Profitable Ideas: Curbing Your Enthusiasm (to Spend), Raising Less Materialistic Kids, and More
Weekly roundup of recommended personal finance articles from around the web. Got the urge to splurge? 4 steps to overcome your overspending habit (Morningstar). Good tips, especially as we head into the Christmas gift-buying season. Why problem gamblers are suddenly emerging from the fantasy football generation (The Grid). Gambling problems start early. Distractions (Spilled Coffee). […]
Honk if You Love Money
As I sat at a red light in our neighborhood last week, waiting to make a right-hand turn, my attention was focused on traffic coming from my left. As I waited, I committed a grievous sin. I didn’t notice that the oncoming drivers were slowing down because their light had turned red and mine had […]
Profitable Ideas: The Golden Rule of Personal Finance, Getting Into College Without Applying, and More
The golden rule of personal finance (Best Interest). So boring, so basic—and also so rare and so effective. What actually happens to your donated clothes? (Bloomberg – video). Probably not what you assume. This school took away smartphones. The kids don’t mind. (Wall Street Journal). Amazingly, they all survived, and many became happier. A man […]
It Isn’t Just the Purchase Price, It’s the Ongoing Costs
If you had $20,700 to spend on a used car and your options included a 2016 Civic EX sedan and a 2016 BMW 320i sedan, tell me honestly, which would you prefer? Ah, but you know it’s a trick question. Sure, the BMW seems like it would be a lot more fun to drive. However, […]
Profitable Ideas: The Antidote to Our Consumer Culture, Helping Your Kids Build Perseverance, and More
Weekly roundup of recommended personal finance articles from around the web. The power of gratitude (MoneyWise). Regularly giving thanks is a wonderful, powerful antidote to our consumer culture’s messages that we don’t have enough and that we are not enough. How to detach from your financial wins and losses (Root of All). Maybe we shouldn’t […]
Do You Trust Your Spouse to Handle Money Responsibly?
If ever there was a relationship designed to be built on a foundation of trust it would be the marriage relationship, right? And ideally, that trust would extend into all areas, including money. However, according to a Pew Research Center study, just 56% of married people say they trust their spouse a great deal to […]
Profitable Ideas: Handle Hard Well, A Bad Bet, and More
Weekly roundup of recommended personal finance articles from around the web. Handle hard well (Collaborative Fund). A great message for parents to convey to their kids, for investors trying to learn from this bear market, for all. Open enrollment: employees have big changes to consider—here’s what to know. (CBS Money Watch). What you need to […]
Three Reasons Why Knowing Your Net Worth Matters
Do you know your net worth? That’s how much is left after subtracting your debts from the total value of your cash and assets. At first glance, figuring out your net worth may seem pointless. You’re probably not going to bump Warren Buffett or Bill Gates from their spots on any “World’s Wealthiest People” list […]
Profitable Ideas: Avoiding a Common Check Scam, Bear Market Opportunities, and More
Weekly roundup of recommended personal finance articles from around the web. How to spot, avoid, and report fake check scams (FTC). These scams have become all too common, and costly. The skills you should know before moving out on your own (Vox). Good tips for young adults—and some good reminders for parents about practical lessons […]
An Essential Formula For a Financially Healthy Marriage
Money is one of the prime sources of conflict in marriage. However, conflict avoidance isn’t the route to a happy marriage. In fact, John Gottman, a psychologist who has devoted over two decades to studying what makes for a healthy marriage, believes that “fighting—when it airs grievances and complaints—can be one of the healthiest things […]