Are you in danger of falling prey to The Wealth Effect? Are your investments doing well? Is your house valued higher than when you bought it? Is the housing bubble coming back? In some areas of the US, it does seem to be happening. If so, you need to beware "The Wealth Effect." What Is The Wealth Effect? The wealth effect happens to us when … [Read more...]
How to Raise Successful Kids: What Works Now?
I recently saw a quote: Don't try make your kids have more than you; try to make them better than you. Good advice. Yet our grown children need to have enough money to live on and to raise their families. So we try to teach them about money and about treating others with respect. We live in changing times, so it's a challenge to guide them toward … [Read more...]
Best College Majors to Pay Off College Loans, Part 1
Best College Majors to Pay Off Loans?There's an old debate about choosing a career that you love vs. choosing one that will make you the most money. In today's economy many people struggle to pay their college debt and the idea of getting an education that won't leave you broke and unemployed is newly attractive. But what are the jobs that make … [Read more...]
Do You Want to Be a Billionaire?
Money Money MoneySome people think CEOs make salaries that are too high compared to the average worker. Some say this can lead to problems in society. Now what if you were offered such a huge salary for your work (and let's say it's honest work for the sake of this argument.) Would you take it?Or would you ask for less? We've heard of a few, very … [Read more...]
Getting that First Job After College
I posted this in May of 2010, and wanted to repost it with the update:Our youngest child graduated from college this past weekend bringing much joy to our family. He goes out looking for a job in an economy that offers many challenges. Yet we are hopeful because he does have that bachelor's degree, and it is in engineering, a field that has … [Read more...]
Are You a Hipster?
Probably not. I kept hearing about "hipsters" on a recent visit to Houston. I asked my 20-something daughter and son for a definition. They came up with some things that confused me at first. Here's what they said.1. cares about the environment2. is well educated3. keeps up with politics4. likes to wear vintage clothes from resale shops5. … [Read more...]
How to Prepare for a Job Loss
If you would lose your job this week what would you do? Do you have a Plan B? And C? And D? If you have a Plan B ready to go you won't worry as much. What types of jobs would you apply for? Is your resume ready right now? What expenses would you cut? What would your action plan be? Would you use non-traditional ways to search for a job? … [Read more...]