It’s often said that money can’t buy happiness, but new research suggests a twist: It’s how you spend it that matters. At least that’s the contention of Elizabeth Dunn, Daniel Gilbert and Timothy Wilson in their Journal of Consumer Psychology paper, “If money doesn’t make you happy, then you probably aren’t spending it right.” The [...]
People who have a financial plan build roughly 20 percent more wealth over their lifetimes than people who don’t. That's according to a National Bureau of Economic Research study, “Wealth Accumulation and the Propensity to Plan.” If you have a budget, it gets even better. For households making between $50,000 and $750,000—quite a wide range—budgeting [...]
There’s a lot to be said for simplicity, especially when it comes to your household budget. Micromanaging your money can get messy, and if you’re not careful, you’ll wind up over-budgeting and driving yourself crazy. Our family keeps a pretty detailed monthly spending plan. We’ve used Quicken software to track it in the past, and [...]
Q: My child graduated college and we still have leftover funds in a Georgia 529 savings plan; about $5000. If I close the account out, do the leftover funds become income to me as the parent or to my child who did not need the remaining 529 savings plan funds? A: It must be really [...]
This article was written by guest blogger Jeff Rose. You don’t need to be wealthy to be a successful investor. No matter what your objective, whether you’re investing for retirement or funding your child’s education, you can meet your money-saving goals and achieve financial success. Everyone yearns for stability and financial security, but very few [...]
For many people, adopting the “senior citizen” label is tough. But if you love saving money, you’ll find that it’s great to be in your 50s and 60s (and beyond!). In fact, there are so many discounts available to Americans as they enter their mid-50s and 60s that entire websites are dedicated to helping sift [...]
When looking for the best ways to save and invest money, a financial planner is a valuable asset. A good financial planner can guide you whether you’re purchasing real estate, planning for retirement, paying for college or pursuing any other financial ventures. It’s critical that you select a reputable financial planner who has the skills [...]
If you’re wondering how to rebuild your finances in 2014, here are some money-saving strategies you can use. Now is the perfect time of year to start saving money and making smart financial decisions by taking a hard look at where you are with your money this year. Here are a couple examples to give you [...]
Six ways to save on getting healthy in the new year. Make the most of your motivation to get healthy in the new year and save money while doing it. It’s that special time of year again: All the folks who made New Year’s resolutions are busily lacing up their running shoes to get fit, [...]
If you’re like most people, there’s a good chance that you are planning to improve your finances and money management skills this year. The goals you set at the start of the year can make a big difference in your financial situation—now and well into the future. As you consider what you would like your [...]
