimidating or even impossible, especially for a first-time home.…
How to Make Money With a Blog (Top 3 Strategies!)
When it comes to turning your passion into a money-making business, it can be frustrating and confusing. There are so many options for how to make money with a blog…
Bull Market vs. Bear Market? What You Need to Know
The stock market can seem like a game of chance sometimes — you might wake up one day to find that your investments have grown by 5% overnight, then six…
Want to Know How to Get Rich? Follow These 8 Steps
Do you want to know how to get rich? (Of course you do! Don’t we all?) Though many people think getting “rich” is a daunting uphill climb, the truth is…
8 Ways to Digitize Your Business
Digitization of any business involves the implementation of modern technologies, in daily operations, to enhance business growth. A digital transformation can help boost performance by establishing consistency, redesigning profitable systems,…
How Long to Keep Tax Returns: 7 Questions to Consider
How long to keep tax returns is one of the most asked questions in personal finance. Did you know the average American spends 13 hours every year preparing federal tax…
How Risk Averse Are You? Here Are the Best Ways to Find Out?
All of the recent hype surrounding Gamestop, cryptocurrency, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and meme stocks made me question - is anyone risk-averse anymore? Does anyone value consistent returns over the 50/50…
College Graduates: Build Wealth by Avoiding 11 Common Money Mistakes After Landing Your First Job
Congratulations! You graduated from college and landed your first job! It’s an exciting and scary new chapter all rolled in one. You’ll be making some serious money for the first…
Timeshare Rentals: Score Epic Travel Deals on 16 Websites You Probably Haven’t Heard Of
Did you know that you can rent condos at timeshare resorts, just like renting vacation homes? How do condo rentals at Hawaii resorts for as low as a $199 week…
How to Become a Millionaire – 16 Dos and Don’ts
It's no longer "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" but how to become a millionaire. You don't have to be a contestant on a game show, win the lottery, or…
How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make and How to Be Successful at It
If you’re considering starting a new career as a real estate agent, you’re probably wondering, “How much do real estate agents make?” However, before you begin ordering business cards, you…
Uncover a Good Cap Rate Using My Cap Rate Calculator
You may have an understanding that real estate is a solid investment choice. You may even be at the point where you have started looking! But once you find an…
How to Do Taxes on Your Own: Your Complete Guide
If you earn a steady income or even an inconsistent one, you're likely paying taxes or on the hook for them. Employers withhold taxes each pay period from their employees'…
Are Timeshares Worth It? Why NOT to Waste Your Money on a Timeshare
Have you wondered what a timeshare is, and if it could be a good investment? Are timeshares worth it? Picture this. You're on vacation in Hawaii, and a pretty lady…
Bitcoin ETF – How to Invest in Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies
It's been a dismal year for the economy. But one bright spot amidst the recession has been the explosion in the value of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Since its low…
25 Tax Memes That’ll Make You Laugh But Also Probably Cry
If you're supposed to be doing your taxes right now I've got some bad news for you: reading a list of tax memes isn't technically doing your taxes. Or anything…
What Happens If You Don’t Pay Student Loans?
If you're one of the many millions of graduates saddled with debt, it's understandable that you have some anxiety about paying off your loans. You may even start to wonder…
Investment Vehicles: What Are They and What Are the Risks?
According to the 2019 Schwab Modern Wealth Survey, Americans believe someone to be "wealthy" if they have at least $2.3 million in net worth. Arguably, the best approach to building…
Top 9 Tax Return Service Reco’s
Am I the only one who gets excited about filing taxes? Yah, maybe I am. A lot has changed this year, but filing your taxes can be easy to navigate…
Should You Plan on Working Past Retirement?
Working past retirement may sound contradictory. I mean, it isn't really retirement if you have to work, is it? But there are actually some pretty solid reasons to work during…
5 Ways to Spot Investment Scams
There is always an element of risk versus reward with an investment. You are never guaranteed to get all your money back. However, some investment opportunities are straight-up scams. Ponzi schemes…
What Is a Self-Directed IRA Real Estate Investment (and Should You Do It)?
Why would you buy real estate in your IRA? The biggest benefit of a self-directed IRA real estate investment is the awesome opportunity for your money to grow...tax-deferred! You can…
W4 vs W2 vs W9 vs 1099 Tax Forms: What Are the Differences?
While the W4 vs W2 vs W9 vs 1099 are all tax forms, they serve very different purposes. Here's a broad strokes comparison of the multiple forms. The W9 vs…
Top 5 Personal Bookkeeping Software Options: Personal Capital vs Mint vs Quicken vs Money Dance vs Countabout
Personal Capital vs Mint vs Quicken vs Money dance vs Countabout are all potential options to help you get a better grip on your personal finances or tidy up your…
5 Ways People Waste Money on Their Cars
This may be something of a personal pet peeve, but why do people waste money on their cars? Spending money on cars, fine. Wasting money? Not so fine. It's easy…
What Is a Self-Directed 401k?
Will you have enough money in retirement? The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that only 43% of United States workers participate in a retirement savings plan. This survey was actually specific…
7 Ways To Save Money On A Wedding Without Regrets
This is a guest post written for playlouder.com by Audrey Willows. Please note that guest post opinions are of their author. They are not always in strict alignment with our…
How to Do Your Own Taxes (and Save some Money!)
