Who isn’t stressed out about the economy these days? Everyone wants to be in a good financial standing and make sure they are balancing their budget well. Military families have many of the same financial challenges as any other families, but they also face some unique obstacles. Constant relocations, extended deployments, a military spouse losing their job, and other stresses can quickly lead to financial troubles. Continue reading
Budgeting
The Acquisition Premium, or “I Want it Now!” Tax
THE OTHER day I was browsing my favorite Magic: the Gathering (MTG) websites for a specific card I wanted. [Yes, the Solvency Shark is a gigantic nerd, but before you mock me, consider this sobering fact: I have anywhere from five to fifteen rows of teeth in my jaws, depending on the species.]
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Continue reading What is envelope budgeting?
Envelope budgeting is an organized and simple method of saving to pay bills. You can use actual envelopes labeled with each spending category, such as: “Electric bill,” or “Savings for vacation.” There is also personal finance software that is created on the idea of envelope budgeting. Either way, envelope budgeting can be a powerful way to put you in control of your spending. Continue reading
What is the Automated Clearing House (ACH)?
Automated Clearing House (ACH) is an electronic payment system used by financial institutions for financial transactions. Continue reading
Ocean’s 16: the lottery curse redux
“The Lottery, with its weekly pay-out of enormous prizes, was the one public event to which the proles paid serious attention. It was probable that there were some millions of proles for whom the Lottery was the principal if not the only reason for remaining alive. It was their delight, their folly, their anodyne, their intellectual stimulant. Where the Lottery was concerned, even people who could barely read and write seemed capable of intricate calculations and staggering feats of memory.”
-from George Orwell’s 1984 Continue reading
Benefits and Qualifications for a Debt Management Program
A debt management program is one of the essential tools utilized by credit counseling organizations. It provides for a structured repayment of debt at favorable terms. You might pay a fraction of your normal interest payments, if you qualify. Continue reading
Gas prices falling due to winter blend gasoline
Autumn is finally here, and the kids are finally back in school. Of course, autumn has the more familiar name of “fall,” as we begin the transition from long, warm days to less sunlight and less heat. The leaves on the trees and the daytime temperatures aren’t the only things falling. While they are still higher than the historical average, gas prices in the US are falling once again! Continue reading
The Hedonic Treadmill
If someone gave you a brand new powerboat would you rather live Florida or New York? Most of us would say Florida because we would get to enjoy it more often. The months of use in Florida would make the boat more “valuable” to us than the month or two the boat would be useful in NY. When you think of getting a “good deal” what are the first things to come to mind? Continue reading
College Students: What To Do With Extra Cash?
Whether it is from a birthday, holiday, or savings from a job you worked – as a college student or recent grad it is a good feeling to have a few hundred unplanned bucks on hand. While it is tempting to finance your next party or buy some new kicks with that money it may be time to be a bit more fiscally responsible with your savings. Here are some ideas as to what young adults can do with a bit of extra savings. Continue reading
Effects of PCS on Military Families
A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) occurs when a military member moves from one duty station to another, usually taking their families with them. Moving frequently is known to be one of the greatest stressors, but for military families, who typically can expect to move an average of every three years, this effects is magnified. Specifically, these multiple relocations can have detrimental effects on the careers of the military spouses as it may lead to fewer job opportunities, less training, and lower wages. Continue reading
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