Here is the next installment in our the Reader’s Questions Series which highlight questions emailed to me by you, the readers of Money Q&A. Be sure to find out at the end of this article how you can receive a free copy of Dave Ramsey’s book, The Total Money Makeover if your money question is chosen to be featured on an upcoming week’s blog post.
If you're not familiar with Dave Ramsey's book, you should run right out and get it. It is one of my the best personal finance books that everyone should … [Read more...] about
Archives for October 2011
Why You Need Umbrella Insurance
I’m scared to death of getting sued. We now live in a litigious society where everyone is very quick to sue anyone for almost anything. The potential damage to your personal finances after getting sued, even if you win the case, can be devastating. Often times, your insurance company will settle a case for you, but you could quickly find your rates rising or your coverage being canceled altogether. There is one way to protect yourself from a potential lawsuit swamping your liability coverages on your insurance policies and reaching … [Read more...] about Why You Need Umbrella Insurance
How to Make Easy Money Selling Online with eBay Arbitrage
Have you ever wondered where people get the things that they sell on eBay or Half.com? Have you ever stalked an item on eBay? My wife used to desperately want a crystal Tiffany’s iconic blue box. For weeks, I stalked the item on eBay in order to get it for her for Christmas one year. I was barely able to find it in time. I almost had to pay full price for the crystal box. Have you ever seen items in stores that you know are selling for a higher price on eBay? Have you ever seen items on a website that you know sell for a higher price on … [Read more...] about How to Make Easy Money Selling Online with eBay Arbitrage
Would A Crazy, Wacky Piggybank Help You Save More?
I was walking around Target the other day when I ran across this shelf of piggybanks that are featured on this picture. And, I just had to snap this picture. I wondered if having a personalized piggybank will help inspire you to save more money. I have a jar sitting on my dresser that says "casino money" right on the front of it. It is one of many that you can buy that lists what your savings goal is. I have seen others that say things like "new car", "down payment", "vacation", etc. Mine just happens to say "Casino Money" because I have a … [Read more...] about Would A Crazy, Wacky Piggybank Help You Save More?
The Only Two Numbers You Should Measure in Your Finances
What do you measure in your life? Do you count calories? Do you count how many visitors check out your website everyday (or every hour if you are me)? You should be counting things in your life. Counting implies that there is a goal in the end that you are counting towards something in the end. Thos with a goal have been shown in studies to ultimately be more successful in life. A study of Harvard MBA students in 1979 who were followed for ten years found that the 13% of the class who had made goals for themselves were earning, on … [Read more...] about The Only Two Numbers You Should Measure in Your Finances
Three Types of Insurance You Need to Buy Now to Protect Yourself
Insurance is one of those topics that people do not want to discuss. No one really wants to think about when they will die, getting sued, or becoming disabled.
But, the people who are hurt the most are our family members when you do not have the proper insurance plans and coverages. Unfortunately, there are many types of insurance that you need to consider owning. Below are some of the most critical ones.
Three Types Of Insurance You Need
Term Life Insurance
I’m a huge fan of term life insurance over whole life insurance. This, in … [Read more...] about
Dissecting My Twelve Loans That Defaulted On Lending Club
Last week I made a horrible confession. I am a greedy investor, or more importantly, I WAS a greedy investor when it came to my Lending Club account and investing in peer to peer lending loans. But, I have learned the errors of my ways. I love Lending Club and the idea of earning a great rate of return by investing directly in peer to peer loans of people who need funding and may not otherwise receive it. So, I’m not giving up on investing in peer to peer lending through Lending Club. I’m trying to be a better loan picker and evaluator. So, … [Read more...] about Dissecting My Twelve Loans That Defaulted On Lending Club
Young Investors Hold Too Much Cash in Their Portfolios
A recent survey by MFS Investment Management, the nation’s oldest mutual fund company, found that young investors are staying away from the stock market and holding large cash positions. In fact, the survey shows that the youngest investors, those of Generation Y, are actually increasing their cash positions in their nest eggs while shunning the stock market to a large degree. While it can make young investors have a little better feeling when they try and simply protect their principle, far too many young investors have too much of their … [Read more...] about Young Investors Hold Too Much Cash in Their Portfolios
How I Got Greedy And Lost My Shirt With Peer To Peer Lending Loans
I completely messed up investing in peer to peer loans through Lending Club by being greedy. Jim Cramer is famous for saying that both bulls and bears can make money, but pigs get slaughtered. What he means is that it is one thing to make money or make a living with your investments. But, to try and make a killing on them, you will often be crushed by those very same investments. I’m ashamed to say that I got greedy with my Lending Club investments and tried to push the envelope, and I got burnt. Keep reading to see what happened and … [Read more...] about How I Got Greedy And Lost My Shirt With Peer To Peer Lending Loans
Savings In The Age Of Austerity
Ever since the world economy went belly up in 2008, life has been harder for all of us in the age of austerity. One particular group who have felt the pressure more than most are savers. Central banks across the Western world have set interest rates ever lower - so low in fact they can barely go any lower at all. This, of course, means that savers who keep money in bank accounts are feeling the pinch more than others as their money isn't benefiting from very good interest either. There are some routes that can be explored to see if we can … [Read more...] about Savings In The Age Of Austerity