Roboadvisors are gaining popularity as these investment programs offer affordable financial advice to a large number of investors. These automated advisors use an algorithm to recommend investment options that best suit your requirements. The best automated investing algorithms offer simple account setup, portfolio management, low fees, strong goal planning, and security. Here are the top five providers of automated investments.

Betterment

This roboadvisor is the best for delivering top-quality services. You may sync various financial accounts without investing to gain an overall picture of your investment portfolio. You may choose the pre-built Betterment portfolios or customize one to meet your needs. The algorithm gives you the flexibility to add new goals as required while monitoring your progress without any difficulties. The advisor charges between 0.25% and 0.4% management fees with no minimum account requirement.

Wealthfront

It is one of the largest Robo-advisors and provides goal-based investing enabling you to understand the future effects of your financial decisions. You may choose from a wide range of portfolios that comprise individual stocks to meet your financial goals. Once your portfolio accumulates USD 25,000, Wealthfront allows you to borrow against its value. The service provider also offers margin lending. The management fee for most accounts is 0.25% and you need an account minimum of USD 500. The Robo-advisor offers tax-loss harvesting and lowest fees on its exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Ellevest

Although this automated investing algorithm is focused on women, financial planning is beneficial to all kinds of investors. It is an excellent option for goal-based investing even when you have multiple financial objectives. Based on the service level, Ellevest levies between 0.25% and 0.5% as management fees. Basic service level does not require a minimum account and offers tax minimization and automatic rebalancing. Premium account holders have access to executive coaches and dedicated financial planning experts.

SoFi Invest

The service provider has moved into robot-advisory by providing extremely user-friendly services. To help you achieve your life goals, SoFi provides goal-based planning and automatic rebalancing. Additionally, you have access to financial advisors, career services, and discounts on other products without any extra charges. You need a minimum account of $1 and the automated investing service provider does not levy any management fees.

Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolio

Charles Schwab is looking to become a market leader with its best automated investing algorithm that is known for its usability. The company is well-reputed as an investor-friendly advisor and the same reputation is carried by its roboadvisory arm. At no additional charges, you have access to beneficial features, such as automated tax-loss harvesting, portfolio rebalancing, and 24X7 access to customer services. You need a minimum account of $5,000 but the roboadvisor levies zero management fees.

While there are several automated investing service providers, working with a reliable advisor ensures you are able to achieve your financial objectives. Roboadvisors offer recommendations on building a diversified portfolio of multiple ETFs on the basis of factors like your risk profile, investment horizon, and expected levels of returns. The advantage of opening an account with automated investing companies is that your money is managed by experienced professionals at affordable fees.

Most people work for decades so that they can make investments and collect sufficient funds for their retirement years. Having enough savings for the golden years is ideally the most significant goal for you as an investor, but the volatile market may make it difficult to understand which retirement funds are suitable for you. To help you out, here are the best retirement investments that you can include in your portfolio:

• Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund
  This retirement fund is created for investors who want to retire early so that they can enjoy the benefits of their investment within 15 years. However, even if you don’t want to retire that early, this fund has various offerings that make it one of the best retirement investments available in the market. As of now, this retirement fund offers a current yield of over 2%, and the expense ratio is 0.14%. Plus, Vanguard is quite a trusted name for keeping your money safe.
• Northern Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund
  This fund offers one of the best diversifications and a lot more protection in case the fund underperforms. So, it invests in mutual funds and exchange-traded funds and aims to provide long-term capital appreciation at an expense ratio of 0.58%. It is an ideal option for you if you’re interested in long-term investment and want to diversify your investment among stocks, commodities, and bonds, both domestic and foreign.
• Baird Aggregate Bond Fund
  Although the interest rates in the market are low, we recommend retirees to diversify their investments. It is wise to have flexible income to offset the volatile equity markets, which means it’s better not to put all your money into a single company. This fund works best for people who wish to attain investment discipline and risk control, and the best thing about it is that it invests in government and public sector entities. At an average, it offers you a 2.90% yield on a 3-month basis, and the net expense ratio is 0.30%.
• PIMCO Income Fund
  One of the best retirement investment funds to consider, this is a fixed income fund that aims to maximize current income. A fixed income fund means that it invests in fixed income securities globally and captures the benefits of different bond sectors. As of June 30, 2020, the distribution yield stood at 5.87%, and the fund has an expense ratio of 0.50%.
• Vanguard Prime Money Market Fun
  This fund comes under the category of money market mutual funds. It invests in short-term, high-quality securities and aims to provide current income while maintaining a $1 share value. This fund provides average annual returns of 1.52%. The best feature of this fund is its expense ratio, which is only 0.16%.

