Psychology of Money
How Much Would It Take To Feel Rich?
Monday, August 9th, 2010
CNNMoney.com recently posed that question among a random sample of people and financial advisors. Most people based their answer on an overarching objective of having enough money so that they would not have to work. Individuals said that would require anywhere from a couple thousand dollars a month to a billion dollars. Advisors put the ... [Read more]
6 Comments » Is an iPad a Luxury or Necessity?
Monday, August 9th, 2010
An Internet connection. An annual vacation. The financial freedom to shop for birthdays and other special occasions. Are these essentials or luxuries? For many of today’s baby boomers, they are essentials. According to a survey conducted by MainStay Investments and reported by MarketWatch, 84 percent of boomers consider an Internet connection a necessity, 66 percent ... [Read more]
Superstar Savers Share Their Secrets
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
Do you find it tough to save money? Money Magazine and CNN recently profiled some super savers, and they offer great lessons for all of us. Ed Haskell and Debbie Chasteen save a whopping 50 percent of their after-tax income. How do they do it? They have a clear, compelling goal of retiring before age ... [Read more]
Still Stressed About Debt
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
Americans are paying down their debt, but that hasn’t eased their stress. Some 46 percent of American adults say they are stressed about their debts, according to a new Associated Press-GfK survey. That’s about the same as last year. Those feeling the most stress are women, married couples, people age 30-44, and the poor. Key ... [Read more]
What We Didn’t Give Up During the Recession
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
Recessions have a way of helping people distinguish needs from wants. However, analysis from U.S. News & World Report has resulted in a somewhat surprising list of products and services where sales over the past few years have either grown or at least have not declined, including: Notebook computers. Sales have skyrocketed over the last ... [Read more]
“Go” Toward a Better Financial Life in 2010
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Have you ever noticed how often personal finance advice is about what not to do? Many are the stories about our lack of savings, high debt loads, and short-term thinking. We are constantly warned that we shouldn’t spend so much, shouldn’t take on so much debt, and shouldn’t focus on today with no regard for ... [Read more]
Smart Shopping at the Grocery Store
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
For most families, the grocery store is one of the most frequently visited retail stores. That’s why it’s so important to be proactive in spending wisely when doing what can feel like a routine chore. As pointed out on MSNBC recently, “Marketers have put more thought into grocery stores than any other type of store ... [Read more]
How Outlet Malls Promote Overspending
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
Outlet malls may not be the money-savers they appear to be. As noted on Consumerist.com, the new book, Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture, describes manufacturers’ suggested retail prices, against which the outlet store prices are compared, as “often fabricated to give consumers the impression that they are getting bargains.” The book also notes ... [Read more]
Choosing What to Take In
Saturday, August 1st, 2009
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8 Right after our five-year-old watches a DVD, he’s often eager to act out whatever he saw. If there was singing on the DVD, he ... [Read more]
Sleeping Well During the Recession
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
If you’ve been losing sleep over your finances, you’re not alone. According to a new survey, more than two-thirds of people say money issues are keeping them up at night. As reported on the Walletpop blog, more than one-fifth of respondents blamed credit card debt for the dark circles under their eyes. A prime cause ... [Read more]
