Building a good credit history and credit score does not need to be complicated. How do you build your credit history? How do you improve your credit score? What affects your credit score? Credit is a very misunderstood part of personal finance. When I talk with people about credit, I often hear stories of how … Read more
Credit cards rewards are complicated. How do you find the right cash back credit card for you? Type “Best credit card for…” into Google and look at the results. It feels as though there are a million best credit cards. How can that be? Best credit cards for gas. Best credit cards for groceries. Best credit … Read more
Chadwick Boseman, ‘Black Panther’ star, died of colon cancer on Friday, August 28, 2020. Only after his death was it revealed that he was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2016. In a statement posted to his Twitter, it says, “A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the … Read more
Don’t be afraid to negotiate. I find most people are afraid of negotiating. They think about it as a confrontation or are scared of being told no. You can negotiate in a low stakes environment before moving on to something that really matters. For example, I would not recommend negotiating your salary as your first … Read more
Do you know how to spend money to increase happiness? It’s well documented spending on experiences – not things – produces higher levels of happiness. Study after study demonstrates that the excitement of buying new things is short lived. Thankfully, there are ways to spend money to increase your happiness. Think about the last material purchase … Read more
How do you handle difficult conversations? When I am faced with difficult conversations, I tend to shut down. I want to be better at handling those conversations. I meet people who handle them flawlessly. They look like a commander of speech – nothing can make them waver. They know the right questions. They know the … Read more
A Health Savings Accounts, or HSA, is a powerful account to save for medical expenses, but many people use it in a way that is less than optimal. Tip 1: Understand the Powerful Tax Advantage of an HSA What is an HSA? An HSA is a triple tax advantaged account for people who have qualifying … Read more
Imagine jumping into your car and starting to drive. You only brought your normal items with you – purse/wallet, cell phone, and keys. You have no idea where you are going, what you will see along the way, when you have arrived in the right place, or what you will be doing when you arrive. … Read more
Have you ever tried making a large change? How did it work? Were you satisfied with the results? Were you able to maintain the change? Normally, you can make a large change, but only for a limited amount of time. It might be a few days, a week, a month if you are lucky. I’ve … Read more
I have a vision where we live in a world where more people talk about money with others – significant others, parents, and friends – and through those conversations, have a better relationship with money. My mission is to use this blog to inspire conversations, challenge you to discuss money, and learn alongside you. I … Read more