Best Advice – Part III
In the last two issues of this eNewsletter, I’ve been summarizing some of the “best financial advice” ideas readers have submitted. Here are a few more. Mary Ellen pointed to these words of wisdom from her parents: “Don’t spend money you don’t have. Credit cards are fine as long as you pay them off in […]
The Wisdom and Foolishness of Saving Money
“In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” – Proverbs 21:20 Three times during several recent financial workshops with college students I was asked a surprising and refreshing question: Does saving money reflect a lack of faith in God’s provision? It was […]
Spring Cleaning
A recent article on the _Motley Fool’s_ web site talked about the challenges of living through a kitchen remodel. After trying to temporarily make room for their kitchen stuff in other parts of their house, the author and her husband concluded that they simply have too much stuff. That made her curious to know how […]
The Uncle Sam Bonus Plan
So far this year, income tax refunds are averaging $2,650–up about $100 from last year. Among the suggestions about what to do with that money from a recent _MSNBC_ article: Put the money in an IRA, pay down debt, give some to charity, invest in yourself by taking a class, pay to have a will […]
Cheap “Sneaks” and the New Cool
Twenty years ago, when Nike signed basketball superstar Michael Jordan to an endorsement deal, $100 basketball shoes became all the rage. Kids begged their parents for a pair. Some even killed for them. Flash-forward to today and New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury is out to end the insanity of overpriced sneakers. As reported on […]
Best Advice – Part II
Recently I asked you to share the best financial advice you’ve ever received. Here’s a second installment of some of that advice. A reader named Bob said that during a pre-marriage class he and his then fiance attended, the teacher suggested using pay raises to build an initial savings account. In Bob’s words, “I can […]
Keeping Found Money
What’s the biggest mistake you can make when leaving your job for greener pastures? Posting a video of the last office party on YouTube? Using the boss’ reserved parking place on your last day? Cashing in your 401(k)? Okay, they’re _all_ bad ideas. But the worst _financial_ mistake you can make is closing out your […]
Found Money
Employer-sponsored 401(k) plans are becoming more generous. As reported in _USA TODAY_ recently, 36 percent of such plans now offer a 100 percent match on employee contributions. In other words, for every dollar an employee saves in a 401(k) plan, their employer kicks in a dollar as well–usually up to a certain percentage of the […]
Expecting the Unexpected
Do you have an emergency fund? If so, you’re in the smart minority. Just 40 percent of Americans have such a fund, according to a new Consumer Federation of America survey. While higher income households are most likely to have an emergency fund, even among the highest earners more than 40 percent said they do […]
Great Advice
A couple of weeks ago I asked you to send in the best financial advice you’ve ever received. Several readers said it was to base their lifestyle on one income right from the start of their marriage. Initially, following that advice enabled Jennifer and her husband to pay off an automobile loan. Ever since, the […]