You’ve been working on your budget. You cut back your expenses, built an emergency fund, and now you have some discretionary income. You want to make your surplus funds work for you. So what should you do? Here are five wealth building strategies for you to consider. Creating a Dividend Portfolio Dividend stocks pay a dividend, or a small percentage, usually each quarter of the
How Much Money Do You Need to Feel Successful?
How much money do you need to earn to feel successful? Fifty thousand a year? One hundred thousand? Two hundred thousand? What’s the magic number? A recent Harris Poll study attempted to unveil the answer. Right around 5,500 men and women were surveyed and the numbers are all over the board. Unlike former studies that showed that earning $75,000 a year will bring you the
Do You Act Different Around People with Money?
Last year I helped a friend organize the local NRA banquet. It was supposed to be a fun time. Just a place for all the gun lovers to come hang out, and have tons of chances at winning different guns. Plus all the proceeds went to great causes locally. But my friend, who is normally a super great guy, wanted to put on a show.
What Does Financial Freedom Mean?
Financial freedom. It’s such a broad term. It can mean something completely different for each and every person. Yet the end result is usually the same. To sum it up financial freedom means that money isn’t what’s fueling your life decisions. Let’s dig a little deeper. The General Meaning of Financial Freedom While financial freedom can mean several different things there is a commonality. Financial
Why You Shouldn’t Listen to Dave Ramsey
It pains me to admit it but when I first took an interest in personal finance I hung onto every word that came from Dave Ramsey. I followed his financial plan to the letter. Which, at the time, was a good thing. Even though the only debt I had was a few hundred dollars spread out across a couple of credit cards, I paid those
Is Technology Making You Poor?
Technology is constantly changing. As soon as you get used to the latest phone/tablet/device something newer and better comes out. While technology can make your life a little bit easier, it could also be making you poor. Here’s why. # 1 – Keeping Up with the Joneses (Social Media) Social media can be the gateway to ultimate envy if you let it be. Facebook has
Money Balance: Saving for Tomorrow, Living for Today
It always seems like it takes a tragedy or emergency in some form for most people to look at the big picture of their personal finances. A bankruptcy, a death in the family, a foreclosure, or a mountain of debt – all pretty big wake up calls. While I tend to think that I am pretty grounded when it comes to personal finance, even if
Does Money Make You Happy?
I’ve been reading The Happiness Project off and on over the last couple of months. I’ve finally gotten to the chapter where author, Gretchen Rubin, tries to buy happiness with material items. While my impression is that she is rather unsuccessful at this, her findings can be summed up as follows: Buying items that increase your quality of life make you happy Shopping can make