From Money Talk News
15 Low- and No-Cost Ways to Reduce Your Winter Energy Bill
"As
you dig out your sweaters and winter coats and prepare to ward off the
cold, you also should think about ways to ward off higher energy bills
in your home.
More than 90 percent of American households can
expect to pay more to heat their homes this winter because of higher
fuel costs, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration."
From Daily Finance
Retirement Planning With Just 3 Numbers
"Professionals love complications. Trust me. I'm a lawyer. I know. We
love using fancy words and really long sentences. Uttering something in
Latin is even better. "Nunc pro tunc" is my personal favorite because it
makes me feel like a time traveler.
Retirement planning should not be so complicated. We can put away the
Monte Carlo simulators and fancy calculators. We don't need a thick,
smartly-bound plan from a financial adviser. In fact, all we really need
to understand are these three numbers:"
From Daily Finance
5 Reasons Why You're In Debt Up To Your Eyeballs
"We've all seen the LendingTree commercials where the guy sarcastically
says: "I'm in debt up to my eyeballs. I can barely pay my finance
charges. Somebody help me!"
If that sounds like you, read on. Here are a few reasons why you're swimming in debt and what you can do about it."
From The Simple Dollar
Quickly Figuring Out the “Best” Option When Buying a Small Item
"Many times in the past, I’ve talked about my process for figuring out a major purchase. I’ll consult Consumer Reports, I’ll talk to my social circle, and I’ll usually end up buying with reliability as a primary factor.
This process really helps for anything that’s expensive, because the
time you invest in figuring out the right purchase, but what about a
spur of the moment purchase?"
From Wise Bread
6 Reasons You're Not a Millionaire
"In 2012, Australian mining tycoon Gina Rinehart was officially declared
the richest woman in the world, boasting assets of more than $26
billion. Not long after, Rinehart took heat for an article she wrote for
the Australian Resources and Investment Magazine, where she suggested
that those who wanted what she had should "spend less time drinking or
smoking and socializing and more time working."
Showing posts with label Best of the Web. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Best of the Web. Show all posts
Friday, October 18, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
Weekly Web Roundup
From Bargaineering:
Struggling financially? The stress might hurt your decision-making
"One of the tenets of the “American Way” is that anyone can “make it,” no matter how dire their circumstances. While this is a comforting thought, the reality might not play out quite so nicely. According to research from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, there are indications that financial stress can reduce the ability to make good long-term decisions."
From Daily Finance:
5 Counterintuitive Financial Tips That Work
"Russell Holcombe, a certified financial planner based in Atlanta, says he's tired of constantly warning clients against making bad money choices. Part of the problem, he says, is that popular financial advice is often wrong. That's why he finds himself urging people to rethink purchasing houses that would max out their budgets, or putting so much money into retirement accounts that they're unprepared for emergencies."
From Wise Bread:
40 Ways to Use Spray Paint for Cheap and Easy Decorating
"What's super cheap, highly versatile, available in every color, and something that anyone can use to make beautiful decor? The answer is spray paint, of course.
Whether you are looking to restore a great flea market find, simply touch up an existing item, or go for a dramatic change of color, spray paint gets the job done. While you can spray-paint just about anything, here's a host of suggestions, sorted by color, to help you start putting this awesome and affordable DIY tool to work for you."
From Wise Bread:
Boost Your Retirement Savings Fast With This 6-Step Plan
"What do you do when you're in your last decade of your working life, but you don't have enough money saved for retirement? Sausalito, CA financial planner Bob Goldman shared his top tips for maximizing savings during the home stretch. (See also: Essential Truths for a Successful Retirement)
Goldman created this step-by-step list for Carol Dorsett, who relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area after being laid off as photo editor at a Midwestern newspaper. Carol moved in with her sister and began training in computer skills and started job hunting."
From Money Talk News:
You’re Probably Trusting Your Teen Driver Too Much
"No friends in the car? Home by 9? No texting? Really?" A recent survey conducted by State Farm finds a huge disconnect between what parents think their teen is doing on the road and the behaviors that the teens themselves report. The survey focused on the key provisions of graduated driver licensing laws that introduce driving privileges in stages with the goal of keeping inexperienced teen drivers out of dangerous situations."
