Why I Pay My Kids for Good Grades—and Why It Might Work for You Too
Paying kids for good grades is a hot topic in parenting circles. Some view it as smart motivation. Others believe it undermines the value of learning. I get the skepticism—but after years of doing it with my own children, I stand by it completely. In our household, an academic allowance isn’t just about cash—it’s about […]
Presenting Your Best Credit Profile
If you to want to look good to anyone who’s watching you, it’s important to create a beautiful profile — a beautiful credit profile, that is! Who might be watching you? Lenders, credit card companies, even prospective employers all might want to see your credit report. So it’s important to keep that credit profile gorgeous.
3 Careers You Can’t Have If You’re Deep In Debt
Being deep in debt isn’t just a threat to reaching your financial goals or having a happy personal relationship, free of arguments about money. Excessive debt can also seriously hold you back in the job market or pursuing a career that is your true passion. Here are 3 careers you can’t have if you’re deep […]
Video: Avoid These 4 Dumb Mistakes If You Want to Get Out of Debt
Many people say they want to get out of debt but they continue to make the same financial mistakes over and over again. In this video, I’ll tell you 4 of the dumbest things you can do if you want to get out of debt.
Could You Lose Your Pension? Lessons From Detroit
Detroit has become such a complicated financial mess – with its pension problems and the city’s bankruptcy filing – that many people don’t fully understand the nuts and bolts of the situation. Even more important: a lot of Americans are wondering: Could what happened in Detroit happen to me? Could I lose my pension? The short answer […]
Video: Credit Score Mistakes to Avoid At All Costs
Some credit score mistakes can be real credit killers. You might not think that seemingly innocent actions can cause your FICO score to plunge, but that can certainly happen. Here are two horrible credit mistakes you want to avoid at all costs – unless you want to send your credit score heading south. Watch this […]
20 Things That Can Ruin Your Retirement – Part II
In a previous column on planning for retirement, I explained the first 11 risks of 20 things that can ruin your retirement. That prior article highlighted a variety of investment risks, risks of outliving one’s resources, and risks associated with aging. As a follow-up to that guidance, below is the remaining list of 20 things […]
20 Things That Can Ruin Your Retirement – Part I
Planning for retirement often takes a backseat to today’s concerns – whether it’s paying current bills, dealing with immediate family issues or just trying to keep up with the Joneses. That’s why numerous studies show that most Americans are ill prepared for retirement: Many people in the U.S. have more credit card debt than savings. […]
Video: How to Stop a Divorce From Wrecking Your Finances
Are you worried about an ex spouse or soon-to-be ex ruining your credit? Unfortunately, in the aftermath of divorce, financial sabotage — whether intentional or accidental — is all too common. One of the worst financial hits you can take is when your credit gets ruined by your previous mate. Here’s what you need to […]
How to Save Money on Tickets to America’s Top Theme Parks
Spending a few days at a theme park could be just what you need to break away from the daily grind and enjoy some fun activities with friends and family members. Here are some ways to save money on tickets to America’s most-visited theme parks and attractions:
Video: Don’t Blow Your Budget by Overlooking This One Item
Do you constantly blow your budget month after month no matter how hard you try to stick to it? You’ve accounted for housing, utilities, groceries, dry cleaning, etc. But for some reason, you keep failing to meet your budget goals. You might think you blew your budget because of an unexpected expense like an […]
Easy Ways to Improve Your FICO Credit Scores
If you’re planning to buy a home or see a loan in the near future, or you just want to maintain good credit to improve your financial health, you need to start paying attention to your FICO credit scores. Although you probably think of yourself as having a single FICO credit score, you actually have […]
Video: Spend Time With Your Kids Without Spending Money
It’s no fun to deal with your kids if they’re constantly yelling “I’m bored!” during the times they’re on a school break. Some parents and families may take trips to Florida or even out of the country over Spring Break, the Winter holiday season or during the summer. But if you can’t afford such a […]
How to Run Your Side-Hustle on a Shoestring Budget
Have you ever had a great idea and wondered if you could make money off of it? Enough money to maybe one day quit your current, full time job? Before you start daydreaming about creating your own, “I Quit” YouTube video, there are some things you’ll have to do before your side-hustle can become your main […]
Video – Melissa Harris-Perry Show: Is Your Pension at Risk?
If you missed my interview on the Melissa Harris-Perry show last weekend, I was on a panel – along with Connie Razza, Arun Gupta and Karen Friedman – that discussed Detroit’s pension funds as the city struggles with bankruptcy and the growing retirement savings crisis nationwide.