Ask Chuck: Children Are A Blessing… And An Investment
Dear Chuck, My daughter and son-in-law have decided they will not have children due to overpopulation and the cost. I don’t understand how they could make such a decision. Can you give me some good stats to share with them? Hoping for Grandchildren Dear Hoping for Grandchildren, Since I have five grandchildren already, I know […]
Ask Chuck: Considering Retirement
Dear Chuck, My wife is urging me to retire. I am not ready yet and do not know if I ever will be. I enjoy working. However, what do you think are the best financial moves to be ready? Prepping for Retirement Dear Prepping for Retirement, This year has caused many people to consider […]
Ask Chuck: Struggling Newlyweds
Dear Chuck, My wife and I are newlyweds and struggling to spend less than we earn. Our parents agreed to help us until our first anniversary which is in February. To prepare for that date, we need help now. Spending Stress Dear Spending Stress, This has been a challenging time for many couples especially […]
Ask Chuck: Choosing a Good Bank
Dear Chuck, I plan to get married soon. My future wife and I plan to combine our money at that point. We both have checking and savings accounts. What banks do you recommend? Choosing a Good Bank Dear Choosing a Good Bank, I always like to say that marriage is a lifetime of learning […]
Ask Chuck: Planning a Budget-Friendly Wedding
Dear Chuck, We anticipate two of our girls will be getting married in the near future. Due to the uncertainty with COVID and the economic setback in our family business, we are unsure how to proceed. Any advice? Father of the Brides Dear Father of the Brides, These are in fact strange times for […]
Ask Chuck: Financing Fixer Upper Fever
Dear Chuck, I need your advice. My husband thinks we should get an installment loan to update our home. Although we can do a lot of the labor ourselves, we need materials, tools, and some professional labor to get what we both want. I would rather save for a year, but he has time in […]
Ask Chuck: Should I Postpone My Honeymoon?
Dear Chuck, I want to plan a honeymoon for my autumn wedding. But, with student loans and car debt, I know I should not use a credit card or deplete my savings that way. I hate to disappoint my fiancé but believe we should wait to take a trip when we are better off financially. […]
Ask Chuck: The Cost of Kids
Dear Chuck, I am engaged to a man who recently declared he would prefer we not have children. He believes the rising cost of living will prohibit our ability to adequately provide for more than ourselves, especially if we have to help care for our parents. I struggle with that because I believe that by […]
Ask Chuck: Breaking the Cycle of Overspending
Dear Chuck, My husband is tired of my overspending. I struggle living on the budget he’s made because I make quick purchases rather than planning ahead. Then I feel guilty defending my decisions when the bills arrive. How can I get out of this cycle? Spontaneous Spender Dear Spontaneous, Frist, be thankful you have […]
Ask Chuck: Get Rich Quick
Dear Chuck, We have a lot of debt. Rather than taking on another job or trying to excel at his current one, my husband is seeking money in undesirable places. He buys weekly lottery tickets, shops garage sales and thrift stores looking for “treasure.” Meanwhile, I’m teaching piano lessons in our home while trying to […]