Mark Noldy

Another of the so-called lazy portfolios comes to us via the Bogleheads wiki (and elsewhere – just Google it!). This is just another asset allocation model that is even easier to implement than others I have presented. It eliminates angst and provided long-term security and returns.

The Bogleheads

This is a community of investors that takes their name in honor of the legendary Jack Bogle.…

When I was a child, I didn’t know it, but a lot of cartoon humor was over my head. In fact, much of it was indeed crafted for adults. Bullwinkle, Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny, etc.

Charlie Brown

One of my fondest childhood memories was watching the Charlie Brown specials on CBS. Now that I’m kinda grown-up, I get why the grown-ups in the Charlie Brown world sounded the way they did. “Wha wha

The Perfect Size for your Emergency Fund

Step 1: $1000 in the bank. Check!

Step 2: Debt Snowball. Check!

Step 3: 3- to 6-month fully funded Emergency Fund…

Categorize Expenses

To determine how much should be saved in your fully-funded Emergency Fund, you need to categorize the monthly expenses in your budget. If you’re like me, some are necessities while others are luxuries.

The Four Walls

Financial coaches call the…

Debt Snowball and Gazelling

Everyone knows the best way to remove a Band-Aid, right? Of course, just rip it off! Fast! That’s the principal behind “Gazelle Intensity” described by Dave Ramsey in The Total Money Makeover. And it’s particularly important during and the Debt Snowball.

I have a confession to make. Carol and I were not always the most Gazelle Intense people during our Debt Snowball. We were doing an “ish”…

One Step Away from Your First Big Milestone

Every journey begins with a first step. But taking that first step can involve some trepidation. That’s because there is fear about starting something new with an uncertain outcome.

The Total Money Makeover

I think the thing I like most about The Total Money Makeoveris that it provides simple steps for winning with money. And anyone can follow the steps regardless of their education level…

What to Do With Your Refund

So you did it. You’ve completed your tax returns. Now you’re getting a refund, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. But is there a best way to divvy up your “windfall?”

Don’t be too excited…

First of all, a tax refund is not necessarily a windfall. A tax refund is usually an overpayment of taxes. This refund amount can be a function of the number of allowances on the Form W-4. A refund…

Is All Debt Really Bad?

Good debt? Bad debt? Is there really a difference? It depends on who you talk to. Today, I’ll talk about these two classifications of debt and more specifically, the two schools of thought of debt.

School #1: Debt is to never be used.

As a Total Money Makeover guy, I have learned how debt is associated with risk. As Dave Ramsey says, “All bankruptcies have involved debt.” Obviously no one…

Time is up! Put your pencils down. Close you tax booklet. It’s Tax Day 2019 in the United States. Your tax returns must be postmarked today (unless you filed for an extension).

No more number crunching, nail biting, or anxiety… until next year. My accountant remarked that very few clients were able to itemize deductions this year. This was due to the increased standard deduction, $12,000 for…

Should Financial Education Be a Requirement in School?

Although public schools do a good job teaching kids to solve equations, diagram sentences, and regurgitate state capitals, there is a growing push for mandatory financial education in America.

America ranks 14th in the world in basic financial skills. Only 57% of adults are considered financially literate — less than 3 in 5 individuals. Women and the poor are the most underrepresented…

Happy April Fool’s Day! Today is the day when we spreadsheet nerds analyze the March “budget” against the March “actual.” For me, it is also a day to update the net worth tracker. Remember that net worth is how we keep score of our money game.

First things first

I grab everything I need. Payment calendar. Black Book. Laptop. For good measure, I keep a calculator handy — usually my iPhone —…

Using the Word “No”

The secret to becoming an everyday millionaire is often learning to have power over purchase. It can be challenging to resist the latest shiny object especially if everyone else has one.

However, building your tower will take patience and discipline. Wealth doesn’t happen by accident. When it does, it is not long-lived. Ever heard of the lottery curse?

Budgeting

The amount of money we…

Investing Basics – Stocks

The most common questions people ask revolve around the difference among various investments. There are three key areas to invest money — stocks, bonds, and funds.

Let’s focus on stocks today.

Equities, a.k.a. stocks

Equities is just another word for stocks. When you buy stock in a company, you are acquiring an equity positionin that company. Even if you own just one share of stock, you…

How to Use the Sinking Fund Approach

Real estate taxes are due at the end of next month. In a few more months it’s car insurance. Then homeowners insurance after that. And WHAT!? They moved Christmas up to December!? How can I go on vacation this summer without Visa and Mastercard?

Have you ever noticed how some people never seem to miss a beat when these large bills come due while others seem to freak out? These even-keeled…

I recently did a Facebook Live! chatting about Chris Hogan’s new book Everyday Millionaires: How Ordinary People Built Extraordinary Wealth – and How You Can Too.

This is an informative and inspirational read. I highly recommend it!

In order for people to believe they can accumulate wealth, Hogan first dispels the top myths that people may about wealth. These myths come from the team’s…

We Americans have a love affair with our cars. Where else can you find a couple living paycheck to paycheck with two brand new cars in the driveway?

Prior to the crisis of credit, banks made it easier for homebuyers to buy more home than they could afford. But at least homes had been going up in value.

A car is the most expensive asset people buy KNOWINGit’s value will go down. Now car…

Should Homebuyers Use a 30-year Mortgage?

Budgeting is one of the most overlooked aspects of the family’s economic health, and mayhem can ensue with an uninformed mortgage selection.

Although many homeowners believe the 30-year mortgage is a rite of passage to home ownership, the 15-year mortgage can be a far superior financial product due to economic, legal, and market reason

Economic Reasons

Buying a house using a 15-year…

Top 5 Mistakes Broke People Make

Back in 2006, I was broke. I just didn’t realize it. I believed a lot of the standard rhetoric.

“You gotta have money to make money.”

“You’re always gonna have a car payment.”

“The little guy just can’t get ahead.”

Then I realized I had the wrong mindset. I resolved that I was broke, not poor. What’s the difference? Broke is just passing through. Poverty is a perpetual state of mind.

1. No written…