These are some of the best retirement investments in the market that you can choose from. You can include them in your investment portfolio, but we recommend that you consult a financial advisor to ensure that you are making the right move.

Before you search for the best dividend exchange-traded funds (ETFs), it is recommended you understand your needs and overall investment objectives. ETFs are hybrids of mutual funds and stocks. When you invest in the ETF, you purchase shares in the fund, which buys the underlying asset.

Here are six of the best high-dividend ETF funds:

Vanguard High Dividend Yield (VYM)

This ETF adopts the simple method of choosing stocks that have higher dividend yield when compared to other companies. This has resulted in building a diversified portfolio comprising 400 stocks with higher market capitalization. The majority of these stocks belong to the healthcare, consumer, and financial sectors. During the last decade, VYM delivered average annual returns of 12.9%. The expense ratio is the lowest in the industry at 0.06% per annum.

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation (VIG)

The ETF focuses on investing in companies that have a long history of increasing their dividend payouts over the years. The portfolio includes approximately 180 stocks with low yields. The ETF has earned average returns of 12.6% per year over the last 10 years. The expense ratio is 0.06%, which makes it an excellent option if you do not mind lower dividend returns currently but want to earn more in the future.

WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Dividend (DON)

This ETF invests in companies with a low market capitalization. Almost 70% of its portfolio companies have a market cap between $2 billion and $10 billion. Even the larger portfolio companies are the lowest in the large-cap segment. WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Dividend ETF holds stocks of over 380 companies and has given 13.3% annual returns over the past decade. However, the expense ratio at 0.38% is slightly higher.

Invesco Zacks Multi-Asset Income (CVY)

If you do not mind paying a high expense ratio to earn more returns, this high-dividend ETF fund is a good choice. This fund tracks the Zacks Multi-Asset Index that comprises 149 stocks of dividend-paying companies. The expense ratio is 0.97% and the SEC yield stands at 6.43%.

Invesco KBW High Dividend Yield Financial Portfolio (KBWD)

The fund focuses on investing in companies in the financial sector. KBWD keeps track of the KBW NASDAQ Financial Sector Dividend Yield Index comprising stocks of approximately 40 companies with small market capitalization within the financial sector. The 30-day SEC yield is high at 12.93% but the expense ratio is amongst the highest at 1.58%.

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES)

It is advisable to diversify your ETF portfolio and include small-cap funds to mitigate the risks of large-cap funds. Within the small-cap category, the WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund is one of the best available options. DES monitors the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend Index comprising the remaining 25% companies of the market cap after eliminating 300 of the largest companies from the WisdomTree Dividend Index. This fund has more than 700 holdings in the portfolio and a moderate expense ratio of 0.38%.

Having gained an understanding of the best dividend ETFs, remember to choose ones that suit your investment objective, time horizon, and risk appetite. Considering factors like expense ratio and diversification along with high dividends will help you make an accurate decision.

