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A 30-year refinance offers lower monthly payments and more cash flow flexibility. A 15-year refinance has higher payments but saves massive interest and builds equity faster. Example on $400k loan:...
Read morePay points only if you'll stay long enough to break even. Each point costs 1% of the loan and lowers your rate about 0.25%. On a $400k loan, 2 points ($8,000) dropping rate from 7% to 6.5% saves $1...
Read moreExpect 2-6% of the new loan amount, averaging around $16,000 on a $400k loan. This includes: lender fees ($1,000-$3,000 for origination, underwriting, processing), third-party costs ($1,000-$2,500 ...
Read moreExcellent credit (720+) typically gets 5-6% APR, while good credit (680-719) sees 7-9% APR. Fair credit (640-679) pays 10-12% APR. Credit unions often offer the best rates (4.5-7%), while dealer fi...
Read moreAim for 15-20% down payment to secure better rates and avoid being underwater on your loan. For a $12,000 bike, that's $1,800-2,400 down. Higher down payments reduce monthly payments and total inte...
Read moreBeyond the loan payment, budget for insurance ($500-5,000/year depending on bike type and rider age), gear ($500-2,000 upfront), maintenance ($300-800/year), registration ($50-200/year), and storag...
Read moreUsed bikes (2-3 years old) typically offer 30-40% savings while still having modern features and potentially warranty coverage. New bikes depreciate 15-20% in the first year, so buying used avoids ...
Read moreMotorcycle insurance costs vary by bike type and rider profile, with sport bikes costing $1,500-5,000/year for young riders and cruisers $500-1,500/year. Always get insurance quotes before buying a...
Read moreThe expense ratio is the annual operating cost of a fund, expressed as a percentage of assets. A 0.10% vs 0.75% expense ratio can lead to large differences in ending value over decades.
Read moreLoad funds charge a sales commission (front‑end or back‑end). No‑load funds do not. Loads reduce the amount invested or proceeds received, increasing your breakeven hurdle.
Read moreYes. Index funds commonly have expense ratios under 0.20%, while many active funds charge 0.50–1.00%+. Lower costs often correlate with better long‑term outcomes, all else equal.
Read moreTaxable distributions (dividends and capital gains) can reduce after‑tax returns. Holding funds in tax‑advantaged accounts (IRA, 401k) or using tax‑efficient index funds can mitigate tax drag.
Read moreTurnover measures how frequently a fund buys/sells holdings. Higher turnover can raise trading costs and capital gains distributions, potentially reducing after‑tax performance.
Read moreGross pay is the total amount you earn before any deductions, while net pay is the amount you take home after all taxes and deductions. For example, if your gross pay is $3,000 per month and your d...
Read moreNet pay is the amount of money you receive in your paycheck after all deductions and taxes are subtracted from your gross pay. To calculate net pay, start with your gross pay (total earnings before...
Read moreFederal and state tax withholdings are amounts deducted from your gross pay to cover your tax liabilities. The federal income tax rate varies based on your income level and filing status, whereas s...
Read moreGross pay is your total earnings before any deductions, while net pay is what you actually receive after all deductions. For example, if your annual salary is $60,000, that's your gross pay. Howeve...
Read moreFICA taxes include Social Security and Medicare taxes, which are 6.2% and 1.45% of your gross pay, respectively. These mandatory taxes fund retirement and healthcare benefits, reducing your net pay...
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