“A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain” - Mark Twain 

Individuals in the process of buying a home with financing usually get a “maximum loan amount” from the bank. Some assume this is a reasonable estimate for what they can actually afford… 

You just got done picking out your car and are invited to finish the deal by talking with the “finance guy.” This typically involves sales pitches for extended warranties on everything from your tires to your favorite Beatles CD…okay, that last one might be a stretch but they really do offer protection on just about everything.

Have you ever questioned whether it was in fact worth it? In 2013, Consumer Reports did an extensive survey to find out the answer to that question…

It seems everywhere you go people are talking about refinancing. Your neighbors, family, friends, Facebook & TV ads, mailers…the list goes on. As we enter 2021, there are a few refinancing strategies to consider, possibly even if you refinanced as recently as last year.

A few weeks ago, I was driving home from work, listening to the radio, and I heard an ad from a national furniture store that went something like this: “This Friday, 25% off storewide OR free financing for 5 years.” I thought to myself, “That isn’t free at all.”