'A penny saved is a penny earned;' financial lessons from the past

How are a family and a business alike? Both can benefit from having a mission statement. Businesses have been preparing them for years, establishing key goals and standards for the company. Now families are taking their lead and are recording their values and aspirations to share with each other and future generations.
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Frequently, we get the request in our office for a "partial" inspection. This is another of those things that truly escapes my logic. While I am sure that the basis for this request is the desire to reduce the expense of the inspection, partial inspections are often a high-risk event for everyone concerned. Let me explain by way of example.
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Owing more on your mortgage than your house is worth may seem like a bad investment. But the alternative - choosing to default on your mortgage even if you can afford the monthly payments - will take a significant toll on your credit rating.
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Retirement may be right around the corner or a far off thought, depending on where you are in life. But no matter if you plan to retire in five years or 30 years, now is the time to take action.
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If you haven't yet butted heads with your mate over money, chances are you will one day. No matter how compatible a couple is or how much they adore each other, money and how to manage it can still be a source of conflict - even in the best of marriages.
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These four tips are just a few ways parents get the lessons started at home with younger children. Make the conversations and real-life examples about money skills and responsibilities part of your life every day to help prepare your children for a bright future.
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Recent graduates should be proud of their accomplishment, but there is still a lot to learn - like how to get the most from their money, how to establish credit and how to ensure convenient, safe access to their savings and checking accounts.
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It's been a tough few years for most Americans, facing a constricting national - and world - economy, job losses, pay cuts and a tough employment market. It can certainly be difficult to see the good in those circumstances, but helpful things can come out of these challenging times. You don't need to be a Pollyanna, but taking a practical look at how the recession affects your personal finances can show that there are some positives.
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Every woman should have a healthy relationship with money, but the reality is that many women still heavily rely on men to handle their finances. Now is the time for women to break out of the traditional role and take action to gain financial independence.
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Just as you take care of your physical health in preparation for summer fun, you need to pay attention to your financial well-being as well - and not just when the weather's warm, but all year round.
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