Struggling financially? The stress might hurt your decision-making
"One of the tenets of the “American Way” is that anyone can “make it,” no matter how dire their circumstances. While this is a comforting thought, the reality might not play out quite so nicely. According to research from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, there are indications that financial stress can reduce the ability to make good long-term decisions."
From Daily Finance:
5 Counterintuitive Financial Tips That Work
"Russell Holcombe, a certified financial planner based in Atlanta, says he's tired of constantly warning clients against making bad money choices. Part of the problem, he says, is that popular financial advice is often wrong. That's why he finds himself urging people to rethink purchasing houses that would max out their budgets, or putting so much money into retirement accounts that they're unprepared for emergencies."
From Wise Bread:
40 Ways to Use Spray Paint for Cheap and Easy Decorating
"What's super cheap, highly versatile, available in every color, and something that anyone can use to make beautiful decor? The answer is spray paint, of course.
Whether you are looking to restore a great flea market find, simply touch up an existing item, or go for a dramatic change of color, spray paint gets the job done. While you can spray-paint just about anything, here's a host of suggestions, sorted by color, to help you start putting this awesome and affordable DIY tool to work for you."
From Wise Bread:
Boost Your Retirement Savings Fast With This 6-Step Plan
"What do you do when you're in your last decade of your working life, but you don't have enough money saved for retirement? Sausalito, CA financial planner Bob Goldman shared his top tips for maximizing savings during the home stretch. (See also: Essential Truths for a Successful Retirement)
Goldman created this step-by-step list for Carol Dorsett, who relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area after being laid off as photo editor at a Midwestern newspaper. Carol moved in with her sister and began training in computer skills and started job hunting."
From Money Talk News:
You’re Probably Trusting Your Teen Driver Too Much
"No friends in the car? Home by 9? No texting? Really?" A recent survey conducted by State Farm finds a huge disconnect between what parents think their teen is doing on the road and the behaviors that the teens themselves report. The survey focused on the key provisions of graduated driver licensing laws that introduce driving privileges in stages with the goal of keeping inexperienced teen drivers out of dangerous situations."
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Weekly Web Roundup
From Money Talk News
Why You Shouldn’t Bother Earning That Bachelor’s Degree
"We all know the routine: You graduate from high school, head off to the college or university of your choice, and graduate four years later with a boatload of student loan debt.
But it all pays off in the end, right? That bachelor’s degree is the only way to land a prime job, and employers won’t give you a second glance without one. It’s the line we’ve been feeding ourselves and our kids for at least as long as since I was in high school.
What if it’s not true?"
From the Simple Dollar
The Fear of a 401(k)
"When I was in high school, my father’s employer launched a 401(k) program. He’d been there for twenty five years (off and on) at that time and was getting fairly close to his retirement, so it wasn’t a huge deal for him.
Still, my father has always been pretty careful with his money. Aside from their mortgage, my parents have never been in significant debt, even during periods of unemployment. They put money directly from their pay into a credit union every pay period and treated it as an emergency fund, saved up for major expenses like Christmas, and completely avoided the desire to spend to “keep up with the Joneses.”"
From Christian Personal Finance
5 Financial Arguments and How to Avoid Them
"Let’s face it . . . financial arguments can put a strain on our relationships. It’s not that money itself causes financial fights – it’s the way both parties handle the situation.
Since you don’t always have a say in the way someone else responds, the best way to control a financial argument is to reshape your approach and to avoid getting defensive right out of the gate."
From Money Talk News
10 Tips to Make the Most of Your High-Deductible Health Plan
"As employers cut their costs for providing health insurance to their workers, they’re offering more high-deductible health plans. The premiums are lower, but you’ll pay $1,000 or more out-of-pocket before the insurance coverage kicks in — sometimes a lot more.
Not only are these plans gaining ground in the workplace, high-deductible health plans will be one of the options available to those who buy insurance on their own when the state online marketplaces open for business on Oct. 1 under the Affordable Care Act.
Why You Shouldn’t Bother Earning That Bachelor’s Degree
"We all know the routine: You graduate from high school, head off to the college or university of your choice, and graduate four years later with a boatload of student loan debt.
But it all pays off in the end, right? That bachelor’s degree is the only way to land a prime job, and employers won’t give you a second glance without one. It’s the line we’ve been feeding ourselves and our kids for at least as long as since I was in high school.
What if it’s not true?"
