When you play the stock market, the key to success is to buy low and sell high. 

According to Investopedia, if you understand stock market cycles, and you time your investment accordingly, then you will earn more money than you lose. 

Smart investors who recognize the different parts of a market cycle are more able to take advantage of them to profit. They are also less likely to get fooled into buying at the worst possible time. -- Investopedia

People who take a chance in the stock market are warned against panicking in times of economic downturn.

According to MSNBC, "Investment experts warn that a period of major stock market volatility is no time to make rash decisions."  In fact, they recommend that you take the time to reassess your past decisions in order to avoid market queasiness.

It seems that people now playing the house market in a way that is very similar to playing the stock market.

As I read an article on a Seattle News website about the money squeeze that seniors face, I couldn’t help but wonder why these seniors don’t move in with their adult kids. 

I realize that I recently wrote about how adult kids living with mom and dad can put a drain on the parents'  retirement. But if you turned the situation around, it could actually be quite advantageous for parents to move in with their adult children.

Extended families are good for finances...

I just read a wonderful article in the Salt Lake Tribune by a young man who decided to save money for a while before buying a home. 

One thing that caught my attention is the fact that he felt he was "throwing away" the $650 a month that he was paying on rent.  

One would think that hand-washing dishes is more economical than using the dishwasher.  That is far from true. 

Now, if you hand wash dishes and then put them in the dishwasher, then you reduce your costs by using the dishwasher.  However, measuring one method of doing dishes against another, dishwashers cost less and get your dishes cleaner. 

Here are some other things you can do to save money while using the dishwasher...

If you die, will the bank be willing to do business with your spouse?  Will he or she have to move?  Will the bank foreclose on your home?  These are things you need to consider when purchasing a new home. 

The fact of the matter is, you should consider purchasing life insurance to protect your mortgage.  Here's why...

Just because you don't have a lot of money to spend on home decorations doesn't mean your walls have to be plain and boring. 

There are many fun and easy ways to decorate on the cheap. 

Here are some things ideas...

Suze Orman says that if you have a home you love and want to live in your entire life, then you should pay off your home loan.

She says that by paying off your home loan sooner than later, you will be able to put more money into your retirement home. In addition, if your mortgage is paid in full before you retire, that retirement money will go a long way.

I completely agree that with the advice to pay off your home loan.