Personal Finance 101

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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?

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

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?

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.?

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

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

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?

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

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?

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

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

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

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?