Sleep is a wonderful thing. Not only does it improve our memory, fitness, intelligence and wellbeing, it can also make us financially better off. The phrase ‘to sleep on it’ denotes the delaying of a decision until the next day. And I was urged by my wife to do just that recently – right as I was about to commit to a large financial purchase, which I had managed to convince myself was a necessity. When I awoke the next day, however, it quickly became apparent to me that it was anything but. Thanks to the money I saved, taking […]
It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over
Yogi Berra, who died recently, was as much famous for his ‘Yogi-isms’ as he was for his distinguished professional baseball career. Indeed, it could be argued, it was these Yogi-isms that globalised his fame. By leaving his indelible mark on the English language, his influence went far beyond any one sport or country and extended throughout the English-speaking world. His legacy of wit and wisdom includes, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it”, “You can observe a lot by just watching”, and the celebrated, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” This last truism (‘a claim that […]
Taming the Plastic
Used correctly, 0%- or low-interest credit card balance transfers can be an extremely effective tool in paying off credit card debt as part of a planned personal budget. High interest debt is a bit like sugar in our diet, with credit cards being the financial equivalent of high-calorie desserts. Of course, just like a sweet treat, credit cards do have their place. Once card repayments start to dominate our finances, though, it’s like sitting down to an entrée of cherry pie, a main course of sticky date, and a desert of chocolate gateau. That once mouth-watering credit card quickly becomes […]
Simple Steps to Financial Freedom
If you were to ask them, most people would admit that they are not in control of their day-to-day finances. Anything in life that is out of control – even slightly – is preventing us from being all we can be. It doesn’t have to be this way, though. With some know-how and a little practice, you can become an accomplished money manager by setting and living by a budget. You can tame your finances to obey your wishes and enable your dreams. When training your money, the best place to start is with that most volatile piece of your […]