Image by Giorgio Trovato It’s all over TikTok. It’s praised on finance blogs and shouted from YouTube channels. Everyone seems to think this one saving strategy is the secret to financial success….. But is it? Whether it’s the 50/30/20 rule, the no-spend challenge, or high-yield savings accounts, the internet loves to crown a new savings darling every few months. And while these trends look shiny on the surface, the truth is that many of them don’t hold up in real life—for real people, with real bills and real financial stress. Here are nine reasons why that popular saving strategy might…

Thinking about Income Plus Arbitrage Funds? Know the pros and cons, hidden risks, and why pure arbitrage funds may still be the safer alternative. In the fast-changing world of mutual funds, innovation often walks a fine line between genuine need and marketing gimmick. After the government removed indexation benefits from debt mutual funds in 2023, many fund houses scrambled to find new ways to retain investor interest. Enter the so-called “Income Plus Arbitrage Funds” — a cleverly branded category that promises better returns than savings accounts, equity-like taxation, and low risk. Sounds perfect? Not so fast.Before you get lured into…

Image by Travis Yewell Your basement might seem like a forgotten space filled with old furniture, seasonal decorations, and random boxes of junk. But what if we told you that buried under those dusty piles could be a small fortune? Many people don’t realize it, but certain everyday items—some tucked away in your basement for years—could be worth big money. From toys to sports memorabilia, you could be sitting on hidden treasures without even knowing it. Ready to uncover what might be collecting more than just dust in your home? Here are nine collectibles that could make you four figures…

Image by Arthur Lambillotte It’s easy to blame your soaring energy bill on weather, rates, or square footage, but the real culprit might be sitting quietly in your home, sipping power like it’s happy hour. A lot of appliances you use daily (or even forget about entirely) are designed to never turn off unless you make them. The good news? You don’t need to buy solar panels or take cold showers to see a difference in your bill. Often, all it takes is flipping one setting or switch. Here are seven appliances quietly driving up your power bill, and the…

Image by Stefan Vladimirov Let’s be honest—some of the most expensive decisions you’ve made probably weren’t about what you wanted. They were about what others might think. Peer pressure doesn’t always come in the form of someone daring you to take a shot or break a rule. Sometimes, it’s silent, subtle, and lurking in your shopping cart. You say yes to dinner at the trendy place even when you’re checking your bank balance in the Uber. You buy the dress for the wedding even though it’ll only be seen once on Instagram. And you tell yourself it’s “just what everyone…

Image by Sarah Brown Buying a new car feels like a milestone. The shiny paint, the flawless interior, that intoxicating new car smell—it’s all part of the dream. But as soon as you drive it off the lot, that dream takes a financial hit. And not just a little one. The depreciation starts immediately, and it only gets worse from there. Car dealers don’t highlight it. Car commercials definitely won’t say it. But the moment your tires hit the street, your car starts losing value. And if you’re not prepared, you could end up upside-down on your loan or disappointed…

I once heard it explained that when you have more money than you need, that’s wealth. When you use your money to make a difference, that’s power. In my experience, wealth and power are inextricably intertwined. Once a woman becomes financially secure, her motivation shifts from making more money to leaving a legacy, to giving back to others in ways that fill her with meaning and pleasure, while imbuing her with the power and the ability to make an impact. I am convinced that successful women offer our greatest hope for healing the planet. And I believe you are meant to be one…

Medical Emergencies Come First Dear Dave,I recently experienced a medical emergency and unexpected hospital stay. I’m about halfway through Baby Step 2, and I’m paying off my debts using the debt snowball system. I have good insurance, but should I put Baby Step 2 on hold for now due to all the hospital bills?Gerard  Dear Gerard,That’s exactly what you should do. I’m sorry to hear about your health issues, but at the same time, I hope you’ll make sure you’re only pressing the pause button on Baby Step 2. I’m talking about temporarily stopping the debt snowball and making only minimum payments on all…

The government has many sources of income, but if we were to classify them, they can be broadly divided into tax revenue and non tax revenue. While tax revenue makes up the lion’s share of the government’s income, non-tax revenue also plays a crucial role in the country’s development. Let’s understand what constitutes non-tax revenue, how it’s generated, and why it’s important. What is Non-Tax Revenue? Non-tax revenue is an umbrella term for all of the government’s sources of income that are not related to taxes. This includes fees, fines, royalties, sales, interest, dividends, and more. These sources supplement tax…

Reason #1 Uncertain How to Become Rich In my five-year Rich Habits Study/Research, I learned a something profound – There are 4 very specific paths to accumulating wealth: Saver/Investor Path – Save 20% or more of your income and consistently/prudently invest those savings. Big Company Climber Path – Working for a big company and climbing the ladder until you reach the upper echelons of senior executive. Virtuoso Path – Devoting an enormous amount of time and often money to becoming either a Knowledge-based Virtuoso or a Skill-based Virtuoso. Dreamer/Entrepreneur Path – Pursuing some dream that can be monetized. Reason #2 Too…