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The Biggest Money Mistakes Couples Make
Tweet Share on Facebook October 18, 2010 Comment (43)Managing your own money is hard enough; add another person to the equation and it becomes an obstacle course: Does it make sense to combine bank accounts after moving in together? Should you pay off your credit card debt before getting married? Does the higher earner need to cover more of the bills?
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5 Best Ways for Young People to Give Back
Tweet Share on Facebook October 15, 2010 CommentEven when young people are strapped for cash, most of them still find a way to give: On average, people under the age of 40 donate about $1,200 a year, according to the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. But they don’t give in the same way that their parents do.
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When Do Charity Mailings Go Too Far?
Tweet Share on Facebook October 14, 2010 Comment (11)Today’s guest post comes from Michael of CreditCardForum.com, where he usually blogs about topics like credit cards for balance transfers and cash back credit cards.
Even in this troubled economy, it’s important for us Americans to remember how incredibly blessed our lives are. Just the fact that you are reading this post means you have access to a computer and electricity – a privilege that the vast majority of sub-Saharan Africa can only dream about. Because we have such an abundance of resources, I feel it’s our moral duty to help those less fortunate.
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When You Should Buy a House—or Not
Tweet Share on Facebook October 13, 2010 Comment (2)The following post has been adapted with permission from Kimberly Palmer’s new book Generation Earn: The Young Professional’s Guide to Spending, Investing, and Giving Back (Ten Speed Press).
Traditionally, the decision to buy a home was a relatively straightforward one: You made the purchase as soon as you could afford it. Buyers expected to spend about one-third of their pre-tax income on housing costs.
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Video: Best Money Tips for Young People
Tweet Share on Facebook October 12, 2010 CommentThis morning, I spoke with ABC News Now about the best money tips for young people, based on my new book Generation Earn: The Young Professional's Guide to Spending, Investing, and Giving Back, which comes out today. Number one? Saving one-third of your income. It sounds impossible, and sometimes it is, but it’s also the only way to guarantee financial security and a comfortable retirement. Investing in your career and paying off student loans are also on the list.
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5 Best Career Tips for Young People
Tweet Share on Facebook October 12, 2010 Comment (5)Even in the most prestigious and well-paying professions, job security is hard to find. Instead, financial stability now comes from treating yourself like your most important employee. That means investing in yourself, paying yourself well, and otherwise making sure you’re operating at full speed. These tips, based on the book Generation Earn: The Young Professional’s Guide to Spending, Investing, and Giving Back, will help you take your career to the next level.
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Guide to Understanding the Gift Tax
Tweet Share on Facebook October 8, 2010 CommentDear Alpha Consumer,
My mother’s house recently burned down. I usually help her with her finances, so I planned to put the insurance payment into my own account. That way, I can continue to handle all of her bills for her. But if I do this, will that constitute a gift, and will I need to pay gift taxes on it? Is there any way around paying gift taxes that still allows me to handle my mother’s finances for her?
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7 Ways to Avoid Debt
Tweet Share on Facebook October 7, 2010 CommentWhat is it about being rich that turns some people into spendaholics? In the latest example of celebrity excess, TMZ.com reports that singer Toni Braxton has filed for bankruptcy and owes between $10 to $50 million. Her list of debtors includes AT&T, the Four Seasons, and Tiffany.
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5 Tax Moves to Make This Fall
Tweet Share on Facebook October 6, 2010 CommentFall is the best time for last-minute tax planning because you still have plenty of time to meet end-of-the-year deadlines that can minimize your tax bill in the spring. Follow these five tips and you might even get some money back from Uncle Sam.
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Carnival of Personal Finance, Oktoberfest Edition
Tweet Share on Facebook October 4, 2010 Comment (19)Welcome to the Oktoberfest edition of the Carnival of Personal Finance! The Alpha Consumer blog focuses on making smart financial decisions, with special attention to major life stages such as college graduation, marriage, parenthood, and career transitions. Here’s a roundup of the best of the web’s money writers—they have a lot of tips for getting your finances in gear before the end of the year. The Carnival thrives on an open exchange, so in the name of encouraging comments, two people who comment below will be randomly selected to win a copy of my book, Generation Earn: The Young Professional's Guide to Spending, Investing, and Giving Back, which comes out next week. Enjoy!
