Category Archives: Money

Finances, salary, compensation, and the value of being cheap

Posted on

A Thousand Discussions

Many conversations about money lead to marital growth

Someone once asked how my wife and I got on the same page financially. I thought for a moment before answering, “A thousand discussions about money.”

DSC_2048_

Our financial growth started in 2009 while listening to Financial Peace University on a road trip. We kept pausing the audio to discuss the concepts. It was all brand new to us, so we needed to figure out how we would apply what we were learning.

Getting on the same page with your spouse is not a quick process. That was the first of a thousand discussions which have dramatically improved our marriage.

All because we began to agree about money.

Posted on

Why Do You Need Credit?

A case study on the usefulness of debt

Most people believe they need credit. They might be right, but let’s think about it before we assume it to be true.

TR143405_

Imagine a family has a mortgage on the house and two car payments. They refinanced student loans at a low interest rate last year, and they pay off the credit cards every month. They live on less than they make, although just barely.

Does this family need a good credit score?

Posted on

What You Can’t Do Without Credit

The consequences are not what you would expect

What if you reject credit entirely? What are the consequences? It turns out there are a few things you can’t do without credit. Take a look at the list and see for yourself.

DSC_5064_

Note: Common myths have been corrected in the list below.

Posted on

Renting Out of the Box

Unique living situations might be just what you need

When you imagine renting, what comes to mind? Maybe an apartment complex with a club house. Or a community of single-family houses with yards. Or 12-month lease agreements with security deposits. Fair enough. But what about the other scenarios for renting which might work out better for you?

IMG_6481_

Thinking outside the box is critical to mastering strategic living. A large part of getting out of the rat race of money and materialism is finding solutions no one else is doing.

Why shouldn’t this apply to where you live?

Posted on

Future Me is Not Going to Like This!

The struggle for long or short term control of your money

Meet my two personalities — it’s just possible they make you think about your own. Future Me is quiet, patient, and wise. Good for him. On the other hand, we have Present Me. Let’s just say he is a bit impulsive.

TR142364_

They’re so different. One has no concept of the future, while the other will not be sweet-talked into what feels good at the time.

Interesting things happen depending on who is steering the ship.