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Do you know your AGI from your ARM from your PMI? Or does the mere mention of
those acronyms make you go, Huh?
If you dont speak personal finance, dont worry were here to help.
We know that managing your money can sometimes make you feel like youre learning
a foreign language. So we compiled a handy glossary of must-know money terms that
affect all aspects of your financial life.
Whether youre confused about amortization or not sure what escrow, exactly, is good
for, this primer will help you get up to financial speed.
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Think of it as interest on interest. It will make your savings or debt grow at a faster
rate than simple interest, which is calculated on the principal amount alone.
2. FICO score. A number used by banks and other financial institutions to measure a
borrowers credit worthiness. FICO is an acronym for the Fair Isaac Corporation, a
company that came up with the methodology for calculating a credit score based on
several factors, including payment history, length of credit history and total amount
owed.
FICO scores range from 300 to 850, and the higher the score, the better the terms
you may receive on your next loan or credit card. People with scores below 620 may
have a harder time securing credit at a favorable interest rate.
3. Net worth. The difference between your assets and liabilities. You can calculate
yours by adding up all of the money or investments you have, including the current
market value of your home and car, as well as the balances in any checking, savings,
retirement or other investment accounts. Then subtract all of your debt, including
your mortgage balance, credit card balances and any other loans or obligations. The
resulting net worth number helps you take the pulse on your overall financial health.
RELATED: Net Worth: Why You Need to Know It and Grow It
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well over the past year, your allocation may now have shifted to 70% stocks, 10%
bonds and 20% cash.
To rebalance your portfolio, you could sell some of your stocks and reinvest the
proceeds in bonds, or invest new money in bonds to bring the portfolio back to the
original balance.
8. Stocks. Also called equities or shares, stocks give you ownership in a company.
When you buy stocks, you become a company shareholder, giving you a claim on part
of that companys assets and earnings. The two main types of stocks are common and
preferred.
If you hold common stock, you can vote at shareholders meetings and receive
dividends however, youre also lowest on the totem pole in the corporate ownership
structure. Preferred stockholders have a higher claim on assets and earnings than
owners of common stock (for example, they receive their dividends first), but they
dont have voting rights.
RELATED: Stocks, Bonds, Funds: Whats the Difference?
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once your loan-to-home-value ratio reaches 80%, you no longer have to pay PMI, but
in some cases, it is permanent for the life of the loan.
RELATED: 13 Things That May Make Life Insurance More Costly
20. Term life insurance. A type of policy that provides coverage over a set period,
generally anywhere from five to 30 years. If you die within the set term, your
beneficiaries receive a payout. If you dont, the policy expires with no value. The policy
owner can decide to renew coverage after the term is over and can cancel at any time
without penalty.
21. Umbrella insurance. A type of policy that provides additional liability coverage
beyond what your home, auto or boat insurance may provide. You might consider
umbrella insurance if youre at risk for being sued for property damage or other
peoples injuries, such as if you hire a nanny or other employees to regularly work in
your home. Umbrella insurance can also protect your assets if someone sues you for
slander or defamation of character.
RELATED: The Facts and Myths of Life Insurance
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