With a Falling Market Should I Bail on my Investments?

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The markets fell, for the most part, during the third quarter continuing the challenge for many people to remain invested. Some investors moved out of the market already and will eventually have to decide when to invest again. That is the challenge for short-term investors and for those who attempt to time the market. The advantage of long term investing is the stress and strain of rapidly fluctuating markets is something you can ignore. Here are a few important questions you should consider. First, do you have adequate savings and emergency funds? (At least 6 months of your net take […] Read more »

What are your Biggest Challenges with Paying Off Debt?

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As many of you know, this past weekend I attended the Financial Blogger Conference in Chicago. The atmosphere was amazing and I learned so much about what I should be doing better to build the Enemy of Debt community. I won't get into the details of the conference here, but if you are interested in seeing just how awesome it was simply sign on to Twitter and search for the hashtag #fincon11. Read more »

Help the Needy – Not so Fast! Let’s do Some Thinking

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help the needy

"Help the needy" is what we've learned since we were kids. But as Suzanne's recent post shows, sometimes our experiences as adults can cause us to rethink that well-worn expression. Who are the needy anyway? Sometimes it's hard to figure out. And, that's what can lead us to donate to a cause, lend money, forgive debts, and help others who have projected themselves to us as being in need. Read more »

Fool Me Once, Shame on You. Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me

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This past March I loaned money to a fellow single mom friend who was in financial crisis: She and her son were about to be evicted from their apartment. Anyone that knows me relatively well knows that I would do whatever I could for someone in need; a Good Samaritan. I learned this behavior from my father; when I was little he would help stranded roadside motorists and offer his services (he was a mechanic) for “free” or “in trade” for those who couldn’t afford it. While this type of behavior certainly didn’t make him rich financially, I truly believe […] Read more »

Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University Week 2

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This week at Financial Peace University was called "relating to money". I really liked this lesson a lot. Dave talked about getting on the same page with your spouse financially. I was taking notes so that I could write this review and I have a page and a half of scribbles. One note I wrote says "If you agree on spending you agree on values. You will feel like a team, which means a happy marriage. You must work together." I wanted to stand up and yell in the class "YES!! Are you guys listening to this!! Write that down!" Read more »

Three Keys to Financial Fitness

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I was planning on writing about a new survey from Prudential Retirement Services today. It is a very interesting survey from 2006-2011 of primary or joint financial decision makers who are between 45-75, have a household income of at least $100,000 ($50,000 if already retired), household investable assets of at least $100,000, and retirement savings of at least $100,000. Many who fall in this “retirement red zone” have serious concerns about their ability to maintain lifestyle in retirement. For those of you who would like to read the study, here’s a link to the Prudential website: http://news.prudential.com/images/20026/2011ChangingAttitudesAboutRetIncome.pdf It is worth […] Read more »

Paper or Plastic: Taking a Family Vacation without Credit Cards

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If you are like most American families, with the stagnant recession, escalating gas prices, and unstable job market, you’ve chosen to forgo vacations for in-home activities. Believe it or not, there is a way to stick to a no-credit card spending mentality, and still provide a wonderful family vacation to your family. Because booking hotel, airplane, and car rentals often request a credit card as payment, it takes a little more creativity to make a family vacation possible with using plastic. Sometimes, it might involve using family and friends who still use credit cards. Do not hesitate to give close […] Read more »

Debt Free News #21 – Congratulations Amy

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The Enemy of Debt Questionnaire – Congratulations Amy! How much debt did you have and how long did it take you to pay it off? I took a 401(k) loan in 1997 of $8,000 for a down payment on my condo. My mortgage was $34,800 for 15 years. I paid off the mortgage in 2005. I paid off the 401(k) loan in 2001. I bought a new SUV in 2006; did a dumb thing by trading it on a new model in 2008; the car loan was paid off in 2010 (it started out about $25,000.00 – stupid, I know […] Read more »

Sorry, School Fundraiser – You’re Not In My Budget!

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The inevitable packet came home from school with my daughter last week.  That same night, the doorbell started ringing signalling the beginning of the school fundraising season. Whether you have school aged children, or you’ve experienced that knock at the door, you know what I mean. Kids trying to sell you products that you cannot possibly live without at an inflated price all in the name of helping their school. The motivation given to the students is a ladder of prizes – the more you sell, the better the prize. Of course every student begins the fundraiser with hopes of […] Read more »

Financial Peace University Week 1

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Last week I started attending Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. If you are not familiar with this course it's a 13 week program where "you'll learn how to beat debt, build wealth, find bargains, invest for the future, give like never before, and much more!" Each lesson is 2 hours long and includes a one hour video of Dave Ramsey speaking and then an hour of discussion in the classroom. Here is the link to the Dave Ramsey site if you want more information about the course. I also did a longer write up myself about the course over at Money Talks which includes my reservations about attending. Every week for the next 13 weeks I'm going to be writing about my experience about the class. So you guys are going to get a full in-depth review of Financial Peace University. Read more »

Investing — The Whole Return

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Losing money can really make you angry, but, eventually, you can make up the losses. But when time is lost, you will never get it back. The factor of time in investment return calculations is limited to the time period of the investment, e.g. One Year, Year To Date, Trailing Three Years, Calendar Year, etc. Return calculations are objective and purely mathematical. The value of your time is left out of the calculation of investment return. What about the time you spend as an investor? What is it worth? Isnʼt that part of your whole return and shouldnʼt you include […] Read more »

Two Giveaways and a New Business Venture

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Today I wanted to take this opportunity to share some things with you in case you missed it over the weekend. Many of you know Budgets Are Sexy but did you know that Giveaways Are Sexy too? Well they are, and my friend J. Money is making sure of it. This week I am sponsoring a sexy giveaway!! I have offered up a Financial Peace University Lifetime Membership Kit ($119 value) and you are invited to enter the giveaway. After you finish this post be sure to head over and enter your name to win!! Read more »

5 Ways to Plan for your Family’s Future…Without Going into Debt in the Present

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When you’re responsible for a family, you want to know your loved ones will be cared for now and even after you are gone. There are several steps you can start taking to make certain your family’s needs are met without causing a serious disruption to your current finances. Here are some options to consider. Be Careful at Home Be sensible around your house. Don’t leave unnecessary lights on, and wait until you have a sizeable laundry load before washing clothes in order to save electricity costs. This can also help you reduce your water bill. Check Your Bills Take […] Read more »

Book Giveaway: The Wealth Cure by Hill Harper

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Time for another book giveaway! 😀 I have not personally read this book yet but it is on my wish list. It sounds like a very inspirational story and a great read for those who want to transform their financial struggles into financial success. Today, I’m giving away one copy of this book and you will have until Wednesday by midnight to enter to win. Enter this Giveaway In order to be eligible to win the hardcover copy of The Wealth Cure all you need to do is leave a comment on this post describing a bad financial habit you […] Read more »