We’re relocating from Arizona to New York because my husband found a good job there. While we’re happy to move, we’re sad to leave behind our house payment in Arizona. We had a 3.375 percent interest rate and a smaller mortgage than we’ll have when we move. In New York, our interest rate will be approximately 5.5 percent, and our mortgage will increase by 1/3. Ouch. However, … [Read more...] about Why We’re Not Paying Extra on Our New Mortgage
Debt
Why I Dined Out Constantly and How I Stopped
Years ago, when I worked full-time and my husband was a graduate student, we dined out several times a week in the evenings. In addition, I would go out to lunch with co-workers at least twice a week, and I would buy food at the college cafeteria the other days. (The food wasn’t that good!). I didn’t realize until a few years after I had stopped dining out why I wanted to go … [Read more...] about Why I Dined Out Constantly and How I Stopped
6 Signs You’re with a Financially Compatible Spouse
The more compatible you and your spouse are, the smoother your relationship. When you live with or are married to someone who shares your values, you can more easily work together to reach your goals rather than fighting because you have different views and values. This is especially true if you’re with a financially compatible spouse. Not fighting about money but instead … [Read more...] about 6 Signs You’re with a Financially Compatible Spouse
5 Issues that Financial Therapies for Couples Can Help Fix
You may think you have a healthy outlook on life and don’t have baggage. . .until you get married or move in with someone. When you’re single, you can manage your life in the way that works best for you. When you’re part of an established relationship, you must compromise and negotiate on different issues. This can be challenging, especially if your partner comes from a … [Read more...] about 5 Issues that Financial Therapies for Couples Can Help Fix
4 Things to Know Before Signing Up for a Joint Credit Card
When you and your significant other move in together or get married, you may reevaluate your finances. Should you combine finances or keep them separate? Should you share credit cards and bank accounts? As you talk through these issues and try to make the best decisions for your unique relationship, make sure you consider these 4 things to know before signing up for a joint … [Read more...] about 4 Things to Know Before Signing Up for a Joint Credit Card
July Net Worth Update – Up $9,377 to $386,959.70
Okay so I sat down and calculated my net worth last weekend. I'm up 2.48% from May. July's wealth total was $386,959.70, up $9,377.09 from May's $377,582.61. The major long term drivers of the growth have been: A. Appreciation of my condo unit. The value of the condo increased by about $1,000. B. Growth of my stock - I was able to make a substantial deposit of … [Read more...] about July Net Worth Update – Up $9,377 to $386,959.70
Rough Times: Pay Off Your Debts
If you're like us DINKs, you're probably wondering how to improve your financial bottom line. The recent covid related economic slowdown has torpedoed some people budgets, so some options for seeing immediate gains to one's net worth are limited. One way to immediately improve your bottom line is to pay off your debts. There are several advantages in doing so. First, … [Read more...] about Rough Times: Pay Off Your Debts
Couple has $232,000 In Debt – How Does That Happen?
I spend a lot of time on the internet, especially on personal finance blogs. Over this weekend I came across this posting. Evidently its written by a couple from Alaska. The interesting thing is...they have a lot of debt. Not just like a few thousand on a couple of credit cards, they owe about $232,000 in multiple vehicle loans, student loans, credit cards, and personal … [Read more...] about Couple has $232,000 In Debt – How Does That Happen?
How To Get 20% Returns
If you're a reader of personal finance blogs, you're probably wondering how to increase your wealth. There are many ways to go about doing this. One is to make your accounts more efficient, by increasing the amount of interest they pay or by improving your cash flow through reducing wasteful spending. However, to build serious wealth you'll want to maximize your returns. … [Read more...] about How To Get 20% Returns
What Is Actually Worth Investing Money In? Part 2 of 2
In Part 1 of this series, we looked at the stock market, real estate investing and cryptocurrency. Today, our main topics will include investing your money into debt (your own, others, lending, etc.), physical assets and CDs. Like always, I challenge you to do your own research to really figure out whether or not a type of investment in a good choice for you and your portfolio. … [Read more...] about What Is Actually Worth Investing Money In? Part 2 of 2