In Debt? Consider a Debt Management Plan
The economy is continuing to improve, and many people who saved diligently during the recession to pay off debt are now feeling comfortable enough to borrow again for homes, cars, and other big purchases. As a result, U.S. household debt is climbing at its fastest pace in five years. Consumer household debt rose 1.1 percent [...]
Estate, Death and Inheritance Taxes
An anonymous Silicon Valley billionaire has purchased the world’s most valuable life insurance policy for $201 million, and I think his reasoning behind it is fascinating. He bought the insurance to help his heirs avoid paying a 45 percent inheritance tax after his death. This life insurance policy will pay out twice as much, and [...]
How Wearing Heels Can Help You Shop Smarter
Want to make smarter financial decisions? Wear heels when you go shopping. If heels aren’t your thing, then you can try shopping right after yoga class or after a session of escalator riding, or standing on one foot when deciding which big-screen TV you want to buy. What do all these activities accomplish? These actions [...]
Saving Money? Here’s Where You Should Splurge
When you’re saving money, “splurge” is a bad word. Splurges are often perceived as impulse purchases made outside the confines of a household budget—and that’s something savers are told they should avoid. Not every splurge is bad, however. There are times when it makes sense to spend a little more than you would like. The [...]
How to Choose an Insurance Policy for Every Stage of Life
When you’re shopping for insurance, it’s important to consider your current stage of life. The coverage you had in your teens may be different from the coverage you require as a senior, so you’ll want to choose an insurance policy that fits your needs. Below are policies you should consider in the different stages of [...]
One Easy Trick to Stop Impulse Purchases: Carry Crisp, Large Bills
Want to spend less money without spending too much time figuring out how? Get some crisp, new bills from the bank. Apparently, when we have them, we don’t want to let them go, according to the Journal of Consumer Research study “Money Isn’t Everything, but It Helps If It Doesn’t Look Used: How the Physical [...]