We make lots of financial decisions every day. However, over the course of our lives, there’s a small handful of decisions that really matter. How well we navigate them will make an especially big difference in whether we struggle with money or live with financial freedom and joy. As I describe the decisions, please keep […]
Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. Why we buy: the role of comparison in our spending choices (Becoming Minimalist). “Social indifference” is a good goal — actively not caring how other people are spending money (I didn’t say it would be easy!). Virtual credit cards: what are they and should […]
One of the most common questions I get in workshops is, “Where can I possibly find the money to…” save, give, get out of debt, or simply make ends meet? The answer is often found in questioning our spending assumptions. I recently worked with two couples and recommended that they go from two-car households to […]
Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. He stole hundreds of iPhones and looted people’s savings. He told us how. (The Wall Street Journal). Of course, our phones are about so much more than making calls. That’s why there’s so much at stake in keeping track of them. Revealed: US utility […]
This weekend, I bought new shoes for two of our kids at a Nike Outlet store. When I got home, I told my wife what a “great deal” they were. The shoe boxes told the tale. In both cases, they showed a “suggested retail price” of $85 and listed “our price” at $64.99. But I […]
Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. Don’t roll your eyes: looking the part could land you that job (Wall Street Journal). How to dress for success — it’s different industry by industry. Jonathan Haidt: I’m worried about the boys, too (The Free Press). He has chronicled the harmful impact of […]
As the recession of 2008 dragged on, frugality came into vogue, and many commentators believed a new and lasting way of life had begun. The savings rate went up, people held onto their cars longer, and second hand stores became all the rage. In 2010, 63 percent of people said the recession had “forever changed” […]
Everyone has heard the advice, “It doesn’t hurt to ask.” But my experience has been far better than that. Time and time again, I’ve seen that it often pays to ask. Just by asking, I’ve gotten fees waived, better tables at restaurants, lower prices on subscriptions, and as I’ll describe below, a costly vehicle repair […]
Think about your neighborhood for a minute, and some of your immediate neighbors. How similar is your lifestyle to theirs? How similar is the car you drive or the types of vacations you take? Juliet Schor, author of several books that have been very influential to me, such as The Overworked American, The Overspent American, […]
Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. The price of success (A Wealth of Common Sense). Life is a series of trade-offs. Knowing what matters more is really important. The risk-taking activity that ‘helicopter parents’ should allow their kids to experience (CNN). It’s risky to encourage our kids to play it […]
