Small Business is the Future
Published January 29, 2012 | 
"Security was attained in the earlier days through the interdependence of members of families upon each other and of the families within a small community upon each other. The complexities of great communities and of organized industry make less real these simple means of security. Therefore, we are compelled to employ the active interest of the Nation as a whole through government in order to encourage a greater security for each individual who composes it . . . This seeking for a greater Read more [...]
Is Social in-Security Destroying America?
Published January 28, 2012 |
It's 2012. We live in a world that has known pension plans and a Government run Social Security system for over 75 years. As early as 100 years ago, company pension plans were not heard of. The handful of companies which offered any kind of 'elderly' pension rarely paid them out because ofvarious reasons such as mobility of labor changing companies, companies going out of business, and the employers changing the requirements.
In 1900, only 5 companies in America offered any kind of pension Read more [...]
Protect Yourself from the ‘Pillow Pet’ Bandit!
Published January 20, 2012 |
I taught my first class on personal finance and Stewardship today with 11 high school students. Wow! What an exhilarating experience. At first, the kids were a little lost over the whole concept of Stewardship. It took some time to get into it and for them to warm up to me. Then it hit!
Half way through the class, we started discussing a topic of Hyper-Consumption and Entitlement. During the discussion, the kids lit up to the idea of discussing Pillow Pets. Yes, you Read more [...]
Is Paying off My Mortgage a Wise Idea?
Published December 30, 2011 |
Almost daily, I am asked by one of my clients about whether they should make additional principal reductions to pay off their mortgage more quickly. Conventional wisdom and popular financial advisors tell us we should absolutely work to eliminate the mortgage and not have that payment. I do not agree with their methodology.
Before you get upset with me, let me explain why. According to Bankapedia.com, the average length of a mortgage loan before someone pays it off or refinances Read more [...]
A 15 Year Old’s Perspective
Published December 27, 2011 |
Christmas is a great time of year to spend with family and friends. This year, I took the opportunity to talk with my 15 year old nephew about his money perspectives. Here is what I learned...
Q: What do you want to learn about money?
A: The best ways to make it. What is a good salary?
Q: What do you do with money when you get it?
A: Spend it. Put it in the bank to save it.
Q: What will you spend the money you save on?
A: Whatever, stuff, Read more [...]
Why Your Kids Will Be Broke
Published December 14, 2011 |
According to the Trends in College Pricing 2010 & Trends in Student Aid 2010 The average student graduates college in five years, not four, and carries over $24,000 in student loan debt. That is debt they have from the starting line. IN addition to the student loans, the average college student graduates with $3000-4,000 in credit card debt. That means the average person graduates from college with close to $30,000 in debt and no guaranteed income.
Our financial system is broken. Read more [...]
Values of Money: Practicals in Diligence
Published December 8, 2011 |
In the last few days, I've been working with my girls on recognizing areas in which they see laziness and areas in which they are diligent. We've been noticing things like not cleaning their room, delays in doing their homework, procrastination, not following through on commitments they make, etc. These are not uncommon to many of the parents I talk with or hear from in my day to day pursuits. How do these character traits translate to our adult life?
I asked each of my girls to use Read more [...]
Values of Money: Lazy vs. Diligent
Published December 6, 2011 |
It's early in the morning, and the alarm goes off. What gets you out of bed?
I've wrestled with this thought for years. When I have an early appointment or something that needs to be attended to, I have no problem getting up to get going. Unfortunately, I enjoy sleeping in when I don't have anything pressing on my schedule. I've had to give this practice some serious thought recently as I started to study the Values of Money.
These values are not just in the area of money. In Read more [...]
Money, the root of all evil…Or is it?
Published October 25, 2011 |
Are Student Loans a Good Idea?
Published October 13, 2011 |
It's 2011. College costs are on the rise at about 6% per year. Parents and students are more concerned about how to pay the costs of a good education. Student loans become the answer for most parents.
I'd like to spend a few minutes reviewing the costs associated with getting a college education.
According to CollegeBoard.com, the 2009-10 costs for annual tuition and fees were as follow...
Public 2 Year school - $2,713
Public 4 Year school - In State $7,605
Public 4 Year Read more [...]
