Earlier this week, we took a look at one of the big personal finance decisions out there–buying a car. But the price of the vehicle alone isn’t the only consideration. Unlike a blender or sofa, your shiny new mode of
The Real Cost of Car Ownership
Dealership or Want Ads: Deciding between a new or used car
When you’re looking at your personal finances, the big expenses stand out. That means purchasing a car is a huge consideration, and deciding between new and used can make your mind turn to mush. Do dealer and automaker incentives–like free
Saving for a Rainy Day (or for Singin’ in the Rain)
If you run your own business — like I do — your personal and professional expenses will overlap. So I understood exactly what commenter, Emma, was getting at when she posted this on Wednesday: My question is like this: what are
Math at an Indian Restaurant
I’m late posting today for good reason. I’ve been in New York City since Wednesday, attending the American Society for Journalists and Authors conference. And it’s been a blast! I rode up on the bus with hilarious humor writer, Michele Wojciechowski. I’ve met folks
Heading Back to Work: The childcare dilemma
Every day, around the world, countless mothers (and quite a few fathers) are considering the same question: Now that my kids are older, is it time to go back to work? The U.S. Census reported that there were 5 million stay-at-home mothers
Leaping into Self-Employment (Hint: Math helps!)
Deciding to leave a steady job with a steady income is a big step. Leaving in favor of working for yourself might seem like the craziest idea of all. Believe me. I know from experience. I’ve been a freelance writer for going
Trim Your Spending with Percents
The first step to becoming more financially stable is writing down what you spend — and being honest about it. But what happens when you subtract your expenses from your income, and you’re in the red? Pouring yourself a
Budget basics
your New Years resolution is to save money — or spend less — most financial folks will tell you one thing: you’ve gotta have a budget. This means figuring out what you earn and how to spend those earnings. Budgets can be
Shop on! With Percents
Everybody loves a sale, right? The thrill of the hunt, the sense of accomplishment when landing a great deal. But how many times have you reached the register and realized your purchase was more than you expected? Or have you
To Estimate or Not to Estimate: That is the question
Whether you’re buying gifts for under the tree or just taking advantage of holiday sales, December is one of those times when you might need some mental math skills. And while it can seem overwhelming to find out how much that 15%-off
The Math of Generosity
No matter what holiday you celebrate in December, the month has traditionally marked a time for charitable giving. The weather is growing colder in some areas, making it much tougher on the homeless. The end of the year is creeping
Energy Efficient? You do the math
You’ve heard the spiel: spending money to make your house more energy efficient can help you save big bucks. But is it true? How much can you really save by adding a programmable thermostat or weatherstripping windows? Or are these