NNN properties are known as triple net lease properties and can be categorized as single-tenant properties that are available for lease. In these properties, the maintenance fees, taxes, and insurance have to be paid by the lessee instead of the landlord. These costs have to be borne by the lessee in addition to the rent. Here are some of the top NNN properties for sale:

• 7-Eleven, Texas
  There are plenty of 7-Eleven properties that come under the category of NNN properties. This one is our top pick at the moment, as it serves two commodities that are always in demand: gas and foods. The property is on the 3601 West Freeway in Fort Worth, Texas, making it quite a hot spot for sale. The current annual rent for this property is $267,500, while the cap rate is 5.75%.
• Burger King, Florida
  Burger King is one of the country’s favorite fast-food chains. The current annual rent for this property is about $140,000, and the cap rate is 5.15%. This property was built quite recently as compared to the other options on our list, and it has the potential of providing good returns quickly, as it is in a strategic location on SW Port St. Lucie Blvd, which experiences average daily traffic on the plus side of 48,000 vehicles.
• Admiral Petroleum, Michigan
  Gas and convenience stores offer really high returns, and this particular store is situated on Bay Road in Michigan, which gets average traffic of 29,300 vehicles daily. The average cap rate of this property is 6.75%, and the current annual rent is $60,000. Built in 1969, it is quite an old property, which means many prospective customers know about this NNN property for sale. The projected annual rental increase on this property is about 2%.
• Advance Auto Parts, Georgia
  This NNN property for sale has a current cap rate of 5.90% and an annual rent of $183,000 currently. The vicinity attracts many customers as outlets of brands like McDonald’s and Jack in the Box are situated just around the corner. Additionally, close to 140,000 people reside within a 3-mile radius, increasing the chances of earning higher returns.
• Hardee’s, Georgia
  Currently available at a cap rate of 5.75% and an annual rent of $107,926, this NNN property offers excellent profitability based on its location. It is located in a dense retail corridor with giants like Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Krispy Kreme. Hardee’s is also a popular restaurant attracting loyal customers over the years.
• Chase Bank, Illinois
  If you’re looking for NNN properties for sale in Matteson, this is a great option for you. The current annual rent for this property is $199,650, and the cap rate is 5.40%. The consumer base for this bank is pretty high, making this property a profitable option to consider.

If you opt for NNN properties for sale in a commercially viable location, you can earn high returns. Apart from the location, it is advisable to consider your budget and the cap rate, among other factors, before making a decision.

The right business credit card can help you save thousands of dollars. Business accounts can earn more rewards like discounts, hotel stays, and cashback offers. You may also use these cards to meet short-term financial requirements. In case you haven’t applied for one yet, you must check out 6 of the top business credit cards that you can apply for to make your life easier.

American Express Blue Business® Plus Card

This is an ideal business credit card offered by one of the leading credit card companies and does not levy any annual fees. You receive twice the Membership Reward® points upto $50,000 with no category restrictions, which reduces to 1% thereafter. The cashback earned automatically gets credited in your statement. The regular APR on this card is 13.24% to 19.24% variable.

CitiBusiness® AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard®

This is an excellent option if you undertake frequent business travel with American Airlines. You earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Additionally, the card offers 2 AAdvantage® miles for every dollar spent on telecommunications, fuel, car rental, and cable and satellite services. All other purchases earn you one mile for every dollar spent. The annual fee is $99 (waived in the first year) and regular APR varies between 15.99% and 24.99%.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

This card provides miles for bookings not only on Delta Airlines but on other business spendings too. Delta Airlines bookings earn two miles for every dollar spent. Additionally, you earn two miles for domestic advertising, restaurants, and shipping. When you spend $10,000 with this card, you receive $100 Delta credit along with priority boarding and free checked bags on all flights. There is no introductory annual fee for the first 12 months; thereafter $99 is applicable.

JetBlue Business Card

If you use JetBlue flights for your travel, this card is an excellent option because you earn six points for every JetBlue purchase. Additionally, you earn two points for spending on office supplies and restaurants. All other purchases earn one point per dollar. Other perks include a free first checked-in bag for self and three companions. If you the buy JetBlue vacation package with this card, you receive USD 100 annual credit in your statement. The annual fee for the JetBlue Business Card is $99.

