Ben Stein has a book called How to Ruin Your Finances. To be honest, I'm not sure an entire book is needed on the subject-there are some fairly quick and easy ways to accomplish the task. (Before continuing, let me be clear that I do not actually recommend such activities-This is a reductio absurdum argument, meant to spur an opposing realization.)
#1: Buy everything, yes, everything
You never know when a neighbor may come over to use your dish towels, so make sure they are Ralph Lauren, less than six months old, and all the same color. While you're at it, buy things that you don't need now, but may need in the future, such as eleven new sweaters, a top-of-the-line treadmill, and some bestselling novels (just in case you ever read the 38 already on your bookshelf).
#2: Charge all purchases
That way you can itemize all your spending, which is sort of like budgeting. When the bill comes each month, be consistent-pay only the minimum. If there's anything left at the end of the month, see #1.
#3: Don't be concerned about retirement
That's what Social Security is for! Our country is run by intelligent economists, and they'll make certain there's enough for you in 25 years.
#4: Buy a $4 million home, with 1% down, and a 30-year mortgage
Then, spend your entire working life paying it off. Don't worry if you haven't invested in anything else-you can sell the home when you reach 65, rapidly adjust your lifestyle to match your new one-bedroom condo, and live off the difference.
#5: Start being frugal 'tomorrow'
Please, finish your $7 mocha latte and go about your day. After all, this article was obviously written for the other guy!
Matthew S. Clement is a financial planner and investment advisor representative with Financial Network Investment Corporation, member SIPC. He provides holistic wealth management and retirement planning to individuals and businesses. He can be reached in New York at (845) 942-8578, or by email: ClementM@FinancialNetwork.com
Personal Finance: Booking Bamboozle Washington Post If you are making travel arrangements online, be sure to keep an eye out for a questionable but growing trend on booking Web sites: 'pre-checked' boxes that ...
PersonalFinance: Your guide to Coverdells FOXBusiness (Linda Stern is a freelance writer. Any opinions in the column are hers. You can follow Linda Stern's financial notes on Twitter at ...
The week's 10 best Personal Finance stories MarketWatch By MarketWatch With no federal tax credit to entice buyers, today's home sellers have to get even more serious about making a deal. ...
Pet insurance is no laughing matter Telegraph.co.uk Having made four claims in four years, The Telegraph's Personal Finance Editor decides the time has come to write about pet insurance. ...
Google News
RELATED ARTICLESSaving Money - The Magic 20 Percent
Saving money is not easy and is made more difficult if you have a short-term outlook regarding your personal finances. If, like many people, you are living from one pay cheque to the next, it is difficult to put some money aside for a rainy day or for a summer holiday.
Risky Business: You May Not be as Daring as You Think
I thought I was through with exams when I finished college. Then my financial adviser (a.
How To Reap The Rewards With Rewards Programs
Recently, many of these loyalty rewards programs have come to the realization that they must change how they put these programs together if they are going to increase their share of the market.One way that has changed over the years is how reward programs have started linking up with various partners to offer more types of rewards for it's members.
One Income Source Is Not Enough!
My personal opinion is that in today's new economy, it is wise to have multiple income streams. Reliance on one income source poses a risk to individuals, entrepreneurs, and even large corporations.
Save On Food - Ten Tips
To save on food, be an opportunist. Buy what you like, but buy on sale.
When do You Need a Financial Management Company on Your Side?
We live in a crazy world. Someone ought to sell tickets.
A Quck Lesson in Saving Money
Did you have a piggy bank when you were a child? I did. Mine sat empty for a long time until my mother convinced me that I should really start putting my pennies and nickels into it in order to save my money for when I was older and wanted to buy something.
Top 10 Ways Managing Your Money Is Just Like Riding a Bike
An avid cyclist and bike racing fan, I sit transfixed during the many hours of Tour de France coverage every July when the race rolls around. This year, during some of the less-than-scintillating early miles of the sprint stages, my mind wandered a bit, and it occurred to me that there are some interesting parallels between winning the Tour de France and winning at personal finance.
Make or Break Your Retirement!
The Prudential has dubbed those who refuse to leave home as"kippers" or "kids in parents' pockets eroding retirementsavings". Recent research concludes 6.
Healthy Eating On A Budget
It is possible to eat a healthy, balanced diet without breaking the bank! Here are some suggestions:-Eliminate junk food. You may have to do your grocery shopping alone, since children (and sometimes spouses!) are often the ones who request the junk foods.
How to Draw a Personal Budget that Works
Many people spend their little income haphazardly without any planning and end up getting broke before month-end. They then borrow to make ends meet and end up with more problems that they fail to repay their debts promptly.
Whats The Truth Behind Your Finances?
Between 15 - 20% of people in our country (UK) own there own businesses. This statistic is on the rise thanks to the incredible invention of the Internet.
Safely Save for Your Childs University Studies Using An Education IRA!
This investment retirement account (IRA) is useful to you as an investor to understand because it may be a good way for you to save for your kid's education AND save on taxes. These plans are now called Coverdell Education Savings Accounts in honor of the late U.
Retirement Income Needs---Less Than You Think?
It is widely written that you need 75% of your presentincome to maintain your present life-style in retirement. Ifyou make 100 thousand now, figure 75 thousand inretirement.
Budget Planning - Its Elementary My Dear Watson
Does it feel like you have to be Sherlock Holmes to solve the mystery behind balancing your personal budget? Are you living a mysterious thriller where your realization of "financial independence and security" is a vicious repeating cycle of debt? Don't be afraid?..
Can You Afford Not To Look After Your Personal Finances?
Investing is a subject a lot of people don't want to think about. And there is good reason for that.
Simple Ways to Save Money
Things are so expensive these days. We seem to be hearing, and saying, that a lot lately at the gas pump, in the grocery store and especially when paying bills.
Vesting and Your 401(k)
Do you have a 401(k) retirement account? Are you vested yet? Before you move on to your next job, it is critical for you to find out if you are fully vested in your retirement account before you make the move. If you are not, you could lose hundreds if not thousands of dollars in employer contributions.
How Check 21 Affects You
The Check 21 Law is the new federal law for financial institutions and has taken effect last October 28, 2004.Before the Check 21 law was enacted, your paper check had to be physically transported from where the check was paid out before it could be deposited to the financial institution.
10 Quick And Cheap Ways To Cut Your Heating Bill
When you received an energy (heating) bill last winter, were you afraid to open it? Granted that we have a home with a lot of really big windows, but we saw energy bills last winter in the hundreds of dollars. Your bill probably wasn't that bad but I'm guessing that it was a lot higher than you would have liked.
