What Poker Can Teach You About Investing

Poker and personal finance may seem like strange bedfellows at first glance. After all, one invokes images of risk-taking and high-stakes drama, while the other is often associated with careful planning, savings, and long-term stability. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find some surprisingly potent parallels. Just as in a game of poker, managing … Read more

The Drawbacks of Income-Driven Repayment Plans

loan repayment

For many student loan borrowers, income-driven repayment (IDR) plans are often seen as a lifeline, providing a lower student loan payment with the promise of loan forgiveness after 20 or 25 years. These plans, backed by the Department of Education, present an attractive proposition for those burdened with hefty student loan debt. However, a deeper … Read more

Top 10 Money Myths Revealed

Remember, understanding the difference between financial fact and fiction is a key step towards financial literacy and independence. Arm yourself with the right knowledge and pave your way to financial success.

Is Debt Inherently Immoral?

From the ancient writings of our theologians to the modern world, the concept of debt and the moral quandaries it ignites continue to influence economic philosophies. LSE scholar, David Graeber, highlighted a medieval perspective of debt in a riveting discussion with Disenz on “harmful jobs, odious debt, and fascists who believe in global warming”. The … Read more

Is Legal Insurance Worth Your Money?

legal insurance

In an increasingly complex legal landscape, many individuals find themselves needing legal advice or representation. To meet this need, some employers offer legal insurance as part of their benefits packages. But is legal insurance really worth the expense? This article will delve into what legal insurance covers, its limitations, and the factors you should consider … Read more

Starting a Union in Your Workplace

workers stacking hands

Remember those classic 90s movies where a group of misfits band together to take down the big bad bully? They were never the same kind of people, yet they found common ground, forged alliances, and inevitably kicked some serious butt. Unionizing your workplace might not be as glamorous as Hollywood makes it out to be, … Read more

Creating Your First Budget after Leaving Home

moving out of your parents house

When I first stepped foot into my own apartment—no parents, no roommates—there was an undeniable thrill. It was an eclectic mix of freedom, anticipation, and, admittedly, a decent dose of fear. While it was exhilarating to make decisions on my own, from what to cook for dinner to what color to paint the walls, I … Read more

Risk vs Reward: Balancing Your Retirement Portfolio

A graph showing poor performance of a 401K plan over a year.

The first time I encountered the concept of risk and reward was not in an investing book or during a finance class. Instead, it was during a daring rescue mission in Space Invaders, where I had to decide whether to go for the high-score alien (high risk, high reward) or play it safe and clear … Read more

Toppling Capitalism Over Coffee

toppling capitalism over coffee

Our actions, small as they may seem, can ripple out and make a difference. A drop of coffee can spread in the cup; likewise, our collective efforts can spread and impact society at large. It’s a bit like making coffee: start with a single bean, apply some heat, and before you know it, you’ve created something robust, warm, and powerful.

The Impact of Social Media on Gen Z’s Spending Habits

As the first generation to grow up with the Internet at their fingertips, Gen Z’s interaction with money is, unsurprisingly, closely intertwined with their digital lives. A significant part of this digital life revolves around social media, which has evolved into a powerful force that shapes their perceptions, influences their decisions, and inevitably impacts their … Read more

Dear Dad, Send Money

The Timeless Tale of Students Begging Parents for Cash Oh, the tales we hear of university students surviving on ramen noodles and dreams of graduation. From the sounds of it, you’d think it’s a modern-day crisis, born from our economic climate, a symptom of skyrocketing tuition fees and stagnant wages. Well, dear readers, buckle up … Read more

From Credit Newbie to Score Guru

cropped view of woman showing credit score at office

Navigating the maze of personal finance can often feel daunting, especially when it comes to understanding and managing credit. Yet, it’s a critical aspect of financial health that holds the potential to open or close doors, quite literally. Let me tell you a story. A close friend of mine, let’s call him Jake, was a … Read more

Money: From Ancient Salt Bars to Bitcoin

Old money

Hello there, financial explorers! Sofi Abdurahman here, ready to whisk you away on an exciting journey through time and money – all the way from the ancient salt bars of Ethiopia to the digital frontiers of Bitcoin. Are you buckled up? Good! In the vast landscape of finance, nothing has been quite as revolutionary or … Read more

AI Deciphers Ancient Mesopotamian Scripts

Step aside, Indiana Jones! There’s a new explorer in town, and it’s got a knack for ancient languages. In an unprecedented breakthrough, a team of archaeologists and computer scientists have empowered an AI to decode and translate cuneiform tablets—the ancient clay tablets that hold the secrets of Mesopotamian civilization. Yes, you heard that right! AI … Read more

Building Your Emergency Funds

roll of american dollars tightened with red band

In today’s uncertain times, financial security has never been more critical. Whether it’s an unexpected car repair, a sudden job loss, or a medical emergency, life has a way of throwing curveballs that can wreak havoc on our finances. One way to mitigate these risks and weather financial storms is by creating an emergency fund. … Read more

Why Is Your Mortgage a ‘Dead Pledge’?

crop businessman giving contract to woman to sign

Did you know that the word ‘mortgage’ comes from the Old French term for ‘dead pledge’? Sounds ominous, doesn’t it? Don’t worry – your house isn’t haunted, but there’s a fascinating historical and linguistic journey behind the name. A friend recently celebrated refinancing her mortgage. Amidst the excitement, she asked a question that stopped me … Read more

What Gen Z Needs to Know About Credit

Gen Z creative team working on software programming in office

In an increasingly digital age, credit has become a cornerstone of financial independence. Yet, its intricacies often remain a mystery to many – especially the younger generation, Gen Z, who are at the beginning of their financial journey. As they step into adulthood, understanding credit, its management, and its implications on future financial opportunities becomes … Read more

Cryptocurrency and Communal Living

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to combining communal living and cryptocurrency. It’s about what works best for your community. Be open to experimenting, take calculated risks, and don’t be afraid to make a few waves.

A Student Loan Guide for Gen Z

sad genz is sad

The Gen Z cohort is coming of age and stepping into the realm of higher education, and for many, this means encountering the complex world of student loans. With the total U.S. student loan debt exceeding $1.7 trillion, it’s clear that student loans are a significant part of many individuals’ financial lives. Therefore, it is … Read more

How Tech Skills Can Beef Up Your Bank Account

In a world that’s rapidly embracing technology, coding skills are worth their weight in gold. But did you know that they can also add some real gold to your bank account? Yes! Leveraging your tech skills can not only satisfy the geek within but can also pave a solid path to financial prosperity. Whether you’re … Read more