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 lakes to frolic in on weekends. And after a friend invites you out on his or her boat, you ask yourself, "Should I buy a boat?"I've asked myself that … [Read more...] about Why Buying a Boat Is a Big Mistake
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!
Why You Should Diversify Your Retirement Portfolio
This post covers how we spread our risk with Vanguard VTSAX index funds and real estate. Today you'll come away with a bit more knowledge about the importance of asset diversification.How cool is that? I'm going to share how freaking easy it is to invest with diversity when you keep it simple and focus on wealth building.Several very helpful books and blogs* have helped … [Read more...] about Why You Should Diversify Your Retirement Portfolio
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 Financial Life in Order", by New York Times columnist and author, John Schwartz. To start with, I consider this effort a true … [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 question "How much does it cost to raise a child?" is key for any young couple seeking the American Dream.Some of these couples have made the choice … [Read more...] about How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Child?
Cash Flow Index: Which Loan to Pay off First?
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 the cash flow index method is a tool that makes the process simple and effective. Read on...Debt sucks. And anymore, we get saddled with negative … [Read more...] about Cash Flow Index: Which Loan to Pay off First?