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” […]
Author Archive | Matt Bell
Profitable Ideas: Goodbye Mint, Experiencing a Better Christmas, and More
Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. Goodbye Mint, hello…? (Sound Mind Investing). My go-to budgeting app is shutting down. Such a bummer! Thankfully, there are alternatives. How to make your holiday more about experiences and less about gifts (No Sidebar). You don’t have to eliminate gifts all together, but making […]
Are You Financially Asleep or Awake? An Advent Lesson
“What does Jesus have against sleep?” One of our kids asked that question several years ago while we were on our way to church on a Sunday morning in December. Our family had been invited to lead “a responsive call to worship” that morning – a short time at the beginning of the service in […]
Profitable Ideas: Future You, A Saver’s Superpower, and More
Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. Time travel: what if you met your future self? (BBC). You’d probably take better care of your health, your relationships, your finances, and more! Why is everyone so unhappy at work right now? (Wall Street Journal). “Quiet quitting” is all the rage. Maybe we’re […]
Just Passing Through
Shortly after moving from Chicago to Louisville in 2012, I was back in Chicago for a short visit. It was so good to be back in the city I love so much. I love the family and friends I have there, the architecture, the lakefront, the grittiness, the character, the beauty of the city, and […]
Profitable Ideas: Doing Good Work, Long-Term Gains, and More
Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. The longer I do this, the less I care about results (Ryan Holiday). Doing good work in a world obsessed with followers, likes, and hearts. 4 charts that explain the stock market (A Wealth of Common Sense). Long-terms gains come with plenty of short-term […]
What is it About the Holidays?
We’re entering a season that seems to play out in three different ways for people. For many, it’s “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” — most importantly, a time of celebrating Christ’s miraculous birth. Of course, it’s also a favorite time of year for shopping, with many people eagerly anticipating the Black Friday and […]
Profitable Ideas: How Limits Boost Happiness, The Weekly Allowance Conundrum, and More
Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. Want to boost happiness? Limit your choices (This Evergreen Home). In a world of countless options, we would be wise to choose limits. Your phone is the key to your digital life. Make sure you know what to do if you lose it. (VOX). […]
It’s Amazing What You Can Get Just By Asking
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 […]
Profitable Ideas: When Giving is Hard, Your Kids Don’t Want Your Stuff (Or Do They?), and More
Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. When giving is hard (Good Sense). “If you’re in a position of financial difficulty, how do you make room for giving?” See also, Giving generously when in debt. My parents have a lot of stuff in their house. I don’t want most of it. […]