From the Simple Dollar
The Fear of a 401(k)
"When I was in high school, my father’s employer launched a 401(k) program. He’d been there for twenty five years (off and on) at that time and was getting fairly close to his retirement, so it wasn’t a huge deal for him.
Still, my father has always been pretty careful with his money. Aside from their mortgage, my parents have never been in significant debt, even during periods of unemployment. They put money directly from their pay into a credit union every pay period and treated it as an emergency fund, saved up for major expenses like Christmas, and completely avoided the desire to spend to “keep up with the Joneses.”"
From Christian Personal Finance
5 Financial Arguments and How to Avoid Them
"Let’s face it . . . financial arguments can put a strain on our relationships. It’s not that money itself causes financial fights – it’s the way both parties handle the situation.
Since you don’t always have a say in the way someone else responds, the best way to control a financial argument is to reshape your approach and to avoid getting defensive right out of the gate."
From Money Talk News
10 Tips to Make the Most of Your High-Deductible Health Plan
"As employers cut their costs for providing health insurance to their workers, they’re offering more high-deductible health plans. The premiums are lower, but you’ll pay $1,000 or more out-of-pocket before the insurance coverage kicks in — sometimes a lot more.
Not only are these plans gaining ground in the workplace, high-deductible health plans will be one of the options available to those who buy insurance on their own when the state online marketplaces open for business on Oct. 1 under the Affordable Care Act.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Weekly Web Round Up
Recent articles from around the web.
From Money Talk News
The 10 Commandments of Personal Finance
"Maybe you heard about that Kelton study from 2007 that found Americans were more familiar with the contents of a Big Mac than they were the Ten Commandments.
It’s true, folks. Eighty percent of Americans knew there are two all-beef patties in a Big Mac — but just 6 in 10 could identify “Thou shalt not kill” as one of the Ten Commandments. I know."
From Money Talk News
Why Your Retirement Won’t Be Like Your Parents’ — and What You Can Do About It
"When retirement rolled around for my parents, they had it licked.
My father, a World War II and Air Force Reserve veteran, got a small monthly military retirement check, along with a pension from his career with the federal government. My mother was a retired teacher with a state pension and Social Security."
From the Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/09/16/this-4x6-index-card-has-all-the-financial-advice-youll-ever-need/
"Think managing your finances has to be complicated? Wonkblog contributor (and UC Chicago social scientist) Harold Pollack doesn't. After a talk with personal finance expert Helaine Olen, Pollack managed to write down pretty much everything you need to know on a 4x6 index card. And it would probably fit on a 3x5 index card if you really crammed (that last point, for instance, is probably not strictly necessary for managing your money). He explains:"
From The Cash Money Life
Nervous About Stocks? Here’s What You Can Do About It
"This is something of a tense time if you’re a stock market investor. After hitting record levels this past spring, the market is now languishing just below peak, and has been for months. Meanwhile, the prospect of the Federal Reserve tapering it’s purchases of mortgage securities and federal government debt has caused interest rates to rise. For the first time in about four years, the stock market is looking… vulnerable."
From Market Watch
Portfolio killers: 6 newbie investing myths
From Money Talk News
The 10 Commandments of Personal Finance
"Maybe you heard about that Kelton study from 2007 that found Americans were more familiar with the contents of a Big Mac than they were the Ten Commandments.
It’s true, folks. Eighty percent of Americans knew there are two all-beef patties in a Big Mac — but just 6 in 10 could identify “Thou shalt not kill” as one of the Ten Commandments. I know."
From Money Talk News
Why Your Retirement Won’t Be Like Your Parents’ — and What You Can Do About It
"When retirement rolled around for my parents, they had it licked.
My father, a World War II and Air Force Reserve veteran, got a small monthly military retirement check, along with a pension from his career with the federal government. My mother was a retired teacher with a state pension and Social Security."
From the Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/09/16/this-4x6-index-card-has-all-the-financial-advice-youll-ever-need/
"Think managing your finances has to be complicated? Wonkblog contributor (and UC Chicago social scientist) Harold Pollack doesn't. After a talk with personal finance expert Helaine Olen, Pollack managed to write down pretty much everything you need to know on a 4x6 index card. And it would probably fit on a 3x5 index card if you really crammed (that last point, for instance, is probably not strictly necessary for managing your money). He explains:"
From The Cash Money Life
Nervous About Stocks? Here’s What You Can Do About It
"This is something of a tense time if you’re a stock market investor. After hitting record levels this past spring, the market is now languishing just below peak, and has been for months. Meanwhile, the prospect of the Federal Reserve tapering it’s purchases of mortgage securities and federal government debt has caused interest rates to rise. For the first time in about four years, the stock market is looking… vulnerable."
