Dear Dave, My wife and I are in our late twenties, we have no debt, and our household income is about $180,000 year. We’re thinking about building a home, but we’re not sure whether to build just for us, or maybe building a multi-family place so we could live upstairs, rent the rest, and make…
Never Send Unsolicited Money to the SSA
Every once in a while, I get an email from a reader with a horror story of sorts involving sending unsolicited money to the Social Security Administration to pay back benefits that were received but were not due. Here is my advice: Never send money to the SSA until you are asked to do so….
How Can the American Rescue Plan Act Help Your Family?
Dear Readers: With most eligible individuals having already received their $1,400 stimulus payment, it’s easy to overlook some of the other benefits of the recent American Rescue Plan. Of course, the extra money upfront will make a significant difference to many struggling families. And even if you’re caught up on your bills, these economic impact…
3 Reasons You Should Finally Start That Business You’ve Been Dreaming Of
My mom is the most amazing woman on the planet. When she was 34 years old, she suddenly had a baby to raise on her own (me). With only $64, she needed a job. So, she got scrappy and decided to use her baking skills to earn money. She started out by renting a small…
Live Like the Money Isn’t There
Dear Dave, I’m 24, single, and I make $60,000 a year. I’m also debt-free and live in an apartment, plus I have about $550,000 in a brokerage account that’s made up of 75 percent mutual funds and 25 percent single stocks. The money in the brokerage account was originally an inheritance of $280,000 that has…
How Can I Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck?
Dear Carrie: I’m a single mom with a decent income, but I’m always living paycheck to paycheck. How can I break that cycle and start to save, not only for an emergency but also for my bigger goals like retirement and maybe even a home?—A Reader Dear Reader: Living paycheck to paycheck isn’t uncommon these…
Money Myths: 10 Ways We Fool Ourselves About Managing Credit
Dear Readers: April Fools’ Day can make for a good joke, but there are certain myths about money that, if not dispelled quickly, are no laughing matter. Misconceptions about credit and debt are right at the top of the list. Here are 10 common beliefs about credit that can lead to financial trouble. Don’t fall…
Help Her Get Back Out There
Dear Dave, Our daughter recently moved back in with us after she lost her job and her apartment. She hasn’t been able to find full-time work yet, and she had nowhere else to go. My husband and I are nearing retirement age, so we want to do the best and smartest thing to help her…
The 3 Rules About Social Security Checks Everyone Should Know
There are some basic facts about when and how Social Security checks are due and delivered that confuse many people. To help you understand, here are three rules about getting Social Security checks that everyone needs to know. No. 1: Social Security benefits are paid one month behind. In other words, the benefit payment for…
How to Teach Your Kids About Money
If you guys have been hearing the term “financial literacy” a lot, there’s a good reason—it’s one of the most important money-related topics! And that’s why April has been named Financial Literacy Month. I’m a huge believer in financial literacy for everyone, but this stuff is especially important if you have kids who are in…
-
Recent Posts
-
Archives
- May 2025
- April 2025
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- September 2013
- July 2013
- March 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- December 1
-
Meta