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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 32)

Inspiration from The Avett Brothers, Stacey Abrams, John Wooden, and More

Published Saturday, February 2, 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. Dale Carnegie on conquering fear “If you want to conquer fear, don’t sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” – Dale Carnegie I’m an introvert. […]

Some Thoughts on Marie Kondo

Published Friday, February 1, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

Over the last few weeks, I’ve heard from a few readers who have asked me whether or not I’ve watched Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, a Netflix series that debuted early this year. […]

12 Strategies for Keeping Lifestyle Inflation in Check

Published Thursday, January 31, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

One of the biggest challenges that people face when they have a leap forward in their careers is that of lifestyle inflation. It might not seem like a problem at first glance, but it’s incredibly pernicious. Let’s back up for a minute. Lifestyle inflation simply means an increase in one’s spending as a result of an increase in one’s income. […]

Six Personal Loan Myths Dispelled

Published Thursday, January 31, 2019 - 08:00 by The Simple Dollar

While credit cards have been considered mainstream for as long as I can remember, personal loans don’t always receive the same respect. Many people think it’s totally normal to run up balances on credit cards, yet they balk at the prospect of taking out a personal loan. […]

External Validation and Personal Finance

Published Wednesday, January 30, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

I participate in a couple of online book clubs with a number of old friends (and friends of friends) who have been spread all over the country. In these clubs, we read a book a month and discuss them in an online forum with the understanding that we are exploring ideas and not necessarily trying to defend what we personally believe, but trying to understand the ideas better. […]

Build Your Emergency Fund by $100 a Month, Get 2.45% Interest: CIT Savings Builder Review

Published Wednesday, January 30, 2019 - 08:00 by The Simple Dollar

If you want to avoid spending your entire life worrying about money, having an emergency fund is a must. […]

UltraFICO vs. Experian Boost: Two New Ways to Build Credit

Published Tuesday, January 29, 2019 - 13:50 by The Simple Dollar

Two recent credit announcements are attracting the attention of consumers and financial institutions alike. That’s because for many years, your credit scores were 100% reliant on the information in your credit reports as reported by your current and former lenders. […]

Seven Personal Finance Lessons from the Government Shutdown

Published Tuesday, January 29, 2019 - 10:00 by The Simple Dollar

The government shutdown is over. Government workers have returned to their jobs and backpay should be arriving soon (if it hasn’t already). Things are back to normal… for now. However, it’s the “for now” part that should leave many people concerned going forward. In truth, the last month has been an incredibly valuable moment for learning for all of us. […]

Questions About Weddings, Roth IRAs, Shoes, Blankets, and More!

Published Monday, January 28, 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. Thoughts on caring for parents 2. Wedding question, part one 3. Wedding question, part two 4. Starbucks Visa 5. Books on home buying 6. Frugal running shoes 7. Roth IRA contribution question 8. […]

Above the Line Deductions You Can Take Without Itemizing Your Taxes

Published Sunday, January 27, 2019 - 08:00 by The Simple Dollar

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed at the end of 2017 will have a big impact on this year’s tax filing season — including some big changes to so-called “above the line” deductions that can lower your tax bill. Most common tax deductions, such as those for charitable donations or mortgage interest, are only available to filers who itemize — and, generally, it’s only worth itemizing if you can write o […]