From Market Watch
Portfolio killers: 6 newbie investing myths
"Even though they may not have many dollars to put away, investors who
are just starting out have a fabulous opportunity: The chance to
compound money for a very long time.
Perhaps even more important, they have the opportunity to create the
habits and attitudes that will shape their investment returns — and thus
will eventually help shape their lives as retirees."
Friday, September 13, 2013
Weekly Web Round Up
From Market Watch
Don’t leave your spouse in the money lurch
Don’t leave your spouse in the money lurch
"It’s not a topic couples generally want to think about, let alone talk
about, but the fact is: Barring an unusual accident, one spouse will die
before the other. That fact poses a big challenge for your
retirement-income plans.
And it gets even more challenging: That surviving spouse could live many, many years longer."
From Christian PF
6 Quick Ways to Create an Emergency Fund
"I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been thankful that we’ve had an emergency fund. You never know when something expensive will happen, and having a few months of expenses saved up has really alleviated the stress that comes with those unexpected emergencies. The very basic stage of an emergency fund is saving $1,000. Once you’ve reached that goal, you can start to build up your savings over time – but reaching that first $1,000 is key."
From Miller's Money Forever
The Postal Worker Assumed the Gun Wasn’t Loaded
"A man with a wooden leg worked with my dad at the post office. I could even hear his leg creak as he limped along. Remember, this was long before I needed a hearing aid. When I asked if he'd lost his leg in the war, my dad said "no." It was a hunting accident. Then he launched into a lecture on gun safety. "He assumed the gun was not loaded, and now he is crippled for life."
The old joke, "When you 'assume,' you make an ass out of you and me," just isn't funny anymore. It wasn't funny for Dad's coworker, and it's not funny for folks whose assumptions cripple their wallets."
From Daily Finance
Freeze Your Assets: How to Force Yourself to Stop Overspending
"Making a budget is easy. You know what's even easier? Completely ignoring that budget.
On Mint.com, I can set up a budget for various categories of spending, and then get an alert every month I exceed those limits. So if I've got a $150 monthly budget for dining out at restaurants, I'll get an email yelling at me if I spend too much going out to eat. But it's one of about 30 emails I get every day -- not including all my work emails -- so it's easy to miss. And even if I do see the email, there's only so much it will do to impact my spending habits."
From the Simple Dollar
One Just Isn’t Enough
"I remember that feeling all too well.
I’d scrimp and save for a whole month so that I could make an extra payment on a debt. I’d fire off a check for $1,000 more than the minimum payment and I’d feel good about it.
Then I’d look at the remaining balance… and I’d feel disheartened. All that effort, and there’s still a long way to go."
From Christian PF
6 Quick Ways to Create an Emergency Fund
"I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been thankful that we’ve had an emergency fund. You never know when something expensive will happen, and having a few months of expenses saved up has really alleviated the stress that comes with those unexpected emergencies. The very basic stage of an emergency fund is saving $1,000. Once you’ve reached that goal, you can start to build up your savings over time – but reaching that first $1,000 is key."
From Miller's Money Forever
The Postal Worker Assumed the Gun Wasn’t Loaded
"A man with a wooden leg worked with my dad at the post office. I could even hear his leg creak as he limped along. Remember, this was long before I needed a hearing aid. When I asked if he'd lost his leg in the war, my dad said "no." It was a hunting accident. Then he launched into a lecture on gun safety. "He assumed the gun was not loaded, and now he is crippled for life."
The old joke, "When you 'assume,' you make an ass out of you and me," just isn't funny anymore. It wasn't funny for Dad's coworker, and it's not funny for folks whose assumptions cripple their wallets."
From Daily Finance
Freeze Your Assets: How to Force Yourself to Stop Overspending
"Making a budget is easy. You know what's even easier? Completely ignoring that budget.
On Mint.com, I can set up a budget for various categories of spending, and then get an alert every month I exceed those limits. So if I've got a $150 monthly budget for dining out at restaurants, I'll get an email yelling at me if I spend too much going out to eat. But it's one of about 30 emails I get every day -- not including all my work emails -- so it's easy to miss. And even if I do see the email, there's only so much it will do to impact my spending habits."
