There is no escaping news of the many benefits of intermittent fasting (IF). There are hundreds of books, articles, podcasts, testimonials, and first-person accounts from friends. What’s more, there are multiple fasting methods offering options that work best with varying lifestyles. One option is to…
Are you thinking about quitting your job? You’re not alone. Most people feel like leaving their job sometimes. Because even in the ideal position, bad workdays happen. But if you’re like 73% of workers today, you might consider leaving your current employer searching for something…
You’re busy researching your next big vacation. As you look at all your options, you notice suggestions to buy travel insurance on most trip summary pages. When you consider what you’re going to spend on a trip, coverage might make sense. This trip will cost…
The budgeting battle is often won on the field of “wants,” not “needs.” Housing, transportation, utilities, food…these are non-negotiable in any budget. And while you can undoubtedly make economies here (the line between need and want is not always bright!), you cannot completely eliminate these…
The standard route to homeownership is a single-family home, but that doesn’t mean it’s always the best choice! Maybe a condo or townhouse is a better fit for your budget, needs, and lifestyle. So, if you’re in the market for a new home, start by…
As an adult, you have a responsibility to look after yourself and your best interests in all aspects of your life. When you’re a parent, you also have that same responsibility concerning your minor child or children. Every day of your life, you face challenges…
A good part of the working population in the United States has some type of retirement plan investment account. Most individuals contribute to either an employer-sponsored retirement plan like a 401(k) account or a Traditional Individual Retirement Account, known by the IRA acronym. People who…
Because it was a village called Zhombe and it was in Zimbabwe, I had arrived, alphabetically speaking, at the end of the world. And it was the best career decision I had ever made. In 1991, I was hired by the San Francisco branch office…
It’s amazing how many people in the U.S. are involved in the stock market, whether they know it or not. Sure, many people actively invest in stocks through their brokerage firm, online brokers, or other investments accounts. But there are also tens of millions of…
From the moment we became homeowners, we tackled DIY home projects. It all started with the pink bathroom in our first house. And from that point on, our skills and courage grew, and so did our DIY projects. Granted, we spent a lot of time,…
It’s essential that all Americans have access to some kind of retirement savings account. The government and IRS need to always support this access because Social Security distributions are not intended to be the total extent of one’s retirement income. For individuals employed by mid…
Many people in America have some basic knowledge about the stock market. At the least, they hear news about stock prices related to some of the world’s largest entities. At the same time, many people have very little knowledge of the availability of various classes…
It feels like more than ever, our world requires a college degree. Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce predicted eight years ago that by 2020, 65% of the nation’s jobs would require postsecondary education. In 2018, 70% of workers were in those jobs,…
You loved the house you rented at the beach. The ski-in, ski-out condo you rented over the holidays was perfect for your family. Your lanai overlooking the 4th tee at the golf resort was amazing. The leaves at peak color all around the cabin you…
No matter how hard you try to keep feelings at bay, buying a home can be an emotional decision. And letting emotions influence a big financial decision can have unwanted consequences. The added pressure to find a forever home can allow emotions to run wild….
Long ago, physical money (bills and coins) was put to rest in favor of debit and credit cards. Today, most people have at least one debit card and one credit card in their wallets/purses. At the same time, not everyone has a clear understanding of…
At a time when the U.S. stock market and currency investments have become volatile and unpredictable, a conservative-minded or risk-averse individual might go in search of safer investment alternatives. In some schools of thought, U.S. Government-backed investment options might be the right place to look….
“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra This, without question, is my favorite quote about planning. It encapsulates, as only the great baseball coach and manager could, the very first pitfall of financial planning – not…
There are many different ways to invest for long-term wealth. And investing in an individual retirement account (IRA) is an excellent choice for many people. Regular IRAs hold government-regulated investments, like traditional stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and CDs. And these investments are an excellent…
Experiencing stress is a part of being human. We need some pressure to push us, but too much can lead to anxiety and depression. While it’s normal to feel heightened stress levels when we’re in danger, excessive strain can damage our physical health, wealth, and…
Diversification is good, right? Well, yes, it is if it’s genuinely diversification. But it doesn’t work if your idea of being diversified is having your money in many different places. These days, due to the volatility of the job market and the explosion of fintech,…
One of the best rules of thumb for retirement planning is to start saving early and never prematurely touch the money you’ve earmarked for retirement. If you’ve waited to start saving, haven’t saved enough, or have borrowed against your retirement accounts, all is not lost….
If you’re someone who tries to read money books but finds your eyes glossing over and mind wandering before hitting page 10 I’ve got good news for you. There’s a recently released personal finance book on the market that, despite its playing with a ‘super…
Road trips create an uncanny sense of adventure and freedom. They take you to new places and inspire a fresh perspective. They’re where wrong turns are just part of the journey, as you’re making new memories. My family has been enjoying road trips for over…
Among the various popular investment apps, one of the buzziest is surely Acorns. Through the Acorns app, you can bank, save, and start investing with just your spare change or more. With celebrity backers such as Ashton Kutcher, Dwayne Johnson, and Kevin Durant (plus a…
As you may be aware, your credit score is a big deal. A good score makes life easier, while a poor score can make it pretty tricky. The trouble is that many people don’t realize what their credit score really is. Or how having a…