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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 21)

The Value of Competence and Mastery

Published Thursday, April 11, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

One of the most interesting personal finance concepts I’ve come across is the “Renaissance ideal,” which I first learned of from the writings of Jacob Lund Fisker. Fisker’s idea is simple: For every skill out there that people find useful, there is a level of ability of that skill where, if you’re below that level, you’ll pay someone else to do it for you, whereas if you’re above that level, someo […]

Guide to Combating Medical Debt

Published Wednesday, April 10, 2019 - 11:50 by The Simple Dollar

Overwhelming medical debt is the No. 1 reason Americans file for bankruptcy. […]

How I Shop for Things

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

One of the most common types of questions I get from readers is how exactly they should shop for something. How do you shop for clothing? How do you shop for food? […]

Ask the Credit Expert: Questions About Credit Limits, SageStream, and Old Accounts

Published Wednesday, April 10, 2019 - 08:00 by The Simple Dollar

Once a month, industry expert John Ulzheimer answers your credit questions, curiosities, and conundrums.  Q: Instead of opening a new account, which would lower the average age of my credit accounts, should I increase my credit limit on a secured card? Currently it is at $800. […]

LendUp Personal Loans Review

Published Tuesday, April 9, 2019 - 22:31 by The Simple Dollar

LendUp was founded in 2012 as a smart alternative to payday loans that could help consumers break the cycle of sky-high-interest debt. […]

Mariner Finance Personal Loans Review

Published Tuesday, April 9, 2019 - 18:00 by The Simple Dollar

Mariner Finance may not be a household name quite yet, but the company has grown tremendously since its founding in 2002. […]

20 Things You Can Do to Keep Your Car Costs Low

Published Tuesday, April 9, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

Cars are expensive. We currently have a family of five with one parent working outside the home and the other parent working at home with occasional need to go elsewhere. […]

Questions About Bagels, Airline Credit Cards, Mobile Homes, Refinancing, and More!

Published Monday, April 8, 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. Perfect life, and I’m miserable 2. Refinancing scam? 3. Thoughts on airline credit cards 4. Savings account with high balance 5. Day old doughnuts and bagels 6. Cars and net worth 7. Happier working at home? 8. […]

Your Career Is a Multimillion-Dollar Investment, So Manage It Wisely

Published Sunday, April 7, 2019 - 08:00 by The Simple Dollar

Over the course of a 40-year career, the average American with a bachelor’s degree can expect to earn about $1.8 million. When viewed by gender, the cumulative earnings shift somewhat, with women taking home $1.4 million over four decades compared to an average of $2.1 million for men, according to estimates by the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, […]

Inspiration from Marcus Aurelius, Roy Bahat, Bryn Freedman, and More

Published Saturday, April 6, 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. […]