There are some personal finance teachers who believe no one should have a credit card. They seem to think that carrying credit cards is like carrying little sticks of dynamite that could blow your finances to smithereens at any time. While there are definitely some people who would be better off not using credit cards, […]
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 […]
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 […]
When you’re getting to know the person you’re thinking about marrying, there’s so much to learn. Some of it comes about through questions as you ask each other about past experiences and future goals. Some of it also comes about through observation. Does he respect his parents? Is she usually on time? But it isn’t […]
I’m excited about the start of a New Year, the opportunity to pursue some important new goals, and the opportunity to share ideas with you on how to live with the freedom and joy that come from getting the money thing right. As we reset the calendar, this seems like an appropriate time to explain […]
“He called out to them, ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?’ ‘No,’ they answered. He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.” – John 21:5-6 Do you have any […]
The recession is prompting more people to pay cash for their holiday gifts this year. According to a study by the market research firm Morepace, 40 percent of people plan to avoid using credit cards for any of their holiday gifts this year – up from 35 percent last year. For those making less than […]
College seniors who graduated last year owed an average of $24,000 in student loans. That figure, as reported by CNNMoney.com, comes from The Project on Student Debt, which analyzed student loan debt at more than 1,000 public and private four-year schools. Using some common assumptions, paying off $24,000 in student loan debt over 10 years […]
For many couples, money is a tough topic. That’s why, for the past couple of months, I’ve been using the first post of the month to focus on ideas for making money work in marriage. It’s also why I created a financial workshop to help engaged and newly married couples get their relationship started in […]
Credit card companies are now under new rules that, in most cases, put a $25 limit on how much they can charge customers who pay their bills late. The Wall Street Journal reported that the restrictions could wipe out billions of dollars in annual fee revenue. That has left credit card issuers doing what they […]
