Author - The Durango Herald

Housing alliance offers path to your first home

Buying a home in La Plata County is a hardship for many working people. So far in 2014, the median price of a home in the county is $336,200, and, in Durango, it’s even higher at $390,000. ...

DATE: Nov 11, 2014 | CATEGORY: Money Savvy

How well do you know your dough?

If Durango High School students come home next week asking how well their parents know their dough, they won’t be asking about bread. The program Know Your Dough will be collabora...

DATE: Oct 14, 2014 | CATEGORY: Money Savvy

Sex, money and getting along with your partner

Sadly, a recent Money magazine survey revealed 6 in 10 husbands and wives check their bank balances more often than they have sex. Surprising? Not really. Seventy percent of coupl...

DATE: Sep 16, 2014 | CATEGORY: Money Savvy

Different beliefs about money can test couples

Are your money beliefs stressing out your partner? Surely, if your partner’s money beliefs were troubling you, you would know. Most of us have attitudes about money that are diffe...

DATE: Aug 18, 2014 | CATEGORY: Money Savvy

Warning: Don’t make the same mistakes I did

Alaina Tweddale, of the personal finance website Wise Bread, recently interviewed me about how my wife, Cheri, and I paid off $165,000 in debt and saved $20,000 in just 15 months. ...

DATE: Jul 21, 2014 | CATEGORY: Money Savvy

Do you make these mistakes when budgeting?

Contrary to popular belief, the purpose of a budget is to help you get what you want, not to deprive you of having fun. A powerful tool, a budget can lead you to your dreams, but ...

DATE: Jun 23, 2014 | CATEGORY: Money Savvy

Homeownership is a great thing if you’re ready

Buying a home? Make sure you’re truly ready. You’ve heard the clichés about homeownership: It makes financial sense compared with renting. It’s one of the best investments you can...

DATE: May 26, 2014 | CATEGORY: Money Savvy

Don’t let your business break your budget

Meet Julie and Pat. Pat is 62 and preparing to retire from his job of 30 years. Julie has four years until her official retirement. Their challenge is not retirement planning. They have buil...

DATE: Apr 28, 2014 | CATEGORY: Money Savvy

Bust out of prison: Take some advice to pay off debt

Credit-card debt can be like a prison sentence. What kind of time are you serving: 1 to 2 years, 2 to 5 years, 5 to 10, life? Almost 10 percent of Americans believe the...

DATE: Mar 31, 2014 | CATEGORY: Money Savvy

Found: Money! Save? Spend? What do I do?

“Matt, what would you recommend I do with my tax refund?” At this time of year, I hear this question a lot. My answer: “It depends. Let me explain.” What you should do ...

DATE: Mar 4, 2014 | CATEGORY: Money Savvy

Practical tips to financial security just clicks a way

On the journey to financial independence, you need fuel to keep your motivation high and your goals in sight. Five of my favorite money blogs offer inspiration, useful tips and sa...

DATE: Feb 4, 2014 | CATEGORY: Money Savvy

Tools to help you simplify finances, boost your income

Happy New Year! Let’s make 2014 the year to simplify, share resources and even make a little extra money. Now that smartphones and social media have become a part of our everyday ...

DATE: Jan 7, 2014 | CATEGORY: Money Savvy