From the category archives:

Personal Finance

More on Emergency Funds

June 24, 2010

I know, I know… you are sick of hearing about me talk about emergency funds.  So, this time, I’m going to let Real Simple talk abot it. Click here for this great Q&A posted on Real Simple – “Should I Pay Off My Credit Cards, or Build An Emergency Fund?”.

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The Psychology of Spending

June 17, 2010

I graduated with a double major in college – studying both psychology and economics.  It was a somewhat unusual combination, but I always thought it fit.  After all, there’s a huge impact of psychology in the world of economics.  Emotions and thoughts impact what you are willing to purchase, how much you are willing to [...]

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Your Travel Budget – Looking at the Total Cost

June 14, 2010

Once upon a time, when you booked airfare, you could easily compare prices. That time is gone, and with many airlines now charging for bags and inflight services, you really do have to do a bit of analysis before deciding which flight is the cheapest. Before you book, you should think about your optimal flight [...]

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What to Do With Your Credit Reports

June 11, 2010

Earlier, I told you how to request your free credit reports.  Now that you have them, are you wondering what to do with them? Each of the three reporting agencies report the information differently, so take a look at the format so you understand exactly what you are looking at.  Then, look at the high-level [...]

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Revisiting the Importance of Emergency Funds

June 9, 2010

I know that I’ve talked about emergency funds in the past, but I know that many people still don’t fully understand the importance (or don’t want to dedicate savings to that purpose).  I’d like to reiterate that without an emergency fund, it’s nearly impossible to stay on target with your financial goals. Here’s why – [...]

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Family Finance Discussion

May 19, 2010

In this blog, I focus on family finances. The key difference between family finances and individual finances is that there are multiple people’s opinions and actions that need to be considered. For a family budget to work right, it’s essential that the family have a set “meeting” to discuss finances. I’m not suggesting that you [...]

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Part Two – Q&A

May 11, 2010

Here is part two of our Q&A with Gail Cunningham… How does a family get on track if they feel that they are always “treading water”? Start by reining in your spending. Put an absolute freeze on all unnecessary expenditures. Look at all ways to increase income while decreasing expenses. Dedicate that found money to [...]

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Q&A with Gail Cunningham

May 10, 2010

Last week, we had the chance to interview financial expert Gail Cunningham about financial literacy. Over the next few days, I’ll post our Q&A: How can someone get started if they aren’t really “financially literate”? The NFCC Member Agency counselor can help you get started tracking your spending, constructing a budget you can live with, [...]

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Finding Value in Hotels

April 29, 2010

Going on vacation?  Keep in mind that a deal isn’t always a deal. As with flights, many hotels these days are nickel and diming consumers with lots of charges.  Know what you are going to pay – before you pay it! Here are some rates you’ll want to ask about: State and local taxes (these [...]

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Products to Teach Kids About Finance

April 21, 2010

After boring you all to tears with talk of economics, inflation, and the Fed, I’m back to basics – teaching kids about personal finance. Here are two products that I recommend: Ekomini An interactive, savings tool for kids. The LearningCents Wallet A durable, strong wallet made for kids.

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