From the Simple Dollar
One Just Isn’t Enough
"I remember that feeling all too well.
I’d scrimp and save for a whole month so that I could make an extra payment on a debt. I’d fire off a check for $1,000 more than the minimum payment and I’d feel good about it.
Then I’d look at the remaining balance… and I’d feel disheartened. All that effort, and there’s still a long way to go."
Friday, September 6, 2013
Weekly Web Round Up
From Money Talk News
Upcycle Your Beverages: 20 Uses for Coffee, Tea, Soda and Beer
"Americans consume an average of 44 gallons of soda, 27 gallons of coffee, 7 gallons of tea, and 20 gallons of beer per year, MarketWatch says.
The problem is, if your house is anything like mine, not every beverage you buy ends up being consumed. I’m always finding half-full cups of coffee, watered-down tea, or unfinished beer in my house. In a perfect world, that wouldn’t happen, but I’m a realist. Sometimes there’s going to be a little left in the bottom of the cup (or leftover grounds in the pot).
But rather than waste it, I reuse it. I like to think of it as upcycling. Here are some examples..."
From Cash Money Life
Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck – How to Break the Cycle
"The most important financial rule to remember is that you must spend less than you earn. It’s a simple concept, but one that can be difficult to master – especially as the cost of living continues to grow faster than pay raises. This rule is even more difficult to master if you are stuck in a cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. Breaking the paycheck cycle isn’t always easy, but it’s essential if you ever want to get ahead of the game. Let’s look at a few ways you can improve your financial situation and start getting ahead of the game."
From the Simple Dollar
What Does Your Net Worth Really Mean?
"One of the most useful calculations a person can make when it comes to their personal finances is to figure out their net worth.
The actual calculation of net worth is really simple. You just add up the value of all of the things that you own – the value of your home, the value of your cars, the value of your savings accounts and investment accounts and retirement accounts – and subtract from that the value of all of your debts. The resulting number is your net worth."
From CNN Money
A Rx for retirement: HSAs
"How would you like a triple-tax-free way to save for certain retirement expenses?
No, this isn't the latest Nigerian email scam. Rather, it's the very real advantage of a Health Savings Account (HSA), an investment vehicle available to those with qualifying high-deductible health insurance plans."
From Christian PF
MoneyWell Review | Envelope Budgeting Software
"As many of you know, we’re big fans of the envelope budgeting system here at ChristianPF. Instead of looking at your bank account balance and estimating how much you can spend before you make a purchase, looking in an envelope you filled at the beginning of the month makes spending clearcut – you either have the money for the purchase or you don’t."
Upcycle Your Beverages: 20 Uses for Coffee, Tea, Soda and Beer
"Americans consume an average of 44 gallons of soda, 27 gallons of coffee, 7 gallons of tea, and 20 gallons of beer per year, MarketWatch says.
The problem is, if your house is anything like mine, not every beverage you buy ends up being consumed. I’m always finding half-full cups of coffee, watered-down tea, or unfinished beer in my house. In a perfect world, that wouldn’t happen, but I’m a realist. Sometimes there’s going to be a little left in the bottom of the cup (or leftover grounds in the pot).
But rather than waste it, I reuse it. I like to think of it as upcycling. Here are some examples..."
From Cash Money Life
Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck – How to Break the Cycle
"The most important financial rule to remember is that you must spend less than you earn. It’s a simple concept, but one that can be difficult to master – especially as the cost of living continues to grow faster than pay raises. This rule is even more difficult to master if you are stuck in a cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. Breaking the paycheck cycle isn’t always easy, but it’s essential if you ever want to get ahead of the game. Let’s look at a few ways you can improve your financial situation and start getting ahead of the game."
From the Simple Dollar
What Does Your Net Worth Really Mean?
"One of the most useful calculations a person can make when it comes to their personal finances is to figure out their net worth.
The actual calculation of net worth is really simple. You just add up the value of all of the things that you own – the value of your home, the value of your cars, the value of your savings accounts and investment accounts and retirement accounts – and subtract from that the value of all of your debts. The resulting number is your net worth."
From CNN Money
A Rx for retirement: HSAs
"How would you like a triple-tax-free way to save for certain retirement expenses?
