Author: Michael Gregory

Retiring With a Mortgage: When It Works and When It Doesn’t
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Retiring With a Mortgage: When It Works and When It Doesn’t

There’s a rule a lot of people grew up hearing: pay off your mortgage before you retire. It sounds clean, simple, responsible. But these days, more retirees are walking into their golden years with a mortgage, and not all of them are losing sleep over it. That said, the costs aren’t small. According to the…

Money Lessons Boomers Practiced That Are Less Common Today
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Money Lessons Boomers Practiced That Are Less Common Today

Boomers get a lot of heat, but they also got a lot of things right. They bought homes when prices made sense, stuck to long-term investing, and didn’t swipe their way into furniture debt.  Say what you want, but they built real wealth. That’s why the gap hits so hard.  A Credit One Bank study…

Rachel Cruze’s 10 Steps to Buy a House in Today’s Market
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Rachel Cruze’s 10 Steps to Buy a House in Today’s Market

Buying a home is still one of the smartest financial decisions someone can make, if it’s done right. It’s not just about owning property, it’s about protecting your budget now and building wealth long term. This gallery walks through Rachel Cruze’s 10 steps to buy a house, breaking down how to shop smart, stay on…

Self-Made Millionaires Share the Habits That Built Their Wealth
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Self-Made Millionaires Share the Habits That Built Their Wealth

Becoming a self-made millionaire isn’t about luck. It’s about behavior. According to multiple studies of self-made millionaires, the real difference comes down to consistent money habits, not lottery wins or viral success. 👉 Click or scroll through the gallery to see the habits that helped everyday people build real wealth over time. Millionaire Mindset Shift:…

14 Isolated Jobs That Pay Over $100K and Attract Few Applicants
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14 Isolated Jobs That Pay Over $100K and Attract Few Applicants

Not everyone wants constant meetings and collaboration. Some careers are best suited to solo workers—whether that means working remotely, in physically isolated locations, or simply in roles that require independent focus. This gallery features 15 jobs that typically pay over $100,000 and also involve a high degree of isolation. Salaries are based on data from…

20 States With the Highest Cost of Living (California Isn’t #1)
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20 States With the Highest Cost of Living (California Isn’t #1)

Bills are high everywhere. But some states are much worse than others. This gallery ranks the 20 most expensive states to live in using the Cost of Bills Index Report (COBI). It tracks real costs like housing, insurance, and utilities. 👉 Tap or cycle through the slides to see which states made the list from…

High-Paying Jobs Most People Avoid, But Pay Over $100K
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High-Paying Jobs Most People Avoid, But Pay Over $100K

Everyone wants six figures, until they see what it takes. Many glamorize tech, finance, and medical careers, but there’s a whole world of $100k jobs that are messy, dangerous, physically demanding, or just plain unpopular. So what are the $100K jobs no one lines up to do? We’re talking about dirty jobs, dangerous work, and…

What It Really Costs to Live Comfortably in Every U.S. State
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What It Really Costs to Live Comfortably in Every U.S. State

Think life is expensive where you live? You’re probably right. Most people assume their state is just a little pricey, but the real numbers tell a different story.  What feels tight in the wallet might actually be unaffordable, at least if the goal is to live comfortably, not just survive. According to SMB Compass, living…

Rich Dad, Wrong Dad: 22 Reasons Robert Kiyosaki’s Early Retirement Advice Doesn’t Work
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Rich Dad, Wrong Dad: 22 Reasons Robert Kiyosaki’s Early Retirement Advice Doesn’t Work

When I first read Rich Dad Poor Dad in my teens, it completely changed how I viewed money. The book introduced me to financial freedom, building assets, and escaping the rat race. Kiyosaki made it sound like a game anyone could win, if you just knew the rules. But as the years went on and…

A CFA’s Review Of Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps: A Young Retiree’s Expert Take
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A CFA’s Review Of Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps: A Young Retiree’s Expert Take

Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps have become a widely recognized and followed framework for personal finance in America. They offer a structured, step-by-step guide aimed at helping individuals and families gain control over their finances, get out of debt, and build wealth. In general, I believe the Baby Steps are an excellent foundation for financial education,…

If I Listened To “Good Advice,” I Would NOT Have Been A Liquid Millionaire At 38
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If I Listened To “Good Advice,” I Would NOT Have Been A Liquid Millionaire At 38

I have heard so much advice over the years that people consider to be “good advice”. But if I had listened to all of this good advice, I would not have been able to retire young. By ignoring good advice, I was able to reach my goals. “You Have Too Much Debt, You Are Going…

An Actual Early Retiree’s Take on Dave Ramsey’s Blueprint To Early Retirement 
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An Actual Early Retiree’s Take on Dave Ramsey’s Blueprint To Early Retirement 

Retiring early is more than just a dream, it’s a reality that many people can achieve with the right plan. If you’re like me, you’ve thought about leaving the 9-to-5 grind before the traditional retirement age.  I am a Chartered Financial Analyst who retired at 42. I can tell you firsthand that reaching financial independence…

15 States Where Buying a Home Just Got Way More Expensive 
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15 States Where Buying a Home Just Got Way More Expensive 

Let’s talk housing prices. If you’ve been casually scrolling real estate listings and thinking, “Wait…wasn’t this $200k like two years ago?”  you’re not imagining things. The sticker shock is real. To break it down, we compared 2019 data from Yahoo Finance with the latest 2024 numbers reported by Bankrate. The comparison tells a clear story:…

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20 Ways to Prepare For When A Recession Hits So You Can Weather The Storm

Recessions don’t ask for permission, they just show up, wreck the economy, and expect you to clean up the mess. Savings get hit, jobs disappear, and the pressure to make smart decisions ramps up fast. Most people don’t feel the punch until it’s too late. A recent study showed U.S. personal savings spiked to 33.7%…