Kat Tretina

Kat Tretina

contributor Advisor
  • IRA Contribution Limits for 2019 and 2020

    Contributing to an individual retirement account (IRA) is a great way to boost your retirement savings. According to the Investment Company Institute, approximately 33% of American households use IRAs to save for retirement, with total IRA assets at $9.5 trillion...
  • How To Invest in Vanguard Mutual Funds

    With over $6.2 trillion in global assets under management, Vanguard is one of the largest and most well-respected investment firms in the U.S. Vanguard offers a wide range of low-cost mutual funds, offering investors options for strong performance and market...
  • How To Recover From Student Loan Default

    If your student loan payments are too expensive, you risk defaulting on your debt. Student loan default is a serious issue with severe consequences, including damage to your credit report and, if you have federal loans, wage garnishment. Your options...
  • How To Invest In Vanguard Index Funds

    Investing in index funds is a great way to diversify your portfolio and reduce fees to a minimum. Vanguard index funds are a popular option: There are more than 60 Vanguard index mutual funds that track a wide variety of...
  • How To Apply For Federal And Private Student Loans

    If you’re like the majority of college students, you’ll need to borrow money to pay for school. As of 2019, 55% of adults under age 30 who attended college incurred some debt for their education, according to the Federal Reserve....
  • How To Pay Off Student Loan Debt

    To pay off student loan debt and take charge of your finances, first step back and figure out what loans you have, what interest rates they charge and how long you have to repay them. Once you understand your loan’s...
  • How To Get A Student Loan Without A Co-Signer

    It’s no secret that a bachelor’s degree is expensive. According to the College Board, in 2019-20, average published tuition and fees ranged from $8,730 per year at public-four year colleges to $36,360 per year at private nonprofit four-year colleges. If...
  • What Is an Employer’s 401(k) Match?

    A 401(k) match is money your employer contributes to your 401(k) account. For each dollar you save in your 401(k), your employer wholly or partially matches your contribution, up to a certain percentage of your salary. Employer matching is a...
  • What Happens If Your Employer Suspends Its 401(k) Program?

    The coronavirus pandemic has deeply impacted businesses large and small across the United States. The Department of Labor reports that over 26 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits over the past five weeks as companies reduce operations or go...
  • What To Do If Your Employer Suspends 401(k) Matching Contributions

    Thanks to the COVID-19 crisis, your investment portfolio has most likely taken a hit. But there may be even more retirement related fallout from the coronavirus pandemic: Your employer could freeze their 401(k) matching contributions.
  • How To Refinance Student Loans

    To refinance student loans, you typically need steady income, good to excellent credit—or a co-signer with good credit—and a willingness to compare offers from different lenders. That will help you get the lowest interest rate you qualify for, which is...
  • What The CARES Act Means For Student Loan Borrowers Seeking Public Service Loan Forgiveness

    The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act signed into law March 27, known as the CARES Act, introduced several new measures to support individuals and businesses struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. For most federal student loan borrowers, the CARES Act offers...
  • What To Do If Your Student Loans Are Ineligible For Coronavirus Relief

    In recent weeks, unemployment rates have skyrocketed due to the coronavirus outbreak, leaving many student loan borrowers concerned about how to afford their payments.
  • What To Do If Your Student Loans Are Ineligible For Coronavirus Relief

    In recent weeks, unemployment rates have skyrocketed due to the coronavirus outbreak, leaving many student loan borrowers concerned about how to afford their payments.
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