Earlier in our Relationships and Finance series, we touched on “How to Help Your Spouse See You as a Financial Equal.” In the post, we discussed education, discussion, timely communication and planning as ways to open your financial plan to a joint venture. We laid out the basics and promised to come back to each idea more in depth, and today, we are going to take a look at education as a means to developing a better financial relationship with your spouse.

You are never done learning.  That is one of the most important things to know about investing. But the idea of perpetual learning can be intimidating, so sometimes it's a good idea to have some support. In a recent article we brought up the idea of joining an investment club. It’s a great way to build your confidence and gain some great new friends in the process. 

We’ll look at starting your own investment club later.  For now, let’s talk a little about the considerations of joining an existing club:

Stop for a minute and think about a typical day in the life of you.  What happens during the course of your day?  Who do you come into contact with?  Do you interact with anyone?  What kind of experiences do you have through your day?  Life, it seems, is made up of many an ordinary, normal day filled with, well, everyday stuff. So how are we supposed to use that as inspiration for saving the world?

Teaching your children to invest is a very noble goal, and it can be as hard and serious or as fun and easy as you want to make it. Financial planning is a life-long process, and the sooner they get a grip on it, the better. So, what can you do to help prepare you children to invest properly? I suggest doing a little gardening project at home.

In 2002, I began my banking career in earnest. I had worked as a bookkeeper for years during college and as a head cashier during high school, but I was honestly unprepared for the finance world. I didn’t know what a 401(k) was. I didn’t know what a mortgage entailed. I didn’t know a lick about the stock market. I was a blank slate, ready to learn everything about the finance world.

As we continue our series on relationships and finance, we come to a pretty serious question: What do you do if you and your spouse are fighting about finances? I’m not talking about arguing; I’m talking about all-out yelling, crying and talks of divorce. How can you and your spouse come to a peaceful resolution, marriage intact?

See a Marriage Counselor

When you make the commitment to work at home, you are not only making a commitment to yourself, but also anyone who decides to do business with you. And, occasionally, you will come across a difficult client.

If that happens, take a deep breath and put everything into perspective. While it is important to always stay true to who you are, it's important to realize that you are a business and need to act in a professional manner.

Define Difficult

Oh, the days of getting an allowance when Mom or Dad gave you money pretty regularly.  Maybe it was tied to chores, and maybe it wasn't, but an allowance - your allowance - was money that took the trip to the candy store from dream to reality.  Pretty sweet, wasn't it?  Now as parents, we might find ourselves in the proverbial boat as our 'rents were.  When is a good time for Junior to start receiving his own money?  If you have children and are pondering when to start giving them a regular allowance, here are some very general guidelines that might help you gather if your child is re

There's nothing like snuggling up to the fire for a good read.  Not too long ago, that would have brought visions to my mind of an overly used paperback book, a large turtleneck, and a steaming cup of hot cocoa.  Thanks to my new toy, however, I now see a notebook, a pen, my iPad (the toy), and all of your blogs.

Now, if only the idea of reading brought visions of sitting outside in a luxurious garden.  I'd trade my iPad in for a sunburn right about now.  Surely Spring is in sight by now...  Let me go look out my window.  Nope.  Still just a bunch of ice and snow.

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly…to listen to stars and buds, to babes and sages, with open heart; await occasions, hurry never…this is my symphony.” –William Henry Channing

This is one of my favorite quotes of all time. It sums up my life philosophy so brilliantly, so simply, and whenever I lose sight of one of the ideas, it grounds me back to a more sane way of viewing my world.