Financial Knowledge Online

You would think that having a degree in accounting would mean that my financial house is in tip top shape. While it is certainly true that I understand the theory behind most financially related topics, my application of the basics of personal finance is erratic at best. I have found that just because you are good at managing other people’s money, it does not really mean that you are smart with your own money.

For whatever reason, I simply ignore anything that is not easy or anything that takes any effort at all. Important things such as creating, and sticking to a budget, tithing, and building our emergency fund often goes unnoticed from month to month.

With that being said, I have decided to start over with the basics. That’s right; I am going to take my household, blow up everything that has been done, and start over. Some things will go smoothly (I hope), while others will probably feel like I am pulling teeth.

One thing is for sure; something has got to change. Living from paycheck to paycheck is simply no longer an option. Not only is it extremely stressful to continually have my paycheck run out of month, I often feel like I am not doing a good enough job protecting my family’s future. Another bad year and I don’t know what we are going to do!

With that being said, I am going to start with an overlook look at our financial position. Then, I am going to take a long hard look at our budget to see if, and where, we can put it on a diet. Unlike many families, I am absolutely confident that my wife will support whatever decisions I make. She should, seeing as how she is part of the budget committee.

Like most things in life, mastering the art of personal finance takes practice. One building block builds upon another until your foundation is built. Even after your house is built, it is crucial that you inspect it from time to time to make sure that there are no cracks.

That is what I am going to focus a bit of effort on over the next few weeks. What about you?

Have you taken the time to analyze your finances? Do you feel as if your family truly understands the basics of personal finance?

Protect Your Investment with a Quality Otterbox for iPad 2

You would think with the amount of money we spend on technology that we would treat our stuff with kid gloves. While it is true that we may be gentle with it at first, after a week or so we generally lapse back to the norm; at least that is what I tend to do. With that being said, if you own, or are thinking about buying an iPad, then you really need to consider buying an Otterbox defender iPad as well.

Here are a few things you will need to know about the Otterbox Defender case for the iPad 2.

The Otterbox for iPad is one tough little case. Since these bad boys are so expensive, I really like the fact that there is a product available that will help protect my investment. When you spend that kind of cash on something you would hope that it would last as long as possible.

And since my kids like to play Angry Birds as much as I do, having a sturdy iPad 2 case from Otterbox on my device makes me even more comfortable allowing them to use it at night; although truth be told, they may be more gentle than I am.

The Otterbox iPad 2 Defender comes complete with a cool clip on touch screen cover and a fold out stand. This allows us to watch streaming video without having to hold the iPad in our hands or forcing us to watch our shows while the iPad sits flat on the table.

The screen protector is also nice since my oldest son loves to point at the screen regardless of what he has in his hands.

Another thing I like it that this Otterbox iPad 2 case really does not add much weight when installed. I think this a direct result of them adding a few hexagonal slots in the silicone where before it was one solid piece. Overall, I think the Otterbox iPad 2 Defender is a nice, sturdy case that is well worth the money; and that is, after all, what this entire site is all about.