After years of early morning commutes and late nights at the office, you might start to wonder, "Can I retire early?" The decision to retire can be complicated, so we've compiled our best tips to assess your situation before you take the plunge. Not only are there major financial components to consider, but emotional factors as well. Read on to see whether early retirement is the right choice for you!

Retirement Budget

Have you calculated a retirement budget yet? This important step can shed light on your financial situation in a new way. We recommend setting up a budget and living off that amount for six whole months. This process will help you determine whether you need a little extra wiggle room or not. Don't forget to factor in inflation!

Children

Are your children financially independent, or do they have a ways to go? If your children are still in school, you may want to double check your savings. It's a good idea to have emergency funds for both you and your kids. If you have any children with other special needs, it's important to factor these considerations into your budget as well.

While rent-to-own homes were less common just a decade ago, this modern method is gaining in popularity for savvy homeowners. Why? Rent-to-own homes offer unique financial flexibility that is perfect for many buyers. However, like any other investment, there are plenty of pros and cons to consider before making the big move. Learn all the key issues around rent-to-own homes, and then get ready to find your perfect house!

What is a Rent-to-Own Home?

Rent-to-own homes strike a balance between the traditional rental and classic financed home. Like a rental, you pay a monthly rent to the homeowner. However, part of this monthly rent goes toward ownership. This is a win-win situation for the homeowner and renter alike. The homeowner will generate additional income, and you will work toward ownership while enjoying your new abode.

What are the Advantages?

No matter how many open houses and ads you go through, buying a home is a bit of a gamble. You never quite know what will wait on the other side of the door after you sign the dotted line. But, rent-to-own homes are different. You get to actually live in the home and experience the neighborhood.

Between location and price and design, there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing your very first home. While purchasing a new house is a time of incredible excitement for first-time home buyers, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by all the new decisions. Luckily, we've assembled this brief guide for first-time home buyers, so you can purchase your dream home like a pro! Learn how to avoid the common mistakes when handling real estate, and then contact CashMax for our customized personal loan services.

Financial Planning

Your search for the right house starts with the right planning. Before you fall in love with that charming bungalow, it's a good idea to do your homework. Start by checking your credit score through your bank or a free online service, and then consider getting prequalified for a mortgage. This allows you to plan your budget more wisely, so you can find houses that you love that won't break the bank.

Other Expenses

You've crunched the numbers and planned for the down payment and monthly mortgage, but are you ready for the other expenses of home ownership? Do you have Homeowner Association dues? What about maintenance costs? Don't forget about the higher utility costs if you get a bigger home. Also, consider the cost of property insurance and taxes. These expenses typically go up with time, so make sure you have the flexibility to accommodate these rising costs.

We’ve all heard the story of the grasshopper and the ant: the lazy grasshopper who played instead of storing up food for the winter, and the industrious ant who worked hard so he would be well-provided for once the cold weather hit. The moral of this story has definite applications to retirement.

Growing your retirement savings through investment is a long-term process, and the earlier you start it, the better off you’ll be. The important thing when getting started isn’t saving up a lot of money right out of the gate; the first step is coming up with a plan you can commit to and follow through with.

4 Decades of Retirement Tips

In the world of investment and retirement planning, you clearly do not want to be the grasshopper. Take some antlike steps today to help ensure you are comfortable and well provided for when your retirement years arrive.

When you're daydreaming about your freshman year of college, financing college tuition is probably the last thing you want to think about. However, there are tons of tips and tricks to make financing easier. From scholarships to FAFSA to public service, any student can find help in a variety of places. Learn all about the different sources for financing college tuition, and be sure to consider CashMax for your personal loan services!

Start Early

Proper planning is the key to your success. Remember: You're competing with hundreds of other students, so you have to think ahead. Do you qualify for any scholarships or federal student aid? Don't wait until days before the deadline! Earlier candidates may have an edge on procrastinators, since some aid is claimed on a first come, first served basis. Get out your calendar and start scheduling!

Save Often

If you want to make the most of your money, you'll want to start saving as early as possible. Even smaller amounts of money over time can make big gains in compound interest. Also, consider saving your money under your parents' names rather than your own. Student assets are assessed differently than parental assets, so you may hurt your chances at a big financial aid package if you keep your money in your own account.

If you've got your heart set on your dream car, you may feel nervous about the final step of financing. Just why do car loans get denied? It all comes down to the auto loan lenders and your personal financial information. While this may feel like an overwhelming process, the good news is that a little research goes a long way in your success. Learn all about the common reasons for rejection, and don't forget to consider CashMax for our personal loan services.

