Blog

Blog

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

Captain Obvious Reports: How not to have more credit card debt

Sometimes I like to get deep into the rabbit role with details. The post I wrote immediately before this detailed the ins and outs of rebalancing your investment portfolio. An important topic to discuss, but it’s hard not to be … Read MoreRead More

Balanced rocks

Am I making a mistake by not rebalancing my portfolio?

I believe that investing is a crucial step in your plan to become financially secure. So I recommend putting as much as you can into an investment portfolio like a 401(k) at work, or (especially) a Roth IRA that you … Read MoreRead More

Infinity pool

What to do when your account balance is different than expected

Balancing your household budget might be difficult to do, but it’s not complex. You just make sure that the money you have going out is the same amount that is coming in. (In this way, Charles Dickens’ Micawber was only half-right, … Read MoreRead More

Parrot

How I saved $600 in a year on my internet service

Ever since broadband to the home became commonplace in the 2000’s, the internet bill is one that most households can’t live without. As more and more people “cut the cord” on their cable bill, home internet service is as important … Read MoreRead More

Cherry Blossom

The worrying connection between long-term care insurance and the Roth IRA

I talked last time about long-term care insurance (LTCI), and how it can be a great tool to hedge against the incredible medical costs of things like nursing home care. This is, of course, assuming that the insurers stay in business, … Read MoreRead More

Heavenly Bow of Stars

Is long-term care insurance still a going concern?

Medical costs are scary. Medical needs definitely count as emergencies, but the costs can be incredible. I always recommend a savings of at least six months of bills and expenses in your emergency fund (here’s what that means for you), … Read MoreRead More

More about how not to get lost

In my last post, I started talking about how not to get lost. I believe everyone can both know where they are, as well as figure out where they need to go. All it takes is a little focused energy, patience, … Read MoreRead More

How not to get lost

People say I have a very good sense of direction. I guess so. I prefer to say that most people have an undeveloped (or rather, untapped) sense of direction. Just like I believe that anyone can become good with math … Read MoreRead More

Bungalows

Fear the timeshare

As I mentioned, I’m writing this from Las Vegas, the place where everyone goes in order to embody the experience of YOLO. It’s a dizzying place, with everything designed to disorient you. And hey, since you can’t seem to find … Read MoreRead More

Old Arrow Sign

The problem with YOLO

I’m in Vegas this week. Everyone has a strong reaction to that phrase, and it’s quite revealing about them. Sometimes it’s, “Ugh, Vegas, what a hellhole“, but more often it’s “Awesome! What kind of craziness are you gonna get up … Read MoreRead More