Posts Tagged ‘finances’

Newer Entries »

The world is not made of lists


01 Apr

Tags: , ,
Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Friendship, Relationships | Comments Off

One of the things about financial boards is that we are all Type A personalities (or close to it). We are planners, list makers, get things done now now now types of people. Its something we have to remember because most of the world is not like that, including many of our spouses.

This thread is about a spouse who doesn’t react to stress the way his Type A personality wife does, and its driving her crazy. Yes, there are financial issues and steps need to be taken, but we can’t force other people to think and act like us.

Rent vs Buy


25 Mar

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Finances, Home Ownership | Comments Off

I had a hard time trying to decide what to post about this week. I chose the “Never own a home again” thread because it addresses a question I think a lot of people are considering right now.

Each person should make their own decisions about owning vs. renting. We own. Part of that is peace of mind. Yes, we’ll have taxes and insurance, but having no other housing costs once we retire seems pretty ideal. In addition, we have dogs, which always makes it harder to get the deposit back when you rent, adding to the long term costs.

Smart Spending Actions


18 Mar

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Finances | Comments Off

Taking us over to the Smart Spending board today and their thread “What I did today to save money and improve my life”. Its simple concept- celebrate the choices we make every day that help us financially and emotionally.

These things include paying a family member to do cleaning for you after surgery, or finding a way to take a 2 week vacation for minimal cost. Often they involve saying no- to eating out or a concession stand.

The little things add up, and its nice to have a place where people will celebrate those smart spending decisions with you.

The Hidden Costs of Being Poor


16 Mar

Tags: , ,
Posted in Finances | Comments Off

It costs more to be poor than it does to be middle class.

If the cheap version of something costs $10, but only lasts for 2 years, while the expensive version costs $20 but lasts for 5 years, in the long run, it’s obviously better to buy quality. But what if I don’t have $20 in my budget? What if I don’t really even have $10, but I need this item now? Which am I going to buy?

Sadly, I think this may be why Wal-Mart is so successful. If you buy it cheap, you have to buy it often.

Happy Comes from Inside You, Not Cash


11 Mar

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Finances, Marriage, Relationships | Comments Off

While money is listed as one of the most common reasons couples fight, most of us know that the arguments are usually about more than money. That’s certainly the case in this thread, from a woman who wishes she weren’t the breadwinner. In fact, all she really wanted was to be a stay at home mom.

Bless you, if you can make your way through all 13 pages of the thread. I was a participant in the beginning but had to stop for sanity’s sake. Yes, money can make your life better, but you have to choose to be happy.

Your Money – “not quite adult”


14 Jan

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Finances | Comments Off

One of the fun things about the Your Money section of the Refugees board is the great disparity of demographics. We’re all interested in money and how to use ours’ in the most effective ways, though “effective” is up for debate.

This week, one of the big discussions stems from an article about extended adolescence, or delayed adulthood. It started with a poll, asking when we left home. Everyone has a slightly different story, and many disagree about whether parents should kick young adults out. But it seems most agree even people living at home need to be financially responsible.

 

Financial Politics (2)


19 Dec

Tags: , ,
Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Politics | Comments Off

There is a Bible story about Joseph interpreting the Pharaoh’s dream of seven fat cows followed by seven starving cows. Joseph tells the Pharaoh that it means that there will be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, and that in order to make it through the famine years, they should save during the years of plenty.

This is sound fiscal advice, advice I wish our government would follow. We may not know when the lean years will come, but they always do. They ALWAYS do. During the years of plenty, we should be funding our future.

Financial Politics (1)


18 Dec

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Politics | Comments Off

I am a social liberal (who’d have guessed, right.). And while my nature is to be fiscally conservative, our government isn’t, and has never been (at least in my lifetime), so I would rather we spend the money on liberal social programs.

I should clarify, when I say I am fiscally conservative, I don’t mean we should spend more on the military (payroll yes, other things, not so much), or give tax breaks to the rich. I mean, we should be responsible with our spending, in the same way that as an individual, I need to be responsible my money.

Newer Entries »

100 Words On

topics explored in exactly 100 words