Saving

Michael on September 13th, 2010
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1. No, everyone is NOT doing it.
2. Because it will, eventually, catch up with you.
3. You find greater happiness from little things – especially when you’re not trying to one-up what you did yesterday.
4. Financially stretched = emotionally stressed.
5. The Jones’ are about to run out of money. Why keep up with them?
6. Hey – [...]

Continue reading about Ten Reasons Not to Live Beyond Your Means

I’m often asked if the emotional separation inherent in credit card usage also applies to debit cards.  To the dismay of avid debit card users everywhere, I believe it does.
You: Why?
Debit cards are made of plastic.
You: The material matters?
No, it’s not the material that’s at issue. Debit cards are superior to credit cards since, for [...]

Continue reading about Do Debit Cards Separate You From Your Money Emotionally?

Michael on June 22nd, 2009
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Of all the articles in this week’s Carnival of Personal Finance, I most enjoyed Moneymonk’s Why American’s Don’t Save. Perhaps because it reminded me of a post I wrote long ago, Top 10 Excuses For Not Saving, but also because it was an excellent reminder of being realistic about the future.
Fact 1:  It won’t be [...]

Continue reading about Housekeeping and a Carnival

One of the best parts of the weekly personal finance carnivals, including this week’s carnival hosted by WiseBread, it the wide variety of personal finance topics covered.  In addition, I always take the time to enjoy an article or two that I’ve been meaning to write myself but just haven’t gotten to.  This week was [...]

Continue reading about What do extra loan payments, toilet paper, and Monopoly have in common?

Michael on January 2nd, 2009
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I just finished reading Life after a six-figure salary at CNNMoney.com.  The article highlights two examples of the plight of the numerous recently laid off workers. Specifically, how in this very difficult job market  job applicants face stiff competition from other unemployed workers, lengthening the time out of work.  Even if an offer is to [...]

Continue reading about The post-six figure salary world

Michael on December 19th, 2008
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Did you notice that you’re on the last page of your calendar?
You: Yup.
Have you noticed the calendar shops popping up inside malls and bookstores?
You: I have.
Me too.  I don’t understand calendars though.
You: Oh, I can totally explain that to you.  You see, there’s 12 months in a year –
No, I get what a calendar is.  [...]

Continue reading about Spending on a calendar?

Michael on October 27th, 2008
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I visited my brother over the weekend.  He gave me another example of how to live fiscally responsibly without being cheap.
You: Why is “living fiscally responsibly, not cheaply” such an obsession for you?
While obsession seems like a strong word, the concept is critical because it is sustainable.
You: You mean from an environmental perspective?
No.  A successful [...]

Continue reading about Pay less for the same

Michael on August 27th, 2008
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While it’s important to be fiscally responsible, it’s also critical to not be cheap. Life is too short to feel like you’re constantly depriving yourself. Instead, live in balance. By following the top 10 saving strategies, you won’t need to budget for everyday expenses (Strategy # 10) and you can spend with [...]

Continue reading about Five ways to be (or not to be) fiscally responsible