If you’re reading this, you’re probably a licensed minister who has opted out of Social Security. I’ll bet you were thrilled at the opportunity to opt out of a system that is facing a perilous future and is quickly depleting its reserves. But was it really the right move for you? And are you maintaining your integrity by doing so? View post

Summer is just around the corner, and for many of us, that means vacations! Vacations by nature tend to be a time of indulgence, and it’s all too easy to let it go too far. A 2015 study found that 49% of vacationers accumulated credit card debt when traveling and 68% go over budget.   Your vacation memories won’t be as sweet if you’re still paying the bill four months later. Are the stress and money fights really worth several days of irresponsibility? I don’t think so. But I do want you to have a fun vacation. Here are a few ways you can have a great vacation without sabotaging your finances: View post

All of my money that I am saving for the distant future is invested in mutual funds. It shouldn’t come as any surprise, then, that I think they’re awesome. I think that they are the best way for normal, everyday people like you and me to invest for the future. View post

Summer camp is a priceless experience for teenagers, but sometimes it can get pretty pricey. Here are 7 summer jobs that will allow your teen to pay their own way to camp this year. You may just want to try some of the out yourself. View post

It can be so frustrating watching other people make mistakes when you know better. In this post I go through several mistakes that I have personally witnessed in hopes that it will help you avoid them and their ugly consequences.  View post

When opening an IRA, you must decide between a traditional account and a Roth account. Here are some of the advantages of each kind and things to consider when making your decision. View post

At the rate they grow, a kids' clothing budget can get way out of control. It doesn't have to, though. Here are three ways to clothe your kids without going broke. View post

Estimated mortgage payments listed on popular websites can be very misleading. Mortgage payments consist of a lot more than just principal and interest. View post

To get where you want to be financially, you will need to set some goals for yourself. However, not all goals are created equally. The actual goal that you set has a great affect on whether or not you will be able to achieve it. Here are 5 keys for setting financial goals that you can actually accomplish. View post

Federal tax laws are so complicated that most people outsource tax preparation and have little understanding of how it all works. Do you know how your taxes are calculated? Or the difference between a credit and a deduction? It's your hard-earned money and your government, so you really should. View post