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…
![Should I Quit My Job to Freelance? [The Pros & Cons]](https://womenwhomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/woman-making-decision-768x402.jpeg)
According to the “Freelance Forward: 2021” study conducted in the fall of 2021, some 59 million Americans performed freelance work in the prior 12 months. That’s more than one-third (36%) – of the entire U.S. workforce. So, chances are you’ve been hearing a lot about…
If you want to attend a university, college, or trade school but are worried about the financial burden of taking out a student loan, you might want to look into an income share agreement or ISA. It’s not surprising if you’ve never heard of an…
No one likes to waste money. When Alan and I were newly married, we thought renting was a waste of our money. And we didn’t have that much money, so, of course, we wanted to stop throwing it away! But our (misguided) beliefs on renting…
With widespread next-day shipping across the country, meal kits have become increasingly popular. Now, for just a bit more than you’d spend at the grocery store, you can get precisely-portioned, ready-to-cook meals and recipes each week. At the same time, meal prepping (batch-cooking or pre-cooking…
Several years ago, I had the pleasure of presenting a budgeting workshop for a great group of people at my old company. There were lots of good questions. However, one, in particular, kept me thinking after I left. In hindsight, I wished I’d answered it…
It’s a new year, and all thoughts eventually turn to taxes. January is the perfect time to understand last year’s tax implications and plan your strategy… for next year. Often when one thinks of how to write a smaller check (or get a larger refund)…
Getting through another year of the pandemic may be your biggest win last year. But chances are you got a lot more checked off on your to-do list than you give yourself credit for. While you look forward to 2023, you may also look back…
Living on one income isn’t right for every family. It’s a big decision that depends on finances, family dynamics, careers, and more. Initially, I didn’t plan to be a stay-at-home parent, or a parent at all, for that matter. But, sometimes, life has a way…
The holidays are a wonderful time of year. It’s also an ideal time for reviewing the past year and making plans for the next. Don’t forget about the crucial step of setting yourself up for success; establishing a financial plan for 2022. A financial plan…
Socially responsible investing (SRI), social investing, or sustainable investing, is an investing style where you make sure what you invest in matches up with your values and beliefs. When you invest in socially responsible stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, you take into account the financial…
Let’s start with the stats. The reality is that when many people plug their investment account balance into the common retirement income calculators, the results are discouraging and, frankly, depressing. According to Fidelity Investments, the average 401(k) account balance for 50-somethings is a meager $160,000….
Our big spending season is here. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend an average of $1,000 per household this holiday season. Yet before you head off to do your holiday shopping, consider what you and your loved ones will do with all…
Money affects many areas of our lives, including our relationships. And research shows couples that argue about money are more unhappy and likely to divorce. When I got engaged 25 years ago, I didn’t know the stats on money problems and divorce. If I had…
We’ve both practiced gratitude, yet it’s not as ingrained of a daily habit as either of us would like it to be. Still, we’ve witnessed how the practice of gratefulness has helped us and others in numerous ways so we continue to strive to do…
For decades, buying a car has involved a trip to the dealership, high-pressure sales associates, and lots of negotiation. If you haven’t purchased a new or used vehicle recently, though, prepare to be surprised. From car vending machines to seven-day free trials to buybacks at…
Financial scams are everywhere. From bogus investment schemes to gift card scams, there are plenty of ways for fraudsters to separate you from your hard-earned cash. While you may be familiar with some of the common scams that result in people becoming victims of financial…