It’s natural to want to give your children the best — perhaps a top-notch education to give them a leg up later in life or some of the luxuries you didn’t have growing up. The problem is that these days, the ways we can indulge our children are virtually limitless. The spending frenzy begins quite […]
When you make the painful decision to file for divorce, you know there will be some expenses, namely legal fees. But, the end of a marriage can trigger all sorts of costs, many of which soon-to-be-ex spouses don’t anticipate because they are (understandably) mired in the emotional aspects of splitting up. One big increased expense […]
When it comes to managing, investing and budgeting money, a little bit of planning and some advice from financial experts can go a long way. Take a look at our Smart Finances Guide below for tips and other advice that can help you plan your financial future accordingly. Interested in learning more and making savvier financial decisions? […]
Over the past few years, fundraising websites have leapt en masse to the forefront of the donating world. Although early iterations such as Indiegogo and Kickstarter, originally created to support funding of the arts, have been around for nearly a decade, newer sites like GoFundMe and YouCaring have become effective ways for people to finance […]
Sometimes, investing in the stock market can feel so nebulous — where is your money really going and how is it being used? Dave Miller, a former finance and real estate executive, started seriously pondering those questions about a decade ago after he purchased some farmland in Iroquois County, Illinois. He converted the land to […]
Steven Mesirow, grandson of Norman Mesirow, founder of the eponymous Chicago-based financial firm, is honoring the values he inherited from his grandfather in an innovative way. Mesirow says his grandfather espoused three key management principles: Be good to your employees; Treat your customers how you would like to be treated; Give back to your community. […]
If you want your children to do well in college, the answer may lie not in what you give them — but in what you withhold. A recent study found that as parental financial support increases, students’ GPAs often decrease. University of California, Merced sociology professor Laura Hamilton, who conducted the study, says that when parents […]
A new year brings new opportunities to evaluate your financial habits and create goals for the coming year. Ensure you’re beginning 2016 on the right financial foot with these tips: 1. Make smart goals. We know you’re not making dumb goals, but truly smart goals are: Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Timely For example, instead of […]
Is donating your car the best idea? Do good by donating your old car to charity. That’s what the charities tell you. But the reality is that you might do better selling your car to a used car dealer or to a junkyard and donating that money to charity. Here are the pros and cons […]
There’s no way around it — managing your personal finances is stressful. From 401Ks and Roth IRAs to credit reports and investment portfolios, there is a lot of information out there — none of it easily digestible. These seven apps make everything from budgeting to tracking spending to investing manageable, no matter what your knowledge […]
