Post tagged with family finances

  • Learn to Use Cash Instead of Cards

    May 12th, 201102:45 PM ET
    By Matthew Pryor
    My wife and I decided this would be the year we would transition from using a combination of credit cards and debit cards to primarily using cash. While we'll still use a rewards-based credit card for gasoline purchases (we're not going to spend more on gas just because we're using credit, so we might as well get rewards for that spending), we'...

  • Resolve to Save More in 2011

    January 06th, 201102:28 PM ET
    By Joseph Slife
    Building a savings reserve is one of the best things you can do for your long-term financial health. And the beginning of a new year is a great time to get started — or to start saving more than you have been. The easiest way to save steadily is to have some of your income set aside automatically before you have the opportunity to spend it! H...

  • 3 Tools That Could Save You Money

    September 27th, 201003:04 PM ET
    By Matthew Pryor
    I'm a sucker for most calculators, sites, graphs, apps — essentially any techie tool — designed to help me save money. I've recently come across three tools aimed at doing just that. 1% More Savings Calculator: This aptly named tool does one thing and does it well. Simply put in a few pieces of data (income, savings balance, time horizon,...

  • New rules for debt-settlement companies

    August 11th, 201004:17 PM ET
    By Matthew Pryor
    The Federal Trade Commission has issued new rules that update our July 2009 SMI newsletter story, Settle A Debt for Less than You Owe? The Baltimore Sun provides the basics. Companies promising to settle debts for less than you owe soon won't be able to charge for their services until they do their job. The Federal Trade Commission...p...

  • Are home buyer resale warranties a good idea?

    August 05th, 201011:04 AM ET
    By Matthew Pryor
    We moved in the spring, and it seems like the move has created as manyquestions as it answered: What should I do with my old stuff, sell it or trade it? Which digital services do I really need at the new house? Are mortgage-savings programs a good idea? The newest question is whether or not to get a "home buyer resalewarranty" (not to be conf...

  • Big picture finances

    July 14th, 201002:47 PM ET
    By Matthew Pryor
    Back in April I was thumbing through Consumer Reports' annual auto issue when I came across an article entitled, "Best Values: Small Cars and Family Cars Provide the Most Bank for Your Buck." No real surprise there, but always looking to reassure my value-seeking sensibilities, I continued on to read about road-test scores, predicted reliability ra...

  • The (overdraft) protection racket

    June 18th, 201011:33 AM ET
    By Joseph Slife
    "We're willing to offer protection - for a fee. But if you want it, you'll have to sign up." That's the message many banks and credit unions are sending to their debit-card customers, as implementation nears for new Federal Reserve rules (PDF) on debit card overdrafts. You may be told that you will lose "important protections" or "a valuable safe...

  • Learn How to Stay Out of Financial Trouble

    June 09th, 201003:33 PM ET
    By Matthew Pryor
    The fundamentals of good financial management aren't difficult, but they do require 1) planning and 2) discipline to stick with your plan. In a short interview Monday on Alabama's Faith Radio, SMI assistant editor Joseph Slife (right) talked with host Bob Crittenden about the importance of having a savings plan. In a follow-up to air soon, he'll d...

  • Are mortgage-savings programs a good idea?

    May 28th, 201009:09 AM ET
    By Matthew Pryor
    My family recently moved and with our new mortgage came some new mortgage product offerings. One such offering is a mortgage-savings program. If you're unfamiliar with these programs, they promise to accelerate your mortgage payoff by taking weekly or bi-weekly prepayments to apply to your mortgage, in turn saving you thousands. As I was reading o...

  • Do you need it — or just want it? [Update]

    May 12th, 201002:45 PM ET
    By Matthew Pryor
    [NOTE: Do not attempt without the express approval of a supportive, loving spouse who is willing to go along with your tech-loving cost-cutting split personality!] Back in February, I challenged myself (and hopefully you as well) to question needs vs. wants, especially keeping in mind technology and digital services. With companies constantly rele...
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A blog for people who want to find their purpose in managing and investing their financial resources