It may seem terrifying at first, but you can learn how to do your own taxes. Let's take a look at what forms you'll need to fill out, tax credits…
Is Turnkey Real Estate Investing Worth Your Money? A “No-Gimmes” Accounting of 8 Properties in 3 US Markets
Are you interested in turnkey real estate investing, but not sure if it will actually make you money? In an effort to answer that question, I'm going to give you…
Choosing Payroll Software: Square Payroll vs Gusto Payroll vs ADP
Payroll is a pain. According to survey data, payroll takes small business owners an excess of 5 hours per pay period. Fortunately, if you choose the right payroll solution, you…
Emergency Fund: How Much is Enough?
How much is enough for an emergency fund, you ask? Well, that's a highly debated topic. The answer is (as always), it DEPENDS. Before I get into how much is…
Webull vs Robinhood vs M1: Which One is the Best?
Are you looking for ways to up your investing? Do you want to get into the stock market game to make your money work for you? If so, then you've…
How to Pay Less Taxes: 7 Basic Tax Planning Strategies
To hear some folks tell it, low taxes are basically the Holy Grail of personal finance. Those folks just might be right! Over the course of several years, a few…
How You (or Your Business) Can Benefit from a Financial Coach
There are a lot of things that can lead to a business's downfall. Failing to market products and services effectively is a major factor. Jumping into an over-saturated market can…
How to Make Money With Bitcoin (and Other Cryptocurrency)
Wondering how to make money with bitcoin? Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency. Unless you've been living under a rock, you've heard of this lucrative, emerging sector of the financial marketplace. Cryptocurrency, specifically…
What Are Stocks? And How To Invest in the S&P 500
Are you a new investor who is looking for ways to build wealth? More than 50 percent of households in the United States invest in some form in the stock market. …
The Best Hosting Companies Right Now!
This post was written in collaboration with Chris Wagner, Head of Content at HostingPill. With more than 9 years of Industry experience, he regularly writes about hosting, web servers, and…
How Long Does a Home Inspection Take?
Buying a home is one of the largest investments most individuals will make. While no single item can guarantee a completely stress free home purchase, a home inspection can provide…
Is Doing A Blog Worth It? My Experience (So Far)
So, you're wondering, "Is doing a blog worth it?" Well, like with most of life’s big questions, the answer is: "it depends"! Sorry, I know, you really wanted me to…
What is a Dividend and Why Would You Invest in Dividend Stocks?
Dividends can be a very valuable part of your investment portfolio. They can reduce your overall portfolio risk, increase your profits, and offer tax advantages. But what are dividends? And…
Evening Part Time Jobs Online (That Can Pay Pretty Well!)
If you have been thinking about doing some evening part time jobs online to make extra income on the side, you're not alone. A Bankrate survey shows that nearly half…
60k a Year Is How Much an Hour? (And How Do I Budget for That Salary?)
60k a year is how much an hour? And how do you budget for a 60k salary? Let's find out. If you're a high school teacher, public relations specialist, zoologist,…
How Beneficial is the Gross Income Multiplier?
The gross income multiplier (GIM) is a fast and easy way to estimate the value of an income producing property. It should only be used as a first very basic…
The Critical Tools I Use for My Blogging Business
If you have decided to join the ranks and become a "blogger," you're most certainly in need of some helpful blogging tools. I want to share my best resources with…
Jobs That Pay 100 an Hour (or More) and Can Be Done Remotely?
There are not many careers with jobs that pay 100 an hour or more and can be worked remotely. Not too long ago, no job could have! Luckily, times have…
Meet the Money Transfer Companies Disrupting the US Funds Transfer Industry
The USA might be the greatest economy in the world today. However, making international money transfers from this country is a challenge. There are many options you can use, so…
What is the Difference Between Term and Whole Life Insurance?
Are you thinking about buying life insurance, but don't know where to start? Here's a money saving tip: get it while you're still young(er) and healthy! Now, let's look at…
The 1031 Exchange Timeline (and All The Other Rules!)
A 1031 exchange timeline is worth investigating and enduring the hassle of abiding by. Here's why... When you sell an investment property at a profit, you typically have to pay…
8 Proven & Practical Ways to Catch-Up With Your Retirement Savings Contributions
This is a guest post written for playlouder.com by Rick Pendykoski, the owner of Self Directed Retirement Plans LLC, a retirement planning firm based in Goodyear, AZ. Rick has over…
Adobe vs Avid vs BlackMagic vs Mac: Which Media Creation Platform Is Best?
Adobe vs Avid vs BlackMagic vs Mac ...which one is best? With the abundance of websites and social media these days, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. Videos…
The Financial Independence Mindset is Critical
Many people have heard this term "financially independent," but they’re not totally sure what it means—or if they know what it means, they don’t know how to achieve it. Financial…
The 4 Most Popular Bookkeeping Programs for Your Business
QuickBooks vs FreshBooks vs Xero vs Quicken Home & Business If you are just starting a business, or even if you've been in business for a while, you need to…
Best Business Checking Accounts Comparison
As a business owner, entrepreneur, or a prospective startup, one of the first things you should set up is a business bank account for your finances. You need a business…
7 Awesome Stock Photo, Image Editing, and Graphics Creation Options
Do you ever look at a marketing poster or banner and wonder how it was made? You'd think it took an entire team of designers, photographers, and editors hours and…