Think of financial principles not as rigid rules from a textbook, but as a reliable compass for navigating your family’s money journey. These are the core ideas that help you make smart, confident decisions about everything from daily spending to long-term goals. They cover concepts like the time value of money, risk and return, diversification, and much more. Exploring the Core Principles of Finance for Families # In this guide, we’ll break down ten fundamental finance principles and translate them into practical, everyday steps you can take right now. Continue reading

Ever wondered what a secured bond means? The easiest way to think about it is to compare it to a home mortgage. When you get a mortgage, the house itself acts as collateral. If you can’t make the payments, the bank has a claim on your house. A secured bond works on the same principle for investors. A company or government entity that issues a secured bond pledges a specific, valuable asset—think a factory, a fleet of aircraft, or a portfolio of real estate—as a safety net for the investor. Continue reading

The v0.9.0 release introduces a fully open-source version of Econumo under a single repository, licensed under the MIT license. Additionally, the release improves consistency in dialog window behaviour and provides an enhanced screen for shared access. Changelog # Merged Econumo’s source code into a single repository. Changed the license from AGPLv3 to MIT. Improved dialog window consistency. Enhanced the shared access screen. Upgraded PHP to version 8.5. GitHub releases # Econumo: v0. Continue reading

Yes, you absolutely can have both an IRA and a 401(k) at the same time. This is one of the most common questions people ask when they start getting serious about retirement. The good news is, not only is it allowed, but for many people, it’s a fantastic strategy to really accelerate their savings. Think of it as having two different but powerful tools in your financial workshop. Each one has its own job to do, and using them together can help you build a much stronger financial future. Continue reading

For most households, a mortgage represents the largest and longest-lasting debt they will ever carry. The idea of owning your home free and clear might seem like a far-off milestone, but accelerating that timeline is a powerful financial move with far-reaching effects. The journey to paying off a mortgage early is a strategic decision that fundamentally reshapes your financial landscape, reduces long-term stress, and unlocks a new level of personal freedom. Continue reading

Yes, you can absolutely get a collection removed from your credit report. The most common ways are by disputing errors, forcing the collector to validate the debt, or negotiating a “pay-for-delete” deal. And thanks to some recent industry changes, it’s gotten easier to remove certain debts, especially medical collections. But first, you have to understand what you’re up against. How Collections Really Affect Your Credit Score # That sinking feeling when a “collection” account suddenly appears on your credit report is real. Continue reading

If you want to improve your credit score, it really comes down to a few core habits: always pay your bills on time, keep your credit card balances low, and only apply for new credit when you actually need it. Get those three things right, and you’re building the foundation of a strong financial life by proving you’re a reliable borrower. Your Quick Guide to a Better Credit Score # Trying to figure out how to raise your credit score can feel like you’re trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. Continue reading

Getting out of debt faster really boils down to two things: knowing exactly what you owe and picking a smart plan to attack it. Before you do anything else, you need a crystal-clear picture of every single balance, minimum payment, and—most importantly—interest rate. Once you have that, you can decide whether the quick wins of the Debt Snowball method or the money-saving power of the Debt Avalanche method is the right fit for you. Continue reading

Before you can start stashing cash away, the first step in your home-buying journey begins with a question: what does “home” actually look like for you? A vague idea of a “nice house in a good neighborhood” won’t cut it. To build a savings plan that actually works, you need a crystal-clear vision you can slap a price tag on. What’s Your Target? Defining Your Homeownership Goal # This is where you move from daydreaming to doing. Continue reading

If you’ve ever wondered how much to save from each paycheck, you’re not alone. The classic rule of thumb is to aim for 20% of your take-home pay. This isn’t just a random number; it’s the savings portion of the popular 50/30/20 budget, a simple framework that can really build a strong financial foundation. Think of it as the starting line. Hitting that 20% mark helps you get into the rhythm of paying yourself first, which is crucial for tackling debt, building an emergency fund, and investing for the long haul. Continue reading