Profitable Ideas: How Debt Can Define Your Future, Re-Shop to Save, and More
Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. How I think about debt (Collaborative Fund). “Debt defines your future, and when your future is defined, hope begins to die.” Defining success beyond material excess (Simple Money). Owning more often complicates life more than it enriches life. The new math of driving your […]
The Best Way to Teach Kids How to Make Good Spending Decisions
Personal finance may be the most important topic typically not taught in school. And where it is being taught, there are mixed results. The main problem seems to be a lack of practicality—lectures and simulations will only get you so far. As I thought about the general ineffectiveness of teaching kids about money in a […]
Profitable Ideas: When a Want Becomes a Need, Buffett’s Secret to Success, and More
Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. How to distinguish between wants and needs (Becoming Minimalist). The lines are not as clear as you might think. Understanding the 4 key 529 plan fees and expenses (Saving For College). You’re not restricted to your state’s plan (although you should probably use it […]
How Much Should I Spend on a House?
Of all the spending decisions you make, housing is the most important one. It’s probably your biggest expense, so it’s essential to get it right. Doing so is one of the most important keys to being able to live generously, save and invest adequately, and live with financial margin and peace of mind. How Much of a […]
Profitable Ideas: A Financial Finish Line, Christians and Sports Betting, and More
Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. The prosperity paradox (Becoming Minimalist). Where’s your financial finish line? Americans think they need almost $1.5 million to retire. Experts say to focus on another number instead (CNBC). Fortunately, it’s a number you have a lot more control over. Insurers are spying on your […]
Rest for the Weary
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” – Matthew 6:27 In December of 2006, as each week brought news of yet another publisher that had decided to take a pass on a book I had poured a year of my life and left a well-paying corporate job to write, […]
Profitable Ideas: A Happy Pay Cut, Money Blind Spots, and More
Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. They chose to take a pay cut—and say they’re happier (Wall Street Journal). Large numbers of people who took a new job for less pay have seen a boost in life satisfaction. Are Apple Pay and Google Pay more secure than credit cards? (How-To […]
Two Steps For Better Money Management in Marriage
With all the stuff two people bring into a marriage, it’s no wonder that money is a very frequent topic of dispute. They were raised by different sets of parents who did the whole money thing in their unique way. They had different personal financial experiences. They have different temperaments, and they bring into marriage […]
Profitable Ideas: College Decision Time, The Most Important Concept in Finance, and More
Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web. 9 ways to help your teen with the college decision (US News). A good guide for what can be a gut-wrenching decision. Financial flexibility (The Best Interest). Don’t paint yourself into a corner. Facing mortality, more Americans wrote wills during the pandemic. Now, they’re […]
One of the Sweetest Concepts in All of Money Management
Some words and phrases just feel good. Summer vacation. Sleeping in. Cubs win. Financially speaking, one of my all-time favorite words is margin. And it feels even better than it sounds. Think of it as financial breathing space, a wonderful gap between income and expenses. It reduces stress, provides the flexibility to give or save […]