So you’ve just had a baby and you’re feeling a bit over your head. Between baby food and diapers, car seats doctor’s appointments and very small clothing the money seems to be flowing out the door. This is definitely time to review your budget and there is one more thing you need to add: college savings. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Priorities’ Category
One Minute Money Lessons: What’s the Best Way to Pay for College?
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
How to Live Within Your Financial Means, Even After Financial Success
Friday, July 9th, 2010
Author: Jerry Pelletier
The biggest mistake made by many people who find financial success is to begin living as if there is no limit to their income. There is a sense of security and extravagance that comes with knowing you have a consistent, sizable income. Yet, there is an end to the money flow and if you aren’t careful to live within your financial means you could find that end much quicker than you ever imagined.
Debt Reduction – The Hybrid Method
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010By Roger G. Best
We’ve already talked about the Snowball Method and the Avalanche Method of Debt Reduction. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. The Snowball Method works toward paying off debt and does so by playing into basic human emotion. It pays off the smallest debt first, then moving on to the next smallest and so on, until all your debt has been retired. This method tends to be very emotionally satisfying because you will be able to completely pay off the smaller debt very quickly, leaving you with a sense of satisfaction. The disadvantage is that the Snowball Method doesn’t take into account the actual cost of the debt. If those smaller debts that you have are also the lowest interest rate, you’ll end up paying a lot more in interest, making this method the more costly of the two approaches. (more…)
Debt Reduction Methods – Avalanche Method
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010By Roger G. Best
This is my second installment dealing with the different methods of reducing y our debt. My last articles “Debt Reduction Methods – Part 1” addressed the snowball method. If you haven’t already read that one, you’ll want to do so, although it’s not necessary to read it before you read this one. In this article we’ll address the avalanche method of debt reduction. (more…)
How Your Personality Affects Your Financial Decision-Making
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009All investors are not created equal. That’s why financial planners start their first client meetings with a discussion of money attitudes, goals and risk tolerance – the driver at the root of all investment decisions. Some planners do this by general conversation, others by detailed surveys they ask their clients to fill out.
The survey route can be a more valuable tool because it forces clients to face their money issues, perhaps for the first time. Despite the difficulty in facing up to such key issues, individuals get a better idea of where their money strengths and weaknesses really lie. Often, the real difficulties lie in how money is spent. (more…)
Unrequited Love
Sunday, November 8th, 2009Are you in love with your money? Are you in love with debt? Your money and your debtors won’t love you back. You can’t cuddle up to it on a cold night, so be careful how much affection you give it.
We usually love money for two reasons. First, the love of wealth for wealth’s sake, most often egged on by the greedy desire to be richer than the next guy or perhaps in keeping up with the Jones. And second, the love of things money or debt can buy that confer status and the appearance of success.
Does anyone you know resemble that definition? Heaven forbid it should be the person in the mirror! (more…)
How to Establish a Spending Plan – Part 1
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009Your spending plan measures how your actual expenses match your desired expenses, and is also a guide to future spending, promptly paying your bills, and maintaining your good credit.
A Family Spending Plan is Critical
- 80% of all divorces in the U.S. are related to financial disagreements or difficulties.
- Americans have accumulated $400 billion in consumer debt. The average household has in excess of $20,000 of non-mortgage debt. (25% of all consumer purchases are by impulse)
- Only 3% of Americans have a plan for retirement. (more…)
Rules for Fathers
Saturday, October 31st, 2009by Mark “Gunny” Thomas
Rule #1: Choose a profession that allows you to spend plenty of dedicated time with your spouse and children, even it means less money and a step down in lifestyle. The lost years of your offspring’s childhood can never be recaptured. I know personally many men who have had successful careers and fulfilling family lives at the same time; they can and should go together. If you are struggling over the temptation to trade off riches for family life, let family win the debate. Maybe you need to settle for mere prosperity instead of wealth. Attend every major or minor event in your children’s lives — dance recitals, baseball games, etc. — and elevate your wife to Queen of your home, but don’t be an absentee sovereign. (more…)
