If you’re reading these words, once upon a time you subscribed to this blog. But that may have been several years ago, so I’ll understand if you don’t remember! I stopped adding new content in the spring of 2012 when I joined the staff of Sound Mind Investing. I’m still with SMI and loving it. […]
Housing is most people’s biggest expense. That’s why, of all of the expenses we each have, it’s essential to get our housing costs right. It’s one of the most important keys to being able to be generous, save and invest adequately, and live with financial margin and peace of mind. Here’s how to spend smart […]
No one has ever accused an insurance policy of being a page-turner. However, those packets of boring legalese are essential for financial success. Let’s look at some of the most important types of insurance so you can determine how to get the right coverage at the right price. Life Insurance Do you need life insurance? […]
Investing is arguably the most challenging and intimidating topic within personal finance. There’s a lot to know and the terminology can be confusing. To lower the fear factor and cut through the confusion, here are some of the investing essentials. Get In The Game There’s a financial force in the world so powerful that Einstein […]
People often think of a budget as a ball & chain. In truth, it’s the exact opposite – a tool that leads to great financial freedom. But there is such a thing as a financial ball & chain. It’s called debt. Debt is a drag. It creates stress, keeps us from achieving our financial goals, […]
Of all the things you can do with money, few are more boring than putting it into a savings account, right? Spending it? Now, that’s fun. Investing can be enjoyable, too. But parking some money in an “interest-bearing” savings account where $1,000 may turn into $1,001 in a year’s time? Who needs it? You do, […]
If you’ve been following this series of instructional videos on how to use Mint.com, the hard work is now done. You’ve opened an account, connected it with your bank or credit union and credit cards, and set up a budget. As you’ll see in the following video, now you’re ready to start truly managing money […]
Using a budget is not a one-size-fits-all sort of deal. You could use a paper & pencil system, the envelope system, an Excel spreadsheet, software like Quicken, or an online tool like Mint.com. For those interested in giving Mint a try, I’m showing how in a series of short instructional videos. In the video below, […]
Back in the day, jobs were for life. You put in your 30-40 years and got a pension. Maybe even a gold watch. That was then. Of course, there’s no such thing as guaranteed employment anymore. But there is such a thing as guaranteed employability. Learn to Earn In most jobs, if we’re standing still […]
People who’ve never used a budget usually hate the idea. They think of a budget as the wicked witch of personal finance whose sole purpose is to drive any semblance of fun right out of their financial life. In truth, it’s just the opposite. A budget, or as I prefer, a Cash Flow Plan, is […]
