Debt sucks!!!! Seriously it does. But there are different types of debt and interest rates are generally the best way to determine which is which. If you equate debt with credit or credit cards that might be part of the problem. They seem to be two sides to the same coin but smart money managers only deal with the credit side. Hopefully all of these things seem obvious but when you're trying to make ends meet its easier to look at the options available to spend than it is to see the ways we can cut spending. Where are your priorities? Imagine a monthly bill of $10 dollars. Maybe its a Netflix subscription or Pandora One that keeps taking a small amount of your monthly income. Now imagine living without it for an entire month. Some of these things we use nearly every day and its much easier to fork over what seems like a small cost in exchange for something that we would miss   having on a regular basis. But lets say a couple of these small monthly costs sit in your budget un...

They say money talks but we have an aversion to talk about money ourselves. It's a very personal topic and everyone you know is in a different place. That's why keeping up with the Joneses is an attractive way to follow money wasters into debt. We don't know where someone's at and its none of our business, but staying in the dark about smart money matters is anything but attractive. I propose that even if it might be hard to talk about the details with family and friends, discussing basic money management with people you trust is more than just an important topic but a necessary way to avoid making the same mistakes. Enjoy money management! I began noticing one of the most common attributes in the business-minded people I know was that money management is actually fun for them. Just like being a sports fan or becoming invested in a hobby, talking about good ways to earn, invest and manage their money served as both work and play for these people. On the surfa...

Save, save, save! That's the advice I hear from everyone and I'm sure you have too. That and cut out the daily latte and save a bajillion dollars a year! But what if you've already cut out Starbucks or lactose intolerance has managed to save the bajillion dollars for you? Where's my money? Unfortunately its a complicated problem and one that's unique to each individual. I won't tell you to cut out coffee or anything else specific because the reality is that "latte" can come in many shapes and sizes. Maybe you like to collect bobble-heads or shoes seem to wear out quicker under your feet than the average person. Whatever it is, the specific places we spend money are irrelevant compared to the reasons why we prioritize some expenses over others. Other than save money, I hear "budget" more than anything else from money-smart people I trust. If that word makes you cringe like hearing "moist" or "The Patriots won the super b...

Hello!   I decided to write this blog because I've been through many ups and downs with my own financial history. The simple fact is managing money is difficult and requires a full-time effort. I don't have all the answers and that's in part why I'm trying to collect the best ideas that I've seen, read, or come up with on my own. Generally speaking I hope some of these ideas that have blessed me along the way will also speak to my readers and help them with the challenges of financial independence. That said this is not intended to be a "how to" for managing money and with no credentials aside from my own experiences I cannot claim to be an authority on this subject.  -Aaron The information provided in this blog and any accompanying material is for informational purposes only and it should not be considered legal or financial advice.  Please consult with a professional to determine what may be best for your individual needs.  No one should make an...