Budgeting

In 2003, the Goldman Sachs Global Economics Department predicted the economic and geopolitical influence of Brazil, Russia, India and China (the BRIC countries) would become increasingly visible in the developed world. We revisit those countries here.

Grocery stores know all the shoppers tricks, which means that when comparative price shopping you actually have to compare all the prices to get the best deal.

There is no such thing as saving money buying something. You can go broke “saving money” this way.

I began my DIY journey learning about science, so it feels best to start you there as well.

Each spouse has different spending habits and values different things in life. This can easily lead to bitterness, or at the least, long discussions when the budget is reconciled.

If you budget well according to your values, a one-pocket theory of money enriches your life, prioritizing your financial dreams above your impulses.

We don’t write a lot about how to spend money, but an international study published this year claims to have found the route from wealth to well-being through spending money.

The Dave Ramsey website has a list of upcoming classes in the Charlottesville area with start dates varying from September 13 through October 11.

Financial planning is simply doing what it takes to give you the means to do what you want. The poorer you are the more you need financial planning. You don’t have any margin for mistakes.

Saving money is not enough. You need to save and invest.

“Develop spending discipline. People too often forget that the real enemy of investment is consumption.”

If you want to be really minimalist about your budgeting, here’s what we suggest: the 65-25-10 rule.

Endowment spending rates can prove a catalyst for fulfilling or killing the life of the organization itself.

Many feel helpless to direct their own success, but nothing could be further from the truth.

There are at least five reasons to hold cash. Without a good reason to hold cash, you may be holding too much.

With a little preparation, you can save and invest over your lifetime to meet your financial goals and dreams.

Having a budget as a boundary for your spending gives you the freedom to work within that boundary, and keeps you on track to save for your goals.

You probably know that you should spend less than you earn, but that is only part of the equation.

While your student loans may be a daunting sum, it is still possible to build wealth even while paying off student debt.

If a budget isn’t a team effort, one member of the family will hold the purse strings and everyone else will be resentful.

Too much leverage is risky because it endangers meeting your goals.

We tracked the price of a first class stamp over the last 130 years, noting the changes, to show the steady erosion in buying power during that time.

It is the season of spring cleaning, so here’s a calendar of ways to clean up your finances one step at a time.

This Schwab checking account provides six impressive services not true for most local banks.

Investment brokers like Schwab offer many services local banks offer but there are a few reasons why you might want to resist consolidating all of your accounts to a broker.

Changing where you drink soda is a small step, but enough small steps can make a huge difference in your savings.

David John Marotta was interviewed on WINA’s “Real Estate Matters” show with Michael Guthrie, talking about how it is still a good time to buy a house.

Here is a simple way to think about commercial property.

David John Marotta was interviewed recently on radio 1070 WINA’s Schilling Show discussing financial Christmas gifts.

Being prepared is always a good idea, but so is knowing the costs associated with being prepared.

Financial Christmas gifts don’t need to be a piggy bank. They can be more serious and more meaningful than that.

When Ryan Broyles scored a $3.6 million dollar contract after being drafted in the first round he did something quite rare – he sought as much advice as he could find.

Most tax professionals don’t think of such tax planning opportunities, because they have to focus on complying with tax accounting regulations.

Sometimes, there isn’t enough to do it all. Even then, fund your Roth.

The average married couple has dreams of multiple children, annual vacations, and homeownership, but planning for these expenses can be challenging.

This is a visual summary of the process of getting out of debt.

For those who do not want to be investors, a fast-track repayment may be best. But for those willing to save and invest, there is a better option.

You have laid a good foundation: you are out of debt (or out of bad debt) and you’re ready for a clean start. Commit to keeping your financial life that way.

After automating your entire investment plan, you can save and invest without even having to watch.

Real life rarely goes according to plan. Set aside time periodically to assess your progress.

Now that you know where you are headed and the steps you want to take to get out of debt, it is time to take action!

To get out of debt, you need an emergency cushion, a budget, and a plan of attack.

Make a list of all your debt and figure out where your money is going every month.

Most people are comfortable with having some debt (like a mortgage, for example). But how much is too much?

If you’re not wedded to the idea of owning a hard copy, there are many options to find classics for free as ebooks.

We are not normally fans of credit card offerings, but this one might be worth using as your primary card.

Often the needs and wants of the present take our attention at the expense of the future. You want a system that will prioritize saving without needing your constant attention.

The new holiday cliché is to complain about hyper-materialism, but gifts and gift giving help shape our identities.

Regardless of income level, overspending causes poverty.

Stop borrowing from your future self. Each day you fail to save is another day where you tighten the ball and chain around your ankle. You deserve better than that.