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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 26)

Be Super Cheap on Everything That Doesn’t Matter… But What Doesn’t Matter?

Published Thursday, March 14, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

The core of the personal finance philosophy I offer here at The Simple Dollar is really simple. Spend less than you earn, make that gap as big as you can, and bank the difference. That’s pretty much my entire personal finance philosophy in a nutshell, but it naturally leads to lots of other ideas and strategies. […]

Some Thoughts on Figuring Out Where to Live

Published Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

The other day, I had a long conversation with a younger relative about the decision making process that Sarah and I went through to decide where we currently live (on the edge of a town in rural Iowa). Why did we end up choosing to live here? […]

OppLoans Installment Loans Review

Published Tuesday, March 12, 2019 - 11:09 by The Simple Dollar

OppLoans was founded in 2010 as an alternative to pricey payday loans that charge exorbitant interest rates and trap consumers in a cycle of debt. While these loans may indeed be considered “personal loans,” OppLoans focuses on offering short-term installment loans to high-risk borrowers. […]

The Low-Effort and Big-Savings Garden

Published Tuesday, March 12, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

My wife and I plant a vegetable and herb garden every single year behind our house. We have several slightly raised boxes, one of which is devoted to perennials (meaning things grow every year, so there’s almost no maintenance there). Over the years, we’ve come to really appreciate vegetables and herbs that are what you might call low effort and big savings. […]

Best Egg Personal Loans Review

Published Monday, March 11, 2019 - 21:32 by The Simple Dollar

Best Egg is a highly-rated direct lender who offers personal loans through a simple, fast process that can be completed entirely online or over the phone. […]

Credible Personal Loans Review

Published Monday, March 11, 2019 - 15:31 by The Simple Dollar

Borrowing money may not always be ideal, but there really are times when taking out a loan is the best way to reach your goals. You may benefit from borrowing money to consolidate debt at a lower interest rate, for example. Borrowing money for college can also benefit you, as an investment in your career. […]

Questions About Velocity Banking, Tipping, Podcast Basics, and More!

Published Monday, March 11, 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. Early 401(k) withdrawal? 2. Preparing children for success 3. Velocity banking 4. When is it “good enough”? 5. Tipping question 6. Financial outpatient care and choices 7. Freezing and reheating soup 8. […]

Do Your Finances Spark Joy? Applying the ‘KonMari’ Method to Your Money

Published Sunday, March 10, 2019 - 08:00 by The Simple Dollar

Take a look around your home at all of the “things” filling each room. Now ask yourself this question as you survey the crammed closets, cluttered guest bedroom, or overfilled garage: Do all of these things bring you joy? Answer honestly. […]

Exploring the Connections Between Your Intellectual Life and Your Financial Life

Published Saturday, March 9, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

This is the third entry in an eight part series exploring the connections between your finances and other areas of your life. A few weeks ago, I started a series exploring the connections between personal finance and the other “spheres” of my life. […]

Saving Money with Homemade Pizza and Family Movie Night

Published Friday, March 8, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

It’s kind of a Friday night tradition for our family to have pizza and watch a movie together. For our family, the regular plan is to make or order two large pizzas so that we have plenty of leftovers for weekend lunches. This typically costs somewhere around $30 if we buy it at the store. However, if we make it at home, the price drops to somewhere around $10 for both pizzas combined. […]