September 8, 2016 By

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

FICO-score-calculation-300x281Today’s top story: Applying for the wrong credit cards can make bad credit worse. Also in the news: Store reward programs worthwhileness, preschoolers and personal finance, and the #1 cause of financial stress in your state.

Applying for the Wrong Credit Cards Can Just Make Bad Credit Worse
Be selective.

Are Store Rewards Programs Worthwhile?
Only if you’ll actually use the benefits.

Should Preschoolers Be Taught Personal Finance?
It’s never too early to start.

This is the No. 1 cause of financial stress in your state
Odds are pretty good your state is worried about debt.

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May 11, 2016 By

Americans Are Pissed — This Chart Might Explain Why

iStock_000087400741_SmallPeople are angry. Voters demanding change have helped make Donald Trump the presumptive Republican nominee for president and fueled Bernie Sanders’ ferocious challenge to Democrat Hillary Clinton.

But what are they angry about? Ask and you’ll hear about Washington gridlock, Wall Street greed, trade, stagnant pay, immigration. In my latest for NerdWallet, the one huge factor that’s making this election especially unique.

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March 2, 2016 By

How Much Debt Is Too Much?

crop380w_istock_000009258023xsmall-dbet-ball-and-chainIf you think the answer is simple, you may not understand the question.

That’s often true in life, but particularly so when we’re talking about debt. Simplistic, one-size-fits-all answers actually suit relatively few real people.

At one extreme are those who curse debt as a four-letter word and vow to avoid it entirely. At the other are those who revel in the notion of using “other people’s money” as much as possible.

In my latest for NerdWallet, how to use debt, rather than be used by it.

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February 17, 2016 By

Wonder Why You’re Broke? Look in the Driveway

Rockhead126's_1951_Mercury_CustomIf you’re struggling to make ends meet, your problem may not be too many lattes or dinners out. It may be sitting in your driveway.

Your monthly car payment is the tip of the iceberg.

Counting gas, registration and taxes, depreciation, tires, insurance and finance charges, Americans spend $8,700 a year on average — $725 a month — for the privilege of owning a typical midsize sedan, according to AAA, and more than $10,600 a year for an SUV. If you’re struggling with bad credit, the increased cost of financing and insurance will push those numbers even higher.

In my latest for NerdWallet, how to determine if you have too much car in your driveway.

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January 18, 2016 By

Monday’s need-to-know money news

lottery-ticket-jpgToday’s top story: The high cost of winning a billion dollars. Also in the news: Tips for tackling your student loan costs, how banks are earning billions in ATM and overdraft fees, and basic personal finance facts people constantly get wrong.

The High Cost of Claiming Your Powerball Jackpot
Winning a billion dollars is awfully expensive.

5 tips for tackling your student loan costs
Tackling them head on.

ATM and overdraft fees top $6 billion at the big 3 banks
How much did you contribute?

Six Basic Personal Finance Facts People Constantly Get Wrong
No more excuses.

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October 27, 2015 By

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How to stop being afraid of credit cards. Also in the news: Personal finance lessons we wish we learned in school, protecting seniors from financial scams, and how to avoid money mistakes after losing a spouse.

Scared of Credit Cards? This Tool Could Help You Make the Leap
There’s nothing to be afraid of if you do it right.

6 personal finance lessons we wish were taught in school
Probably more helpful than trigonometry.

How to Guard Against Common Scams That Target Seniors
Protecting your loved ones from predators.

4 Money Mistakes People Often Make After a Spouse Dies
Don’t make any impulsive decisions.

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February 3, 2015 By

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

HopeToday’s top story: When it’s time to look for a new bank. Also in the news: Personal finance questions you need to answer, how to upgrade your financial life, and ten ways to have a financially happy marriage.

6 Signs It May Be Time to Switch Banks
Time for a new relationship?

8 Personal Finance Questions Most of Us Flunk
How did you do?

10 Steps to an Upgraded Financial Life
Give yourself a boost.

10 Ways to Have a Financially Happy Marriage
There are better things to argue about.

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June 24, 2014 By

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Finding the best travel rewards credit cards. Also in the news: Five ways tot get things off of your credit report, what your parents didn’t teach you about personal finance, and five bad financial habits you need to break.

The Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards in America
How to get the most from your summer travel.

5 Ways to Get Things Off Your Credit Report
Erasers don’t actual work in this case.

What Your Parents Never Taught You About Personal Finance
The information age has changed the game.

5 Bad Financial Habits You Need to Break
Time to stop your chronic overspending.

5 Ways To Save On Home Remodeling
How to remodel without breaking the bank

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February 25, 2014 By

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: A security flaw in the iPhone could expose your information to hackers. Also in the news: How to transform your finances, reducing financial adviser fees, and what to do when your parents ask you for financial assistance.

Don’t Use Your iPhone Until You Read This
A security flaw is leaving personal and financial information vulnerable.

Transform Your Finances With One 3-Letter Word
No, it’s not “win” as in “win the lottery”.

Are excessive financial fees eating your returns?
Why it’s crucial to pay close attention to financial adviser fees.

6 Do’s and Don’ts for When Your Retired Parents Ask for Financial Help
The difficult questions to ask when roles are reversed.

Oklahoma requires students learn personal finance to graduate
High school students will have to have a working knowledge of personal finance.

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December 5, 2013 By

Great money books to get or give

Christmas shopping woman holding giftsDonna Freedman was kind enough to include a couple of my books in her recent post, “The gift of personal finance,” which made me realize that there was an unusually good crop of money tomes that appeared this year.

I’m delighted to recommend the following for anyone who’s interested in making the most of his or her money:

“The $1,000 Challenge: How One Family Slashed Its Budget Without Moving Under a Bridge or Living on Government Cheese,” by Brian J. O’Connor. How often do you laugh out loud when reading a personal finance book? Brian is flat-out hilarious, and his ultimately-successful efforts to trim his family’s spending are both entertaining and educational.
“Confessions of a Credit Junkie: Everything You Need to Know to Avoid the Mistakes I Made” by Beverly Harzog. I wrote the forward to this book because its author’s message is so important: that you can bounce back from a credit disaster without forsaking plastic for the rest of your life.
“The Smart Woman’s Guide to Planning for Retirement: How to Save Your Future Today” by Mary Hunt. Mary is best known for her Debt-Proof Living website and her books about saving money (which always teach me a thing or two). She brings her trademark approachable style to the often scary and sometimes complex world of retirement savings. She offers wisdom, practical ideas and hope to those who may be struggling with how to make their retirement dreams come true.
I’ll have more recommendations in the coming days. Stay tuned!

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