My new book, “Money & Marriage”, free on Kindle and Nook this week only, has just been released and is already causing something of a stir. The first reviewer on Amazon slammed the book, complaining that I and/or my publisher “left out the very pertinent fact that this is a religious book.” The reviewer went […]
I couldn’t be more excited that this week marks the official release of my new book, “Money & Marriage: A Complete Guide for Engaged and Newly Married Couples.” It’s been on my heart to write this book for a long, long time. I’m sure it isn’t news to you that money is a very common […]
The New York Times recently ran a series of six essays offering various explanations for the generally poor job we Americans do with savings. One blamed the disappearance of defined benefits plans, which, without any conscious effort on the part of workers, provided a steady income in retirement. That same writer dismissed the efforts of […]
When it comes to personal finance – and life in general, for that matter – I’ve never been one to chase fads. I prefer timeless truths and proven ideas. That’s why I’m such a fan of the business classic, “Good to Great.” And it’s why I’m so intrigued with how well the insights that book […]
Ever since my wife, Jude, found out that Target regularly drops off brand new items at our local Goodwill Store, she has gotten in the habit of shopping there. On a recent visit, she was surprised to find new LEGO sets for 60 percent off the original retail price, so she stocked up on what […]
This week, popular free online budget site Mint.com launched a new tool that helps people figure out when they could be out of debt and keeps them updated on their progress. I’ll explain how it works, along with its pros and cons, in a minute. But first, a little background. Making Budgets Cool When Mint […]
A big part of wise money management is buying stuff that lasts. I thought about that recently while replacing the batteries on one of our kids’ toys and realized that somehow we had gotten out of the habit of using rechargeable batteries. It prompted me to do some research into which batteries are best, and […]
With Amazon reporting that it now sells more ebooks than paperbacks, it’s clear that lots of people have gotten comfortable reading books on a screen. In part, it reflects the rapid acceptance of ebook reading devices like Amazon’s Kindle, Barnes & Noble’s Nook, and the Sony Reader. It may also be because each company offers […]
With the hype that surrounds each holiday, it’s easy to get jaded and miss all that’s good about the occasion. This year, what helped me focus on the best parts of Valentine’s Day was rereading one of the most powerful love letters I’ve ever come across. Union Army Major Sullivan Ballou wrote the letter to […]
Regular readers know I highly recommend that everyone use a budget, or as I prefer, a Cash Flow Plan. It’s the most powerful tool I know of for smart money management. There are three steps involved in using a Cash Flow Plan. First, plan the use of your income. How much will you give, save, […]
