If you want to start saving but know you lack the discipline to stash money away, you’ll need to come up with ways to trick yourself into getting into the mood. An ongoing game of mental solitaire could end up being quite profitable. [More]
A List Of Lists To Help You Organize Your Money
By January 3, 2012
Those who are good with money are almost always organized. One way to get on top of your finances is to keep exhaustive lists of your funds, glimpse the ugly truth they reveal and set financial goals accordingly. [More]
Solid Financial Goals To Swipe For Yourself
By January 2, 2012
It’s easy to set financial goals for the new year, but harder to make them matter. Make them too vague, such as “take control of my finances” or “reduce wasteful spending” and there’s nothing to gauge your success. [More]
The Dollar Menu McDonald's And Taco Bell Don't Want You To Know About
By December 29, 2011
Some poor eaters justify their junk food diets with the claim that it’s cheaper to eat bad. That’s not necessarily the case. There are loads of overlooked foods out there that cost little. [More]
End The Old Year With A Cheap Celebration
By December 26, 2011
New Year’s Eve nights out are recipes for big spending with little to show for it. Costs of cover charges, outfits and drinks quickly add up, closing out the year with financial fireworks that burn you out before you try to make a fresh start. [More]
Obsessing Over Debt Can Stop You From Getting Rich
By December 23, 2011
The credo preached by just about every personal finance writer is that debt is an enemy that must be eradicated before you can think about building wealth. But there’s a reason many rich people have no problem with taking on more debt to finance new ventures. Those who think big and take manageable risks tend to be the biggest winners. [More]
Use Your Flexible Spending Account To Whip Medical Bills And Taxes
By December 23, 2011
If you get heath insurance from your employer, you can probably take advantage of a flexible spending account (FSA) to cut your taxable income and lessen the impact of medical bills that sting you throughout the year. The way things usually work is to require you to commit a dollar figure to the account, then use the money to pay medical bills as they arise. Since the money comes out of your check, you’re never taxed on the amount. [More]
What You Need To Know If You're Looking For Your First House
By December 23, 2011
First-time home buyers are at a disadvantage. They typically lack experience with the real estate market and are eager to seal the deal and get into a house — any house — just to achieve the milestone. But behaving more like a someone who has already screwed up and learned from his mistakes will pay dividends. [More]
Don't Sacrifice Your Financial Future Underneath The Christmas Tree
By December 21, 2011
Retailers and their marketing arms are excellent at convincing parents to spend more and more each Christmas, and those who fall for the trap may be doing so at the expense of their future. Short-time financial impact aside, blowing big money on presents year after year eats away at savings potential for your kids’ college funds, as well as your own retirement. [More]
Reasons To Retire To A Foreign Country
By December 21, 2011
Maybe you’ve always seen yourself running out the clock in Scottsdale or Miami, but if you want to make your retirement dollar stretch, you may want to expand your horizons. Some foreign countries cater to retirees with friendly tax rates and low cost of living, making them attractive alternatives to American retirement havens. [More]
Here Are Some Signs That Bankruptcy Is Your Best Option
By December 20, 2011
Most people don’t set out to go bankrupt, but a fresh start offered by the maneuver could be a wise and necessary move to recover from such setbacks as poor financial choices made when you were young, medical disasters or a divorce. [More]
One Man Explains Why He Stopped Contributing To His 401(k)
By December 19, 2011
Just about every financial expert tells you not only to contribute to a company 401(k), but make sure you pay in enough to receive the company match. We can’t argue any differently, but tough times and changing priorities can make compelling arguments for dropping contributions. [More]
The Benefits Of Making Your Own Laundry Detergent
By December 16, 2011
Back in April, we talked about making your own laundry detergent. Gather washing soda, grated bar soap, borax and boiling water and you can avoid the store-bought stuff. Whether or not it’s worth making the product yourself is up for debate. [More]
Drive Through Hoops To Save Money On Insurance
By December 16, 2011
Of all the regular costs that dog car owners, liability insurance is among the cruelest. You only get the best rates if you never file claims, so careful drivers end up subsidizing the costs incurred by reckless ones. The best drivers can hope for is to find the lowest rate by shopping around and taking advantage of every discount. [More]
Google Continues Free Voice Calls To U.S. & Canada Through 2012
By December 14, 2011
If you use the “Call Phone” function in Gmail’s Chat menu to chat with your phone pals in the U.S. or Canada — or if you’re looking for a free way of doing so — Google has announced it will continue to offer this service for free through the upcoming calendar year. [More]
Spend Less And Stay Thinner By Making Yourself Better Lunches
By December 14, 2011
“I need to pack my lunch more often” is a favorite phrase of those who spend more than they should on high-calorie lunches most workdays, and continue to do so despite their inner protests. Even if serial lunch-buyers make an effort to pack their lunch for a while, they soon revert to those old ways. [More]
3 Ways For Students To Save Money
By December 14, 2011
College is a minefield of financial disaster, but it also offers unique opportunities to save money. A combination of marketing forces and old-fashioned sympathy for starving students presents cost-cutting opportunities for those who keep their eyes open. [More]
Gifts That Will End Up Costing The Recipient More Money
By December 13, 2011
Everyone loves getting free stuff. But not everyone is a fan of getting free stuff that requires them to then spend money just to use it. [More]
