Archive for the 'Personal Finance' Category

On Michael Jackson, Debts and the Man In The Mirror

I was online when the news of the untimely death of Michael Jackson hit the internet.
And now, countless blog posts, personal tributes and other stories are everywhere (including this).
But anyway, personally, one of the most sobering articles I’ve read about Michael Jackson is his staggering $400 million of debt.
To many, this news came [...]

Easy Budgeting Strategies For Beginners: Try Creating This Simple Spending Plan

What are the things you spend your money on?
If you’re already in the habit of tracking your expenses, then I’m sure you could tell me exactly where your money goes.
However, if you’re someone who is not used to budgeting and creating a spending plan, your answer might be a random litany of your usual daily [...]

Reader Mail #7: I Don’t Know What To Do With My Money

For today’s reader mail, we’ll give advise to someone who has a problem we all wish we had – having money and not knowing what to do with it.
I know a lot of possibilities are now running through your thoughts. So what would you do if you have money? Start or buy a business? Invest [...]

Envelope Budget System Tutorial Video

One of the best ways to manage your budget is to use The Envelope System.
This budgeting method is so effective that it has become one of the recommended tools for personal finance.
I’ve already written about this topic before and if you’d like to know my personal 8 step action plan to creating a budget through [...]

Things To Know Before You Open A Checking Account

I asked some of my friends if they have a checking account and most of them said they have none. This doesn’t surprise me because opening a checking account is not usually a priority among people.
However, as your journey in the world of personal finance continues, chances are you’ll eventually need to open a checking [...]

Should You Save Money If You Have Debts?

Should you set aside money for your savings if you have debts you need to pay? My straightforward answer is YES.
But wouldn’t it be wise to pay all your debts first (specially credit card debts) and then work on your savings afterward?
By doing this, you’ll pay less on interests and you’ll get to eliminate your [...]

How To Build An Emergency Fund And Why It Is Important

Having an emergency fund is a necessity for everyone. It’s quite common sense to always have readily available cash for unforeseen expenses.
However, despite this fact, many do not have an emergency fund. And even if they do, it’s usually not enough.
I asked some friends if they have an emergency fund and fortunately, 6 out of [...]

Organizing and Keeping Financial Records and Personal Documents: How and Why

If you want to take control of your financial life, then you need to learn how to properly organize and keep your financial records and personal documents.
I know some people who actually don’t like filing such papers but I believe that it’s really a necessary task if one wants to move ahead financially.
Putting your personal [...]

10 Money Smart Tips For Buying Gifts This Christmas

Are you done with your Christmas shopping? I bet your list is not yet complete because no matter how often we hear the immortal advise to shop early for Christmas, we tend to still continue buying gifts all throughout the holiday season.
Personally, I start my Christmas shopping during the first two weeks of December. It’s [...]

Philippine Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Learning about the U.S. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act from playing the Bad Credit Hotel online game made me wonder if such laws also exist in the Philippines.
I know some people who have been harassed by credit card debt collectors and suffered a significant amount of humiliation from their family members and colleagues because of [...]

The Bad Credit Hotel Online Game

Are you suffering from too much debt? If so, then maybe you need to spend a night at the Bad Credit Hotel.
This online game was commissioned by the U.S. Treasury and the Advertising Council in America.
It hopes to teach young people about responsible credit card use and educate them regarding debt management and basic personal [...]

On Good Debt, Bad Debt and Ugly Debt

You probably heard of it before, the concept of good debt versus bad debt. If not, then I’m excited to tell you about it today.
Moreover, did you know that there’s also such a thing as ugly debt? I first encountered this term a few days ago and I’m also sharing my thoughts on this one.
But [...]

36 Symptoms Of Money And Financial Problems

Are you headed towards a financial disaster? You may not know it yet but your current lifestyle could be leading you into a pit of debt.
Financial problems usually creep and go unnoticed until it’s already too late and out of control. That’s why we need to be aware of the early stages of these money [...]

Credit Card Security Tips And More

Are you a credit card holder? If so, then you better practice some of these tips on how to keep your credit card secure.
Protect yourself from financial losses by following these simple security tips. As they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Moreover, you should also be aware of your consumer rights whenever you [...]

Your Guide To Choosing The Right Credit Card

Are you ready to get your first credit card or maybe thinking of getting a new one? If so, then here’s a guide to help you choose the right credit card for you. Don’t just fill out the first application form that’s been handed to you nor accept and use that pre-approved credit card that [...]