Ara Oghoorian, CPA
Certified Financial Planner & Accountant
wikiHow's Editorial Process wikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.
Co-authored Articles (12)
How to
Save Money
Deposit a portion of your income in a savings or retirement account. Don't accumulate new debt, and pay off any debt you currently have. Establish a realistic timeframe for your savings goals. Create a budget and keep tr...
How to
Invest in Stocks
It is no coincidence that most wealthy people invest in the stock market. While fortunes can be both made and lost, investing in stocks is one of the best ways to create financial security, independence, and generationa...
How to
Learn Accounting on Your Own
Accounting, a meticulous recording of financial transactions, is a crucial process required for the success of all businesses. While large businesses will usually employ a sizable accounting department with many employe...
How to
Calculate a Lease Payment
The typical monthly lease payment has 2 basic components: depreciation and financing fees. To find the depreciation, subtract the amount the car will be worth at the end of the lease from the current sticker price. Then...
How to
Buy Stocks
When you buy stock, you are purchasing ownership in the company that issues the security. As an owner, you have certain rights. For example, a stock investor has the right to receive a dividend if the company generates s...
How to
Get Money Without Working
Wouldn't it be great if you could get money without working? While there's no surefire way to strike it rich without working, there are certain ways to raise funds for yourself with very little or no effort on your part....
How to
Redeem Savings Bonds
If you have ever received U.S. savings bonds as gifts or purchased them yourself as a low-risk savings vehicle, you may be wondering about your options for redeeming them. Redeeming savings bonds is simple. You can redee...
How to
Survive on Your Own in the Real World
There comes a time in everyone's life when you must move out of your parents' place and venture out into the world on your own. You’re excited at the thought of being able to entertain in your own space, decorate the w...
Creating a Personal Financial Plan: Step-by-Step Guide
From determining your financial goals to evaluating their feasibility, we’ve got you covered Financial plans are written, organized strategies for maintaining financial health and accomplishing financial goals. Develo...
How to
Start a Hedge Fund
Becoming the manager of your own hedge fund will give you the opportunity to invest other people's money for them, which can be profitable for you and your investors. If you're an experienced financial advisor, it may b...
How to
Buy Stocks (for Beginners)
When you buy stocks, you are buying a small part of company. Twenty years ago, stocks were primarily bought with the advice of a stockbroker. Nowadays, anyone with a computer can buy or sell stocks with brokerage firm. I...
How to
Understand Debits and Credits
In bookkeeping under General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), debits and credits are used to track the changes of account values. They can also be thought of as mirror opposites: Each debit to an account must be pa...
