Open Source Blogging

I’m writing this article in a coffee shop, one that I hadn’t set foot in for several months. I’m sipping on a big cup of chai - and it tastes great. I look around at the environment, glance at the newspaper that’s also on my table, and I realize that this is a very nice little morning treat for myself.

A couple years ago, I used to … Continue Reading

I found this radio show online about Dan and Mary who found themselves under pressure about money, managing their money, and even went to a Dave Ramsey seminar but that did not fix things. Finally Dan and Mary decided that they had to split.

I think what resonated with me is that the issues that Dan and Mary discuss are very typical emotions and issues that I hear among couples wedged apart over money, credit, and debt issues.

But the story takes a unique twist, they got back together but found a way to not let money come between them in a … Continue Reading

More than two-thirds of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product derives from everyday stuff like dining out, buying a new shirt or visiting the dentist. About 14 percent stems from private investment, for instance companies purchasing new machinery or building new factories. And the rest comes from government spending on things like bridge building, schools, and defense.

And if consumers did spend less, and saved more, that could eventually boost GDP in other ways. That’s according to Louis Johnston, an economics professor at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University.

Johnston says if consumers started saving instead of spending, GDP could … Continue Reading

The recent bailout of several major financial institutions by the United States government has raised concerns of a “credit crisis” in America. Borrowing money has certainly become a favorite pastime, with the US government alone in hock for over ten billion dollars. And with the average American owing more than $8,000 in credit card debt, paying everything back is going to take a while.

Fortunately, there are companies that can help reign in debt. That’s why, after hearing a commercial on the radio, President George W. Bush made a call to (555) BIG-DEBT, the number for the Big Debt Credit Counseling … Continue Reading

Article by Zen Habits contributor Jonathan Mead.

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying before “do what you love and the money will follow.” It’s a very cliched and abused axiom. Sometimes the money does follow when you do what you love. Sometimes the magic works. But most of the time, it does not.

When translated into reality, the old saying usually turns into “do what you love and find a way to make it popular and the money follows.” Or “sell your soul and the money follows.”

On the other side of the problem is that if you’re going to make … Continue Reading

Richard wrote to me through the GetOutOfDebt.org site and asked the following question. If you have a credit or debt question you’d like to ask just use the online form. I’m happy to help you totally for free.

Income from the GetOutOfDebt.org site advertising is used to help alleviate poverty. If you would like to help me to help others, there are easy and free things you can do, click here to learn how you can help.

“Dear Steve,

I’m considering both John Cummuta’s and Dave Ramsey’s systems to get out of debt and build wealth.

Which is better?

Richard”

Dear … Continue Reading

Jonathan wrote to me through the GetOutOfDebt.org site and asked the following question. If you have a credit or debt question you’d like to ask just use the online form. I’m happy to help you totally for free.

Income from the GetOutOfDebt.org site advertising is used to help alleviate poverty. If you would like to help me to help others, there are easy and free things you can do, click here to learn how you can help.

“Dear Steve,

I’m a 30 year old married man, 2 children. My wife lost her six figure a year job in … Continue Reading

As I’ve mentioned before, my hometown was flooded during the Mississippi River Flood of 1993. It was a painful yet formative experience, as it showed me how incredibly powerful a united community can be.

One thing that’s been on my mind recently, in the wake of the 2008 floods in the upper Midwest and the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, is how many people are unprepared for devastation. When a disaster comes, whether it be … Continue Reading

Each Monday, The Simple Dollar opens up the reader mailbags and answers ten to twenty simple questions offered up by the readers on personal finance topics and many other things. Got a question? Ask it in the comments. You might also enjoy the archive of earlier reader mailbags.

As usual, we’ll start things off with a few links to older articles that directly answer questions I’ve heard recently.
My thoughts on Dutchmen buying tulips in the year 1637
What’s compound interest?
What does compounded monthly mean? What’s an APR and an APY?
And now for some … Continue Reading

Recently I wrote a post and mentioned fear and blogging in the same sentence. See Open Source Blogging - One Point of View.

That really made me think about how beneficial the concept of open source blogging really is. If you let go of the fear that someone may “borrow” your work and instead just concentrate on producing content, imagine the relief that you will feel.

It’s a bit like that old expression, “You don’t own your stuff, your stuff owns you.” A couple of years ago we moved from the United States to the UK and I think we got … Continue Reading