Get your business off the ground with a home equity or SBA loan

Eager to start your own business, but need lots of extra cash? Both a home equity line of credit and a small business loan can fund a business startup, but these two loans work very differently. 

A HELOC uses your home as collateral and gives you a flexible, revolving line of credit at relatively low interest rates. But if your business fails, and you can’t repay the loan, your home is at risk. A Small Business Association, or SBA, loan, on the other hand, is backed by the federal government and it doesn't require home equity. But it takes longer to obtain, has stricter qualification requirements, and is intended specifically for business use. The right financing choice depends on your risk tolerance, equity position, and how quickly you need capital.

Read my newest article for Better.com to learn more.

You've closed on that new home. What happens next?

You’ve signed your paperwork. Your keys are in hand. It's time to move in and take ownership of your new home. But what exactly happens next?

It's normal to feel unsure about what to do after buying a house and the immediate steps involved thereafter. When is the first mortgage due after closing? What should I account for when creating a budget for my new home? What kinds of paperwork and homeownership tasks are involved? How and when should I change locks, set up utilities, and update address information? Read my latest article for Rocket Mortgage to get answers to these and other important questions.

Cineversary podcast celebrates 90th birthday of Swing Time

Brian Seibert and George Stevens Jr.

In Cineversary podcast episode #96, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ commemorates the 90th anniversary of Swing Time, directed by George Stevens. Joining him on the dance floor is Brian Seibert, a renowned dance critic for The New York Times and author of the book What the Eye Hears: A History of Tap Dancing; and George Stevens Jr., son of the Swing Time director and founder of the American Film Institute. Together, they’ll examine why Swing Time is a cut above in the fancy footwork department, what elevates this material above other Fred and Ginger films, the exceptional songcraft on display, and much more.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com

Unexpected noir from afar

Directed and written by Kaneto Shindō, Onibaba (1964) is set in 14^th century feudal Japan during a time of civil war. The film follows the harrowing lives of two unnamed women — an older female (Nobuko Otowa) and her daughter-in-law (Jitsuko Yoshimura) — who survive by murdering passing samurai and foot soldiers and selling their belongings to Ushi, a black market trader. Their precarious existence is disrupted when a neighbor, Hachi (Kei Satō), returns from the war and forms a lustful relationship with the younger woman, creating swelling tension and, in her mother-in-law, overpowering jealousy. 

Yet, despite being a masterful blend of folk horror, psychological thriller, and Jidaigeki period drama, Onibaba cannot escape the long shadow of classic film noir. But is it a noir or not?  That's the question I attempt to answer in a Noir City magazine article that recently published, available here.

Fourth of July insurance mistakes to avoid

Planning a road trip or holiday hosting this Independence Day weekend? Many Americans are excited to celebrate the country’s semiquincentennial in just a few days. If last year’s travel numbers are repeated — an estimated 72.2 million people journeyed at least 50 miles or more from home over the Fourth of July holiday period in 2025 — we can expect a lot of drivers hitting the highways soon.

But while this July 4 is a surefire cause for celebration, it’s also peak season for insurance claims. Learn how to lower your liability risks and when to think twice about filing a holiday-related claim by reading my newest article on the topic, published by MSN. 

Should you DIY a home renovation or hire a pro?

With real estate and financing costs remaining sky high, it makes sense that many homeowners are choosing to stay put and invest dollars into upgrades and remodeling projects. In fact, a whopping 91% of homeowners surveyed by Houzz say they expect to renovate in 2026, and improvement spending is anticipated to reach $518 billion by the end of this year, per the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. 

Plenty of these folks will try to tackle the work themselves. Recent polling by Angi reveals that 71% of surveyed homeowners attempt DIY projects to save money, with nearly 3 in 4 respondents revealing they have confidence in their ability to manage a home improvement endeavor; yet 70% of homeowners fess up to experiencing problems with their DIY project, with 1 in 4 needing to hire a professional to fix or complete it.

Before attempting to fly solo on a home improvement job, it’s smart to carefully consider the hidden financial and insurance risks that can lead to serious DIY regret. Learn more by reading my newest article for The Zebra, available here.