No, this isn't the latest Nigerian email scam. Rather, it's the very real advantage of a Health Savings Account (HSA), an investment vehicle available to those with qualifying high-deductible health insurance plans."
From Christian PF
MoneyWell Review | Envelope Budgeting Software
"As many of you know, we’re big fans of the envelope budgeting system here at ChristianPF. Instead of looking at your bank account balance and estimating how much you can spend before you make a purchase, looking in an envelope you filled at the beginning of the month makes spending clearcut – you either have the money for the purchase or you don’t."
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Weekly Web Roundup
Financial articles from around the web.
From Money Talk News:
10 Ways to Say No to Your Kids, and Why You Shouldn’t Feel Bad When You Do
When I was growing up, my parents had two rules for shopping: Don’t ask for something that isn’t on sale, and no candy from the checkout aisle. If I wanted candy or full-priced cookies, I had to pay for it myself out of the measly pittance they called an “allowance.”
At the time it seemed unfair. Why do they keep saying no? How can anyone survive on $20 a week? But now I know not to waste money and I have no problem saving up for what I really want. Looking back, I’m grateful, but it couldn’t have been easy for them...
From Daily Finance:
3 Retirement Planning Tactics to Adopt Before You Hit 50
Well over half of Americans now in their 40s are at risk of experiencing a decline in their standard of living after they retire, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. But adopting the right retirement planning strategies at this phase of your life will help you avoid financial disaster in your golden years.
Here are three retirement strategies to deploy before blowing out your 50 birthday candles...
From Money Crashers:
8 Financial Tips for College Students to Save and Manage Money Better
If your child is one of the millions of college freshmen headed off to school, your August might be packed with shopping, gathering textbooks, and packing up entire rooms. And while picking out the perfect dorm decor might seem important, don’t neglect the deeper subjects. Now is the time to talk to your child about personal finance. As a parent, you have the opportunity and obligation to prep your freshman on budgeting and smart spending strategies before he or she hits campus...
From Wise Bread:
3 Ways to Save Hundreds (or Even Thousands) of Dollars Without Thinking
Looking for simple ways to save more money that don't take a lot of work? Here are three ways to put more money in your pocket each month without having to dramatically change your behavior...
From Free Money Finance:
Why I Invest in Index Funds
have a good portion of my assets in index funds of various kinds (US stocks, international stocks, small cap, etc.) Today I would like to give the reasons I have used index funds as my primary investment vehicle for 15 years or so...
From Wall St. Cheat Sheet
Planning for Retirement? Social Security Will Cramp Your Style
There’s a lot to be said about the aggregate retirement situation in America right now. According to a report published last year by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, Americans are running a collective retirement income
deficit — the difference between what people have save and what they should have saved — of $6.6 trillion.
Half of Americans have less than $10,000 in savings, according to the report, and a full 92 percent believe that there is a growing retirement crisis. (Savings estimates tend to vary wildly.) By and large, the data supports the pessimistic theory that there is a retirement crisis brewing. The personal savings rate in the United States right now is about 4.5 percent, nearly half the rate recommended for those with 40 years left until retirement...
From Money Talk News:
10 Ways to Say No to Your Kids, and Why You Shouldn’t Feel Bad When You Do
When I was growing up, my parents had two rules for shopping: Don’t ask for something that isn’t on sale, and no candy from the checkout aisle. If I wanted candy or full-priced cookies, I had to pay for it myself out of the measly pittance they called an “allowance.”
At the time it seemed unfair. Why do they keep saying no? How can anyone survive on $20 a week? But now I know not to waste money and I have no problem saving up for what I really want. Looking back, I’m grateful, but it couldn’t have been easy for them...
From Daily Finance:
3 Retirement Planning Tactics to Adopt Before You Hit 50
Well over half of Americans now in their 40s are at risk of experiencing a decline in their standard of living after they retire, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. But adopting the right retirement planning strategies at this phase of your life will help you avoid financial disaster in your golden years.
Here are three retirement strategies to deploy before blowing out your 50 birthday candles...
From Money Crashers:
8 Financial Tips for College Students to Save and Manage Money Better
If your child is one of the millions of college freshmen headed off to school, your August might be packed with shopping, gathering textbooks, and packing up entire rooms. And while picking out the perfect dorm decor might seem important, don’t neglect the deeper subjects. Now is the time to talk to your child about personal finance. As a parent, you have the opportunity and obligation to prep your freshman on budgeting and smart spending strategies before he or she hits campus...
