The short answer: It Depends! (Updated 11/4/2017, and again in 6/10/2025.) At various times in our marriage, we’ve had more cars than drivers. Sometimes it’s been a headache, and other times it’s been a blessing. Our extra cars back in 2007 Back in 2007, my wife and I had three cars between us. Two of … Read more
Newsflash: Paying your bills on time keeps things happy and running smoothly. OK, maybe it’s not a newsflash. You likely understand this and have heard it many times already. But like most routine adult activities, the right system makes it much easier. My grandfather’s bill-paying activities My grandfather was an extremely frugal person. He was … Read more
(This post was published originally on August 26, 2005, and has been updated.) Banks compete for your credit card business. Consumer debt is very lucrative for them. As such, there are bonuses, perks, and rebates that they’ll throw at you to get their card in your wallet or purse. But first some words to the … Read more
How many do you have? Does this keep you up at night? Over the past few months I’ve found myself talking a fair bit on how many bullets I have. Although I have fired a gun a few times, I’m not talking about those kinds of bullets. I picked up this term from Brad Owen, … Read more
My wife did a Costco run after an appointment this morning. After she was done she lamented that it was going to be a big bill because meat (chicken in particular) wasn’t cheap. I said, “Nothing is anymore,” and she agreed. How to keep on budget, then, if prices keep going up? A recent jump … Read more
Some savings accounts are easy to get into. Others take more work — a lot more work. How easy is it for you to dip into your piggy bank? (This article was originally written on February 8th, 2008.) Did you have a piggy bank when you were younger? For many of us, a piggy bank … Read more
Want to retire? Watch out for these retirement killers and avoid them by doing the right things … Each year, every year, I get a year older. Likely the same is happening to you. And although I’m incredibly thankful for my job, I envision a time when (a) I may choose not to do it … Read more
Have a weekly or a biweekly paycheck? Do you get bonuses in your paychecks? I guarantee you do. Here’s a budgeting tip for you. Getting a regular paycheck is a blessing in many ways. There’s a stability in being an employee. A regular paycheck makes budgeting fairly straightforward. Straightforward enough that you can budget with … Read more