Something that folks of the Depression era seemed to have a much better grasp on than the Generation X and Yers is the concept of needs versus wants. Clearly defining these and coming up with an approach to pay for them is likely to change your outlook on spending. Here, in its most basic form,…
The other day we talked about money psychology because it’s so important to get a firm grasp on your money hang ups as you start to delve into sorting out your financial state. Once you start to see why you have the issues you do, you can begin to resolve them (honestly, you can begin…
Most people seem to think that if they just had a little more money, they’d be so much happier, and to an extent this is true, but in a series of studies on the matter have shown that somewhere between $50,000-$161,000 is the optimum income (Kahneman, Frank, Wicker). That area is the money/happiness pinnacle. And…
This month we’re going to look at how to set up and stick to a budget. From the mentality you’ll need to develop to actual worksheets to nifty tools to make tracking your budget easier, by the end of the month you should have a clear vision of what your finances look like, how long…
Your twenties are pretty awesome, because I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I will ever have as few responsibilities pulling at me for an entire decade ever again. Don’t get me wrong, my income bracket also reflects the whole just starting out thing, but still, it’s easier to make decisions as a…
I am awful at budgeting. Seriously awful. Mostly because I’ve been pretty lucky to not have to worry too much about money most of my life, I sort of just have an idea of what’s happening in my checking account and try to keep my expenditures under that. Once in a while I fail and…