Personal Finance Blogs
Featuring the Best Personal Finance Blog Articles
Today's Personal Finance Articles
View articles only on the topic you search below.
DISCLAIMER: DO NOT PROCEED IF YOU DON’T LIKE ORGANIC CONTENT THAT GIVES YOU NEW PERSPECTIVES.
I keep redoing the calculations, over and over and over again. I calculate based on my entire net worth. Then, I calculate with guardrails and limiting parameters. I end up staring at my results for a very long time. The math – those cold, hard numbers – are, this time, uncharacteristically assuring to the extreme. No matter how I slice it, I can quit my job right now and go travel the world while living […]
Don’t miss an episode of our podcast, Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors. Tune in on: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Now, here’s today’s article: Brenda Aubin-Vega is a 20-year-old woman from Montreal who recently hit the top prize on a lottery ticket. Winner winner, poulet dinner. But her choice – to collect $1000 per week for life, instead of collecting a $1 million lump sum – has created some controversy. Did she make a poor financial move? I’ve looked at the numbers and…I think it’s a gray area. A few of you have asked me for my financial two cents. There are incredible retirement lessons here. Let’s dive in. The Numbers Instead of taking a one-time $1 million payout, Brenda opted to receive $1,000 every week for life. In most lottery scenarios, we need to consider taxes. It’s not about what you win. It’s about what you keep. The United States does impose taxes on lottery winnings, but Canada does not. Roughly speaking, my amateur research shows a pretty even split around the world – some countries tax lotteries, others don’t. For Brenda, though, there’s no tax on her lottery winnings. As we’ll get into later, though, she will/would have paid tax on her investment growth if she used her winnings to invest. The numbers, therefore, are easy to understand: $1M in hand today vs. $1000 a week for life. The Soft Side We could make subjective, psychological, behavioral, “soft side of money” arguments in either direction here. We all know, I hope, that life isn’t lived in a spreadsheet. I’m not saying those arguments aren’t valid. But I am saying that we could use that subjectivity to argue anything, to put our finger on either side of the scale. For that reason, I’m just sticking to the numbers today. “…For Life” – But What If She Dies Early? What happens if a lotto winner dies young? Does their $1000 for Week for Life simply…stop? Let’s go to the source. Here it is from the Loto Quebec website: In the event the winner dies within the first 20 years after the prize claim date, the annuity is transferable to the winner’s legal heirs, who will receive the same annuity, paid at the same frequency for the balance of the 20 years that have not elapsed. In other words, Brenda and her estate are guaranteed at least 20 years of payments. That’s her worst-case financial baseline. Editor’s Note – We all hope Brenda lives a long, fruitful life. C’est le vie, I think? The Base Case – Cash vs. Annuity Let’s start our analysis today with an easy idea. On one side, we have the $1000/week that Brenda chose. It’s an annuity that pays her 5.2% per year. The annuity’s guarantee is essential here. It’s risk-free. If we’re going to make an apples-to-apples comparison against the lump sum side, it also needs to be risk-free.
Have you ever found yourself engrossed in a film, pondering, “Could this be really based on a real-life event?” You might be surprised by the several movies inspired by real-life events that are so extraordinary you’ll doubt their truth. 1. Titanic (1997) Director: James Cameron “Titanic” vividly depicts the 1912 sinking of the RMS Titanic, showcasing the ship’s history and moving love story between Jack and Rose. The film’s remarkable attention to historical detail enhances […]
In this edition of the reader story, we meet someone who is starting over at 39. This is in response to my recent request on social media to share their investment journeys. We urge you to share your journey too (anonymously, like this piece, if you prefer). You can find details at the top of… The post A Late Starter’s Journey: Regrets, Mistakes and a Fresh Plan at 39 appeared first on freefincal.
Image Source: Shutterstock Cheese boards are the unsung heroes of holiday hosting—elegant, easy to assemble, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re throwing a party or bringing a dish to share, they offer a little something for everyone. But with specialty cheeses, charcuterie, and fancy crackers, the cost can add up fast. That’s where deal stacking comes in: combining store sales, digital coupons, and rebate apps to slash your total. With a little planning, you can create […]
CHINA From the Economist: China proved its strengths in 2025—and Donald Trump helped The extraordinary thing is that Mr Trump has played into Mr Xi’s hands, both with his tariffs abroad and his wrecking-ball at home. . . . [His] attack on science will impede American innovation. Framed as an effort to eliminate inefficiency and woke ideology, his efforts have curbed financing for vital research. His hostility to foreign scientists, especially ethnic Chinese ones, [has also […]
This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). Please see my full disclosure policy for details. Budgeting apps make it easier to track your income, expenses, and savings without the hassle of spreadsheets or notebooks. Whether you’re keeping tabs on everyday spending or working toward big financial goals, the right app gives you real-time insights and smarter money management. Not a […]
Image Source: Shutterstock For decades, masculinity was defined by toughness, stoicism, and self-reliance. But in 2025, a surprising shift is taking hold, and it’s not about being louder or stronger. It’s about being more emotionally aware, more intentional, and more connected. This new masculinity trend is catching on in ways no one predicted, especially among Gen Z and millennial men. If you’re a man (or know one) who’s tired of outdated expectations, this movement might […]
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Please see my full disclosure policy for details. If you’ve wrestled with sticking to a budget, you already know: the hard part isn’t making one. It’s finding a system you’ll actually keep coming back to. Many budgeting apps feel overwhelming. Some push premium tiers or hide the best […]
Image Source: Shutterstock For many men, setting boundaries feels like unfamiliar territory. Raised to be providers, protectors, and problem-solvers, they’re often taught to suppress their needs in favor of others. But when men finally start setting boundaries (whether in relationships, work, or family), they unlock a powerful emotional transformation. These shifts can be surprising, even uncomfortable at first, but they’re essential for long-term mental health and self-respect. If you’re a man learning to draw the […]
Image Source: Shutterstock My mother-in-law and her boyfriend recently sold their aging home. They lived in a historic house in North Carolina. While it was beautiful, there was a lot of work that needed to be done on the home. As they got older, they just didn’t have the energy or time to keep up with it. So, they downsized. However, as they went through the inspection process, they discovered there were a number of other […]
Balancing work and personal life requires intentional effort to maintain harmony between professional obligations and personal well-being. Effective strategies include setting clear boundaries between work hours and personal time, prioritizing tasks based on importance and deadlines, and practicing time management techniques to maximize productivity during work hours. 1. Prioritize Your Tasks and Manage Your Time … Read more