Chances are, if you’ve spent your life studying how money and economics work, or if you’ve been fairly successful at actually making money and compiling it in a bank account, you’re a cheapskate when it comes to food, wine, cars, homes, clothes, and nearly everything else.
Budgeting
Why People Are Poor: No Savings Accounts. Also: Booze, Cigarettes, and Whores
One reason people live poverty-stricken lives in developing countries like Nicaragua is that jobs pay meager wages. Also, there aren’t that many places to save your money. Also, workers spend a big chunk of what little money they do make on vices, including alcohol, prostitutes, and Coca Cola.
Got Money?
Some people are lucky enough to be wondering not how to get money, but what to do with a sum that’s landed somewhat surprisingly in their laps.
It Was an Awful Year for the Economy. But a Great One for the Consumer?
The most obvious upside to being a consumer this year was that you felt wanted, and you felt appreciated. In a bad year for business, retailers were very, very happy to have yours. You felt the love—though sure, they only “love” you for your money. It wouldn’t be the first time somebody was happy to be in a relationship with a gold digger.
Shout-Out: ‘How to Save $5,000 This Year’
A story in Real Simple lays out dozens of ways to save on everything from health care (try a retail clinic) to entertainment (buy refurbed electronics) to everyday bills (switching cell phone plans could save you over $300). Add up all the savings and you could have a few extra grand in your bank account at year’s end.
Who Are You Kidding? New Year’s Money Resolutions You Just Won’t Keep
It’s the time of year to make resolutions, or at least it’s the time for journalists to write stories about making resolutions. This year especially, these resolutions involve better money management. But come on: If you didn’t figure out how to take care of your money this year—a year when everybody was scrimping and saving—you may …
‘New’ Family Budget Tips: Cheaper Weddings, Breastfeeding
Some trendy new ways to save look a lot like the old way folks used to do things.
On Reverse Mortgages and Home Projects That Just Don’t Pay Off
As far as anyone can foresee, it’ll continue to be a bad market for home sellers for some time to come, leading many homeowners to consider reverse mortgages or remodeling projects rather than selling at a lowball price. But both have their share of pitfalls.
This Year’s Holiday Gift-Giving Trend: No More “Silly Little Things”
In Christmastimes past, people seemed content to give—and receive—things that no one really needs: tchotchkes, scented candles, holiday CDs, that sort of thing. Now that the economy has tanked, when someone receives a silly gift, the reaction isn’t merely “Bummer,” but “Wow, I could have really used whatever money was just wasted on that.”
And the Lord Said, Ye Shall Diversify Your Stock Portfolio
Is it wise to look to the Bible for financial advice? Many financial experts say yes (and probably “Amen” as well). By one count, the good book contains 2,300 verses that deal with how to manage your money.
Time to Swap Your Credit Card for a Charge Card?
Yes, there are differences between credit cards and old-fashioned charge cards. Big differences, the main one being it’s extremely unlikely you’ll dig yourself into major debt using a charge card—hence a surge in charge cards’ popularity.
Two-thirds of Folks Who Received Stimulus Checks Never Spent Them
Remember the 2008 stimulus checks that President Bush OK’d, hoping the recipients would spend the money and give the economy a boost? Most people just put the money in the bank.