Budgeting can be a drag. You don’t get to spend as much as you’d like on the things you want, and yet you still worry about whether there’s enough left over for essentials like saving and debt payments. But it doesn’t have to be that way. I’m going to introduce you to the one-number budget, which flips budgeting on its head and frees you to set aside money for your day-to-day spending.
Supercharge your giving
The new tax laws are projected to decrease charitable giving by $17 billion (or 4%) in 2018 — blame the larger standard deduction, which more taxpayers will take instead of itemizing deductions like charitable donations. It’s now more important than ever to manage your finances wisely so you can support worthy causes. Here’s how to be smart and intentional with your giving.
Financial Independence or Financial Freedom: Which do you need?
How do your savings stack up?
Is saving important? Absolutely. Can a personal finance guru tell you exactly how much you need to save? Not a chance. I’ve never liked the use of formulas or bright lines as a measure of financial success. The best anyone can offer without knowing the specifics of your situation are guiding principles and habits, such as living below your means and planning for financial emergencies.
Avoiding Financial Strife: 6 Principles for Couples
Money touches all aspects of our lives. It has the power to bring us great joy as well as ruin. The topic of money implicates the full spectrum of emotion, so it’s no wonder money causes more marital conflict than perhaps anything else. Learning to wisely manage money with a partner is something not taught to most of us, let alone modeled for us in a healthy way.
Learning to be gritty
April is National Financial Literacy Month, so I’ve been reading stories of everyday people working through money struggles. My favorite read this month has been Make Your Kid A Money Genius (Even If You’re Not) by Beth Kobliner. The ability to stick with it and persevere matters more than your IQ and educational background. Studies show that grit leads to a more satisfied life, as well as higher income and net worth. And here’s the best part: grit can be learned, both by kids and adults.