Smart Saving is "In"Is it cool to be cheap? I'm sensing a change in attitudes. I don't hear "It's only money, honey" anymore.Do your friends brag about how cheap they are? I was at a get-together where that was exactly what was happening. As we sat around a fire into the evening family and friends started bragging about how cheap they were. I mean … [Read more...]
Don’t Budget! Make a Spending Plan!
Putting the Budget Puzzle Together Why do we shrink from the word "budget"? We just don't like being limited in any way. We want our cake and eat it too. We want all the candy in the candy store. We know this is unrealistic, but the fantasy of "having it all" continues to dominate our psyches. What can we do? We can adopt a mindset of … [Read more...]
Have All the Rules Changed? 5 Investing Rules for the New Economy
Monopoly: House RulesHow would you like to play Monopoly and have half the rules change after the first hour? And you don't find out the rule changes until then. The utilities can now charge 10 times the former amount. Landing on Boardwalk will cost you $16. Marvin Gardens is now the high rent district. Yikes. But at least you know what the … [Read more...]
September Blog Round-Up, Chocolate Milk Edition
I just finished a road trip with my sweet 3-year-old grandson and my daughter-in-law. It was amazingly smooth with our little guy having few issues. At a fast-food restaurant he was reaching into his food bag & knocked over his chocolate milk. My jeans got a wash in chocolate milk, but after a bunch of napkins all was well again. I have to say … [Read more...]
The 20% Rule; Can It Help You?
Humans don't like change. It takes adjustment. We like being as comfortable as possible and that means no change to most of us. I'm human. I don't like having to make big changes. Somehow I can trick my mind to accepting change when I consider just "20% change." I don't know why, but that 20% just seems acceptable.I'd always heard to keep … [Read more...]
February Blog Round-Up, Leap Year Edition
Is Spring really coming? Let's hope so! Here are some great reads from around the web that I hope you will enjoy, no matter what the weather. 1. Money Cone challenges advice common on personal finance blogs in Unconventional Wisdom in Personal Finance. I agree with most of the points.2. Money Ning shares some great ways to enjoy Gourmet … [Read more...]
What Does Sustainability Mean in Personal Finance?
We usually hear the term "sustainability" used in connection with environmental issues. But it is increasingly used as a term in personal finance, and it's an important idea to consider. Basically, it's about how your financial decisions are working for you long term.Can you sustain your current spending and saving patterns and still reach your … [Read more...]