Is Blood Thicker than Inheritance Money?

Written by on October 13, 2011 · 15 Comments
Last Will and Testament

According to study by the AARP roughly 2/3 of baby boomers are expecting some sort of an inheritance and are spending it before they even have it. They dig deep holes of debt with inheritance money in the back of their mind; failing to understand using inheritance money to pay off debt is not a sound financial plan. In fact inheritances often don’t turn out the way those expecting them think they should. A Family Torn I have a friend who recently had a grandmother pass away. Her frugal lifestyle and previously deceased husband’s good business sense left her with [...] Read more »

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Should You Take Care of Your Parents Regardless?

Written by on May 16, 2011 · 9 Comments
retirement

Should you feel obligated to support your parents at or before retirement — regardless of circumstances? That is the question a caller asked Dave Ramsey on the radio last week. Here was his situation. His spouse’s family wanted to put together a fund that would support their parents for the next 25 years. He and his spouse were obviously affected differently by this question but ultimately agreed that it was not their responsibility to totally care for them financially, especially since the parents said they weren’t willing to go to work. They weren’t unable to work, they just didn’t want [...] Read more »

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If You Want to Fix Your Money, Fix Your Marriage

Written by on March 30, 2011 · 3 Comments
Cover-from-Marriage_Makeover

Are you constantly trying to figure out why you suck with money? For those that are single, part of the problem is accountability, but for those that aren't, the problem(s) can go much deeper than that. Sometimes the solution is right in front of you, or in this case, in your marriage. Money and Marriage are two words that sometimes seem like distant relatives, but the fact is, the connection between the two are actually hand in hand. If you look at some of the number one reasons people give for getting a divorce, money is usually at the top. I say, if you want to fix your money, fix your marriage...and vice-versa! If you fix your money, your marriage will get better, and if you fix your marriage, how you handle money (as a couple) will follow. It's a positive cycle that involves super communication and a lifetime of commitment! That's right, that commitment doesn't stop at the alter. Read more »

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Marriage and Money – Valentine’s Day Edition

Written by on February 14, 2011 · 5 Comments
Happy Couple

A recent survey done by the University of Virginia called The Marriage Project found that 29 percent of couples reported that the economic downturn had put financial stress on their marriages. Read more »

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Cleaning Up After a Mess (Apology and Forgiveness)

Written by on April 5, 2010 · 5 Comments
LOVEveryday_Pink_Cover_Post

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a terrific Easter Sunday! Today, I am starting the launch of the Love Everyday e-book tour. Each week, another piece of this great free resource will be hosted on each contributor’s respective blog. My contribution might not appear to be related to money, but I assure you it is–even if indirectly. Money fights are something we all face when dealing with money, and the aftermath of those money fights determine our financial success or failure. If you don’t know how to apologize to or forgive your spouse, this money thing will seem impossible. [...] Read more »

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Great Financial Advice From The In-Flight Safety Handbook

Written by on March 10, 2010 · 60 Comments
oxygen mask

I know what your thinking. "How in the world can an in-flight safety handbook help me financially?" I want to focus today on one specific part of those instructions. Skip ahead to the part about securing your oxygen mask in case of changes in the cabin pressure. Now I know you're really confused, but bare with me. After hearing many stories of financial struggle, and dealing with the raw emotions that come with it, I want to discuss something that seems to be a pretty common issue among struggling families. I have received more than a dozen comments about this issue just over the past six months, so I finally decided to write about it. Read more »

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The FREE E-Book “LOVEveryday” Has Finally Arrived!!

Written by on February 9, 2010 · 8 Comments

I told you it was coming, and now it’s finally here! The LOVEveryday E-book is now available for download and distribution. (Click the link or view the sideshow below.) We hope you enjoy reading it, as much as we enjoyed writing it.  Sometimes the information you need to make certain changes in your own life are right in front of you. This could be one of those times! Don’t leave it to chance, as I am 100% convinced you will take away from this, something of value, you can apply to your own relationship or marriage. I sure plan on [...] Read more »

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Coming Soon: LOVEveryday – Thoughts On Loving Amidst The Chaos Of Life FREE E-book

Written by on February 7, 2010 · 1 Comment

Hello everyone! I am SO VERY EXCITED to be announcing this project I have been involved in with some great people. (Listed below) This project was a collaborative effort to bring you a variety of insight and knowledge from a wide spectrum of writers on the subject of marriage and/or relationships. All and all, there was 27 of us that came together to make this happen. What an awesome idea and effort! One of my favorite best-selling authors was in on it too. Dan Miller, the author of 48 Days To The Work You Love and No More Mondays, and [...] Read more »

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Constructive Criticism: Can You Limit Personal Growth By Getting Offended?

Written by on November 18, 2009 · 6 Comments

Do you get angry or feel attacked when someone offers you some constructive criticism? Let’s be honest with ourselves for a moment shall we? There has been a time in most of our lives when we simply could not handle the slightest hint of criticism. I know I am sure guilty of it, but I have definitely grown in this area. To be honest with you there have been times when I asked for it, didn’t like the answer, and completely let my ego take over. The ego can be pretty controlling, but can it keep you from growing as [...] Read more »

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Loans, Gifts, And Boundaries: How Loans And Gifts Create Bondage And Why Boundaries Are Important

Written by on July 14, 2009 · 6 Comments
Master Servant Relationship

I have recently been thinking about how loans, gifts, and the absence of boundaries affect relationships.  Have you been in a situation where family or friends gave you a loan to help you get through a rough spot?  Have you received multiple gifts from a loved one?  On the other hand, have you given a loan, or tried to help out by giving a loved one a gift or gifts?  I want to discuss with you today the cause and effect relationship that all of these scenarios create and why it is important to implement boundaries. When I Give A [...] Read more »

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Giving Advice: Is It A Good Or Bad Idea?

Written by on October 20, 2008 · 5 Comments

Not too long ago I posted a blog about debt consolidation and the dangers of it. I went on MyTMMO forums to try and get people to share their thoughts on my blog about debt consolidation. Since those forums were private I mentioned that someone close to me was considering using debt consolidation themselves. I got blasted from all angles with people telling me that I should keep my nose out of others business. I later posted a poll on those same forums asking people what they would do, to try and see if there were differing opinions. So far [...] Read more »

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Relationships That Count

Written by on August 14, 2008 · Leave a Comment

You Do It! If there is one thing that comes through clearly in the “Relating With Money” lesson it is that we all need support and encouragement.  We need each other.  If you are married, you need your spouse in order for this money thing to work.  If you are single you need someone to hold you accountable.  So many people that I know use the “you do it” philosophy when it comes to money.  I have too. When Alana and I first got married, she was the one who controlled the finances.  That was until we had a few [...] Read more »

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