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When looking for an investment, many people are turning to real estate. There are a variety of ways to invest in real estate, though one of the most popular ways to invest is by purchasing income-producing property. This can be done through the purchase of multi-family apartments, commercial/retail property, or single-family homes. Single family homes offers an excellent entry point into real estate investing, requiring minimal funds up front, while providing a nice revenue stream for investors.

As a retirement plan, 401(k) plans currently outpace the competition, with more than 54 million Americans participating in a 401(k) plan, and nearly 550,000 plans offered.

Employer sponsored, 401(k) plans are by far the easiest mechanism for workers to get started saving for retirement. And because there is typically an employer match for contributions up to a certain percentage, workers can end up leaving a significant amount of money on the table if they choose to forego participating in the company 401(k) plan.

While the name may be amusing the reality of zombie debt is anything but funny. Zombie debt is old debt that has been written off years ago, only to be sold to debt collectors for pennies on the dollar. In many cases, the debt is years old, and may not even be valid.

Here are the answers to some of the most common investment questions you’ve always wanted to ask.

There are many ways that we support our favorite charitable causes. However, one of the most beneficial ways to support a favorite charity now and into perpetuity is through planned giving. While almost any larger nonprofit organization has an active planned giving program, it may come as a surprise that many smaller nonprofits are also eager to work with their donors on planned giving options.

Being financially literate in today’s economic climate is more important than ever. Understanding finances can help you make better money management decisions, budget your money properly, adequately save for college, and be financially prepared for retirement. While it may sound daunting, financial literacy starts with a budget. Today, only one third of Americans have a budget that they actively use when making financial decisions, although 75% of Americans believe you should have a budget.

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked financial questions.  

I’ve just started my first job.  Do I really have to start saving for retirement now?

Creating a financial plan may seem overwhelming to those that have never completed one, but taking the first steps to creating a plan is much easier than you may think. Even if you plan on hiring a professional financial planner down the road, creating a rudimentary plan can go a long way towards sharpening your goals, making your meeting with a financial planner much more useful when it does occur.

If you’re not sure where to start, just follow these easy steps.

Remember Beanie Babies?  In the late 1990’s, Beanie Baby mania swept the country, with amateur collectors searching frantically at every card shop and kids store to find the latest beanie. Many turned to online stores and eBay, looking for the Beanie Baby that would make them enough money to retire or send their kids to college. Ty, Inc., makers of Beanie Babies helped to fuel this craze by ‘retiring’ certain Beanie Babies, making them unavailable, and in essence, increasing their value.  The Beanie Baby craze lasted through 1999, abruptly ending when Ty Inc.

In a recent survey by JumpStart Coalition for Financial Literacy, only 26 percent of those between the ages of 13-21 said that they had been taught how to manage money. Yet, when they turn 18, kids are signing contracts for student loans, opening credit card accounts, and in many instances, living away from home with little financial guidance available.