Nothing is quite as American as a good rags-to-riches story, and it’s safe to say that many folks also enjoy the occasional macabre tale of the riches-to-rags variety. But despite all the attention paid to financial failures and cautionary tales, there are many hardworking people who have managed to rebound from the brink of financial
The struggles of single parents are near and dear to my heart. Several years ago, when my daughter was born, I never imagined that I would have to parent by myself. Then, suddenly, I found myself left with all the bills, half the income, and none of the support. Raising a child on your own
Back in the early 1990s, when gas prices hovered around an inflation-adjusted average of $2.25 per gallon (according to The Motley Fool), my family took advantage of low fuel prices by going on amazing road trips. The memories I have from those trips are some of the most vivid of my childhood, and I strongly
Even with tighter regulations on property financing, folks with “normal” income from an employer can be approved for a home mortgage loan fairly easily. You simply have to prove that you have steady paychecks, a credit score of 640 or above, and enough money in the bank to cover your down payment. However, if you’re
Each year, at the end of a long, cold winter, millions of Americans breathe a collective sigh of relief with the dawn of spring. For many, warmer temperatures equate to spring cleaning, open windows, fresh breezes, and a blurred line between indoor and outdoor decor. No matter how you celebrate the arrival of warm weather,
The fact that charitable giving can help reduce your tax burden is well known, especially if you’re in a high bracket. But the benefits of giving extend far beyond tax breaks. Of course, giving can be a challenge – especially when money is tight. After all, your income could just as easily go toward a
No matter who you are or what you do for a living, you have a limited amount of money, time, and energy in each day. Therefore, on a daily basis, we all have to make decisions about how we use our limited resources to solve our problems and dilemmas. Surprisingly, one of the best things
Freelancing sounds like the burnt-out worker’s dream come true. Freelancers are able to set their own hours, choose their own jobs, and be their own employers. Unlike some type of fantasy, however, freelancing is indeed very real work that comes with many challenges, in addition to its obvious benefits. A wise step into freelancing requires
