Awareness

Student loan forgiveness is happening: Why it’s amazing (and futile?)

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I respond to the recent announcement of student loan forgiveness by the Biden administration. By now you’ve all heard the news: the Biden administration announced a $10,000 reduction in the balances of student loans for some borrowers, and $20,000 reduction … Read More … Read More

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Why do we care about the stock market’s daily moves?

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There is no practical reason for most people to follow the up and down moves of the stock market, and plenty of reason to ignore all of it. I listen to NPR a fair amount, mostly when I’m in the … Read More … Read More

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Can anyone become wealthy?

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There are two competing worldviews in financial success: that anyone can get ahead, and that no one can. So, can anyone become wealthy? After being a financial coach for a decade or so, I’ve learned that there are two primary … Read More … Read More

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Is now a good time to buy I Bonds?

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The inflation-adjusted Series I Bonds seems like a good place to park your money, but is that actually the case? Nothing here is financial advice. Please see my Disclosure Policy. I recently got this question sent to me from one … Read More … Read More

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Buy now pay later: Silicon Valley wants the money you don’t have

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Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) firms like Affirm, Klarna, and Afterpay have revived an age-old idea of helping people buy things they can’t afford. I’ve spent a good portion of my adult working life in companies aligned with, if not … Read More … Read More

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What high prices have in common with chili peppers

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The solution to the mouth burn from eating chili peppers is surprisingly similar to the solution to the recent rise in prices. Everyone is talking about high prices. I’m not sure everyone understands what’s going on with them, or how … Read More … Read More

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Going for my AFC certification: Taking the exam

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I share my experiences preparing for and subsequently taking the AFC exam, including lessons learned along the way. More in this series: Why I decided to go for my AFC® certification Where I was a year later How I got … Read More … Read More

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How to find out if you have secret savings bonds

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The U.S. Treasury has a site called “Treasury Hunt” where you can find out if you have savings bonds in your name (or not). When I was a kid, I remember there was a special on TV called “The Mystery … Read More … Read More

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Even when things go wrong, the world is an amazing place

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A brief meditation on perspective when things go wrong, in that so much that we don’t notice continues to be not only right, but amazing. My laptop died this past week. I was already planning on upgrading, as I knew … Read More … Read More

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The Target problem: Managing (over)spending at the Everything Store

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Target and other big retailers that sell a wide range of products present a challenge to those who wish to track their spending. Target has been around for decades, but it only hit my radar in college, when the first … Read More … Read More

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