After writing 31 days to better finances, I wanted to take a step back and create a kind of user guide for all the steps. While almost all of the steps work on a stand alone basis and can be useful to anyone, regardless of your financial situation, I wanted to help you get through … Continue reading
I have saved the best for last. If you take nothing else away from this series of posts, let it be this. Spend less than you earn and you will never have financial worries. If you know you are currently spending more than you earn you have two options, you can either increase your income … Continue reading
There is a reason ‘pay yourself first’ is the adage of most personal finance writers. It works. So what exactly does pay yourself first mean? It means prioritizing saving. Saving first at the beginning of the month rather than last with what is left over in your checking account at the end of the month. … Continue reading
While you cannot control the returns on your investments, you can control how much it costs to have your money invested. If you have your debts paid off and a solid emergency fund, you can start thinking about investing. Wherever you decide to invest your money, be sure your investment costs are as low as … Continue reading
Insurance is something that is easy to forget, yet is crucial to having a sound financial life. Do no fool yourself into thinking your health is great and you will not need to see a doctor. Or, nothing will ever happen to your home. Take the time to do the research about what type of … Continue reading
Nothing is more expensive than something you pay for but do not use. Take a peak through your monthly budget and see if there are things you are not using. Has is been a few months since you’ve been to the gym? Or do you go infrequently enough that you could find a cheaper option? … Continue reading
Budget does not have to be a bad word, although I have to admit it makes me squirm a bit. A budget is just another way of saying that you have power over your money, rather than the other way around. It is you that is deciding where your money is going each month. The … Continue reading
Over the past couple of years I have started thinking about big purchases not in terms of monthly payments but in terms of the total sticker price. This is a big shift away from how big ticket items are typically discussed, particularly if you are talking to a mortgage broker or car salesman. Let’s take … Continue reading
Taking the time to create a will is a humbling process as you are facing your own immortality, but it is one of the most selfless things you can do for your loved ones. If you have dependents or just specific ideas about where you want your assets to go should something happen to you, … Continue reading
Everyone wants what their friends and neighbors have, it’s human nature. You seen your neighbor with the remodeled kitchen or a fancy new car. Your best friend just took a fancy vacation or bought a handbag you have been coveting. However, this is a recipe for a lifetime of unhappiness and bad finances. There are … Continue reading
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