money Archives - Money Smarts

Late on saving for retirement? Here’s how to catch up

According to a 2022 Bankrate survey, more than half of working Americans say they are behind on saving for retirement. Meanwhile, one in four have no retirement savings at all. 54% of the survey responders attribute their lack of retirement savings to inflation....

Budgeting, Money, Save It

$1.99 vs. $2: How our “left-digit bias” makes us overspend

Browse through any store or online retailer and you’ll see that prices ending in “.99” are extremely common. It’s a tried-and-true sales tactic that’s been used for at least a century, but does it really work? There’s research suggesting that the brain indeed...

Money, Spend It

The mind-blowing cost of raising a family

What do diapers, braces, and weekly piano lessons have in common? They all serve as reminders of the surprisingly high cost of starting a family and raising kids — a cost that, in general, is only rising as the years go by. This increase can be partially explained by...

Family, Plan It

Is it ever right to buy a home?

Should you buy a home or rent one instead? It’s a question that nearly everyone must ask themselves, especially when they are about to start a family and have children. We are often told that buying is the superior option. But renting is not as bad of a choice as...

Budgeting, Money, Plan It

How to overcome “oniomania” — compulsive spending disorder

The term “oniomania,” which is used to describe people with obsessive, problematic shopping and spending behaviors, consists of the Greek words “onios,” meaning “for sale,” and “mania.” Also known as Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD) and Impulsive Compulsive Buying...

Budgeting, Money, Save It