Danny Lee When it comes to securing a mortgage, most borrowers focus on getting the lowest interest rate possible. However, there are different strategies you can use to adjust your mortgage rate, depending on your financial goals and situation. Two common tactics are buying down the rate through points and buying up the rate, which can reduce … Read more
Refinancing your mortgage can be a smart financial move, but it’s important to understand when it makes the most sense. While a lower interest rate is a common reason, other factors like changing loan terms or tapping into home equity can also drive the decision. Let’s dive into the key factors to consider when deciding … Read more
If you’ve been contributing to your retirement accounts diligently but are thinking about accessing your funds early, you may have encountered the terms 72(t) and SEPP. These concepts can provide a way to tap into your retirement savings without facing the usual penalties. Here’s what you need to know. What Are 72(t) and SEPP? 72(t) … Read more
I started an email list this month and sent out my first monthly newsletter. Here are some snippets from my first monthly newsletter. Subscribe to be entered into the sponsored giveaways! LiveFrugaLee Monthly Newsletter #1, July 2024 If you know me, you know that I’m always trying to learn new things. I find that the … Read more
A lot of people have been asking, “How was the Disney Cruise?!” I told them I’d write a blog post about it soon. There’s a lot to cover, and there’s a lot I won’t cover because we just didn’t have time to do it all! Those who read my blog know I try to be … Read more
Last year, on April Fool’s Day, we paid off our mortgage. Was it foolish to pay off a 2.0% interest rate mortgage instead of investing in the stock market? Being immersed in the personal finance world, I know what the conventional wisdom says to do. Expected returns in the stock market are far greater than … Read more
Do you ever wish you weren’t stuck in your job? Do you dream of a life where you can work when you want as much (or as little) as you want? If so, FIRE may be right for you. But which type? There are many different kinds of FIRE. What is FIRE? FIRE, sometimes also … Read more
Are ARMs (adjustable-rate mortgages) worth the risk? First, let’s take a look at how ARMs work. Then, we’ll take a look at the numbers. What is an ARM (adjustable-rate mortgage)? I’ll go over what I consider the important things to know about ARMs. If you want all the details, here’s a great resource. With an … Read more
This meme about interest rates has been circulating around social media, at least among my real estate contacts. Don’t believe everything you see on the internet. Let’s do some analysis and see if there’s any truth to this meme. It suggests that paying a 7% interest rate at $30k under list price is better than … Read more
As I was playing Monopoly with my son, I realized there are some profound life and money lessons that can be learned. I used to play with my twin brother when I was young, but I see it so differently now after working as a real estate agent for almost a decade. First, let me … Read more