On a day to day basis, most of us tend to believe we control our destiny. The jobs or careers we pursue. The relationships we seek, how we raise our children. And of course, managing your money, and learning how to improve your finances. When we think about improving our finances, we tend to think […]
Are you wondering why you need an emergency fund? I am sure you’ve heard it many times before, it’s considered one of the most important aspects of successful money management. An emergency fund is where you stash cash so you’re prepared for those unexpected emergencies that life throws at you every now and then. […]
I was recently reading some posts on Reddit on how to stop using credit cards. Some individuals discussed how they benefit from credit card use, others explained how they don’t trust themselves with credit cards. In classic Reddit fashion, the discussions were direct and spirited. Debating the pros and cons of credit card use is […]
I opened my first online brokerage account over 10 years ago. It was through my local bank. They were offering 100 free trades a year if I linked my checking account with their brokerage services. I had always wanted to open a brokerage account online, so I took advantage of the opportunity. I hadn’t […]
So what are the benefits if you save money and pay off debt? Typically the discussion goes something like this… Saving money will help you become financially secure. Having debt costs you more money. Paying off debt saves you money. Saving money will allow you to do the things you want to do. Save […]
Most often when we think about setting financial goals we think of the most fundamental aspects of our finances. Areas we manage and feel we can control on a regular basis. For example, we set financial goals around budgets, to lower monthly expenses. Saving money, to put more money in our bank account. Paying […]
If you’re looking to make some quick cash to speed up the payoff of some of your debt, or you’re trying to establish an emergency fund. Or maybe you just want to beef up your savings account because you like having more money. Flipping a product or item – buying low and selling high […]
I was talking with some of my friends regarding their finances. They are currently using the Snowball Method to pay off debt, working on a budget and building up an emergency fund. As we were talking they started to discuss some of the processes surrounding their strategy. Although they are well on their way […]
What do debt management planning and lower back pain have in common? Let me explain. I can still remember that day. It was 7:30 am in the morning and I was brushing my teeth before I went into work. As I bent over the bathroom sink I felt a sharp pain in my lower back. […]
Search the Internet, read a book, brainstorm with a friend and you can easily come up with 100 new ways to save cash. Finding ways to save money is easy. The real challenge is taking all those great ideas and actually making them work for you. New ways to save cash often require time […]
Many years ago (many, many) when I started my first “real” job out of college I had the opportunity to contribute to a 401(k) plan. I was young and at the time was more focused on my new paycheck, rent, entertainment systems and of course having a cool car – you know the really important […]
If you’re looking for a simple way to track your investments, Yahoo Finance provides an easy way to set up your own investment portfolio. In this short video, I will show you how to track stocks and mutual funds using Yahoo Finance. Why Create an Investment Portfolio? In general, there […]
Let me guess, you’ve been watching real estate house flipping shows on cable TV? I bet they’re like the ones I used to watch before I flipped houses. They make it look so easy to do, and they always make a profit. Do they? Now you’re curious if the reality of flipping a house […]
I started my first home-based business over 15 years ago. I was looking for an opportunity to try something new on my own. In addition to making some extra money, I also saw it as an opportunity to broaden my horizons a bit and test my skills at running my own business. What I […]
There are a number of ways to invest and make money in real estate. For example, you could: Buy a home and rent it out as a vacation property. Purchase a house or apartment complex and rent it out for residential living. Acquire a foreclosure or fixer-upper, renovate it and flip it for a […]
Are you concerned about credit card fraud? Worried about someone making unauthorized charges to your debit or credit card. If you are, here is one simple method you can use to minimize your exposure to fraud and avoid fraudulent charges. This may be the most important credit card alert you ever use. […]
For many years I watched my dad spend hours in the evening after he got home from work preparing the taxes. I can still picture it. The dim light coming from the basement. The table, covered with IRS forms, instruction booklets, envelops and a stack of receipts. A calculator, paper clips and what looked […]
Wisconsin is a special place for Mother Nature. She provides us with four wonderful seasons throughout the year. Wisconsinites are fortunate to be able to experience the fresh new start of spring, the long warm days of summer, and beautiful colors of fall. Even winter has its own standard for beauty like freshly […]
I recently watched the HBO documentary Panic: The Untold Story of the 2008 Financial Crisis. The documentary discusses the events surrounding the cause of the 2008 crisis. And the sequence of events that the government took to prevent an economic collapse. It’s a great documentary that provides new information and sheds light on the […]
Throughout the year, but most often during tax season, the subject of contributing to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) comes up. IRAs are in the news, advertised on T.V., in print and of course on the Internet. Banks, credit unions and brokerage firms promoting the tax benefits of opening a Traditional IRA account with […]