U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ MasterCard®

This card is specifically designed to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses. You earn 3% cashback for spending on office supplies, gas, and cellular services. All other purchases are eligible for 1% cashback without any cap. Additionally, you may earn a 25% annual cashback bonus to a maximum of $250 based on the cash rewards earned in the previous year. There is no annual charge on this card for the holder of the card or the business’s employees.

American Express Business Platinum Card®

Another excellent card offering from one of the best credit card companies, this card is one of the best travel reward cards for businesses. You earn 5X points for every dollar spent on flight and hotel bookings made via the Amextravel website. In addition to the rewards program, you receive excellent travel perks like an airline fee credit of up to $200 and access to the global lounge. Additionally, 35% of your points are returned in an Airline Bonus option, if you wish, when you redeem reward points to book flights via the website of Amextravel.

A lot of people get stuck in debt due to many reasons. The interest rates keep adding up, taking a toll on an individual’s financial stability. In such a case, debt settlement can be quite helpful if you wish to settle a large amount. Here is a list of top 10 debt settlement companies that you can consider to help ease the burden off your shoulders.

• National Debt Relief
  National Debt Relief has the most detailed insights on their website that can help you with debt settlement. It talks about the debt qualification, the amount of money you need to pay for enrolments as well as the debt relief services that they offer. The average savings after the fees is around 30%.
• CreditAssociates
  This particular company is known for helping clients with the elimination of debt. They undertake this entire process between twenty-four to thirty-six months. They use enhanced software, and the outstanding expertise of their team to help their clients with great debt negotiation services.
• Pacific Debt Inc
  This is one of the top 10 debt settlement companies that you can consider. You need to have a minimum of $10,000 in debt to avail their services. They offer an affordable monthly program/plan with payment as well as upfront fees. The service fees can vary somewhere between 15% and 20% of the entire debt.
• United Debt Counselors
  If you are looking for an online debt settlement company, then this is a great option. It works specifically for personalized debt settlement. You need to pay about 30% to 40% of your debt to avail the reduction services.
• CuraDebt
  CuraDebt is another company that offers debt settlement services with a great savings average. It offers 40% reduction after fees. You can opt for any of their business debt solutions that they offer. Their reliable customer service also helps with debt-related queries.
• New Era Debt Solutions
  The average debt reduction for this company is about 47%. In this, you can expect the debts to get settled in three years or even less, depending on how the program gets funded. They do not charge any upfront fees.
• Midland Credit Management
  This company is dedicated to helping different customers resolve past debt. They also have varied payment plans and discounts for their clients. You can check their impressive account history, which can be accessed online.
• ZipDebt
  ZipDebt is also a great option to consider. It offers a flat fee, which includes $197 for a basic program and $777 for a premium program. You will end up receiving a lot of materials that can help you bypass the different settlement companies through which you can avoid bankruptcy. Their fees are negotiable and reasonable as well.

Two of the other companies that you can consider while looking to settle your debt are mentioned below. They have a good track record and you can find different offers on both:

• Donaldson Williams
• J.G Wentworth Debt Relief

We hope our list of top 10 debt settlement companies helps you ease your accumulated debt. Consider and choose the best option for yourself. We recommend you to compare the prices and do a thorough research before you settle on one company.

As you approach retirement, most of your money has been invested in your home. A reverse mortgage is an excellent way to tap into your home’s equity. If you have paid off a home loan or have only a small amount to be paid, it is a good option to meet various financial goals.

Here are the criteria for reverse mortgage eligibility:

Personal criteria

• Age
  You must be 62 years or older, to apply for a reverse mortgage. Generally, as you grow older the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) amount increases.
• Property
  The home should be your primary residence, and you need to live there for the entire duration of the reverse mortgage. Rental properties and vacation homes do not qualify for such mortgages.
• Home equity
  You should be the owner of your home outright or possess a minimum of 50% home equity. There is a possibility that you may qualify for a reverse mortgage despite having some outstanding balance on your existing home loan. However, the criterion is that you must first pay off the remaining mortgage from the sanctioned amount and meet other liens. The balance funds may be used for any other purpose. Using a reverse mortgage to refinance existing debt is beneficial in reducing your monthly cash outflows.

