Author: Arabian Media staff

If you’re in the midst of the homebuying process, you’re probably familiar with pre-approval: the process of completing a mortgage application with a mortgage lender to see if you’re approved for a loan. If you’re pre-approved, the lender tells you how much you’d be able to borrow, but pre-approval does not guarantee that you’ll get a home loan. Many people are surprised to learn they can be rejected after receiving pre-approval. Fortunately, there are actionable steps you can take to improve your odds of getting the mortgage you need. Key Takeaways Pre-approval is often the first step in the home-buying…

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Want to retire early? A Roth IRA conversion ladder could help you tap your tax-sheltered retirement accounts before age 59½—without the usual 10% penalty. With a Roth conversion ladder, you shift money from a tax-deferred retirement account—such as a traditional IRA or 401(k)—into a Roth IRA. But unlike a standard Roth IRA conversion, you do it multiple times over several years. If done correctly, you can withdraw the converted funds with no tax or penalty long before your 59th birthday.    Key Takeaways A Roth IRA conversion ladder is a multiyear strategy that allows you to tap your retirement account…

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Saving money is an important financial habit, but not all saving is helpful or healthy. In fact, many people save for reasons that are more emotional than strategic. Here are some of the misguided reasons why people save. Key Takeaways Many people save out of fear, guilt, or habit rather than to meet clear, intentional goals. Understanding your mindset helps you reframe saving around your values and lifestyle. Intentional, goal-based saving can help build financial habits that are healthy, motivating, and sustainable. Out of Fear Fear-based saving often stems from past financial trauma or hardship. Perhaps, you grew up in…

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Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for freeYour guide to what Trump’s second term means for Washington, business and the worldIt was only a matter of time before Donald Trump’s war on what we used to know as the global economy spilled over from trade to other areas. Sure enough, while his trade war is set for a new phase next week — when the US president’s “liberation day” tariff schedule is supposed to come into effect — we have just witnessed the first skirmish on the second front, over taxes. In 2021, countries led by the G7 and the OECD…

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If you’ve expected a refund on your taxes but instead received a tax bill, you may wonder what your payment options are. You may be looking into an installment plan with the Internal Revenue Service or a personal loan. Whether it’s more cost-effective to take out a personal loan to pay your taxes or leverage the IRS payment plan will depend on a number of factors, like the amount you owe and the terms of the loan, along with any associated fees. Let’s review the costs of each option using a $20,000 tax bill as an example. This way, before…

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