Is all debt bad? Is it possible to live 100% debt free? Are there times when it may be advisable to take out a loan? How can you tell the difference between bad debt and “good” debt? Is there even such a thing? There are some types of debt you should avoid like the plague! Debt is certainly one of …
This past weekend, my pastor, Brian Tome, of Crossroads Church talked about practical ways to create healthy margins in your personal finances. You might be surprised to learn (or maybe not) that for 80% of the people in financial distress, income is not the problem. So if you’re a mid- to high-level income earner and feel like your money margins …
When you are married, both you and your spouse have an equal say in the family finances! It doesn’t matter if you make 100%, 50%, or 0% of the income. As far the state is concerned, if you are legally married, you have an equal share of the family’s assets. But if one partner feels entitled to a greater say in …
Personal budgeting can be difficult for small business owners (and commissioned sales people) especially if their income varies from month to month. Those of us who are self employed can also encounter difficulties when they mix their personal and business expenses. In this 15 minute episode, I’ll share how to do monthly budgeting with a variable income plus additional strategies …
In this episode, I talk about the financial resolutions that are worth making. I discuss how to set SMART goals that motivate you and your family. I talk about savings goals: a fully-funded emergency fund, saving for big purchases, saving for college and retirement. I also cover debt-dumping goals, income goals, and purely fun goals for 2015. Click here to …
In this episode, I discuss why I don’t believe in “Cookie Cutter” Budgets. Many financial gurus try to sell people on a one-size-fits-all formula of financial management, which is destined to fail for most who try it. I explain about why it’s important to create a budget customized to your family’s situation, needs, and goals. Yes, there are some overarching …