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The Simple Dollar

Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world.

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Latest Posts from The Simple Dollar (page 17)

The 70-10-10-10 Budgeting Model

Published Thursday, May 9, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

This post, like many others, started off as a mailbag question and wound up taking more space to explain and discuss the idea than could reasonably be included in a mailbag post. Kevin writes in with a great question: Have you ever heard of 70-10-10-10? Is it a good idea? 70-10-10-10 is a budgeting strategy popularized by the late Jim Rohn. The idea is really simple on the surface. […]

Good Decisions and Optimum Decisions

Published Wednesday, May 8, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

Let me tell you a familiar story, one that I’ve heard variations on many times from reader mailbag submissions and one that I witnessed a few times back in my office days. Someone decides that they want to start contributing to their workplace retirement plan, which is a pretty good move for almost everyone. They go in to the HR office to sign up, only to find that there are a lot of options. […]

Will Consolidating Student Loans Help Your Credit Score?

Published Wednesday, May 8, 2019 - 09:31 by The Simple Dollar

In the United States, some 44 million borrowers currently owe more than $1.5 trillion on loans they took out to finance their education. So, if you’re sitting on a pile of student loan debt, it’s safe to say that you’re not alone. To cut to the chase, the answer to whether consolidating student loans can improve your credit score is yes – at least for some people. […]

Eight Big Financial Moves That People New to Frugality Often Overlook

Published Tuesday, May 7, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

When people first start digging into frugality, they often look at the simplest moves, the low hanging fruit that can save a little bit of money with little effort. […]

Bank of America Auto Loans Review

Published Monday, May 6, 2019 - 19:53 by The Simple Dollar

There are plenty of reasons to consider applying for an auto loan before you head to the dealership. Applying early can help you determine the interest rate you can qualify for — and how much you can afford to spend on a car. […]

Questions About Banks, 401(k)s, Old Microwaves, Audiobooks, and More!

Published Monday, May 6, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

What’s inside? Here are the questions answered in today’s reader mailbag, boiled down to summaries of five or fewer words. Click on the number to jump straight down to the question. 1. Budgeting for “discretionary money” 2. Bank recommendation 3. Advantages or drawbacks to marriage 4. Buying a beginner bike 5. Finding a good campground 6. Spending less on food 7. […]

Is Your Retirement Plan to ‘Just Keep Working’? Three Reasons You’re Taking a Big Risk

Published Sunday, May 5, 2019 - 08:00 by The Simple Dollar

If your retirement plan is simply to keep working, you’re taking a very big risk. You may think the solution to not having enough money to retire is to work beyond the traditional retirement age of age 65. Just remember that life is full of surprises, and not all of them are pleasant. Holding down a job as a senior citizen can be difficult. […]

Inspiration from Sathya Sai Baba, Stephen Fry, Son Volt, and More

Published Saturday, May 4, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

Once a month (or so), I share a dozen things that have inspired me to greater personal, professional, and financial success in my life. I hope they bring similar success to your life. 1. Bob Dylan on regrets “I don’t believe in regrets. Regrets just keep you chained to the past. You gotta make peace with the past. There’s no reason to regret it. […]

Minimizing the Expenses of Working from Home

Published Friday, May 3, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

Megan writes in with a great question: Hi Trent! I am hoping your years of experience working at home can help out here. My husband started a new job on January 1 where he works from home. We were excited for this change as we have a preschool aged child and the flexibility of his new position could really help out with child care. […]

The Five Things You Need to Achieve Your Financial Goals

Published Thursday, May 2, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

Given the enormous differences in the financial situations of different people, it’s easy to buy into the idea that those different stories have very little in common. […]