If you've got a child entering college in the near future, hopefully, you've also got a 529 account in place and ready to cover some of the costs of tuition and all the other associated expenses. Keep in mind, you can withdraw money from a 529 plan at any time for any reason.
Read MoreThere are so many decisions to make when your child is approaching college age. My own daughter is a junior in high school right now, and I can tell you firsthand that the choices, opportunities, and possibilities seem endless! Among the first decisions you should consider is whether community college is a good fit for your child.
Read MoreBe honest: what do you think when you hear the word budget? If you are like most people, maybe you think about spreadsheets and restrictions and self-denial and past failed attempts at reigning in your Amazon purchases.
First, let's call it a "spending plan", not a budget. Semantics, I know, but putting it in terms of spending puts you in the right mindset.
Read MoreLast week the world lost one of its great thought-leaders. John "Jack" Clifton Bogle, founder of Vanguard and highly influential crusader for investors’ rights, died in Bryn Mawr, PA, on January 16th at the age of 89.
There have been no shortage of accolades and amazing quotes about the legacy of Jack Bogle from the heavy hitters in the finance industry. One of my favorites is by Warren Buffet:
Read More“Jack Bogle has done probably more for the American investor than any man in the country.”– Warren Buffett
If you were born in the 80s or earlier, you are probably very familiar with the USDA food pyramid, which is supposed to guide us all on how to eat in a nutritionally sound way for maximum health. Well, we can now see an Investment Pyramid (notably, NOT put out by the USDA) that can provide some structure around how to invest in a sound way and maximize your wealth over time.
Read MoreSome of you may remember the book by Thomas Stanley and William Danko called “The Millionaire Next Door”. It was released in 1996 and quickly became a New York Times Bestseller. I was newly married at the time and already had a strong interest in personal finance topics thanks to my dad. I read the book and it had a big impact on my life. And if you liked the book back then, I've got great news! They just released the next iteration of the book, called The Next Millionaire Next Door.
Read More