finances

So, How Are You Doing So Far This Year?

Believe it or not, we’re nearly 25% done with 2010 — a quarter of the year has come and just about gone. It’s crazy how time flies. It’s also about that time when you realize that, if you’re going to succeed in your financial goals this year, you need to keep yourself on the right […]

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How to Start Smart Financially in 2010

With the end of the year upon us, it’s time for all of those resolutions for 2010. While you should be ignoring any “hot stocks” to invest in in the new year, 2010 does provide you the opportunity to get on your game and get your money organized. For real.

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Why 2010 Doesn’t Matter to Your Finances

It’s December, so it’s time for all of those lists of what you should do with your money in 2010. Do me a favor: ignore all of that advice. It doesn’t apply to you. The writers “advising” you in these lists don’t know your financial situation. They don’t know how badly you’re in debt. They […]

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Weekend Linkage: Year End Moves, Tax Tips and Financial Setbacks

With December officially underway, everyone is taking a look at the year that was — and what they can do to finish off on the right step. Should you max out your Roth IRA? Does it make sense to cash in some losing stocks to write it off on your taxes? Are there any government […]

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Best of Automatic Finances: October/November 2009

Let me start this post off with an apology. If you’ve been regularly visiting Automatic Finances, or subscribe via our RSS feed or Twitter, you’ve certainly noticed that the number of posts has slowed down. Significantly. Quite frankly, it’s my fault. I’ve been lax about updating the site throughout the past month, as a number […]

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Ask the Readers: Have You Gone Paperless?

In the age of online banking and digital record-keeping, it’s more convenient than ever to stop collecting piles of statements, receipts and even your bills. But that doesn’t mean people are ready to make such a change. A paperless financial lifestyle is easier said than done, but it’s accessible to just about anyone who wants […]

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How to Prevent Debt Using Financial Automation

If there’s anything we can learn from this economy, it’s that getting into debt isn’t necessary to live the life we need. But if you’re used to living a life of credit and debt, how can you ensure you won’t get stuck in it again? By automating your finances, you can prevent yourself from getting […]

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Weekend Linkage: Coupons, Credit Scores and Cut Backs

Do you know the best way to boost your credit score? In this economy, as our friends in the media love to say, it’s not easy to get your credit score high — and then keep it there. Visual Economics, who created the amazing graphics on paychecks and credit cards, offers these 4 tips for […]

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Ask the Readers: What’s Financial Freedom to You?

On this 4th of July weekend, Americans across the country are celebrating independence and freedom (our friends to the north did earlier this week on Canada Day). But when it comes to your finances, you may not be as free as you’d like. Are you buried in debt? Are you living beyond your means? Or […]

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Weekend Linkage: Spring Cleaning, Service Discounts and Entrepreneurship

Now that spring has officially arrived (both on the calendar and in the forecasts), it’s a great time to do a bit of cleaning of your life: your finances, your bills and your career. The Dough Roller starts it off with 10 Tips to Declutter Your Finances. These ten tips fall right in line with […]

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Can You Live a Completely Paperless Lifestyle?

As you spend more time banking online and paying your bills online, you’ll realize that getting paper statements just seems outdated. Why do you need to get snail mail from your bank or service provider when you have access to a digital archive of all your actions? You don’t. Living a completely paperless financial lifestyle, […]

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Hi. I’m Jason and My Finances are on Autopilot.

Hello there, and welcome to Automatic Finances! My name is Jason and, yes, my finances are on autopilot. What does that mean, exactly? Let’s see… My bills pay themselves every month I automatically save for retirement without trying to time the market My paycheck goes straight into my bank account every two weeks My short-term […]

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