Is Depriving Yourself Really a Part of Personal Finance?

This past weekend I attended a lesbian wedding hosted in a very cool rustic barn, and found myself lounging outside in an Adirondack chair, sipping a vodka soda from a Ball jar, and talking about housing with two people I had just met.

The slim and toned woman, who seemed to have a strong hippie ethos, was working through plans to purchase a good-sized chunk of land that had as its lone dwelling a “Fonzie garage”: a garage with an attic room....

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By Chris Reining / 6 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