Avoiding Double Taxation When Calculating Mutual Fund Gains
Periodically, mutual funds make payments to shareholders representing their share of the interest, dividend, and capital gain income earned by the fund. If you're not careful in accounting for these distributions, you could pay more federal and state income taxes than necessary when the fund shares are eventually sold...
A Credit Card Self-Test: Are You Really In Control?
There are plenty people who (at least for seasons of their lives) absolutely should not own credit cards...
To Get Out of Debt, Get Rid of the Excuses
Stuck with lots of debt and little savings? It's easy to find excuses that let you off the hook to change your situation, but it's only a temporary reprieve.
If you've resisted the idea of establishing a personal budget in the past, perhaps you're clinging to one or more of these favorite reasons not to budget...
What to Do With Your 401(k) or 403(b) Now?
Here are some practical, historically-proven steps to help your retirement weather out this current financial storm. These steps will require faith, courage, and discipline...
Act Now, Become My 100th Facebook Fan, and Win a Free Book!
Due to the time contraints inherent in the message of the post for which this text is intended as a tease, I feel it would be improper if not outright rude of me to in any further way impede you traveling directly from this spot to that message. So please, allow me to hinder you no further. No, really. I insist.
Cult Tragedy Anniversary - Jonestown Remembered
Thirty years ago nearly 1,000 cult members died at the hands of a religious madman...
California Teen Driver Deaths Drop
Comprehensive traffic safety approach for teen drivers saves lives.
Nearly Half of Teen Activities Are Driven by Technology
80 Percent of Teens Can Not Imagine Spending a Day Without Technology.
Researchers at Oxford University have compiled the top ten most irritating phrases. At the end of the day, such lists are fairly unique. I personally, at this moment in time, and with all due respect, absolutely agree with their list. It’s a nightmare to hear these phrases, and I know that when I have thought of using them, I shouldn’t of. Nonetheless, you hear them 24/7, even when stopping shouldn’t be rocket science.
Saving for Retirement "A traditional IRA is a good way to save for retirement. And, as an extra bonus, for contributing to a traditional IRA (if your income isn't too big) you also get a current year's tax deduction on your contribution." ~ From The Shortest Investment Book Ever by James O'Donnell
Obtaining Your Credit Information
Obtaining Your Credit Information "A few years ago, the federal government passed new legislation that now requires these three companies to give you a free copy of you credit information once a year. You can go to the various company websites, or to http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ to get your free credit reports. NOTE: Here’s a strategy: Consider not requesting all three reports at one time. Instead, consider requesting one from each of the three companies every three or four mont
What To Do with Too Many Apples
If you find that you have a few dozen more apples than you know what to do with, these ideas from LivingOnADime.com will help settle your frugal dilemma: ~When you have a partially eaten apple, save the good part and chop into pieces. Place in a microwave safe dish. Blend together 1 tsp. each brown sugar, flour, oatmeal and margarine and a dash of cinnamon. Top the apple with the topping and microwave until tender. ~Core and slice apples very thin. Dehydrate and use in granolas, eat alone
Christmas in October. I start thinking about gift shopping early now ... and aim to end early. I know I cannot wait until December. The overseas gifts alone need to be bought, wrapped, packed, and mailed by mid-November just to make sure they arrive by Christmas. And knowing we'll see families at Thanksgiving whom we may not see at Christmas prompts me to get those presents ready early to save post-office trauma later. So while it may seem strange to start focusing on Christmas when it's
For Richer, For Poorer. "When it comes to marriage and money we can learn from Paul's advice to the Philippians. No matter what your temperament and spending behavior, in marriage you must work together on a budget, come to an agreement, and commit to a financial plan you can both live with. (You may also have to add an extra dose of patience, forgiveness, and apologies along the way). Stop arguing and find a solution to your financial problems before it's too late." From What's in the
Investment Timing Isn't as Important as You Think
The long-term stock investor prospers because he owns shares in businesses that participate in the most productive economy in the world. The important thing is not so much when you buy, but that you buy and continue to buy...
Congress Can't Repeal the Law of Supply and Demand
Headlines scream with news, but what’s really going on with the credit meltdown? What, if anything, should the government be doing about it? And what about the rest of us? What should we be doing?
Keeping Our Perspective in a Tough Economy
I believe there are some practical things you and I can do to insulate us from some of the financial pain of this current financial crisis. When a storm is brewing, it's time to get back to the basics...
Earn 15% by Taking Advantage of Prepayment Discounts
Many people make monthly or quarterly payments when they could be earning a discount for paying in full in advance. This could be for anything from insurance premiums to tuition payments...
Profiting from Monthly Seasonality in the Stock Market
Here's some research that should get your attention. Assume two portfolios — which we'll call the Green and the Red—were started in January 1927...
Financial adjustments for newlyweds are seldom easy, because both have been accustomed to making money decisions on their own -- and probably feel they're pretty good at it. So here are some suggestions...
The Money Meltdown: A Need for Wisdom, Not Just Knowledge
There are three lessons that might turn this very difficult, economic experience into a fruitful learning and growing opportunity for God’s kids...
Breaking the Bank: How Safe Are Your Savings?
Given the current struggles in the banking industry, it's worth adding up how much you actually do have in any single bank, and, if necessary, taking steps to protect it...
A Different Perspective On College Kids and Credit Cards
I am not totally opposed to college kids having credit cards. Following is a five step to-do list parents might find helpful in making that decision...
It is worth noting that money is such an important topic in the Bible that it is the main subject of nearly half of the parables Jesus told.
Preventative Care Begins with You
I know when I see a bill from my doctor, I'm sure glad I have health insurance. But insurance isn't enough. I firmly believe that if health care costs are ever going to stabilize, it's up to me to do my part to stay healthy...
I must wonder how many other Christians -- far removed theologically from Charismatic prosperity theology -- might have bought into a very different prosperity theology. Do we now think that prosperity is our right?
The Money Meltdown: A Need for Wisdom, Not Just Knowledge
There are three lessons that might turn this very difficult, economic experience into a fruitful learning and growing opportunity for God’s kids...
How Should We Manage Our Debts?
In the business world in general and on Wall Street in particular, debt is part of managing money. What is the Christian’s attitude toward debt? And should we be generous in helping people mired in debt?
The Financial Crisis: Lessons On the Value of Thrift
I don’t claim to be a financial expert or economist; however, economics are not so much the source of this debacle as is a fundamental shift in values, namely, away from the historic Christian virtue of thrift.
Discuss Links for Finances