Personal Finance According to South Park

South Park’s Randy Marsh does not seem to have the makings of someone with financial savvy. Neither his job as a geologist nor his irrational tendency to over-react suggest we should trust his judgment with money at stake. And yet, there is something this man can teach us about personal finance. For all of his sporadic obsessions and fad chasing, Randy Marsh exhibits a sincere desire to discover and (just as important) act on good ideas and principles.

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Looking for a Silver Lining

Silver was first used as currency over four thousand years ago and its name is synonymous with the true value that can only come from a real-world commodity. Here we take a look at the history of this oldest of old-school currencies, explore how it is used today and let you in on the basics of making silver your own personal hedge against inflation.

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10 Movies That Can Teach You About Money

Movies are made to entertain, inform, and occasionally teach us lessons. They can be inspirational, or meant to re-instill one’s faith in humanity, but the message seldom has to do with that which dictates so many aspect of our lives: money. But ever so often, there comes along a movie that teaches real money management, finance and business advice - if only as a byproduct of the movie’s major storyline. Here are some lessons learned, from ten movies that have taught us all about money, even if we didn’t realize it at the time.

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Understanding Stock Quotes

At one time or another most of us have seen a stock quote. But how many times have you wondered what one of the metrics in the quote actually meant? It’s not too difficult to venture a guess as to what a 52 week high is, but even experienced investors might have a much harder time clearly explaining what market cap, forward p/e, and beta are, in their simplest terms.

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What Star Trek Can Teach You About Your Money

Trekkies get into regular phaser-fights over the merits of the two most famous starship captains, Kirk vs Picard. But at the end of the day there’s only one James T. Kirk, a man of staggering ambition and supreme confidence that went boldly into every situation. If Kirk were a real-life person living in 21st Century America (get a life!), he’d probably be a dashing business tycoon on the order of Sir Richard Branson. Let’s take a look at what Star Trek can teach you about your money.

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Should You Walk Away From Your Student Loans?

It’s not surprising that you didn’t realize what you were getting into with your student loan. You were just barely out of your teen years when you signed the paperwork. If you’re like most people, you probably had little understanding of what it means to incur debt and were lulled into a false sense of security with the knowledge that payments will be deferred for years to come. The language can throw you too. What’s the difference between a subsidized and an unsubsidized loan? What about federal vs private loans?, and so on. This lack of understanding can make you the victim of predatory interest rates from private student loan providers. But walking away from your student loan isn’t the same thing as walking away from your home loans. You’d better be aware of the consequences before you decide not to pay.

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Personal Finance According to the Simpsons

In his twenty years on television, Homer Simpson has pursued some interesting business endeavors. But most famously he has made a name for himself as a hapless, but big-hearted, man who always seems to stumble through life by a combination of good luck and compassion from others. Unfortunately for many, these qualities are not enough to get by in the world - especially during these tumultuous economic times (Note: we are also not cartoons). If we look at The Simpsons, and its main character, we can find some economic guidance - if only by accident. In most cases, practical lessons can be derived from Homer, in the form of ‘what not to do’.

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How to Avoid the Credit Trap

As the US struggles with one of its deepest recessions since the 1930s, credit is on everyone’s mind. Mounting layoffs, declining benefits, and depressed assets are leaving people without steady streams of income and forcing them to question how they will pay their bills. Paying by credit card has lost its appeal as consumers worry about getting caught up in a downward spiral of debt. But credit cards aren’t evil in and of themselves. Used responsibly they can become an important spending tool that can also pay you back.

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Is Your Bank Working For You or Against You?

Now that taxpayers have bailed out the banks, they are on your side, right? After all you’re not just a customer anymore, you’re an owner. But perhaps their responsibility to you as a “shareholder” is overwhelming their responsibilities to you as a customer? President Barack Obama met banking executives at the White House Thursday where he demanded clarity, transparency and an end to what he termed as “abusive” rates and fees, especially from financial institutions bailed out by the Trouble Asset Relief Plan (TARP)

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7 Reasons Why Now’s the Time to Buy a Car

Sure there are more economical options out there. Using public transportation, carpooling or moving closer to where you work are all cheaper than buying a new car and greener besides. But if you really need a new car, there has rarely been a better time than right now. As a consumer in the midst of a recession at a time when automakers are struggling to survive and move vehicles, the deck is stacked in your favor. Why is right now such a good time to buy?

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