Here's how to finance 5 top home remodeling projects

We’re a country that likes to upgrade our homes. For proof, consider that Americans forked over more than $600 billion last year on home remodeling projects, according to a Harvard study. Putting dollars and elbow grease into home renovations that add value and generate homeowner happiness makes sense. Every year, the National Association of Realtors, or NAR, publishes a list of projects that meet these criteria.

Curious as to which home updates add value as well as leave owners highly satisfied? Read my latest article for US News & World Report, available here.

Does unemployment impact your credit score?

It’s natural to be concerned about immediate practical matters if you lose your job. From paying your bills to qualifying for unemployment benefits and getting a new job, there's a lot to think about. The good news is that you can cross your credit score off your worries. Unemployment won't directly affect your credit score. Your credit score is a reflection of your history with credit accounts, not your situation. But if your financial behavior changes because of job loss, that's a different story. For example, your score may drop if you miss payments or lean too heavily on your credit card.

Learn more by reading my latest article for Yahoo!Life, available here.

Is now a good time to refinance your home?

Pondering a mortgage refinance? There’s much to consider before pulling the trigger on this significant financial decision. Namely, how would a refi benefit you? What are the pros and cons of refinancing your home? Do the benefits of refinancing your home outweigh any disadvantages? And what refinancing alternatives exist?

Read my latest article on this topic, published by The Mortgage Reports, available here.

Cineversary podcast celebrates 50th anniversary of Jaws

Ben Mankiewicz and James Kendrick

In Cineversary podcast episode #83, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ takes a deep dive to search for the perfect summertime thriller and finds it in Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, which celebrates a 50th anniversary this month. Accompanying him on this voyage is TCM host Ben Mankiewicz, and Baylor University film professor James Kendrick, author of Darkness in the Bliss-Out: A Reconsideration of the Films of Steven Spielberg. Together, they explore how Jaws marked a sea change in cinema, dissect the elements that make it a masterwork, hunt for key themes, 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

When to consider a co-op

What if you could own shares in a residence, just as you can own shares on the stock market, but also be allowed to live in that residence? This is possible when you buy into a co-op, also known as a housing cooperative. 

If you’re in the market for a condo purchase or apartment rental, you may want to consider purchasing shares in a co-op that you can call home. Co-ops offer some advantages over condos and other housing options, but they also have their drawbacks.

Learn more about co-ops by reading my latest article for Bankrate on this topic, available here.

6 ways to improve your credit score

Whether you are yearning to apply for credit or seeking to purchase a home, your three-digit credit score will matter significantly. That's because lenders and credit card companies will scrutinize your score to determine your creditworthiness. If your score is too low, you'll likely get denied the financing you seek.

But there are surefire ways to raise your score they can make a big difference. Learn more about improving your credit score by reading my latest article for new client Rocket Mortgage, available here.