You can adjust your healthcare plans the moment enrollment begins. However, it’s a hassle to pick the perfect coverage. To avoid getting confused, you should understand and differentiate between a deductible and premium … [Read more...] about Healthcare Terminology Every Retiree Should Know
Personal Finance 101
Learn how to make the best decisions when it comes to your hard-earned money. When you make smart money decisions, you tee yourself up for goals including early retirement. Learn how to invest, how to avoid keeping up with the Joneses, and how to raise kids without breaking the bank!
Banking 101: How to Choose a Bank
All banks offer similar features; however, which factors should you consider while choosing a bank? Each bank is not created equally. Always carry out in-depth research to determine which bank is right for you. It is the … [Read more...] about Banking 101: How to Choose a Bank
6 Tips for Selling on Amazon
Selling on Amazon can be a great gig for early retirement in which the retiree discovers that they'd rather be working on a project. It can also be a great gig for someone who wants to retire early and is diversifying their … [Read more...] about 6 Tips for Selling on Amazon
Why You Should Never Service Your Car at the Dealership
Sometimes even the most reliable wheels on the road need maintenance. My wee Honda Fit is no different. Sure, I enjoy pedaling my bike around town and even commute with that trusty two-wheeler, from time to time. But my Fit … [Read more...] about Why You Should Never Service Your Car at the Dealership
How to Invest in a Volatile Market (And Not Freak Out)
Volatile markets are the new normal, thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak. This creates some opportunity for investors in a time of real concern. I don't mean to diminish the incredibly awful specter of this virus, but I'm … [Read more...] about How to Invest in a Volatile Market (And Not Freak Out)
An Open Letter to Anyone Seeking Financial Independence
I'm not a financial expert. I've never worked in the banking, finance, or investment industry. I'm an arm-chair advice dispenser trying to keep money from being a source of worry in my life. This is an open letter to folks … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to Anyone Seeking Financial Independence
Happy Money by Ken Honda: A Book Review
Once in a blue moon, I get asked to review a new publication here on Abandoned Cubicle. It's a reasonable request since I get a free book out of the deal. If the book is decent, I get a few hours of entertainment. Even better … [Read more...] about Happy Money by Ken Honda: A Book Review
How Much of Your Income Should You Save Every Month?
This is a post that asks and attempts to answer the question, "How much of your income should you save every month?" For many, savings rates simply aren't a priority. While examining my handy dashboard excel budget last … [Read more...] about How Much of Your Income Should You Save Every Month?
2018 Household Spending Revealed
Let's just get it out there from the get-go: This is NOT a bragging kind of post. Far from it. This past year we spent a lot of money concerning our 2018 household spending. We didn't go off the deep end and buy matching … [Read more...] about 2018 Household Spending Revealed
How Much Should I Contribute to My 401k?
This year marks another increase in the contribution limit to the sometimes controversial, but "everyone's gotta have one" 401k. In 2017, the pre-tax contribution ceiling was raised from $18,000 to $18,500. That figure gets … [Read more...] about How Much Should I Contribute to My 401k?
How Much Does the Top 1% Make in the U.S.?
Pop quiz: How much money do U.S. top 1% income earners make? $500,000 per year? $5,000,000? I believe most of us don't have a clue. How far off are my guesstimates? If being in the top 1% is a goal, should households aim … [Read more...] about How Much Does the Top 1% Make in the U.S.?
Will I Regret Buying a Boat? Weighing the Pros and Cons
Summertime is magical. Snow seems like a dream it's so far gone. It's all about the sunshine, heat, and not having to grab a jacket on the way out the door. You go off on picnics, join a softball league, and find pristine … [Read more...] about Will I Regret Buying a Boat? Weighing the Pros and Cons
A Cheap and Easy Dinner Party! 3 Practical Tips
Today's guest post 3 Ways to Throw a Cheap and Easy Dinner Party comes from one of my favorite up and coming bloggers, Miguel, The Rich Miser! Miguel S. is a Florida lawyer residing in beautiful Miami. On his blog, Miguel and … [Read more...] about A Cheap and Easy Dinner Party! 3 Practical Tips
Jen Sincero Asks: Are You Afraid to Get Rich?
I had nearly thought that every topic on personal finance had been thoroughly exhausted, until I came across the headline, "Why we’re too afraid to get rich", by reporter Alyssa Pry. This notion of wealth fear comes from Jen … [Read more...] about Jen Sincero Asks: Are You Afraid to Get Rich?
This Is the Year I Put My Financial Life in Order – Book Review
Every so often, a book comes along and I find the time to read it. A harmonic convergence, if you will. I was fortunate to get an opportunity to read (and review) a book that I think you'll dig: "This Is the Year I Put My … [Read more...] about This Is the Year I Put My Financial Life in Order – Book Review
How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Child?
We see an awful lot of success stories of young couples who have buckled down, saved a good chunk of coin, and retired early (some while raising kids!) They're everywhere nowadays, it seems. Knowing all of the data behind the … [Read more...] about How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Child?
The Millionaire Next Door Formula
If someone asked you how to live the American Dream, what would you tell him or her? Most would respond with something like, "Own a nice house near good schools", "Have a high-paying job or own a successful business", "Be … [Read more...] about The Millionaire Next Door Formula
How to Write a Strongly Worded Letter of Complaint
Just about every consumer experiences a let-down by a product or service, more than once in their lifetime. Whether it's terrible airline service (delays, canceled flights, and so on) or finding a dead mouse in your Cheerios. … [Read more...] about How to Write a Strongly Worded Letter of Complaint
How to Create a Household Money Map
You know you need a budget, right? If you don't know where to start, drawing a money map is a simple and useful means to get there. The money map simply lays out your inflows and outflows, with your financial accounts … [Read more...] about How to Create a Household Money Map
What Is the Cash Flow Index?
Look at the latest articles on the wire about paying off debt and you'd think we've stumbled across the greatest discovery since Einstein declared that e=MC2. How do I determine which loan to pay off first? The good news is … [Read more...] about What Is the Cash Flow Index?