The home equity requirement varies from one borrower to another and is based on your individual situation. If you are younger and the only titleholder to the property, the home equity required may be more than 50%. We recommend using a reverse mortgage calculator to understand the requirement.

• Counseling
  Meeting with a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department-approved counselor is mandatory. The counselor will help you understand all about a reverse mortgage and all the associated expenses. This is to ensure you completely understand the terms and conditions and are familiar prior to applying for the mortgage.

HECM Property Criteria

• All types of single-family homes qualify for a reverse mortgage. Two to four-unit properties with one unit that you occupy are also eligible
• Homes built after June 1976, meeting HUD requirements
• Federal Housing Association (FHA)-approved condos
• Townhomes

Mobile and manufactured homes and multi-tenanted properties with more than four units are not eligible for a reverse mortgage

Financial criteria

To qualify for a reverse mortgage, you need to prove your financial ability to pay your loans and other expenses, such as insurance, taxes, and homeowners’ association fees. Moreover, you need to be financially stable to pay for regular repairs and maintenance of the property.

Non-payment of any of the aforementioned expenses violates the terms of the reverse mortgage and is considered a default. Therefore, considering the income criterion while contemplating a reverse mortgage is important.

Here are the types of income that are considered to determine your reverse mortgage eligibility:

• Income from employment
• Non-borrower spouse or other family members’ incomes
• Earnings through part-time employment
• Overtime and bonus income
• Seasonal employment earnings
• Other factors, such as social security, interest, dividend, and trust income, self-employment income, VA benefits, commissions, disability benefits, rental income, income from employment in a family-owned business, workman’s compensation, annuity, retirement and pension benefits, and public assistance are also taken into consideration.

As a beginner investor, investing too much money at the start can be quite difficult and overwhelming. However, if you choose the right brokerage account, you can earn a lot back from it in terms of investment knowledge. So if you are looking for the best cost-free investment advisors to provide you with long-term portfolio management services, then you have come to the right place. Here is our collated list:

1. Interactive Brokers

Investment Brokers has an entity known as IBKR Lite, which offers commission-free trading on various commodities. It mainly covers exchange-listed stocks as well as exchange-traded funds (ETFs). It also offers low-priced access to various global markets without any account minimum or inactivity fee. Additionally, it offers the best competitive interest rates, while its client portal, which offers trading and account management services, is highly preferred by users. One of the most notable points is that IBKR Lite has been around for over 40 years, having earned the trust of a vast client base.

1. You Invest by JP Morgan Chase

You Invest Trade, offered by JP Morgan Chase, is one of the best low-cost investment advisors. It is complete with a range of commission-free ETFs and stocks that can be traded online. It does not only help you research investments but also aids you in managing and trading them with a plethora of online tools. There is also an option to manage portfolios and trade on your own; and you do not need an account balance to start using this platform.

1. SoFi Active Investing

SoFi Active Investing gives you the opportunity to trade stocks of brands that you are particularly keen on. Apart from being a system that requires no fees or account minimums, it is also a community wherein you can interact with fellow investors through various events. You can also trust SoFi to come up with discounts and invites to these events. In addition, SoFi has plenty of online resources available for your perusal, thereby enabling you to further explore your investment interests.

1. E*Trade
   

With plenty of investment options in stocks and ETFs, you can go for commission-free trading by E*Trade, which comes with a complete range of investments coupled with professionally handled accounts. It also has intuitive platforms offering you the best in mobile and online trading. E*Trade lets you make up to 30 stock and option trades per quarter, at no cost. The platform is quite user-friendly as well. Start by setting your goals, after which you can open your account, and then choose the investments that you wish to add to your portfolio.

1. TD Ameritrade

With no commission fee on online stock trading, TD Ameritrade can be considered when you are just beginning to invest without having to pay a fee. This provider offers an ace trading experience with a variety of ETFs listed on its portal. One of the topmost options available in the market, TD Ameritrade also provides you with access to important trading tools and resources.

