Basics of the New Couponing
Couponing has been making a strong comeback recently thanks to the down economy. The promises of free items or even getting cash back with “doublers” and “catalinas” is more than just merely alluring to many. If you’re tempted to coupon more than just casually, here are some things to keep in mind: Continue reading “Basics of the New Couponing” »
Raising Financially Savvy Kids – Part 1
Some of the inherent responsibilities of parents include protecting their children and preparing them to be responsible adults in our society. Teaching children the proper management of their financial resources helps to accomplish both of these goals.
If the children in your family are similar to my own (and I would bet there are far more similarities than there are differences), they probably do not enjoy being lectured by their parents, nor do they learn much thereby. So how else are they supposed to learn to be financially fluent if they don’t listen to what we tell them? Well, we show them. Continue reading “Raising Financially Savvy Kids – Part 1” »
Maximizing Benefit of Tax Refunds
It’s tax return time. Many households are receiving tax refunds now or will over the next month or so., but too often, these refunds – which can amount to several thousands of dollars – are spent on consumer goods. Such emotion-based consumer spending typically has no significant impact on the household’s net worth or financial stability. Instead, it tends to perpetuate the mindless spending cycle that keeps too many American households stuck in the rut of paycheck-to-paycheck living. Continue reading “Maximizing Benefit of Tax Refunds” »
Defining PovertyThink
I read this past week of efforts in many countries to eradicate poverty by, as some have phrased it, “paying the poor.” The generic term for such programs is “conditional cash transfers” (CCTs), meaning that the government essentially pays cash to families in poverty that meet certain criteria, such as keeping their children in school, having regular preventative medical check ups, and attending workshops on financial skills and disease prevention. Continue reading “Defining PovertyThink” »
Personal Debt Reduction Strategies
Dealing with Your Debt
Debt, the cursed four letter word that it is, carries a different meaning for each of us. Therefore, there are different solutions for resolving our debt based upon our needs and various financial situations.
Here are some basic strategies you can use while working on getting yourself out of debt. Continue reading “Personal Debt Reduction Strategies” »
Turning the Torture into a Treasure
I’ve heard a number of people in my financial education classes tell me, “I’ve tried to budget, but I’m just not a budgeter. Budgeting doesn’t do anything for me.”
To anyone who has ever felt this way before, let me say two things.
First, I totally get it. I was there too. I hated budgeting because it was painful, ugly, uncomfortable, and a general exercise in frustration.
Second, though, is that I can all but guarantee that THE most crucial item of any household or personal budget was missing from your own the last time you tried (and consequently failed) to “stick to” a budget. That principal part of your spending plan is a list of one, two or three goals that explain WHY you’re budgeting in the first place. Continue reading “Turning the Torture into a Treasure” »
Financial Resource of the Week – Frugal Village
This week I’d like to recommend visiting www.FrugalVillage.com, a website whose mission is to provide a variety of resources to those seeking a way to trim their budgets and live in a more cost effective manner.
The site covers a wide range of topics such as cooking frugally to answering questions submitted by readers.
Who knew making your own soap could be so easy? Continue reading “Financial Resource of the Week – Frugal Village” »
Top 3 Personal Finance Tips
I’ve answered the golden question many times in my classes and presentations: “What is the number one suggestion you have for financial success?” In all honesty, don’t we already live in a society that’s plenty busy and plenty complicated already? Why throw on our shoulders another five, ten or twenty financial skills to master?
Each time I answer the question, though, it’s within the context of a specific course topic, whether it’s budgeting, using credit wisely, or getting out and staying out of debt. Consequently, three different people in three different classes have heard me provide three different #1 suggestions. Continue reading “Top 3 Personal Finance Tips” »
Teaching Children Finances – The Financially Intelligent Parent
This weekend I read The Financially Intelligent Parent 8 Steps to Raising Successful, Generous, Responsible Children by Eileen Gallo, PH.D and Jon Gallo, JD.
Instead of providing resources and information designed to help children, as we typically do, I thought we could take a look at products that assist parents in helping their children become financially educated and responsible. Continue reading “Teaching Children Finances – The Financially Intelligent Parent” »