From Wise Bread:
3 Ways to Save Hundreds (or Even Thousands) of Dollars Without Thinking
Looking for simple ways to save more money that don't take a lot of work? Here are three ways to put more money in your pocket each month without having to dramatically change your behavior...
From Free Money Finance:
Why I Invest in Index Funds
have a good portion of my assets in index funds of various kinds (US stocks, international stocks, small cap, etc.) Today I would like to give the reasons I have used index funds as my primary investment vehicle for 15 years or so...
From Wall St. Cheat Sheet
Planning for Retirement? Social Security Will Cramp Your Style
There’s a lot to be said about the aggregate retirement situation in America right now. According to a report published last year by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, Americans are running a collective retirement income
deficit — the difference between what people have save and what they should have saved — of $6.6 trillion.Half of Americans have less than $10,000 in savings, according to the report, and a full 92 percent believe that there is a growing retirement crisis. (Savings estimates tend to vary wildly.) By and large, the data supports the pessimistic theory that there is a retirement crisis brewing. The personal savings rate in the United States right now is about 4.5 percent, nearly half the rate recommended for those with 40 years left until retirement...
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Weekly Web Round Up
Financial articles from around the web.
From Wise Bread 30 Signs That You Were Raised by Frugal Parents
1. You skip the headlines in the Sunday paper and head straight for the sales inserts.
2. You’ve washed (or seriously considered washing) tin foil to use it a second time.
3. You remember smuggling homemade snacks into the Saturday matinee.
4. You know how to buff your shoes to high shine by adding a bit of water or heat to the polish.
5. You’ll still stop to pick up a penny...
From Money Talk News The Worst and Best Ways to Destroy Debt
"Multiple credit card bills each month, with balances that are growing, not shrinking. Student loans. Plus a car payment. Do you feel buried by a mountain of debt?
There are smart ways to dig your way out. Pick the wrong way and you’ll make a bad situation much worse, adding years and thousands of dollars to your burden..."
From Daily Finance How to Start Saving for Retirement Now: 5 Tips for 20-Somethings
"If you're in your 20s, retirement can feel like it's a lifetime away. And it is -- but that's exactly why you should start thinking about it now: A long time frame is the greatest advantage you have as an investor. By getting a solid foundation in place early, you set yourself up to cruise to a far more comfortable retirement than anyone who waits until their 30s or later to start saving..."
From Money Crashers 8 Tips for Garage Sale Pricing – How to Price Garage Sale Items
"Garage sales can be intimidating, especially if you’re not one for haggling or confrontation. But as a buyer or a seller, you can lose money if you don’t know how to approach the process..."
From Christian PF When to Reach Out For Financial Help
"Accounts are delinquent...Bill collectors are calling..."
From Wise Bread 30 Signs That You Were Raised by Frugal Parents
1. You skip the headlines in the Sunday paper and head straight for the sales inserts.
2. You’ve washed (or seriously considered washing) tin foil to use it a second time.
3. You remember smuggling homemade snacks into the Saturday matinee.
4. You know how to buff your shoes to high shine by adding a bit of water or heat to the polish.
5. You’ll still stop to pick up a penny...
From Money Talk News The Worst and Best Ways to Destroy Debt
"Multiple credit card bills each month, with balances that are growing, not shrinking. Student loans. Plus a car payment. Do you feel buried by a mountain of debt?
There are smart ways to dig your way out. Pick the wrong way and you’ll make a bad situation much worse, adding years and thousands of dollars to your burden..."
From Daily Finance How to Start Saving for Retirement Now: 5 Tips for 20-Somethings
"If you're in your 20s, retirement can feel like it's a lifetime away. And it is -- but that's exactly why you should start thinking about it now: A long time frame is the greatest advantage you have as an investor. By getting a solid foundation in place early, you set yourself up to cruise to a far more comfortable retirement than anyone who waits until their 30s or later to start saving..."
From Money Crashers 8 Tips for Garage Sale Pricing – How to Price Garage Sale Items
"Garage sales can be intimidating, especially if you’re not one for haggling or confrontation. But as a buyer or a seller, you can lose money if you don’t know how to approach the process..."
From Christian PF When to Reach Out For Financial Help
"Accounts are delinquent...Bill collectors are calling..."
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