The American Dream Is a Financial Nightmare

The year was 2001, I was 21-years-old, with one semester of college left. I wasn’t taking school very serious anymore, so me and my roommate we were going through cases of Natural Light beer every week. While I was having fun celebrating the last days of fraternity life, I was also looking forward to the next stage of my life – a nine to five job I had accepted in Madison, Wisconsin.

After graduation I made the move from Illinois, settling into a run-down studio apartment in a seedy neighborhood. It was cheap at $425 a month, but I was...

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By Chris Reining / 43 Comments

3 Ways to Hack Your Financial Happiness

Last week I went out on a school night. I almost didn’t because it was 10:30 at night and I hadn’t left my house yet and my bedtime was in 30 minutes. But I got the motivation to put on my Converse and head over to where Zion I, a skilled hip hop group from Oakland, California, were going to play.

After the show my buddy and I decided to have a nightcap. It was 1:00 in...

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By Chris Reining / 2 Comments

The Awesome Power of Saying No: Use It!

It’s been a little quiet around here lately because Mr. Everyday Dollar was on a sun, sand, and camping vacation in California. Feeling recharged, I’m back in the grind now ready to help you guys with minimalism, investing, frugalism, and retirement.

After my girlfriend and I touched down in San Francisco, we headed to the car rental desks – a separate room packed with travelers, excessive lines,...

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By Chris Reining / 2 Comments

How I Turned $4,500 into $1,000,000

I’m usually not one for ridiculously sensational headlines but I thought it was justified for this post. As graduating high school students look to their future, college should be at the top of their mind.

If you, or your son or your daughter, are currently faced with the decision whether to attend college or not and consequently how to pay for it, I’d like to point you towards some data that might help you decide. Mr....

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By Chris Reining / 0 Comments

Being a Parent, a Financial Decision?

While most 20-somethings struggle to pay off student loans, establish an emergency fund, maybe start saving a down payment for a house, all while still finding a way to feed and clothe themselves, there might be a very large looming expense in the near future.

It’s an expense that also cries a lot and fills diapers.

While having a child will undoubtedly bring additional expenses to household finances, some may not realize how much it will affect their everyday dollars. On a yearly basis, the USDA comes out with a figure for the cost...

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By Chris Reining / 23 Comments