Some people want to believe that our country’s economic crisis is so complicated that mere mortals cannot understand it. Only economists and politicians (hah!) have the brain power and education to decipher the complexity of how subprime mortgages and tightening credit markets have caused this unprecedented crisis. Don’t believe them.
You see, in actuality, [...]

With Stampede Friday and Shop-At-Work Monday now behind us, I thought it opportune to reflect on some of the frequently frenzied purchases consumers “need” that I don’t.

Nintendo Wii – Perfectly happy pulling out my old school PS2 once a month to play Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Offline. We just don’t game enough [...]

Carrie Underwood made this comment in Allure magazine:
On money:
The Steinway piano she craves? “I have the space. It’s just waiting for the piano, but, you know, they’re expensive!” The SUV she desires? “They’re expensive, too!” She is still driving around in the Mustang she won on American Idol.
“But what if I don’t earn any more [...]

Here’s a unique way of looking at housing costs data. Take the average housing prices in the U.S. since 1890, adjust for inflation, then plot it on a rollercoaster.
Pay particular attention to 1997 onward.

via Consumerism Commentary

USA Today has an article that basically illustrates why young “adults” need better education in personal finance and economics. Read this paragraph:
Adults aged 19 to 35 do not believe they earn enough to keep pace with the cost of living, according to the report by Qvisory, a nonprofit online advocacy and service organization. [...]

I have a good handle on my personal finances, and have no problem using credit cards and paying them off each month. In fact, it can be beneficial to do so. Those who are carrying a balance on their cards or are prone to overspending shouldn’t follow my lead, but here are two [...]

Here’s a sarcastically hilarious article on the mortgage “crisis” via Free Money Finance.
On the heels of his plan to freeze interest rates on subprime mortgages for responsible homeowners who simply needed a helping hand, President Bush announced today he is ready to shift his attention to assisting the “stupid, irresponsible homeowners who knowingly bought houses [...]

One of the advantages of being a homeowner is that certain home improvement projects are sales tax free, if they fit the New York State’s guidelines of being a “Capital Improvement”. The tricky part can be determining what exactly qualifies as a capital improvement. The NYS Department of Taxation lays it out like [...]

Tomorrow marks a momentous day in my personal financial life – the day my college loans will be paid off. I believe in the philosophy that a person can live a debt-free lifestyle if they make it a priority, and since we have no credit card debt, the next highest interest rate loan we [...]

It’s been quite awhile since I’ve done a personal finance post, but having sold a house and bought another this year, it’s certainly a topic that’s been at the top of my mind. I’ve also been following a few personal finance blogs and ran across a great article on The Simple Dollar entitled “Everything [...]