Financial Fear No More! Three Steps Toward Financial Freedom
Your money challenges are very personal.
16 Wishes for 2016
As we turn the corner into a new year, my biggest hope is that peace and happiness is in great abundance for each and every one of you and all those you love.
You know from years of hearing me invoke “People First, Then Money, Then Things” that I think there should be no bigger focus than building and nurturing that peace and happiness. But there is also always room to focus on the ways you can continue to build financial security in 2016. The progress you make on taking control of your money will, after all, bring even more happiness and peace into your life.
Savings v. Paying Off Credit Card Debt: What’s the Right Move?
One of the hardest challenges managing your financial life is figuring out how best to juggle multiple goals. And one of the most vexing decisions is what to do if you have credit card debt and you have money sitting in your emergency savings fund.
The Danger of Getting a Pay Increase
As year-end approaches, I know that’s when plenty of you will be sitting down with your manager for a year-end review. I sure hope there’s a pay raise involved.
Given how stingy raises have been since the Great Recession, I want to make sure that you don’t blow it. Literally.
Are You Hostage to a Self-Storage Money Pit?
It’s estimated that Americans spend more than $20 billion a year renting space in a self-storage facility. According to the Self Storage Association, the number of households renting out a storage facility has grown 65% over the past 20 years. It’s hard to drive more than a few miles in urban areas and not spy at least one self-storage business (and often more). The aggregate land mass for U.S. storage facilities spans a total of 78 square miles, or more than three times the size of Manhattan.
Money Gifts to Kids: 3 Rules Every Parent Must Follow
As we are heading into the holiday season, I know plenty of kids will be receiving a check from a grandparent, aunt or uncle. So I want to review how every family with kids under 18 should handle financial gifts year round.
Will Your Holiday Spending Pass This 3-Question Test?
We’re heading into the dangerous money season. With the holidays quickly approaching it’s that annual time of year when the goodness of your heart can lead to very bad results: You overspend on gifts, dining out, or nights out on the town.
4 Ways New Mortgage Rules Can Save You a Ton of Money
Whether you are buying a home or refinancing an existing mortgage, new federally required disclosure documents make it easy-yes, I said easy-to be a super smart mortgage shopper.
The One Employer-Provided Benefit You Really Should Use More
An estimated 40% of Americans who get paid vacation days don’t use all their allotted time. On average we’re leaving the equivalent of about one week a year on the table.