Kevin McKinley: On Your Money - Articles

The Financial Tortoise and the Hare

Sun, 13 May 2012 12:00:00 CST

Today marks the end of “Money Smart Week” in Wisconsin, and as April comes to a close, so will “National Financial Literacy Month.”

If these celebrations have come and gone before you’ve been able to increase your money smarts or financial literacy, fret not. Today we’ll give you some surprising examples of one of the most timely and timeless pieces of investment advice.

The tortoise often beats the hare, and usually sleeps better at night, as well.

�Teach Children to Save Day�

Sun, 06 May 2012 12:00:00 CST

April is the “National Financial Literacy Month”, and this week is “Money Smart Week” in Wisconsin.

One component of all these gala festivities happens Tuesday, when “Teach Children to Save Day” occurs.

As much as we appreciate an entire day devoted to this very important subject, anyone who has ever been a parent (or a child) knows that for the lessons to really take hold, the education has to last year-round, and begin at birth.

So here are some other ways you can help children learn that the best way to have more money is to spend less of it.

National Healthcare Decisions Day

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 12:00:00 CST

We’re back from a well-deserved break, with a discussion that represents a departure from the usual “spending and saving” topics that normally occupy this space.

You may already know that tomorrow is April 16^th. What you might not be aware of is that it is also “National Healthcare Decisions Day.” And it’s highly likely you haven’t established or updated the documents deemed necessary by the groups sponsoring the special day.

But while the decisions can be big, the actions required to implement your choices are usually quick, simple, and relatively inexpensive.

April Fool's On You

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 12:00:00 CST

Today is April Fool’s Day, and the knowledge of this fact makes you less likely to become a victim of some prank or pratfall later this afternoon (you’re welcome!).

It also seems like a good time to give you a heads up on what you can do to prevent being fooled by financial fraudsters when you’re online, on the phone, or out and about.

The Saver�s Credit

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 12:00:00 CST

Just about every worker knows why he or she should be saving (or saving more) for retirement.

Besides the basic need to have enough money to spend in retirement, the primary motivations are a possible match from an employer on contributions made to a plan at work, as well as a potential income tax reduction.

But certain workers have one more little-known reason, and can even use it to reduce last year’s tax bill (as well as what is owed for this year).

Daylight Savings Time Reminder

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 12:00:00 CST

You no doubt know that last Sunday marked the beginning of Daylight Savings Time.

And while you certainly remembered to move your clocks ahead an hour (uh, you did move the clocks ahead an hour, right?), you probably forgot to partake in another tradition that should have been performed last weekend.

That activity is “testing your smoke detectors.” And if you forgot to check your smoke detectors, there are probably a couple of other home safety steps you haven’t taken in a while—if ever.