Warren Buffett’s Top 20 Tips That Will Save You From Financial Disaster

Kellan Jansen   Sun, Apr 28, 2024,

Warren Buffett is one of the most widely trusted investors of the modern era. When he offers financial advice, it’s worth listening to — especially if it can help you avoid financial disaster.

Put yourself on the right track for financial success by studying Buffett’s best everyday money tips.

Start an Emergency Fund

Buffett says you should start an emergency fund before investing. Try to fund it with three to six months’ worth of expenses. That way, if you suddenly lose your job or have to allocate your paycheck elsewhere, you won’t have to sell your assets to get back on track.

You can’t time financial emergencies — if they occur when the market is down, you could be forced to sell for a loss unless you have enough in savings to cover the cost.

Avoid Debt

Buffett is strongly against debt. In a 2004 Berkshire Hathaway meeting, he said, “It’s very tempting to spend more than you earn. It’s very understandable. But it’s not a good idea.” This puts him in line with other personal financial experts, like Dave Ramsey, on the subject.

When you’re in debt, unexpected expenses can be devastating. They can force you to miss installment payments, which may hurt your credit score and delay you from reaching your financial goals.

7 Key Signs You Can Afford To Do What You Want When You Want

Cindy Lamothe   Fri, Apr 26, 2024,

There is perhaps no greater dream than having the freedom to do what you want when you want. For instance, being able to take that weekend trip, splurge on a fancy new wardrobe, or pay the tab on a large meal without worrying about your bank account.

All of these scenarios come from being financially free.

 “Financial independence is a major milestone and something most desire to reach,” said Dayten Rynsburger, chief revenue officer and co-founder of Niche Capital CO.

If you can relate to that — and wonder how you’ll know when you have made it — here are a several key signs according to experts.

You Can Put All Your Bills on Autopay

Here’s How I Learned (And Built Wealth)

I Knew Nothing About My Own Money — Here’s How I Learned (And Built Wealth)

Andrew Lisa  Wed, April 24, 2024

Financial literacy is the foundation of financial success.

You don’t need a graduate degree in finance to avoid overdrafting your checking account or going into credit card debt, but avoidable mistakes, unhealthy borrowing and missed opportunities are all but certain if you don’t understand the basics of credit, interest, budgeting, banking, taxes, saving and investing.

The good news is that if your financial knowledge isn’t up to par, it’s not too late to learn your way into prosperity — and a new GOBankingRates study of more than 1,000 people is proof.

Can Financial Literacy Cure Money Mismanagement?

Nearly half of the study’s respondents — about 44% — said they never struggled with money due to a lack of financial literacy. On the other end of the spectrum, 36% say inadequate knowledge has held them back and that their finances are still in disarray because of it.

However, nearly one in five — about 19% — had previously struggled but have since recovered after gaining a better understanding of personal finance.

Apr 23

10 Poor Money Habits Hurting Relationships the Most

Cindy Lamothe Mon, April 22, 2024

Love and money don’t always go hand in hand. As one recent GOBankingRates survey revealed, poor money habits have a significant impact on people’s relationships.

The survey, which polled over 1,000 Americans, found that some of the biggest concerns around love and finances have to do with spending mindlessly and not planning for the future.

Harmful Money Habits

When asked what poor money habits were impacting their relationship, here’s what the survey respondents who were in a relationship said:

I’m a Bank Teller: 9 Reasons You Should Never Ask for $2 Bills From the Bank

Laura Beck Sun, April 21, 2024

Two dollar bills — what grandfather doesn’t love giving them and what kid doesn’t love getting them? But they’re not all whimsy and fun times — in fact, bank teller Rachael P. said they can be more than a little annoying.

The longtime bank teller said nothing can slow down her day more than a customer asking for a $2 bill. “Seriously, you don’t want to be that person,” she said.

Here are the reasons you should never ask for a $2 bill from the bank.

They Most Likely Don’t Have Them

“Most people don’t even know $2 bills exist,” Rachael said. “So we don’t keep a lot of them in around. When someone does ask for them, we usually have to special order them, which is honestly a pain in the butt.”

Brad Smith·Host Tue, Apr 16, 2024,

As older Americans prepare to transfer their wealth or will it to their family, what should inheritors know before receiving this large sum of money?

Wealthstream Advisors Financial Advisor Katharine George explains the do's and don'ts when inheriting wealth, which includes money and even real estate property.

