What If…
“Live for today.” “You only go around once.” You’ve heard these phrases; maybe you’ve even said them. They represent a popular philosophy – in essence, grab for all you can get right now since you don’t know what may happen tomorrow. Similar words are even found in the Bible. When the apostle Paul sought to […]
Profitable Ideas: The Inflation Hedge No One’s Talking About, “Unspoiling” Your Young Kids, and More
Weekly roundup of recommended personal finance articles from around the web. The world’s best inflation hedge (Young Money). No brokerage account required. How you can take a digital detox this summer (Becoming Minimalist). This could be a summer to remember. Let’s not waste it scrolling mindlessly on social media. What to say when a recruiter […]
When Using a Target-Date Mutual Fund, Buyer Beware
Investing is arguably the most complicated and intimidating aspect of managing money. That’s one reason why target-date mutual funds have become so popular. Such funds, offered by many mutual fund companies, handle some of the most important investment tasks for you. They are now the default choice in many workplace retirement plans. But is using […]
Profitable Ideas: College Loses Its Luster, Quitting the Comparison Game, and More
Weekly roundup of recommended personal finance articles from around the web. College degrees lose luster as inflation surges and student debt balloons (Bloomberg). I wonder if part of the problem is that too many entering freshmen don’t know what they want to study, which leads to delayed graduation, which leads to more cost. When […]
Choose Your Financial Role Models Well
The comparison game is hard to avoid. It’s been played for a long time, and lately it’s become even more challenging. “I think the difference today is the unending nature of knowing what ‘the Joneses’ do, given technology. Purchases, vacations, educations are all broadcast via social media and other means.” That’s Sarah Stanley Fallaw, Founder […]
Profitable Ideas: Why We Spend, Minimalist Principles for Raising Money-Wise Kids, and More
Weekly roundup of recommended personal finance articles from around the web. The financial risks of the stories we love (Root of All). Great article that gets at the motivations for so many of our financial decisions. This might look like a long read, but it’ll be worth your time. 8 minimalist principles for our kids […]
Breaking the Cycle of Financing Vehicles
Our home may be our castle, but for many people, their car is an extension of themselves. According to a study cited by Juliet Schor in her book, The Overspent American, nearly half of all car owners see their car as a reflection of who they are. The belief that we are what we drive, […]
Profitable Ideas: Helping Our Kids “Catch” Contentment, Inflation is Coming for Our Tax Bills, and More
Weekly roundup of recommended personal finance articles from around the web. Six practical ways to model contentment for your kids today (Becoming Minimalist). Great ideas for helping our kids “catch” contentment from us. Teenagers should be working this summer (Daily Citizen). Getting our young people working will benefit them in countless good ways. And this […]
The Perks of Plastic – 9 Great Credit Card Benefits
Some financial teachers believe no one should have a credit card. They believe the road to ruin is paved in plastic. They seem to think that carrying credit cards is like carrying little sticks of dynamite that could blow at any time. I’m not one of them. I believe that just because some people get […]
Profitable Ideas: Tough Lessons for Newer Investors, It Pays to Drive Safely, and More
Weekly roundup of recommended personal finance articles from around the web. Amateur investors rode the bull up. Now the bear looms (NY Times). After a long-running bull market that left many investors feeling like they could do no wrong, some are facing their first real test. See also, Maintaining perspective (SMI). Why everyone’s bearish (The […]