Grandfather says he has some experience working hard and working smart.
In 1949, he worked for the Ford Motor Company on the 8N farm tractor assembly line. The 8N had a transmission cover that a hoist operator lowered onto the transmission as the ...
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A Child’s Wise Advice to Adults on How to Earn and Save Money
My daughter, Nina, is 18 years old today.
I know it's cliche, but I truly do remember the day she was born like it was yesterday.
I'm happy to say that Nina has always been a natural saver and good at managing her money -- and when it comes to ...
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A Layoff Story: The Ant, the Grasshopper, and the Honeybee
One of my favorite fables attributed to Aesop is The Ant and the Grasshopper. You know the story; the grasshopper spends all summer long partying it up like a rock star while the ant prepares for the coming winter by building a shelter and storing ...
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The Importance of Knowing When to Change Your Career Path
This article is sponsored by Capital One.
Capital One recently conducted a national survey and found that more than three quarters (77%) of Americans admitted that at some point in their career, they've taken a job that didn't align with their ...
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5 Nuggets of Financial Wisdom from The Thomas Crown Affair
The Thomas Crown Affair is a fun movie that grants the viewer permission to imagine a world where money is not a concern. It transports viewers to a world where private planes, yachts, European luxury cars, tropical excursions, fine art, and mansions ...
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True Story: What Happens When You Can’t Pay the Restaurant Bill
I didn't eat out too often as a kid, but when I did, you can bet I almost always enjoyed it.
I remember Dad always used to joke that he didn't have enough money to pay the restaurant bill. "Well, it looks like they're going to make us go into the ...
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Why It’s Better to Be a Shareholder than an Employee
A common theme on financial blogs is how to retire early and enjoy the financial freedom that goes with it. Living off of dividends, interest, and other forms of passive income requires being a serious investor. Here's my take on becoming a full-time ...
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5 Side Businesses You Can Start from Home
If you're one of the few people who can walk into your work and demand a raise, good for you! Most of us can't do that, but almost everyone wishes they had some more money in their pockets -- especially at the end of the month.
Luckily, there are ...
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If You Can’t Live on $40,000 Per Year, It’s Your Own Fault
Awhile back I described ten common characteristics of debt-free people.
In that article, I specifically asked my readers to consider this question:
"Why is it that there are families out there with household incomes under $40,000 comfortably ...
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100 Words On: Why Personal Responsibility Is the Key to Success
Nothing is easier in life than to blame the other guy when we encounter problems. That's because it takes real courage and integrity to look inward and take responsibility for all of the troubles that are a direct result of our own making. When we ...
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100 Words On: Why Luck Is So Overrated
We tend to give "luck" far too much credit for people's good fortune. Likewise, we often blame our own personal misfortunes on bad luck. While it's true that luck is often due to pure chance, more often than not it's the result of something we ...
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Amazing Small Business Ideas Anyone Can Do
Starting a business is one of the toughest ordeals. There's a number things to think about all of which will determine how well one begins.
Picking the right business may also not come in automatically. Times have changed and so have businesses. ...
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7 Tech Jobs That Desperately Need Women
With male domination in certain corporate sectors, it's refreshing to know that there are incredible careers waiting for intelligent, ambitious women. Tech-based employers, specifically, are looking for women to diversify their workforces, and a ...
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How to Get Promoted by Working Like a Politician
Getting promoted at work has more to do with politics than accomplishment, like getting a music or book contract, or inheriting a family fortune. It is possible to gain notoriety and success by doing as little as possible, just look at any politician ...
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If You Love Finance Then Maybe a Career in Insurance Is for You!
Woody Allen famously said, "There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance agent?"
If you love the challenge of creating a budget, are fascinated with market fluctuations and arent put off by a few ...
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The $100,000 Salary Benchmark Is Woefully Overrated
In 2004 my gross annual income crossed the magical $100,000 benchmark for the first time.
Reaching that milestone became a personal goal after graduating with an electrical engineering degree in 1988 and taking my first job at a salary of $31,000. ...
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12 ‘Sharing Economy’ Companies That Can Help You Earn Extra Income
If you're like some Americans, you may be struggling to make ends meet, living paycheck to paycheck without much savings to speak of. When you're in that kind of situation, every little extra bit of income helps.
Thankfully, there are ways to ...
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How to Get a Good Job When You Don’t Have a College Degree
Earning a college degree will go a long way in helping you land your dream job, but it's not always necessary. In fact, more and more employers today are passing up candidates with expensive degrees in favor of those who come to the table with ...
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10 Thankless Low-Paying Jobs That People Often Accept Anyway
Most everybody thinks they're underpaid for what they do. But in reality, there are a handful of select jobs where this claim is especially true.
Many years ago, I compiled a list of the 10 most underpaid jobs. The provocative list was a ...
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Which US States Offer the Biggest Bang for Your Buck?
I've always been fascinated by maps. Throw me a map of anyplace and I can be mesmerized for quite a long time. Don't ask me why; it's just how I am.
So I guess I shouldn't be too surprised that the other day I spent almost a half hour poring over ...
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