"I try to stay away from rules of thumbs but I would say in general, [avoid] making big decisions. I would say wait about six months or so, especially if you're grieving," George says. "These big changes... in that short period of time when you're grieving if it was someone close to you, we don't want to make any decisions that are rash. So buying another property or going on a big vacation.

These big changes, it could be that you need these assets invested and saved for your long term or it could be you could retire tomorrow. It really depends on the personal situation but not making any of these big decisions immediately after is really important, really let the dust settle."

6 Signs You Are Smarter About Money Than You Were 5 Years Ago

John Csiszar   Wed, April 17, 2024

The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 changed many things about the world, including how people look at and manage their money. According to a new GOBankingRates study, 74% of people said they were smarter about money since the pandemic began, a perhaps unexpected benefit of the global calamity.

If the survey results are truly representative, they mean it’s likely that you are also smarter about money than you were five years ago. Here are some of the signs that you’re doing the right things with your money and are moving towards a more prosperous financial life.

You Have Built a Sizable Emergency Fund

Approximately 22% of Americans have no emergency funds at all and only 44% could pay a $1,000 expense with their savings, according to a 2024 Bankrate report. If you find that you have a sizable emergency fund, especially if you didn’t have one before the pandemic, it means you’re smarter about money now.

Warren Buffett’s 6 Best Pieces of Money Advice for the Middle Class

March 22, 2024  by  John Csiszar  Edited by  Amber Barkley

For one of the richest people in the entire world, Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is surprisingly down to Earth. He famously lives in the same modest house in Omaha that he bought in 1958 for $31,500, and his favorite meal for breakfast is McDonald’s. Between that and his folksy, easy-to-understand wisdom, it’s no wonder that Buffett is so popular with the general public.

Investors no doubt also love his enviable track record, which has more than doubled the average annual return of the S&P 500 since 1965, an incredible run. The bottom line is that when Buffett talks, people listen.

With that in mind, here are some of the best pieces of financial advice for the middle class offered up by the man known as the “Oracle of Omaha.”

7 Poor Money Habits You Learned Long Ago That Are Still Hurting You Today

Crystal Mayer  Wed, April 17, 2024

Studies show that money habits are learned at an early age. Some research indicates that these habits, good and bad, may be in place by age 7. Almost all experts agree that sound financial practices should be started in childhood and reinforced throughout early adulthood. Unfortunately, many adults learned poor money management skills during their most formative years, leading to long-term financial struggles.

Money mishaps may have been picked up because of what was modeled in a person’s household, while others are the result of a simple lack of understanding. Money, to many generations, is also still considered a taboo subject, meaning dinner-time conversations aren’t really centered around financial literacy.

At GOBankingRates, we surveyed over 1,000 adults to find out what bad financial practices they picked up during childhood and early adulthood that are still causing them problems. Almost across the board, their answers were the same as what many adults struggle with throughout their lifetimes. Here are seven poor money habits many folks learned long ago that are still hurting them today.

The Biggest Mistake People Make With Their Tax Refund — And How to Avoid it

March 1, 2024 by  Vance Cariaga

Tax refunds can be used for any number of practical purposes, like paying down debt or building your savings. But refunds can also be blown on things you don’t really need. The good news is, many Americans make smart choices with their money, and you can, too.

According to a 2024 survey conducted by GOBankingRates, 25% of people plan to put their tax refund in savings this year. About 13% said they would use it to pay bills, while 15% planned to pay off debt.

Planning your taxes is another important step, and many Americans do a good job of that as well. About 73% aimed to file their taxes well before the April 15 deadline. More than 43% planned to file taxes themselves, using a tax software program such as TurboTax.

The 7 Worst Things You Can Do If You Owe the IRS

December 6, 2023   By  Jennifer Taylor  GoBankingRates

You’re in debt to Uncle Sam. This probably isn’t a great feeling, but you have to face it.

Maybe you have the money to pay your tax bill or perhaps you don’t. If not, you have many options, so don’t take any of the following.

Using a Credit Card To Pay Your Taxes

Charging IRS debt to your credit card might be easy in the short term, but doing so can be a costly choice.

“The IRS interest rate changes quarterly, but it’s hovered around 8% in recent years,” said Brad Paladini, tax attorney and owner of Paladini Law, a tax law firm. “Credit card interest is usually around 22%, meaning that if a taxpayer uses a credit card to pay their taxes, they are paying almost three times as much in interest than if they paid the IRS directly.”