If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
The Blog
As bad as it sounds, it really is a confirmation of a long-recognized problem rather than a sign of new trouble.
I went over a decade without a credit card. I've proven you can live without them. Now I am saying that some people, especially small business owners, might want to think about getting a card and using it wisely. Why the change?
Now is the time to finally stop making excuses and start being "growed up" with your finances with these five steps.
In my business of giving people insight into their financial behavior, I see very different approaches to life planning with very different results.
Strong finances are enabled by good habits. These suggestions from everyday people can easily be incorporated into your financial life. Take control of your finances in 2012 -- one small decision at a time.
Note: It's a rare thing, but it happens once or twice a year: Life has reared its ugly head, and there's no fresh story for you this morning. Instead...
If we could sum it up, we'd say: Mo' money, mo' problems. No money, mo' problems. But it doesn't have to be this way.
Looking back, 2011 may be remembered as the year that world leaders passed the buck. And much to the chagrin of people with savings accounts< and other interest-bearing deposits, this flurry of buck-passing may have doomed them to another year of low interest rates.
Certainly, 2011 did not lack for big news stories. What's more, some of the major events of 2011 will help determine the course of the economy in 2012.
After nearly 30 years of helping people with their money, I figured out long ago that financial issues were rarely about rates of return or asset allocation. Money is usually about emotions. Most of the time, people are using money to buy something that is missing in their lives.
The credit industry affects all facets of personal finance and being ahead of the curve when it comes to credit issues could certainly help you save money and thereby lower stress. At the very least, you might learn something new!
Selecting the right senior living community is an important decision that involves more than choosing a floor plan -- it's about security, quality of life and lifestyle.
For me, one of the best ways to learn about money is by listening to others who have been successful. I've found it profitable to seek out mentors, for instance. Plus, I like to gather with groups of like-minded folks to share ideas.
Will customers be treated to higher deposit or higher fees? Or will a wild card such as technology dominate banking news in 2012?
"Creative Accounting" isn't just for big banks and big business! Anyone can do it!
To me, the answer to our country's crazed consumerism has nothing to do with financial literacy. (Okay, maybe it has a little to do with financial literacy.) Instead, I see two fundamental problems that need to be addressed.
