The year was 1986. I was a junior in college and I had a new “McIntosh Plus” computer. This was the first computer I ever owned and I was not quite sure what I could do with it besides using the word processor to write papers. I had heard that many people were finding computers…
Budgeting
Cash is an Incredibly Compelling Scoreboard
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•Another simple way to budget is the cash/envelope method. If you examine your spending habits you will likely find that much of your spending is fixed. You can’t do a lot immediately about your mortgage or rent, car payment, or basic utilities. To quickly gain control of your budget your discretionary spending is usually the…
Budgeting
The Simple Budget
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•Now I will tell thee an unusual truth about men and sons of men. It is this: That what each of us calls our “necessary expenses” will always grow to equal our incomes unless we protest to the contrary… All men are burdened with more desires than they can gratify. – George S. Clason, Author…
Taxes
Tax Refund Tips
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•If you’re lucky you will be getting a tax refund check from the Department of the Treasury in the coming weeks. Here are some tips on how best to use your refund to assist you in accomplishing your financial goals: Don’t Spend Your Refund Before You Receive it: Many tax preparers offer loans against your…
Budgeting
“Budget” is Not a Four-Letter Word
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•“We can tell our values by looking at our checkbook stubs.” Andy Grove, Founder and CEO of Intel A lot of people have a serious aversion to the word Budget. You mention it and you immediately lose them. Their eyes glaze over, they look uncomfortable, and they try to change the subject. I think budgets…
Budgeting, Money Parables
If You’re Not Keeping Score, It’s Just Practice
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•I love basketball, and when I was younger played frequently. Sometimes in a pick-up game we would be playing hard, but no one was keeping score. After a while someone would say, “First team to 20 wins.” The intensity would immediately pick up, especially on the defensive end, and suddenly everyone became more focused. Other…