Retirement is a scary thing to think about. Many people think that they’ll never be able to retire, that they will be forced to work until they die. But it’s worth taking a look at what retirement is and whether … Read More … Read More
Radical Finances
It’s okay, you were never taught
I run a discussion group in Portland called the Portland Integrative Finance Community. It’s been tremendously satisfying for me, but the feedback I’ve gotten from attendees so far has been remarkable. Many people have mentioned how positive it was to … Read More … Read More
What is your financial net worth?
Have you lowered your bills recently?
This week, I managed to lower my phone bill by over 25%. It was easy, and didn’t even require a call into the (dreaded) customer service. But there’s nothing special about me and my situation, and you can do the … Read More … Read More
Enter the retirement mutant hybrid: the Roth 401(k)
When people think of employer-based retirement accounts like 401(k) plans, people often think that that implies pre-tax contributions. It’s only your own self-directed retirement accounts (IRAs) that have the post-tax (Roth) option. I used to be one of those people. But … Read More … Read More
Seriously, take the employer match
What if I told I could get you an immediate 100% return on an investment? Would you believe me? According to the American Benefits Council, 80 percent of full-time workers have access to a defined contribution plan such as a 401(k) … Read More … Read More
Financial cage match: ETFs versus mutual funds
I want everyone to be an investing expert. Thankfully, I also believe that simplicity in investing is best. Create a Roth IRA, put money into low-cost index funds, and repeat this every month. When I say “low-cost index funds”, I’m … Read More … Read More
A photo finish is a good thing when budgeting
If you’re like me, you may procrastinate, but you don’t like it. You don’t enjoy waiting until the last minute to get things done. And in general, it feels better to have some leeway, rather than cutting things close. However, … Read More … Read More
Does savings count as a bill or an expense?
Would I have done college differently if I had wanted to avoid debt?
I’m annoyed when I think about debt. It’s a thing that I want to get away from, like a snoring person in the room, or a screaming baby on the plane. I want it gone. When I was in high school, … Read More … Read More