The aforementioned list of best investment advisors can help you as you navigate the different investment options that are available to you. Make an informed decision once you have analyzed all the offerings and weighed them against each other.

A reverse mortgage is a loan that allows individuals older than 62 to improve their financial well-being. They can convert part of their home equity into lump sum cash, fixed monthly payments, or line of credit, according to their preference. The money can be used to pay for medical bills, in emergencies, or to pay off a mortgage. Here’s what you should know about reverse mortgages in case you’re looking for one.

How much can you borrow?
For reverse mortgages, the loan amount can’t exceed the value of the property against which it is borrowed. Federal regulations require lenders to ensure that the loan amount doesn’t exceed the value of the house by structuring the transactions accordingly. Additionally, these regulations state that the owner/borrower is not liable to pay off the balance amount in case it exceeds the property value.

How are reverse mortgages paid for?
A reverse mortgage is payable when the borrower sells the house, relocates permanently, or dies. Unlike forward mortgages, reverse mortgages don’t need the borrower to make any monthly payments. They are only liable to pay interest on the money received, which is rolled back into the loan balance. While the owner gets to keep the title to the home, their home equity reduces over the loan tenure.

Who can take a reverse mortgage?
This type of loan is ideal for seniors and retirees whose net worth comes mostly from the value of their home. Seniors who don’t qualify for a home equity loan or can’t refinance due to limited cash flow or poor credit can opt for reverse mortgages. Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for purchase is a reverse mortgage that allows seniors to buy another property. That said, it is complex, and you should study the risk factors before getting one.

What are the risks associated with reverse mortgages?
Reverse mortgage scams are not unheard of. Unreputable vendors could offer to help seniors secure reverse mortgages by undertaking house repairs. They don’t provide quality results and get away with the homeowner’s money instead. For spouses living together in a home with only one spouse named as a borrower on a reverse mortgage, the other spouse can lose the home if the borrowing spouse dies first. Besides, reverse mortgage lenders charge fees and closing costs and may also charge mortgage insurance premiums for federally-insured HECMs.

A reverse mortgage is a type of loan that allows homeowners to receive payments on their house as opposed to them making payments to the lender. At first glance, this option seems too good to be true. But, before committing to it, there are some nitty-gritty details that people must consider when opting for this type of financing. So, here is some information regarding the pros and cons to consider when getting a reverse mortgage.

Advantages

• Multiple options of disbursement
  One of the biggest advantages of opting for reverse mortgages is that you can choose your payment method: whether it is in the form of monthly payouts, or receiving it in bulk.
• You retain ownership of your home
  As opposed to other mortgages where you have to vacate your house, in a reverse mortgage, you can continue to own and live in your house without any interruptions. It is a great way to improve your immediate finances and is preferable to moving or selling the property.
• No tax liability
  The payments that you receive as a part of a reverse mortgage are not considered to be taxable by the IRS since it is considered to be a loan advance instead of taxable income.
• Retirement safety
  These mortgages are actually a great option for retired and senior citizens, since it allows them to have access to funds, which might otherwise be stuck in the form of a fixed asset like a house or a property.

Disadvantages

• The property must be occupied
  For properties that have been reverse mortgaged, it is important that it remains occupied at all times. Lenders visit the houses from time to time to verify that the house is occupied throughout the year.
• Risk of foreclosure
  If you fail to pay your property taxes, HOA fees, homeowners insurance payments, and other costs on time, your house is at a risk of being foreclosed for violation of tax laws.
• High fees
  When signing up for a reverse mortgage, information you must know is that there are several expenses involved in completing the entire procedure, which may include the mortgage fees, FHA insurance charges, as well as closing costs.
• Accumulation of interest
  Since there is no monthly payment plan or schedule involved in a reverse mortgage, the amount that you borrow incurs interest over time. As a result of this, one needs to be careful to not default on any payment to avoid accumulating further debt.