Spend
Yes, It's OK to Charge Your Kid Rent
So your kid is armed with a shiny new college degree. Next step: moving back home? “Boomerang kids” are a growing (and not necessarily bad) trend. Returning home has lost its stigma in the recession: 78% of boomerang kids are happy with their... ➡
Little Luxuries Lift You Up
Five years ago, the economy, my marriage—and my income—all collapsed at once. Then in my late 30s, with two small children, I could barely afford my mortgage, and I was actually ill from financial stress. My mother insisted: Get a treat now. I... ➡
Why I’m Front-loading School Costs
For families with even a drop of cash liquidity, the question almost invariably comes up: public school or private? For my three-child family—for whom “liquidity” is ephemeral at best—the answer should be “public.” But I’m not doing it. I feel so... ➡
Longer Loans Cost More. So?
It’s car-buying season, and new data show that a growing number of Americans are choosing longer car loan terms—as long as seven years. Most personal finance advice would steer you away from the longer loan—because in the end you’ll typically pay... ➡
How to Buy...a Down Comforter
It’s a winter essential—yet buying a good down comforter has gotten almost as complicated as picking a smart phone.Whether you're spending $200 or $1,200, here's what you need to know:Decide between down and down-alternative. Down is insulating... ➡
The Upside of Excess
We've all heard the advice: Get enough sleep, don't overdo the cocktails, and give yourself time to slow down, meditate, get centered. In other words, strive for balance—in your diet, life, and finances. Because then all will be well, right?... ➡
Giving Gets Social
Take a night out with the gals, add a cocktail or two, stir in some philanthropy, and what do you get? A hangover with meaning? No, a giving circle, a social way to raise funds for a cause you believe in. Rather than writing an anonymous check to... ➡
Getting Away From It All
Do you ever dream about really going off the grid—no cell phone, no Wi-Fi, no flatscreen TV? You don’t have to rent a private island, or commit to a yoga retreat (especially if you’re not the downward-dog type). Instead, consider a few blissful... ➡
