The College Investor Audio Show

Latest Episodes:

Mortgage Calculator | How Much Home Can You Afford? Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

After graduating from college, and getting a job, it’s just a matter of time before most people start thinking about home ownership. But before you jump into the biggest purchase of your life, it’s important to ask, how much house can I afford?

Once you’ve signed the closing papers on a home purchase, the mortgage bills begin...and they won’t be going away. And if those payments are too high, your “dream” home can quickly become a financial nightmare.

So how can you make sure that your home budget is where it needs to be? Here’s how to calculate how much house you can afford.

Money Orders: What They Are, How They Work, Alternatives Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

Money orders are a form of payment that is as good as cash. They guarantee that the person (or business) being paid will definitely get their money. Unlike a personal check, it won’t bounce.

Money orders are widely available at post offices, convenience stores, some supermarkets, banks, credit unions, and most Walmart Money Centers.

If you don’t have a checking account, a money order can be an inexpensive (but not free) way to keep your bills paid. You’ll want to compare them with other alternative payment methods like prepaid debit cards.

How To Fix Your Banking Score To Open A Checking Account Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

Are you having trouble opening a new checking or savings account? It may be because a little known financial score called a banking score is hurting your chances of starting an account.

Many of us are familiar with credit scores. And you may even know the steps to take to monitor and improve your credit. But you may be less acquainted with the idea of a banking score, how to find it, or how to fix any errors that could be causing problems.

In this article, we explain what a banking score is and how you can check your score today. You’ll also learn how to remove any mistakes on your banking score so that you can open a checking account ASAP.

How To Invest In Stocks And Place Your First Trade Apr 13, 2020

Show notes

Want to learn how to invest in stocks but don’t know where to start? Maybe you've done a few steps but don't know how to actually "invest" or buy your first stock. You’re not alone.

Many people have a general idea that investing in stocks would be a smart decision for their financial future. Yet the dreaded learning curve keeps a lot of would-be investors on the sidelines.

But stock market investing doesn’t need to be overly complicated and overwhelming. In this guide, you’ll get step-by-step instructions about how to invest in stocks for the first time. We’ll cover everything from choosing a broker and account type to picking your actual stock investments.

As you gain experience, you can always add new strategies and techniques to your stock market investing tool belt. But, in the meantime, here are a few easy ways to start investing in stocks today.

What Is FICA Tax | Who Pays It and What Do I Need To Know? Apr 08, 2020

Show notes

Figuring out taxes on your own for the first time? One of the most important types of taxes to understand are FICA taxes (also called payroll taxes). This is different than income tax, which you also pay, but this also comes out of your paycheck.

This is a tax you pay on every dollar of earned income (up to $176,100 for part of the tax), so it is important to understand it. Your employer also pays FICA taxes on you for every dollar earned - so many employers count FICA as part of their total compensation for an employee.

Here’s what you need to know about FICA taxes, and how they will affect your bottom line.

Unemployment Benefits – What Do You Get By State? Apr 07, 2020

Show notes

If you lose your job, you likely know that you can claim unemployment benefits from your state. And in really bad times (think big recessions, depressions, or even during the Covid-19 pandemic), the Federal government will step in an offer additional benefits.

For those out of work and wondering how much they’ll get in unemployment insurance, we’ve broken the amounts down by state.

Here's what you need to know about unemployment benefits.

The Risks and Rewards Of International Bonds [And How To Invest] Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

The global bond market is far larger and more liquid than the global stock market. Over the last 25 years, the bond market has, on average, been 79% larger than the stock market, according to learnbonds.com.

Bonds provide stability against the volatile nature of stocks. In a 60/40 portfolio, 60% is allocated in stocks while the other 40% goes to bonds. As an investor approaches retirement, their allocation to bonds increases, mainly, so there is capital for them to withdraw during retirement.

Foreign bonds can make up part of the bond allocation within a portfolio. Let’s see why someone might consider the risks and rewards of foreign bond funds as part of their investment.

Farm Together Review Apr 05, 2020

Show notes

FarmTogether is a farmland investment manager that enables accredited investors to invest in US farmland. That may sound like an odd investment choice, but farmland has been a popular alternative investment for the ultra-wealthy for years. The reason? It has historically slow, steady, and stable returns, and its performance is historically uncorrelated to any other index.

As such, many people have found farmland to be an attractive investment. But, until recently, it's been extremely difficult to invest in due to many factors, including knowledge of the market, locations (rural areas), price, and more.

FarmTogether seeks to change that. They enable investors to add farmland to their portfolio via three products: crowdfunded offerings (fractional shares of farmland), bespoke offerings (sole ownership), and their sustainable farmland fund (diversified portfolio via a single allocation).

See how FarmTogether works, and learn more in our FarmTogether review.

How To Invest In Farmland Apr 03, 2020

Show notes

Does your knowledge of farming start and end with Old MacDonald? Perhaps you live in an urban condo and work in a high rise. If so, you may think that farmland investing is not for people like you.

However, farmland investing offers a legitimate alternative investment asset class that could help you grow your wealth. But before you go looking for deals at the local county fair, you may want to consider how you can enlist experts to help you profit from farmland investing.

Here’s what you need to know about the asset class.

Finding Recession-Resistant Investments In The Face Of The Coronavirus Apr 01, 2020

Show notes

Recession-resistant refers to an entity such as stocks, companies, or jobs that are not greatly affected by a recession.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The College Investor Audio Show

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected