Portfolio management Cutting the flowers I return to the subject of selling stocks. As I noted in my post of February 1, 2026 the evidence seems clear that money managers’ weakest point is in selling. The task that leads to the worst performance is the decision to sell. I would guess the same is true of individual investors. In a nutshell, it comes from the impulse to ‘cut the flowers and water the weeds’. In […]

Are the flashy financial apps that promise the world just not working for you? Maybe it’s time to go back to the basics. Old-school money-saving techniques might sound strange, but they’re coming back and saving people thousands. Let’s take a closer look at seven blasts from the past for better money management. The Envelope System If you aren’t a fan of traditional budgeting, you might love the envelope system. This is where you use multiple envelopes, usually in different colors or with labels, where you put cash for each budget category at the beginning of the month. If the cash is gone when you reach for it, it’s gone for good. The 50/30/20 Rule One of the tried-and-true budgeting methods is known as the 50/30/20 rule: budget 50% for your needs (rent, utilities, and groceries), 30% for wants (going out to eat and hobbies), and the final 20% for savings and debt repayment. It’s a simple, easy-to-remember formula that promotes mindful spending and helps you save for future goals! Let Go of Luxuries Do you indulge in the finer things, maybe a bit too much? Adopting a more frugal mindset doesn’t sound revolutionary, but living below your means almost always means more financial security and peace of mind. It’s less about giving things up and more about prioritizing a lifestyle focused on saving, investing, and avoiding debt. Make It Yourself One of the most common financial strategies from the past is to get creative with what you have. A DIY mentality saves money while also encouraging resourcefulness. Whether it’s making greeting cards by hand or sewing a button, these seemingly small purchases or expenses add up. So put your financial future into your own hands: literally! Negotiate To Save Negotiation seems like a lost art, but it’s a priceless skill that could lead to a better price on a car or a bigger salary. People are often shocked to learn how much they can save simply by asking. Sure, it’s awkward at first, but remember: the worst they can say is no, so why not give it a whirl? The 30-Day Rule Impulse buys are the Achilles heel of many budgeters. But it’s even worse for larger purchases. For these, we recommend the 30-day rule: sit on a potential purchase for 30 days before buying. If you’re still thinking about it, it might actually be worth it. But will you still be thinking about it? Nine times out of ten, you won’t be. Investing in Yourself Here’s one of the best and oldest pieces of advice: invest in yourself. Education is the key to unlocking many doors in your life. It could be as simple as taking a course or reading a book; upskilling is becoming one of the most important things you can do in an increasingly competitive job market. So don’t be afraid to spend a little on your education. Just think of it as an investment! Read More: 16 Shockingly Extreme Frugal Habits That Actually Save

Image Source: Shutterstock Walking into the supermarket during the transitional weeks of early spring usually means staring at highly expensive, sad-looking winter vegetables. However, if you are actively looking to refresh your family meal plan with vibrant, healthy ingredients, you need to check the latest digital circular from Kroger immediately. The massive grocery chain is heavily targeting fresh produce savings this week, offering incredible deals that make eating healthy highly affordable. If you are exhausted […]

As the national average for gas remains relatively stable, California drivers are facing a drastically different reality. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, running for the Governor’s office has officially called on state leaders in Sacramento to temporarily suspend the state’s gas tax, characterizing the current pricing structure as a “man-made disaster” that is crushing the budgets of working families. Read the rest

By Early Retirement Earl About the Author: I spent 32+ years in the trenches of retail operations management. In 2024, I executed a “Corporate Detox,” transitioning to a 25-hour/week bridge role to reclaim my health and family time. I am a FIRE practitioner specializing in the Rule of 55 and the Wheel Strategy for income. Disclaimer: I am not a CPA or CFP. This is a documented case study of my personal journey. Tax rules […]

Sammie Ellard-King I’m Sammie, a money expert and business owner passionate about helping you take control of your wallet. My mission with Up the Gains is to create a safe space to help improve your finances, cut your costs and make you feel good while doing it. Share to Facebook _*]:min-w-0 gap-3″> Council tax is one of those bills that just appears every year. You pay it, you don’t really think about it, and then […]

Washington lawmakers have approved a sweeping new tax on high earners, marking a historic shift for a state long known for having no personal income tax; as former CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz revealed he is relocating to Florida. The billionaire ex-CEO of Starbucks announced the move as the state advanced a 9.9% levy on annual income above $1 million, a policy supporters say will make the tax system fairer but critics warn could drive […]

Cory Booker on Monday announced a sweeping proposal to eliminate federal income taxes on the first $75,000 of income for most households, arguing the plan would significantly boost take-home pay for working- and middle-class Americans. The New Jersey Democrat said the idea would reshape the tax code by dramatically increasing the standard deduction while expanding several tax credits aimed at families and low-income workers. Read the rest

Household debt continues to rise, driven by credit cards, student loans, mortgages, and other factors. On top of these, rising interest rates can create additional stressors and make it more difficult to assert control. For this reason, it may be valuable to seek the support of a professional. Leaders like personal finance expert Houston Fraley help clients create clear goals for debt management. Simplicity and Sustainability in Personal Finance One of the first steps toward […]

Enjoying a comfortable retirement lifestyle shouldn’t mean sacrificing or being overly cheap after years of saving for these golden years. You may have saved a bunch for retirement, but you want your money to last through your retirement, which could last more than 20 years and may require lifestyle adjustments. Using our frugal retirement tips will help you enjoy your life more. What is Frugal Living? Choosing a frugal lifestyle doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy […]

CIT Bank has a new limited-time Platinum Savings APY Boost Promotion, offering a boosted interest rate of 4.10% APY for 6 months on their Platinum Saving account that is 0.35% APY above the standard APY (currently 3.75% APY) for balances of $5,000 and above. Thankfully, this offer is available to both new and existing customers that activate the promotion. New customers will need to sign up for a new CIT Bank Platinum Savings account using […]

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I’ve been opening new bank accounts for bonuses for over 20 years now, and the bonuses have only gotten bigger over time. People still hate switching bank accounts (a big fraction are on the very first checking account they ever opened), which means that banks have to offer big bounties to convince them to switch. You may be surprised that the well-known banks often offer some of the biggest bonuses, but those are also the […]