Tag: spending

Many young people have the misconception that as they grow older and advance in their careers they will have more disposable income, giving them the freedom to do what they like and buy what they want. However, as life moves along bills add up, college loans need to be paid, mortgages need to be secured and insurance needs to be kept up to date. Throw in kids and many people find themselves living paycheck-to-paycheck much longer than they ever expected.

Healthy love and compatibility in any relationship are wonderful qualities that can take you a long way. If your attitudes about money matters don’t match, however, warning bells could be ringing.

Have you had "The Talk" yet? You know, that talk about money?

Have you talked about those taboo topics like a personal budget, spending and debt issues? Do you know where that special someone in your life stands when it comes to savings, planning and overall financial awareness?

Some 56 percent of Americans say they want a partner who provides financial security more than all-consuming love (44 percent) according to a survey of more than 1,000 people by Bank of America Corp.’s Merrill Edge. The good news is that couples can boost both their love and finances with my trust-building tips:

1. Acknowledge that talking about money can be emotional and prepare accordingly. Choose a time when you're both relaxed and not rushed. Begin the conversation with something like "I know that our finances can have a great impact on the health of our relationship. I'd like to start talking about money so that we understand each other and can get on the same page."

NEW YORK (REUTERS) - If you thought children's birthday parties are little more than a couple of streamers, a few balloons and a cake, think again.

I just went to a 9-year-old's party that put most weddings to shame, with a luxury venue, a deejay and dance floor, gourmet food, unlimited video-game play, a bowling alley, laser tag arena and a multi-person staff that kept everything moving with military precision.

Money is often a very sore subject for couples to discuss, and it can often lead to fights between you and your spouse. But such behavior doesn’t resolve the financial issues, but instead only adds stress to your relationship with your spouse and provides a poor example for your children, who learn from observing how disputes are resolved in their own family.

These family disputes, mishandled, will set your children up for equally stressed relationships later in life when they need to discuss financial issues with their husband or wife and fall back on the behavior they learned from watching the two of you. This article discusses how you can successfully address and resolve financial issues with your spouse and how you can improve your own relationship while teaching your children a valuable skill.

I have a problem with money. My problem, though, is not that I’m reckless with it, that I go on shopping sprees or that I spend beyond my means. On the contrary, I hate gambling, I could care less about shopping, and I only use credit cards to collect points—which I later trade in for cash. My problem with money is not that I spend too much, my problem is that I have don't like to spend any at all.

I don’t know how or when I became so painstakingly conscious of money. Growing up, I had everything that I wanted or needed, so if anything, I should have grown up to value each dollar less.