I’m often asked what I’d do to improve financial literacy in the United States. The premise seems to be that if we teach young people about compound interest and two-cycle billing, this information will lead them to make better financial choices. I’m not convinced.
There are simple steps you can take to apply the theories of behavioral finance to your own 401(k) and improve your financial future.
Talking to an aging parent about how they’re handling their finances can help them to avoid getting scammed by insurance and credit-card companies
Ah, the new year: a time for us all to make grand plans. We’ll quit smoking, lose ten pounds, be nicer to the neighbors, and finally start saving for retirement. Alas, studies show that one-quarter of all New Year’s resolutions …
A rule of thumb is a general guideline, an easy way to approximate a value quickly. But it’s not meant to be completely accurate.
It’s one of the toughest financial questions to answer: How much do you need to save for retirement? Save too little and you might find yourself working at McDonald's during “retirement” — or living with your son-in-law. Save …
Is it better to rent or buy a home?
Peer-to-peer lending can earn you a higher rate of return than a savings account or certificate of deposit—as long as you’re careful.
Hurricane Sandy isn’t just a natural disaster; it’s a financial disaster, too. Current estimates predict the superstorm will ultimately cost the country tens of billions of dollars. But that big, big number represents its total …
The Christmas shopping season is upon us, and if you decide to indulge in the shopping frenzy, be careful. Not just of your health, but of your wallet. Buying at bargain prices is a worthy thing, but once you start shopping it …
I just returned from a six-week vacation to Bolivia and Peru. Since the beginning of October, I’ve been climbing mountains, exploring ancient ruins, and sipping pisco sours. Many folks dream of taking trips like this, but few …
I’ve been on the road for the past two months, mostly in Bolivia and Peru, where I was pretty off the grid and didn’t keep up with the news. So I arrived home to find a strange phenomenon: Protesters “occupying” Wall Street. And …
