Tag: budget

Advice

Christmas shopping in October? Why Black Friday may be too late this year

I suffer from a condition known as “male brain.” One of the symptoms causes me to think that I can wait until the last minute to do my shopping. Growing up, I remember shopping with my dad at the mall on Christmas Eve. We, along with a large number of other men suffering from the same condition, scrambled to find last-minute gifts for the wiser … Continue reading Christmas shopping in October? Why Black Friday may be too late this year

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Advice

Kakeibo: The Japanese mindfulness budgeting system

Kakeibo – meaning “household finance ledger” – was invented by Japan’s first female journalist, Hani Motoko, in 1904. Motoko developed this accounting system for Japanese housewives, because, in Japan, the wife traditionally managed the finances of the household and gave the husband an allowance. The Kakeibo system was designed to make the user aware of their spending habits and help the user take control of … Continue reading Kakeibo: The Japanese mindfulness budgeting system

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Advice

That’s a Yotta cash: The risk-free, lottery-based savings account

Saving cash is an important part of your financial planning. While “cash is trash” and similar headlines are spreading, having cash set aside is important for an emergency or making a big purchase soon. The reason why “cash is trash” has been going around is for two reasons: (1) interest rates on borrowing money is near record lows, and (2) the return on investing in … Continue reading That’s a Yotta cash: The risk-free, lottery-based savings account

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Advice

Simple Budgeting: The 50/30/20 rule-of-thumb budget

Most budgeting systems are time consuming and complex. The beauty of the rule-of-thumb budget is the speed and simplicity of it. All you need to know is your after-tax income. Once you have determined your after-tax income, you simply allocate it as follows: 50% towards your necessities 30% towards your wants 20% towards your financial goals Next is to define the categories: Necessities, Wants, and … Continue reading Simple Budgeting: The 50/30/20 rule-of-thumb budget

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Advice

Understanding opportunity cost: How much does that avocado toast and Starbucks actually cost me?

So called financial gurus tell you that if you want to be rich, quit eating avocado toast and drinking Starbucks. Admittedly, this does remove expenses that may add up over time. However, that frugality alone won’t make you “rich.” Rather, understanding the ideas behind the “avoid paying $10 for avocado toast and $5 for coffee” is what will make you handle your money better and … Continue reading Understanding opportunity cost: How much does that avocado toast and Starbucks actually cost me?

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Advice

No student loan interest: Take advantage of this opportunity!

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, suspended principal and interest payments on federally-held student loans from March 13 through September 30. Right now, your interest and payments are suspended automatically. However, this only applies to federal loans, not private student loans. Other loans, such as those Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program are owned by private companies; however, those companies may choose … Continue reading No student loan interest: Take advantage of this opportunity!

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Advice

Budgeting 105 – DIY – Use the coffee can

“Back in my day,” was a phrase used by our grandparents to describe (1) how much harder things use to be; (2) how much better they had it; or (3) somehow both harder and better things were back in their day. One thing that the “Greatest Generation,” the generation who fought in World War II, had was a great distrust of banks and doing anything … Continue reading Budgeting 105 – DIY – Use the coffee can

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Advice

Finance 103 – Budgeting: Dave Ramsey’s ‘EveryDollar’ method

Give every dollar a purpose. It sounds simple, but is it? Financial guru and credit card killer Dave Ramsey has his method of helping people master their finances and get out of debt – the “Baby Steps.” Through these steps, people are led to financial peace and mastery of their money. The first thing you must do to begin your journey to financial peace is … Continue reading Finance 103 – Budgeting: Dave Ramsey’s ‘EveryDollar’ method

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Advice

Money matters 101 – Setting financial goals and rolling with the punches

I found that if you have a goal, that you might not reach it. But if you don’t have one, then you are never disappointed. And I gotta tell ya . . . it feels phenomenal!” ~ Peter La Fleur Unlike the advice of Peter La Fleur in “Dodgeball,” you need to have financial plans to guide your life. Has your life taken a left … Continue reading Money matters 101 – Setting financial goals and rolling with the punches

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Advice

Investing 105 – It’s automatic, it’s systematic, it’s hydromatic: Investing with apps – Stash

Stash – Budget, Invest, and Plan Stash is a more user-friendly app and focuses on educating investors on how to best pick investments and balance a portfolio along with other financial advice. The app is not as straight forward as Robinhood where you click and buy; however, Stash offers DRIP and automated investing. The cost of Stash varies based on what you are using it … Continue reading Investing 105 – It’s automatic, it’s systematic, it’s hydromatic: Investing with apps – Stash

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