Putting fun money in your budget isn’t a green light to forget your money goals, or go on a spending free-for-all. It’s actually part of sticking to your budget.
All cars have one thing in common — they’ll need repairs at some point. Fixing your car is just a basic part of car ownership, and something every car owner should be prepared for.
If your adult children are continually asking for money, they should understand you won’t be opening your checkbook again if they don’t open up about their financial behavior.
Keeping peace among family members, especially during the holiday requires making an effort to stay away from any hot button topics you know already exist.
Before you start shopping for the holidays, set a reasonable budget, determine what’s fair for each person and stick to it. And be sure you’re following realistic gift guidelines.
Would it be fair if only the person making money in a marriage is allowed a little cash to spend for fun once in a while? Of course, not. Marriage is not a "me" thing, it’s a "we" thing.
Doing business with friends always comes with the risk of running into a situation that can damage the relationship. If you rent out a home to a friend, sign an agreement, just like with any other renter.
Some people come to believe that a fancy home or car are indications of their value or worth, and that’s sad. It means something inside them is broken, and filing for bankruptcy isn’t going to fix that.
Possibly the biggest factor separating those who stick with it and gain control of their finances, from those who give up and go back to their old ways, can be boiled down to one simple word - hope.
The concept of a zero-based budget is simple: income minus outgo equals zero. If you bring home $4,000 a month, you want everything you spend, save, give and invest to equal $4,000.
If you use debt to cover emergencies, you’re digging a financial hole for yourself. A strong foundation of any financial house includes an emergency fund.
Have a friendly, sit-down meeting with the client who owes you money. Ask a few questions, and find out what’s really going on. But he needs to understand you can’t be his bank.
If you’ve got a substantial net worth, or if there’s something that gives the impression someone might be able to get a lot out of you in a lawsuit, an umbrella insurance policy is a smart buy.
Debt is risk and it's eating up your largest wealth-building tool - your income. Knock out what you owe from smallest to largest using the debt snowball system.
Renters have the legal right of quiet enjoyment, meaning landlords don’t get to show up at all hours and harass them. But renters can't deny the owner access after they're given reasonable notice, either.
