Money and Me
Jonathan Clements' posthumous book *Money and Me* launched this week, blending his four‑decade personal‑finance career with a family saga about 19th‑century tobacco baron George Cope. The narrative illustrates how overspending can erase wealth, leading Clements to champion low‑cost index funds over active managers. He delves into money psychology, offering practical steps to boost happiness through anticipation and balanced frugality. Finally, he justifies an aggressive equity allocation—often above 80%—backed by a family safety net, challenging conventional risk‑averse advice.
How to Budget on a Single Income (Step-by-Step)
The article offers a step‑by‑step guide for budgeting on a single paycheck, emphasizing a conservative income baseline and a clear hierarchy of expenses. It advises listing fixed costs first, tracking variable spending for two weeks, and organizing money into four...
What $1,000 a Year in Phone Savings Becomes If You Invest It Instead
Switching to T‑Mobile’s Better Value family plan can free up more than $1,000 a year by trimming monthly line costs and bundling free streaming services. The plan caps monthly fees at $140‑$200 for three to five lines and adds perks...
How Technology Can Help You Manage Your Finances
Financial technology has transformed personal money management, replacing paper statements with instant, app‑driven insights. Budgeting platforms like Monarch Money and YNAB automatically categorize transactions, while automated transfers and credit‑monitoring services reduce missed payments and late fees. AI‑powered tools now predict...
What Are Target Date Funds?
Target date funds dominate many 401(k) menus as a one‑stop retirement solution that automatically shifts from stocks to bonds through a preset glide path. While the convenience appeals to passive investors, the funds typically embed layered expense ratios that can...
Don’t Kick The Can Down The Road
The article likens retirement planning to training for a 10‑kilometre race, warning that postponing savings is a costly habit. It stresses that contributions made in your 30s compound far more than larger deposits made later, and that neglecting the employer...
This Simple Strategy Can Save Retirees Thousands (or More) | Julia Lembcke
Julia Lembcke, a Certified Financial Planner and Managing Director at URS Advisory, explains the optimal sequence for withdrawing from retirement accounts. She argues that most retirees pull funds in the wrong order, incurring unnecessary taxes and limiting flexibility. By prioritizing...
5 Strategies Working-Class People Can Use to Multiply Their Wealth: Tips for Building Wealth From Scratch
The article outlines five unconventional wealth‑building tactics aimed at working‑class earners who lack surplus cash. It urges readers to monetize expertise through low‑cost digital products, leverage FHA‑backed house‑hacking to eliminate rent, acquire high‑income skills via bootcamps, split investments between ultra‑safe...
Get a Raise Last Year? Choose Savings Inflation and Not Lifestyle Inflation
A salary raise often tempts workers to upgrade their lifestyle, a phenomenon known as lifestyle inflation. The article argues that channeling the extra income into "savings inflation"—increasing emergency funds, investments, and debt repayment—yields far greater long‑term benefits. It cites the...
10 Best Residential REITs to Buy in 2026
Residential REITs are gaining traction as high home prices and limited new construction keep renters in place, creating a supply‑demand tailwind. Analysts at Principal, Nuveen and Janus Henderson cite improving fundamentals, moderate new‑supply growth, and multi‑decade‑low valuations as catalysts for...
How Can I Improve My Money Management Skills?
Improving money‑management isn’t about perfect decisions; it’s about building repeatable habits that keep spending visible and savings consistent. The article outlines a step‑by‑step framework—from daily expense tracking and lifestyle‑aligned budgeting to goal setting, automated savings, and regular financial reviews. By...
A Time to Save
The author recounts how a 401(k) at Vanguard sparked a lifelong commitment to saving, starting with a 3% employer match and a 15% payroll contribution in the early 1990s. Over time, the writer shifted from actively managed stock funds to...
Warren Buffett Advice: You Don’t Have to Pick the Right Stock, Just Pick This Index and You’ll Build Wealth In...
Warren Buffett repeatedly tells non‑professional investors to buy a low‑cost S&P 500 index fund and hold it for life. He argues that a broad, inexpensive exposure to America’s 500 largest companies outperforms most active managers over decades. Buffett’s own will instructs...
Advantages of Owning Vanguard Total US and Total International Stocks ETFs Separately
Vanguard’s VTI and VXUS together capture the entire U.S. and international equity markets at a lower blended expense ratio than the all‑world fund VT. Holding the two ETFs separately lets taxable‑account investors claim a Foreign Tax Credit on non‑U.S. dividends,...
Learning to Manage Personal Finance With Smart Digital Tools
Smart digital tools are reshaping how consumers manage personal finance by providing real‑time visibility into spending, budgeting, and savings. Apps that track expenses, automate transfers, and set goal‑based accounts help users identify hidden costs and build disciplined habits. Integrated debt‑payoff...