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• Warning signs that you're headed for financial ruin

  Posted Aug 26 2008, 10:49 AM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Investing, Debt, Credit, Karen Datko
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  To borrow a phrase from Dave Ramsey, bad financial behavior has become acceptable and "normal." Are you engaging in all-too-common practices that can lead to ruin?

  "Mr. ToughMoneyLove" of the deliciously snarky Tough Money Love blog describes 10 common financial practices that really should be avoided. For example: "You are comfortable being upside down." Somehow, owing more on your house, car, etc., than they're worth has became routine, Mr. ToughMoneyLove laments.   Read More...

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• What kids don't know about personal finance

  Posted Apr 14 2008, 01:10 PM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Investing, Credit, Taxes, Karen Datko
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  A new survey shows that only 48.3% of high school seniors could correctly answer basic questions about personal finance. That's the worst score in the six times the survey has been conducted.

  For instance, 48% realize that a person who pays only the minimum due on a credit card each month will end up paying more in finance charges than those who pay more than the minimum. In fact, 18% thought the person who pays off the entire balance each month will pay the most finance charges.

  Actually, Steve at brip blap, who posted about the survey results (to read the post, click here) made public by the Federal Reserve last week, thinks there is reason for optimism in these answers. He goes on a little political rant to make his point.   Read More...

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• In your 20s? Save for retirement -- or simply retire

  Posted Nov 16 2007, 02:05 PM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Investing, Debt, Retirement, Credit
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  LifeEdit.net provides some very sound advice to people in their 20s about managing money: Save for retirement, pay off student loans as soon as you can, budget and keep your credit score high. But there's more than one way to skin this cat. The Retirement Hobo is 24 years old, and he's already retired. He's aware that some readers might be incredulous . "At a first glance, you might think my blog about (extremely) early retirement is about a lazy guy trying to find a loophole in the system so he can keep on being lazy. I assure you, that is not the case," he writes in his first post, called, appropriately, " Newly retired ." Hobo paid off his student loans and saved $70,000 when he was working. His goal is to earn a 25% return on his investments and to spend about $17,000 a year. He intends to live happily in retirement. "If I'm going to retire miserably, I might as well keep working miserably and get money," he says. This should be an interesting ride.
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