Lets start with this – I like talking about money. I know its supposed to be one of those taboo subjects in every day life, but I don’t care. I find finances, especially personal finances fascinating. And not because I’m nosy or want to know if I’m “better” than you, but because I honestly believe you can’t learn in a vacuum.

This country is currently in a financial mess, and I’m not talking about just the federal government. People are becoming entirely dependent on Social Security because they either failed to plan for retirement or their plans fell apart – 401(k)s demolished in the crash, companies abandoning pension plans, etc.
Most of us are swimming in credit card debt. Paycheck advance companies have become such big business that they advertise nationally. The housing market means many of us are just barely holding on, or on the verge of foreclosure and bankruptcy.
Kids are coming out of college with student loan debt ranging in amounts from luxury cars to mortgages. They don’t know if they’ll ever be able to retire, whether Social Security is still around or not.

There are a lot of factors contributing to this situation, and many that we the little people won’t have any control over except through our votes. While I may occassionally touch on those subjects here, that’s not hte purpose of this blog.

The purpose of this blog is to talk about the things we can control. To put ideas out there and learn from each other. If you’re making a decision in a vacuum, luck is the only chance you have of making a good one. We tell people to research smart phones, car, computers, etc., before they buy. But we rarely talk about making sound financial decisions. We consider it rude to ask about income, savings, budgeting. Most parents don’t even talk to their kids about these things. How can we expect anyone to make good financial decisions if no one talks about personal finances?

So that’s what I am here to talk about. I can talk with authority only about my personal financial situation. I will present my views on a topic, but please don’t just listen to me. Research your financial options just like you would a new car. I have links to the left with my three favorite money message boards and to other blogs where finances are at least sometimes discussed. Go there. Read what other’s think.
And if you have something to say about what I post, say it. Agree with me, disagree with me, I don’t care. Let’s have a conversation. Let’s talk about money, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll all be able to make better financial decisions because of it.