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It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago that I was in my twenties, but the reality is, it’s been %$# years.

Refinancing your home can have many benefits, but the main one that typically entices borrowers is the potential to save money on monthly payments. For some, a refinance could result in a decreased interest rate and subsequent savings on their monthly payment. If you’re fortunate enough to have that result, don’t spend that extra money just yet! Consider one of these options to make the most of your refinance savings.

There comes a time in many people’s lives when the idea of buying a home goes from “someday” to “someday soon.” However, one of the major hurdles first-time homebuyers face is coming up with a down payment. According to Zillow¹, the median home price in the U.S. is $226,800, so a 20% down payment equates to just over $45,000! While saving that much money in a year may seem like an impossible feat, there are options to help you achieve your goal of homeownership. Here are a few ideas to help you get your down-payment account funded within 12 months:

Simply stated, when you refinance your mortgage, you are taking out a new loan that replaces your original mortgage. The new loan pays off your original mortgage and comes with its own loan terms, which will be different from your original loan.

In early August, the rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.75%. According to HousingWire, these low rates put 8.2 million mortgages in the “refi eligible” zone. Essentially, this means that refinancing will likely save money on the mortgage, despite the application and funding costs.

Being financially prepared for retirement is a top concern for many Americans. With more people living paycheck-to-paycheck and the cost of living and healthcare costs on the rise, many people struggle with saving for the future. To get an idea of the current savings environment, below are a few key points:

• One in three American adults have $0 saved for retirement

• 56% of Millennials don’t have any money saved in a retirement account

The interview process is a crucial step in hiring the right candidate for any position, and wealth managers fill a pivotal position in helping you make the right investment decisions. You don’t want to just hire the first person who comes along. Here are some crucial job skills that the ideal wealth management candidate should exemplify:

If you’re new to investing, chances are that you’ve been running in to a lot of intimidating information and confusing industry buzz words. As if risking your hard earned money isn’t daunting enough, trying to learn about the DJIA, REIT’s, 401(k)’s, bull markets, and bear markets (oh my!)—is another challenge entirely. It’s enough to make anyone want to throw up their hands and just stash their savings under the mattress!

There are unexpected costs behind every major life investment. The hidden price tag on big purchases can be expensive and is usually non-negotiable. If you want to go to college, you'll need to buy textbooks. Buying a new car? Don't forget the auto insurance!

As a new investor, the thought of jumping into the world of investing can be intimidating. You might be struggling with where to start and left with questions like: Should I pay off debt before making my first investment? Should I manage my own investments? What are the risks?