Author: Doug Garfinkel
Doug Garfinkel is a business educator and financial writer. His writing taps into his education in business/finance and his teaching experience to help consumers understand complex financial concepts. Doug earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Duke University. He studied economics, financial decision making and consumer behavior. Aiming to spread his knowledge and inspire students, he spent over 15 years teaching business, finance, and economics at both the high school and college levels. His classroom experience gave him a strong appreciation for explaining challenging financial topics in easy to understand language. He taught a wide variety of courses including Accounting, Personal Finance, Investing, Entrepreneurship, Real Estate Investing, Economics and Marketing.
When it comes to investing, there are a variety of tips to follow. It’s important that you manage your strategy carefully to ensure maximum returns and minimize your potential losses. Through my years of investing, I’ve made many mistakes and have learned from them. Here’s my list of the top things you should and shouldn’t do. Things To Do When Investing 1. Educate Yourself and Research When deciding how to allocate your investment portfolio, it is crucial that you conduct research and educate yourself on whatever investment you are considering. Make sure you understand the historical performance, projected future performance, risk level,…
When deciding where to put your money for easy access, common choices are checking and savings accounts. There are many differences between the two types of accounts and in this article, I’ll explain each of their features, most appropriate uses and how to find the best banks to open accounts with. Checking Accounts A checking account allows you to make withdrawals, pay bills and make deposits. A key feature is the ability to write paper checks, whether it’s to pay a bill or pay an individual directly. You can also make bill payments online, which is safe and secure, as long as…
When purchasing a home there are several key considerations you should examine. There are many factors and criteria that you will use to make your decision and find your “perfect” house. Don’t rush the process – if it doesn’t feel right, don’t buy it. Here are 6 key things to consider. 1. Location What is the neighborhood on the block like and what are the nearby areas? If you have or are planning to have children, is it family-friendly? Ask your agent about what the neighbors are like. Check the school districts to see if they are of good quality…
When shopping for a car, the biggest question you might ask is should I purchase or lease? Many factors will help you decide. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, and I’m going to explore both in this article. Advantages of Purchasing A Car There are many reasons to buy a car. One of the biggest is that you are purchasing an asset that you own and can sell. Your monthly loan payments go towards something of value. Once you have finished paying your loan, you don’t have any more cash outflows. Buying a car is also cheaper over the long run than leasing,…
Edited by Sandy Yong When managing your investment portfolio, diversification is a key strategy to utilize. The advantages are that you can reduce volatility and risk, and it can be fun to research while diversifying. If you’re new to investing, it’s normal to feel nervous or intimidated about putting your money into the market. And rightfully so. Without much experience, it’s easy to overlook costs and fees. If you’re not careful, they can add up quickly due to more trading and transaction fees. Your risk profile and tolerance will help dictate your mix of investments. There are several ways in…
Edited by Sandy Yong Many different types of loans can meet your needs at various stages of your life. While taking out loans can help you reach certain financial goals, you must manage your debt responsibly. Common loans, such as mortgages and car loans, are helpful for big-ticket items. Understanding all the loan options available will help you make strategic decisions that fit your budget. Your ability to borrow depends on your credit history. Using your credit score and credit report, potential lenders will assess your creditworthiness and ability to pay back the loan. If they determine you’re eligible, your…
