Blog

Blog

Musings on personal finance and more. Not written with AI since 2012.

You say “Socialism” like it’s a bad thing: Epithets and critical thinking

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Using speeches from Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan, I show that the word “socialism” has long been used to shut down critical thought. Words have power. You can use words to build an argument and make people feel good, or … Read More … Read More

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Are your employees worrying about money?

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A report on employees worrying about money at work suggests that employers should offer financial wellness as an employee benefit. I can help. Are your employees worrying about money? The answer is probably yes. If everyone wasn’t already worried, the … Read More … Read More

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Can you imagine life without debt?

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Being able to envision what it would be like to be free from debt can help motivate you to take the steps necessary to make it a reality. For many, debt is a way of life. Or rather, it has … Read More … Read More

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How to Start: A beginner’s guide to managing your money

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An overview of the first steps on the path to financial wellness, aimed at those who are just getting started. Recently, I was asked about what to do if you’re just getting started thinking about working on your finances. This … Read More … Read More

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The American Rescue Plan diffuses a student loan tax bomb

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The American Rescue Plan signed by Joe Biden makes student loan forgiveness tax-free, which has huge implications for millions of people. Boy, it’s nice to have adults running this country again, isn’t it? Paul Krugman of the New York Times … Read More … Read More

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Is it time for a Slow Shipping movement?

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I propose the creation of a Slow Shipping movement, like the Slow Food movement, to promote the pleasure of waiting for items to arrive. Have you heard of AliExpress? I hadn’t until recently. As far as I can tell, it’s … Read More … Read More

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Is it worth it now to buy Bitcoin?

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Despite the rise in price of Bitcoin, I urge caution against you trying to get rich quick, plus what you need to do before buying any crypto. Wow is Bitcoin trending in the news. First it was Bitcoin’s meteoric rise … Read More … Read More

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You’re not bad with money

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I don’t believe that anyone is truly “bad with money”. Instead there are other things at work, which thankfully can be addressed. When I speak with people about whether we’re a good fit for working together, some version of this … Read More … Read More

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You need a budget, but do you need You Need A Budget?

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I review You Need a Budget (YNAB) after having tried it for the very first time, and offer my thoughts on the service. “What money apps do you recommend I use?” is a question I get a fair amount. It’s … Read More … Read More

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Why a $15 minimum wage isn’t enough

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While current political discussions in the U.S. involve whether to raise the $15 minimum wage, I argue that that doesn’t go far enough. I’ve been watching the recent political wrangling around the new federal economic relief bill. Looks like now … Read More … Read More

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