Radical Finances

Monkey face rock

If you’re still unsure about what method to use to pay off your debt

If you’re like most people, you’ve got some form of debt. It could be a car loan, it could be credit cards, or it could be “good debt” like student loans. No matter, it’s got to go. You need to get … Read MoreRead More

Crosshairs

Do you want to invest in a target date fund?

In 2006, Congress passed the Pension Protection Act. It’s a scintillating read. Among much else, it provided statutory authority for employers to enroll workers in retirement plans automatically, and also established criteria of “safe harbor investments” to protect employers from … Read MoreRead More

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

Light blobs

The problem with wanting “more”

“I wish I had more money.” I hear this at discussion groups, coaching sessions, and even just conversations with friends. I can’t help but remember that commercial from my childhood for a trade school, with Sally Struthers as spokesperson: “Do … Read MoreRead More

Roulette wheel

Where do you put short-term savings?

I was asked this question recently: “I have about $10,000 that I don’t need to touch for a while, and I was thinking of investing it so I could make the most of it. Where do you recommend I put … Read MoreRead More