The Biggest Loser, which ran on NBC from 2004 to 2016, was a reality-TV hit for a number of reasons. It dealt with a concern of many Americans (losing weight). It revealed the personal struggles of the contestants who were often overcoming lifelong challenges with food. And it delivered the results everyone wanted to see. [...]
Nearly 20 years ago the Fox network began airing a TV show called American Idol. Thousands of unknown singers showed up to audition. And after multiple rounds of competition, the cream rose to the top and we saw that there really was great talent just waiting to be discovered. (Kelly Clarkson won that first season.) But [...]
Whether we're ready for it or not, 2022 will be here in a few days. Another year will have passed. You'll look at your schedule, your finances, maybe even at the bathroom scale and wonder if this time next year you'll be any closer to achieving the changes in your life you'd really like to [...]
You probably know someone whose guest bathroom is stocked with the mini shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizer bottles they’ve picked up at hotels. While the amount they’ve saved on toiletries might not have changed their lifestyle, they’ve enjoyed the feeling of getting things for free. In saving for retirement there are some similar “freebies”—things that you [...]
We’ve mentioned before how a sailing ship is a good metaphor for retirement planning. In both cases you chart out where you want to go, and carefully estimate what you’ll need to complete each leg of your journey. On an ocean voyage, you can acquire knowledge and perspective from the maps used by successful sailors [...]
Saving money for the future is a good habit. To do it means exercising the virtue of delayed gratification. So it’s only natural that disciplined savers often feel a sense of satisfaction as month-by-month they see their nest egg grow. But being fixated on saving, especially when you don’t need to, can also be a [...]
When you were in high school, you most likely had some adult tell you, "Just wait until you get out into the real world. Things are going to be different." That statement alone didn't tell you how things were going to be different in the working world. But it let you know, to successfully transition to the [...]
If you've ever listened to the radio show hosted by personal finance guru Dave Ramsey, you know that most of what he says is for the benefit of people in financial trouble. They're seeking his advice to get out of debt, put more into savings, and generally do a better job of managing their money. [...]
Notorious criminal Willie Sutton was once asked why he chose to rob banks. He replied, “Because that’s where the money is.” Fortunately, the vast majority of people don’t pick up a gun to rob financial institutions. But it seems to be part of human nature that whenever there is a large source of money that [...]
In talking about the way he handled his finances, comedian Steve Martin said, “I love money. I love everything about it. I bought some pretty good stuff. Got a $300 pair of socks. Got a fur sink. An electric dog polisher. A gasoline powered turtleneck sweater. And, of course, I bought some dumb stuff, too.” [...]