Poor Credit

Do you know your credit score? If not, be sure to check your score annually through any of the free online resources available. Auto loan lenders prefer drivers with scores of 620 or higher, because they are seen as low-risk clients. Drivers with lower credit scores can be considered risky, and thus, they are frequently rejected.

No Credit

So, poor credit can be a major liability in the financing process. What about no credit? This can also be a problem, since auto loan lenders cannot determine whether you are a low- or high-risk client. There are a few ways to work around this issue. First, consider a co-signer who has a good credit score to boost your favorability. Second, you can consider online lenders. However, keep in mind that online lenders have lower requirements and much higher interest costs. It's up to you whether that trade-off is worthwhile.

You've found that perfect make and model. You've picked out your new trim. You're so close to owning the vehicle of your dreams, but what about financing? There are tons of nuisances that customers may face when seeking auto financing, but with just a little research, you can avoid every one! Learn all about the common mistakes when getting started with a car loan, and consider contacting CashMax for all your loan needs.

Auto Research

When it comes to buying a car, have you done your homework? Before you get behind the wheel of your vehicle, be sure to set your budget and stick to it. Customers need to figure out how much they can afford, including both payments and financing rates. Don't forget to check your credit report and FICO score! Once your budget is set, you're ready to take the next steps.

When you get to the financing stage, consider checking out as many options as possible: credit unions, local banks, even the dealership. Many online resources, such as LendingTree.com and E-Loan.com, will help you compare each option side-by-side, so you can drive away with the best deal possible.

Just as a person's physical body can always be healthier than it currently is, so can a person's finances become healthier than they currently are. By following various key financial tips, you can get your financial matters in better shape—and, often, more quickly than you thought possible!

Start Saving

“I don't make enough money to save” is a poor mantra and one you should discard immediately. Even if you aren't pulling in a huge income, it's important to find ways to save. The sooner you start saving, the more interest you'll be earning on that tucked-away money and the better shape you'll be in for rainy days and retirement.

Separate Your Accounts

As you start saving, it's crucial that you have separate checking and savings accounts. If you put saved money in your checking account, you'll spend it. It's that simple. Open a separate savings account and put that extra cash out of sight and out of mind so it can stay put and earn interest.

Short on money? There are many out-of-the-box ways to earn extra cash outside of your day job. Whether an unforeseen expense, like car repairs, have you strapped or you've got your eye on an expensive item you simply can't live without, you can find yourself in need of extra funds for a variety of reasons. The following are some great ways to drum up extra dinero in your spare time!

Rent Out Your Home

Sometimes what we need is right in front of us—or, in this case, around us. Your home can be a great outlet for earning extra cash. If you have a spare bedroom or a mother-in-law apartment, you can generate income by renting out the space. If you don't want a permanent boarder, you can also list portions of your home (extra bedrooms, basement apartments, etc.) as temporary accommodations for travelers on sites like Airbnb.

Transform Gift Cards Into Cash

Billions of dollars in gift cards reportedly go unused every year. You've probably been an offender in this area yourself. You know how the story goes. For Christmas, your great-aunt gives you a gift card to a restaurant you don't like or to a store you wouldn't be caught dead in. The card gets shoved in a junk drawer or lost in the recesses of your purse. Instead of wasting the card, you can sell it online or exchange it for instant cash at a business like CashMax.

Filing for a car loan after bankruptcy sounds impossible, but it can be done. You’ve been through the wringer with the process and all the stress and paperwork that goes with it, and now you need a new car. Wondering what to do if your credit is in shambles but you want to finance a new vehicle? Relax. Here are some steps you can take and services out there that can help!

Think Things Through

First of all, stop for a moment and think about whether filing for a car loan is worth it. We all love nice new cars, but your focus should be on buying something reliable that you can really afford. New cars are a terrible investment. In fact, they depreciate 20 percent the second you drive it off the lot. So, ask yourself how much money you really want to spend and whether you really need to commit to a loan.

While you’re at it, be sure to do your research to make sure the vehicle you want is going to perform for the long haul. You don’t want something too old or with too many miles on it, so you need to balance cost with capabilities. Online resources like Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, Consumer Reports, and others can help you find smart choices in the $10,000 to $12,250 price range. You can utilize online calculators like Bankrate’s auto loan calculator to compute what your car payment will look like, with interest.