Personal Finance and Money Stack Exchange
Personal Finance and Money Stack Exchange

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1500 questions
33
votes
7 answers

Can I open a US bank account even if I don't live in the country?

I'm Swedish, but living in Switzerland at the moment. Can I open a US bank account? Either when in the US on vacation or through the internet/phone? There are lots of situations when I find myself in need of an american credit card or just a bank…
Erik Tjernlund
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5 answers

Pros/Cons of a Health Savings Account (HSA) in the USA?

I am wanting to know the real benefits or pros/cons of a HSA in the USA. I have now been given the option of signing up for one due to healthcare changes. I understand some of the basics, but after reading some of the limitations and restrictions,…
Troggy
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33
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5 answers

What are the economic benefits of owning a home in the United States?

I am trying to figure out if owning a home is more economical then renting. According to all the tools, according to the rent I pay now (< $800) owning a home is not economical, even in the long run. It seems to me like it would make sense to do…
SoftwareSavant
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33
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3 answers

What do the numbers on my credit/debit card mean?

I have the following visa card from comdirect.de: I guess: Number A is my credit card number. The 4 groups don't have a meaning. Number B: I have no idea. Might be my security code? Number C is my security code. Number D is eventually a card code…
Martin Thoma
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33
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12 answers

Where does the value of money go during inflation?

I was wondering if I put $1000 in the piggy bank for a year and the inflation being 10%, and everything else being constant, 1 year later that $1000 in cash money can only buy goods that today would cost me $900. So my question is: where did that…
user1070087
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33
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7 answers

What is the point of ATM transaction limits?

One time, I needed $300 from an ATM, but this particular ATM had a $200/transaction limit. I took $200 dollars out of my checking account and took my card. Literally a few seconds later, I put my card back in and took the other $100 out with no…
Someone
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33
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10 answers

Does the stock market fall faster than it rises?

I am under the impression that declines in the stock market are more sudden and violent than increases. Is there any truth to it? If so, what causes stock prices to fall faster than they rise? Or could this all be an illusion caused by the pain of…
Flux
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33
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2 answers

Do I have to pay a medical bill when the ER never submitted it for an insurance claim?

My husband went into cardiac failure while we were traveling. He was taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital ER. I gave his insurance information at the time of service. About a month later, I received a phone call from the billing department…
Donna Lewis
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33
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7 answers

How to sell a car to a private party on payments

I am selling an old car for US$2500. A stranger offered to buy it at my asking price, but the stranger wanted to know if I would accept (installment) payments. This sounds like a very bad idea, so I declined. But I got to thinking — how would…
bigchief
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33
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11 answers

Case against home ownership? High income, no home, don't necessarily want one

All numbers are in USD and my tax situation pertains to US taxes. I am at a crossroads and am seeking help. I am a single man who has always made a good living and generally enjoy my life as I please. I work hard and this year has brought me a nice…
PropositionJoe
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33
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6 answers

Why do real estate agents always ask me whether I am buying property to live-in or as an investment?

Trying to buy a house. Along with -- what is the maximum you are willing to pay -- this is the most frequent question. Why do they care whether I will live in it or rent it out? The two are not mutually exclusive. Update: this is for UK
A.L. Verminburger
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33
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12 answers

How can I break the cycle of taking on more debt to pay the rates for debt I already have?

I'm 30, married, and have a 1.5-year-old daughter. My monthly on-hand income is 71,000 ₹ (INR). These are my monthly expenses: Home loan: 18,428 (Loan amount: 18,50,000. Number of EMI pending: 150. Tenor: 161 months, ROI: 7.4%) Home topup loan:…
private
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33
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4 answers

Why would someone announce they are selling a large number of shares of a company?

Lukas Walton offloads stake in First Solar shares First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) announces secondary offering of 8.65M common shares from Lukas T. Walton, or approximately 8.2%, of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Why would Lukas Walton do this?…
Allure
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33
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5 answers

Why are some listed companies so "cheap" in the market? What would happen if I use my money to buy 100% of its shares?

I noticed that some companies have only 100,000 market cap. And it's listed company that you can even buy its shares easily. The turnover rate is even > 100% which means it has enough liquidity. What would happen if I use my money to buy all its…
AGamePlayer
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33
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9 answers

Life insurance as a lottery ticket

Suppose spouse1 and spouse2, aged 55, and children aged 17 and 19. Both spouses purchased 20-year term life insurance 19 years ago. The insurance is no longer needed to support either spouse or children in the event of a spouses's death. The bill…
jsf80238
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