Many of us, when we make purchases, look at the price only. We consider the sticker price of an item or service and then make a judgment based on how expensive or cheap it is. However, the upfront cost should not be the only consideration. Your calculations should consider an item’s total cost of ownership. [...]
When your refrigerator suddenly dies, you obviously have to buy another one, pronto. You don’t have time to save money for a new one or watch for a great sale. Similarly, if you realize your patio dining set isn’t party-worthy right before you host your family reunion, you’ll probably run out to buy new outdoor [...]
In the course of life, we learn so much from our mistakes as well as those of people we encounter. Let me share some important estate planning and estate-related lessons I have learned over the years. Providing for your children You love your children. You care about their financial and emotional well-being. And you’ve probably made some [...]
A few decades ago, if you had a job at any given company, you usually had career security—and possibly a pension. That employment setup has been replaced by one in which companies replace workers without too much thought, and the average person is expected to have more than five jobs over the course of a [...]
As teenagers are taking part-time and summer jobs to earn some spending cash and help with saving for college, now is a great time to start instilling some money management skills. Here are some details about paystubs that you can teach your teen as he or she enters the working world. Fundamentals of paychecks Whenever [...]
DIY at the Dinner Table: Saving Money with a Veggie and Herb Garden It only takes a quick walk through your grocery store’s produce section to see why so many families (and even many schools) are growing their own veggies and herbs: $3 for a small head of lettuce, $2 for a handful of parsley, [...]
Worried about saving for college? As high school seniors around the country graduate and begin moving on, it may be a good time for them to cash in some of those savings bonds that friends and family members have been giving them over the years. Even if the bonds haven’t fully matured yet, they may [...]
Whether you’re looking for summer daycare for your kids while you work or you just want some fun new activities for your child while school’s out, you already know that filling your child’s vacation days is no walk in the park. In some areas of the country, parents count on their kids attending a traditional [...]
One of the most important concepts in money management is understanding the difference between needs and wants. In order to successfully manage your household finances and your budget, you have to be able to ensure that the most important items in your life—your needs—are taken care of before you focus on your wants. Unfortunately, our [...]
High school graduation represents a milestone for teenagers. For parents who have spent eighteen years trying to prepare their children to lead productive and successful lives, graduation is an indication that they are well on their way. Your graduating senior may be ready to leave for college or get a job, but what does she [...]
