Bedel Blog

Mortgage rates are at historically low levels, and many are refinancing to take advantage of this. How do you know if refinancing makes sense for you? You’ll need to consider three things – closing costs, the interest rate differential, and how long you plan to stay in your home. We explain all three in detail so you can make the right decision for your situation.

Most of us are familiar with the terms HSA and FSA, but chances are you might not understand the differences between the two medical savings accounts. While both can be offered by employers in conjunction with a health insurance plan, the two accounts have some marked differences. Read on for the details.

Not all retirements are created equal – in fact, a 2018 study indicates that 72 percent of today’s workers are looking forward to semi-retirement rather than leaving the workplace altogether. What are the advantages and disadvantages of semi-retirement, and how do you prepare for it in your financial plan? We have the details to help you decide if semi-retirement might be the right choice for you.

Looking for a way to diversity your portfolio from traditional stocks and fixed-income investments? An investment in timber might be a good opportunity for you. We’ve explored the options for investing in timber and detailed the pros and cons of both options. Read on for the details.

Any parent knows how difficult it can be to watch your children struggle, and the urge to step in and help out financially can be a strong one. But it turns out you could be doing more harm than good, especially when it comes to your own finances. Be sure you’re funding your own needs, such as retirement and savings accounts, before you open your wallet to your children.

Paying off your mortgage can be a very attractive option when you find yourself with extra money. Not so fast, though! Is paying that mortgage off really your best financial option? While being mortgage-free can definitely be a good thing, you should be sure it doesn’t make more sense to invest that money. We’ll walk you through what you should be thinking about to make the best decision for your situation.

Retirement changes are on the horizon with the House’s passing of the SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act. The act is designed to encourage saving for retirement and promote long-term financial stability. Read on to see how the proposed changes might affect your retirement planning, and when the bill could go into effect if it passes the Senate.

Investing in farmland used to mean purchasing and running a farm. These days, it’s possible to invest in farmland through two different investment structures. We explore both and weigh the pros and cons.

Pensions are quickly becoming a thing of the past, but if you still have one it’s important to understand your payout options once you retire. We explore the pros and cons of both options so you can make an informed decision.

Simon Pagenaud might have taken this year’s checkered flag at the Indy 500, but you can still take the flag for your finances. With the support of a team and flexibility for those unplanned things that can throw a monkey wrench in your plans, you could find yourself steering your finances into the winner’s circle!

Heart disease, cancer, arthritis, and diabetes are all examples of chronic illnesses. One out of every two Americans has some type of a chronic condition. While this can be a physical and mental challenge, it can also have a financial impact.

It’s May in Indy, the race car engines are revving and everyone is gearing up for the big race – but be aware of overspending on credit cards during the festivities or you could be on a collision course with bad credit. We break down the details on avoiding credit score dents to help you win your race for financial security!