The big day is nearly hear. For years people have been talking about Facebook’s IPO. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that the company could file papers as early as this Wednesday. As soon as the S-1 is filed expect to see news stories popping up all over the internet laying out the juicy details.

2012 is going to make a lot of new millionaires and a handful of new billionaires. At a $100 billion valuation anyone holding at least 0.10% of the company will be a millionaire and anyone with 1.00% or more will become a billionaire.

At a $100 billion valuation, Mark Zuckerburg would be worth a cool $24 billion. Continue Reading »

My birthday is next week. I’m only a couple of years away from 30 now. I’m very much getting to the point where I need to get serious about retirement planning if I don’t want to experience a lifestyle cut later in life.

For the past 5 years I’ve been systematically investing 6% of my income with a 50% employer match each month. My portfolio has performed well with returns averaging around 13% per year over the last 5 years.

I’m optimistic that I can achieve returns in the 12% range but am realistic enough to know that I need to structure my plan as though my actual rate of return will be less.

My main concern after that is if I am contributing enough each month. What amount do I need in my retirement accounts by age 30 to be confident that I will have enough to retire on? Continue Reading »

While Apple’s stock price is shooting through the roof, Google’s is flat lining. With the big hit Google’s stock took this week after missing earnings, Apple’s market cap is now double that of Google.

Apple is generating more than $35 billion in free cash flow each year. $35 billion! Continue Reading »

A little extra money can never hurt right? There aren’t many people in the world that would turn down extra money. You can use it to pay off debt or save for college or retirement or a vacation or 100 other things.

The problem is most people find it difficult to make extra money.

I’m stuck in a job and the only way I can make more money is if I get a raise..

That kind of attitude is why so many people struggle financially their entire life. They play the victim card. They don’t believe that they are in control of their life.

You have the ability to control your income – especially income that doesn’t come from a traditional employer. Continue Reading »

For most people cars are a necessity. They can also be huge headache.

If you own a car it’s inevitable that you’ll someday face a stupidly expensive repair bill.

When we got married my wife drove a 1996 Eagle Talon. Don’t tell her I said this, but it wasn’t the greatest car. It was a bit of a beater. But it was paid for.

One day I’m sitting at work and I get a call from my wife.

Hey – I was driving though the intersection when my car made this loud bang and now it won’t start.

…wonderful… Continue Reading »

Wow what a crazy week in the personal finance world!

One of the main personal finance gurus, Suze Orman, went off the deep end. She has lost what little respect I did have for her. Not only did she introduce a fee-loaded prepaid debit card – she also insulted a lot of my fellow bloggers that I have a lot of respect for.

Shame on you Suze!

For a full recap of the Suze Orman Twitter Spat of 2012, check out the top post of the week below. Continue Reading »

I love hamburgers. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I could probably eat one for breakfast everyday and die a happy man.

I’m even fine with splurging every now and then on a gourmet burger from a nice restaurant.

But this is something else entirely.

Wendy’s has just launched the Foie Gras Rossini burger in Japan. This stylish square patty topped with goose-liver pate and truffle butter will set you back a cool $16. Continue Reading »

Ugh. This week has been rough.

I’ve had a serious head cold which my wife and one of the boys have been blessed to receive as well.

A big thanks to my mother-in-law who made us homemade chicken noodle soup (including homemade noodles!)

It's delicious. Be jealous.

Continue Reading »

So here it is….My big hairy 2012 goal post.

Frankly, I dread writing these types of posts each year. I dread them, because it creates an opportunity for failure.

I like to think of myself as successful. But when I publicly declare a long list of goals – it means that I might fail. Even worse, I’ll fail in front of everyone.

Kind of a pessimistic way to start huh? (Maybe I should set a goal to be positive this year!)

In reality though, success isn’t that you never fail. Success is when your failures drive you forward. Making the same mistake over and over is failure. Learning from those failures and moving forward is success. Continue Reading »

Happy New Year! Hope you partied hard and rang in the new year with a bang.

Truth be told, I probably would have gone to bed at 10:00pm in New Years Eve if I could have…Guess I’m just boring that way…

This week’s roundup is a combo of the blog carnival and goal setting/new years resolution posts from my fellow bloggers. Continue Reading »