Personal Finance

One thing people get concerned about is losing their hard-earned money in a stock market crash or by making poor investment choices. But sometimes, even people with disciplined, well-thought out investment strategies lose money in their everyday lives just by being careless. What are some ways you could lose money? You could literally lose it…

Extreme frugality blogger Mr. Money Mustache and his family famously live on less than $25,000 a year. Of course, it helps to have a paid-off home and live in a relatively affordable town in northern Colorado. Getting around by bicycle or on foot also saves money on gas and keeps the family car-payment free. It’s…

Q. How long should you keep your financial documents? A. Many of us become paperwork hoarders simply because we’re too afraid to toss anything out – what if we need that 2003 bank statement some day? The period after tax season is a perfect time to cull your files, toss out what’s not needed, and get…

People often ask me for tips on how to improve their finances and I’m always eager to help. But rather than focusing on mundane money saving tips or talking about where the stock market is headed, I prefer to share lessons on the kinds of products and services to avoid. By steering clear of these personal…

When you become a couple you become a team, and both of your actions and expectations will define your future life together. Your choices today will shape your tomorrows. Keeping in mind your financial priorities, it’s time to create a plan for your spending and saving. The first and most important step to achieving financial…

It’s no secret that the roadmap to financial success starts with paying off debt, sticking to a budget, and saving for retirement. But there are other – not quite as sexy – financial priorities that often get overlooked when creating a financial plan. Indeed, I’m talking about the thrilling topic of building an emergency fund,…

I enjoy reading the Shopaholic series of books by Sophie Kinsella. As a confirmed “under-buyer,” I am the exact opposite of compulsive shopper Becky Bloomwood Brandon, so I can chuckle at her antics as she shops her way through designer boutiques with her overextended credit cards and overdrafts. Eventually, the books end with our heroine…

Your loving give me a thrill, But your loving don’t pay my bills “Money (That’s What I Want)” – The Beatles Financial planning for one person can be complicated enough. When you get into a long-term relationship with someone else and combine your households, you join your financial lives as well. Just because your beloved…

When my husband and I celebrated our first Christmas in our new home, we bought the perfect Christmas tree and set it up in front of the window. There it sat, bare of ornaments for several days. We were each waiting for the other to begin. You see, when I was growing up my Dad…