"Do you want to save 10% on your purchase today?" "No."

Did you ever regret agreeing to sign up for that retail credit card?  Here are four steps to correct that. 

Saving & Investing

Start early and be consistent.

The 1% Are Really the 0.7%

The nice thing, though, is that the world added 2 million new millionaires last year.

War Does Kinda Have That Beachy Feel To It

U.S. economic policy more unsettling than war.

The Washington Threat

Business leaders around the country are starting to see Washington DC as the biggest threat to the U.S. economy.  This affects jobs.  Because of the recent "crisis" many businesses saw consumer spending drop.  This happens crisis after crisis and Washington is nothing anymore if it's not a crisis. 

Mortgage Relief Program

The NYTs claims it has been working as expected.

Successful Financial Management

Three keys to being successful with your finances.

Preparing Your Child for the “Real World”

We’re reading more and more about the escalating costs of college and how unprepared young adults are to manage their own money.  We’re not judging.  We were financial nightmares ourselves.  In hindsight, we feel we weren’t given sufficient tools to be prepared.  Blame that on upbringing or education or whatever.

Personal finance education isn’t coming from school anytime soon.  What’s a parent to do?  What if you treat your high school-aged child as a roommate?  Ha!?  What?  Why would you do that?

Hear us out.  Studies show that when students first get into college, they’re not financially mature.  They don’t understand the value of a dollar.  They don’t understand why they should be cautious about, spending, school sponsored credit cards and debt.  They aren’t prepared to pay bills or share expenses with their roommates.

As CNNMonday reports, the average allowance paid by the 61% of parents who pay one is $15 a week.  Most kids don’t save this money.  81% of parents say they’ve discussed money management with their kids.  What does this really mean when allowances are spent almost as soon as they’re received?  This suggests there aren’t enough real-life examples for children, only theory.  CNNMoney suggests using allowances as a “gateway to budgeting”, reserving the money for going out with friends and short-term expenses.         

What if parents took this further?  The idea is to provide a real-life example of the value of a dollar.  If, when students get into high school, they are treated as a roommate, they’ll more quickly become financially mature.  Maybe home shouldn’t be a free ride.    

What do we mean, exactly?  Have teenagers pay bills.  Maybe have them pay all or a portion of their phone bill.  Make them responsible for covering a portion of the groceries they eat, maybe provide cabinet space for their own food.  Make them pay for gas, car insurance or part of the car payment.  They could even pay “rent” and if they miss a payment, they sleep on the couch. 

This may require a bigger allowance or them getting a part-time job.  Of course, children can’t be responsible for covering all of their expenses without a full-time job.  Parents are still responsible for providing most needs, so make sure they eat and sleep well. 

Parents are also solely responsible, apparently, for providing their children with personal finance education.  We think this may be a helpful way to do so.

NFL May Stop Blacking Out Games

Because it's punitive and unprofitable.

If You Have to Ask Then, Yes You're Spending Too Much

A list of five things on which you're overspending.  Gifts, weddings and cars are certainly included.

An Answer to the Higher Education Bubble . . . the Internet?

With the costs of college skyrocketing, students are beginning to look elsewhere. 

More and More Retires Using Credit Cards to Pay Medical Expenses

This won't end well.     

If The Queen Can Cut Back, So Can You

Looks like The Queen's private train may be too costly to repair.  Are we watching The Queen live below her means or be money conscious?

Managing Debt After Someone Dies

Here are ten tips for managing debt after someone dies.   

Taking Living Below Your Means to the Next Level

This is taking the moto of Living Below Your Means to the extreme . . . but, hey, if it works for you . . .

Personal Finance in Our Schools

This can't happen fast enough.

It's Time to Cut the Cable Cord

If you haven't cut your cable cord yet, now's a good time.  We have Apple TV and like it.  We cut the cord three years ago and haven't missed it, except for the occasional football game that we can't get.  If the game is important enough, we'll walk to a local bar.  It's more social and gets us out of the house.  We just have to be conscious about no overspending on beer.

If You Think You Have it Tougher Than Your Parents You Probably Do

You especially have it tougher than your grandparents.  Check out the graphic here.  Of all, the home size it was surprises us most as this is something homeowners can pretty easily control.

Young Chinese Don't Want to Work in Factories

There will likely be growing pains for China and more expensive iPhones for all, but we hope they succeed.  As Martha says, "It's a good thing."

US Car Sales Growth May Continue Through 2014

Car sales have started to improve.  Estimations expect this to continue through 2014 due to the age of the average car on the road being about 11.4 years old and about 500,000 more car leases set to expire this year over last.  If you're in the market for a new car/new-to-you car or will be, pay attention and prepare yourself to make the right decision for your finances.