For many people, $50,000 could represent six months to a year of emergency savings. But William Stern, founder and co-CEO at small business lender Cardiff said he views it as an “opportunity fund,” instead. “It’s the money you use to strike should the market crash or the perfect deal magically appear. It’s the price at the table for real wealth,” he added. Check Out: 3 Best Ways to Prioritize Your Savings Goals For You: How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Your State? Whether you’re s ...

It's a hot summer, but you don't need to sweat your finances. Give yourself a mid-year checkup to gauge your money temperature and make sure that you're on track to meet your goals. Here are five steps that you can take.First step, review your goals. Make sure you understand what you want your money to do for you by the end of the year and in the future. Then, you want to track and adjust your monthly spending.You may not be on track to save as much as you need. Review your spending to make sure you're meet ...