A survey conducted by the University of Pennsylvania a few years ago asked respondents to rank their strengths in 24 different skills. Self-control was at the bottom of the list. This is bad news for all activities that require self-control to achieve a goal. Investing is one of them. We need to exercise self-control to […]
Tough economic conditions are expected to persist this year, and many South Africans need guidance on how to build financial security and avoid tapping into savings and taking on debt. Despite this need for advice, only 13% of employed South Africans who live in metropolitan areas have a relationship with a financial adviser, according to […]
Here’s an idea: Hand your teenagers hundreds of dollars in one lump sum and leave it up to them to manage the money for the next, say, six to 12 months. Anyone who’s ever had or been a teenager may quail at the thought, but experts say this approach actually can work much better than […]
Living on the Treasure Coast sure has its perks. There’s beautiful weather most of the year, there are lots of ways to enjoy the outdoors, there’s no state sales tax and, well, besides those few months where we might have to follow the path of a hurricane, it’s pretty much a little slice of heaven. And people […]
Take a moment. Close your eyes if you need to. Imagine your dream vacation. Maybe you see yourself on a beach with warm ocean waves crashing and palm trees rustling in a mild breeze while you stretch out in the sun. Maybe it’s a stroll down the Champs-Élysées in Paris as your scarf flutters and […]
If you’ve been watching the news for the past several years, you’ve probably noticed Congress has been having some trouble getting a federal budget passed. Although we might expect our lawmakers to have a better grip on the nation’s finances, consider this: Like Congress, two out of every three American households have no budget. The […]
The first few months your newly-licensed offspring take to the road unsupervised is quite possibly one of the most nerve-racking periods of parenthood. Not only do you want to know your not-so-little one is getting a good deal on their first car, but you also want some reassurance they’ll be as safe as possible from […]
Many people start the new year with leftover debt from the previous year, and additional interest month after month just makes the problem worse as the year goes on. Principal Financial reports that 40% of people intend to save more money each month, while 42% plan to pay off debt. Additionally, 56% of people have expressed that […]
Big companies that offer 401(k) plans might seem to be putting their employees on the fast track to savings, but small-business owners and employees don’t have to be derailed by their size. John Keown, a private wealth adviser for Ameriprise Financial Services, said small companies — those with fewer than 100 employees — typically find […]
A finished basement can be a valuable addition to your home. It can be a playroom for your kids, a place for family to stay during visits, a media room the whole family can use, or even a space to rent out for some extra income. However, depending on the current condition of your basement, […]
Looking for a safer way to shop using social media? Maybe you’ve heard of the Facebook Marketplace, which lets users connect to buy and sell products online. It’s a great way to save – and make some extra cash. Right off the bat, you’re connecting to neighbors or friends, or friends of friends, so that’s […]
Research says if you want to save, you have to use one of two tactics: be more mindful — or completely mindless. New year, same sad savings scenario. According to a new Bankrate survey, one-third of households had a major unexpected expense last year costing at least $2,500. Yet only 39 percent of Americans say […]
