Benjamin Locke
articles from Benjamin
637 posts
Can I Contribute to an IRA and my 401k?
Published 09/25/2023 by Benjamin Locke
Having a 401(k) and an IRA is not only allowed, it’s actually quite common. However, depending on the structure of the accounts as well as your gross income, you could be limited in your IRA tax-deductible contributions. Although IRAs have a wider net for investment options, a 401(k) should always take priority if the employer will match the contribution.

What Happens When a Bank Fails (And How You Can Protect Yourself Now)
Published 08/30/2023 by Benjamin Locke
When a bank fails and declares itself insolvent, it will usually be acquired by another bank, and its assets, including deposits, will be transferred. However, a bank could be declared insolvent with no options available. In this case, the bank will declare bankruptcy and only deposits up to $250,000 in aggregate will benefit from FDIC insurance.

How to Open a Bitcoin Bank Account
Published 08/30/2023 by Benjamin Locke
Although still far off from mass adoption by traditional banks, Bitcoin bank accounts are becoming more and more common. In many cases, traditional banks will not let you open a bank account with BTC but instead, link your account to a crypto trading platform. However, some online and other newer banks have come to market that allow people to store their Bitcoin, but without FDIC protections.

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay On Your Record?
Published 08/30/2023 by Benjamin Locke
A typical speeding ticket will stay on your record for three years. But this can go up to ten years, depending on the laws and jurisdiction. In some places, these records are permanent, though not the punitive “points” associated with them. Speeding tickets are minor infractions, but they can accumulate and affect both your ability to drive as well as your insurance premiums. Furthermore, employers that pull up driving records might be able to see your tickets, which could hamper employment opportunities.

How Do Credit Card Companies Make Money?
Published 08/30/2023 by Benjamin Locke
Credit card companies make their money from a combination of interest and fees they charge on customers’ transactions as well as charges to use the credit card network. Credit card issuers make money from the principal and fees they charge to consumers, whereas companies that are part of the credit card network make money from enabling transactions and licensing. Fortunately for consumers, there are government regulations that protect them from excessive credit card fees.

Top Middle Market Investment Banks by Sector
Published 08/30/2023 by Benjamin Locke
Middle-market investment banks might not be as well-known as the bulge-bracket banks, but they are still crucial for both the global economy. Working for one of them is a great way to get a step on the investment banking career ladder. Middle-market investment banks will generally work on deal sizes of less than $500 million and often specialize in certain types of advisory and industry subsets. Among the different options in the investment banking industry, middle-market investment banks can offer experience with a lower number of hours than large bulge-bracket investment banks.

How to Make Money in Forex Line Trading
Published 08/30/2023 by Benjamin Locke
Forex line trading is a type of trading in the foreign currency exchange market in which investors try to determine trend lines and patterns to make a profit. Forex line trading is traditionally done using forex pairings such as USD/CHF or GBP/EUR. Forex line trading is usually done in conjunction with further technical analysis in order to make educated trading plays.

How Long Does It Take To Get a Real Estate License?
Published 08/30/2023 by Benjamin Locke
The time it takes to obtain a real estate license can vary depending on the state where you live and your unique situation. First, you will need to complete 40-180 hours of pre-license coursework. Then, you will go through the examination process and successful application process, all of which can differ by state. You also may need to find a broker to sponsor you before you become a broker yourself.

How Economic Obsolescence Is a Real Estate Agent’s Worst Nightmare
Published 08/30/2023 by Benjamin Locke
Economic obsolescence is when an asset depreciates in value due to external factors. In real estate, it refers to an asset losing value due to factors such as changes in zoning, transportation patterns, nearby development, or even increased crime rates. Although future economic obsolescence can be hard to spot, investors can pay attention to certain changes in order to mitigate risk.

How Do I Know if an Investment Property for Sale is Right for Me?
Published 08/30/2023 by Benjamin Locke
You’ll have to make many decisions when looking at investment properties, from your overall strategy to your time frame, financing, renovation needs, and a slew of others. Then there is the question of where you want to invest — domestic vs. international, urban vs. rural, etc. Furthermore, investors should be wary of taking on too much debt and develop a plan to protect themselves from volatile interest rates.
