“Dollarization” refers to the process by which a country adopts a foreign currency (most commonly the U.S. dollar) as its official currency, either in place of or alongside its own domestic currency. This can happen either officially or unofficially. Here’s what typically happens when a country dollarizes:
Finances
12 Entrepreneurs Who Make Over $20k/Month Reveal What They Do
1. We do ~$85k/month in revenue. We are a small software development company and license proprietary software to prime contractors for the Federal government, so our contracts are mostly long term (3-5 years). I have 5 FTE’s including my wife. My wife and I pay ourselves $100k/yr each, make sure we have our employees’ undivided attention through bonuses, and we keep the rest of the money in the company for reinvestment. Started in 2015 with $8k/month in revenue and have grown it since.
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What Happens If You Don’t Pay Back Your Student Loans?
Paying off student loans can be a daunting task, particularly when finances are tight. However, avoiding these payments can lead to even more significant financial and legal troubles. As the relief from federal loan payments is set to end in October 2023, it’s crucial to understand the implications of not meeting your loan obligations.
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What is a Reverse Mortgage?
A reverse mortgage is a type of loan designed for homeowners, typically seniors, that allows them to convert part of the equity in their homes into cash. The product was conceived as a means to help retirees with limited income use the accumulated wealth in their homes to cover basic monthly living expenses and pay for health care. Here’s how it works and some key points to understand:
The Emotional Landscape of Retirement: Understanding the Void and the Power of Purpose
Retirement, for many, represents the golden years—a time to relax, enjoy the fruits of one’s labor, and bask in the freedom from daily work routines. Yet, for a significant number of individuals, this phase of life brings with it unexpected feelings of depression and emptiness. The dream of leisurely days, free from the constraints of a 9-to-5 job, can sometimes morph into a challenging reality of aimlessness.
14 People Reveal Their Worst Financial Decision
1. Leased a BMW 6 series for $1250/month for three years and then immediately hopped into another BMW lease for $1050/month. After 6 years I had nothing to show for it.
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Why Aren’t Student Loans Bankruptable
Student loans are generally not dischargeable through bankruptcy in the United States for several reasons:
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Public Policy Concerns: The idea behind making student loans non-dischargeable is to protect the federal student loan program. If students could easily discharge their loans through bankruptcy, it might jeopardize the availability and terms of future loans for other students. The government wants to ensure that funds are available for future students to borrow.
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Potential for Abuse: There’s a concern that if student loans were easily dischargeable, some individuals might take advantage of the system. For instance, a student could theoretically borrow a large sum of money, earn a degree, and then immediately file for bankruptcy to have the debt wiped out, all without ever intending to repay the loans.
What is Stealth Wealth?
In the world of personal finance, there’s a concept that’s been gaining traction over the years, known as “Stealth Wealth.” At its core, Stealth Wealth is the practice of keeping one’s wealth hidden from the public eye. It’s about living a life that doesn’t scream “I’m rich!” even if one’s bank account tells a different story. But why would someone choose to live this way, and what are the benefits of such an approach?
Stealth Wealth is not about being stingy or miserly. Instead, it’s about making conscious choices that prioritize long-term financial health over short-term displays of affluence. It’s the millionaire next door driving a decade-old car, or the successful entrepreneur who chooses to live in a modest home rather than a mansion. These individuals understand that the true value of wealth is not in its display, but in the freedom and security it provides.
Why Do We Buy Stuff to Impress People We Don’t Even Know?
The desire to impress others, even those we don’t personally know, is a complex behavior rooted in psychology, sociology, and evolutionary biology. Here are some reasons why individuals might purchase items to impress strangers:
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Evolutionary Perspective: From an evolutionary standpoint, humans have always engaged in behaviors to increase their social standing and attractiveness to potential mates. Displaying wealth or resources can be seen as a way to signal one’s “fitness” or desirability as a partner.
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Awful Financial Decision Maker of the Day
In December 2019 I financed a brand new Charger Scat Pack. This was right before inflation really took off so they were cheaper than they are now. Sticker price was only 36k. After the dealer added a warranty, “paint protection plan”, dealer fees, taxes, etc, I ended up financing 51k!
At the time I didn’t know ANYTHING about cars, the only reason I even bought the car was because my v6 2011 camaro that was paid off started having transmission trouble. Replaced it twice and it still wasn’t driving properly, so I bought the scat pack.
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