There are lots of products out there designed to help touch up wood scratches and blemishes. But if you have shoe polish lying around you might be amazed how well that works on your wood furniture or floors. At about half the price or even better … [Continue]
Should You Ever Borrow Money From Family?
Borrow money from family? Not something everyone would call a smart thing to do. But people do it all the time ... and I hear a good number of them manage to survive (mostly) unscathed. Unfortunately, that's not true for everyone. Things can go … [Continue]
When To Use Savings to Pay Off Loans (and When Not To)
If you have loans of any kind, you may be wondering whether it makes sense to pay them off. And if so, exactly when should you use savings to pay off loans? It's a good question. Loans feel like a burden. And it would probably feel great to never … [Continue]
6 Stock Trading Rules for New Investors
You may be thinking new investors? But I want tips for trading stocks like the pros! And I get that. But the thing is, when new investors first start trading stocks, it's best to play in the wading pool -- and stay away from the sharks. And there are … [Continue]
Credit Basics: What Do All Those Credit Terms Mean?
We hear the word "credit" used all the time. Credit scores. Credit report. Good credit. Bad credit. Credit history. Credit card. All those credit bureaus. Credit line. And of course credit rating. But what do all those credit terms really … [Continue]
Stock Market Averages When You’re About To Retire
It can be really scary to see stock market averages taking a roller coaster ride just as you're about to retire. So I'm adding this very short post to help bring you comfort. Not that anyone can guarantee anything or make the numbers do what you … [Continue]
Beyond the Basics: Tips To Help You Understand Stocks
If you're thinking that you don't understand stocks join the club. Many people feel that way. And for some the confusion is enough to keeps them from ever investing. But that can also keep them from ever finding a comfortable balanced investment … [Continue]
About Those “Insider” Online Stock Tips
A friend of mine sent me a link to some online stock tips. Looking to invest in stocks for the first time, she did some googling. And she was excited to show me what she found -- suggestions for stocks in a growing industry she was especially … [Continue]
Saving Money Is Hard. I Feel So Deprived!
People often tell me that they feel so deprived when they try to go on a financial diet. Much like real dieting, saving money is really hard. The effort alone can leave you in a what feels like a psychological state of deprivation. Also like a diet, … [Continue]
Are You Wasting Money on Food That’s “Healthy”?
No one wants to waste money. It's too hard to come by. But wasting money on food that's supposed to be healthy for you -- well, that feels like an outright sin. So what exactly is "healthy food"? And exactly when, if ever, should we be spending … [Continue]
APY vs Interest Rate: Why Is Annual Percentage Yield Higher?
When I went online to check on the new CD I just opened, I noticed something interesting. The bank listed the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) as 1.50%. But the Interest Rate says 1.49%. So why is my APY higher than the interest rate? The simple answer … [Continue]
How To Help Your Kids Understand Money
One of the best things my mother did for me early on (and there were many) was to open up a bank account for me. If you help your kids understand money at a young age, they will have a better chance becoming comfortable with it. When I was young, … [Continue]