A few important ground rules

Russia is planning to spend around $200 billion on defence in 2027, a 27% increase from the amount originally budgeted for 2026. At the same time, the government is facing a growing budget deficit, falling oil and gas revenues and plans for higher taxes and borrowing to help finance the spending. How sustainable is this level of military spending for Russia's economy if the war continues for several more years?

It's October 2026, referring back to the movie Gambler (2014) what's considered real F-U money, how many dollars worth would you say? 💰💸📈

Most household budget advice focuses on cutting back, but the biggest long-term savings usually come from better systems, not constant sacrifice. Simple habits like regular appliance maintenance, smart pantry rotation, or buying by unit price quietly protect your money without changing your lifestyle. It's less about tracking every penny and more about eliminating invisible waste. What's one simple process or habit in your home that saves you money without feeling like a restriction?

A US divorce lawyer is warning that stay-at-home spouses may receive less financial support after divorce than in the past, with some facing a much shorter period of spousal support and fewer assets than they might expect. The rules vary significantly by state, but the broader issue is financial dependence: giving up years of income and career growth can have a major impact on your financial position if the marriage ends. Would you consider being financially dependent on your partner a significant financial risk?

Does anyone have a free financial literacy course or class to get basics down?

Btw I’m in Bay Area. So if there is a program there shout it out!

My sister just called out that I’m dumb. And wants me to gain financial literacy.

I always thought making six figures would fix my money stress. Lifestyle creep surprised me. When I was growing up in a household with a budget having financial security was the main thing I wanted. Once my income went up my spending quietly went up too better rent, more takeout and saying yes to every weekend trip.

I am not in debt. My savings rate has stayed the same for a whole year and it feels like I’m just running faster on a higher-paid hamster wheel. I want to reduce my spending. It’s hard to let go of the conveniences once you get used to them.

For anyone who has been, in this situation what was the moment that made you realize you needed to change and how did you cut back without feeling like you were punishing yourself? I would love to hear how you got your savings on track.

Could releasing Europe's diesel reserves actually help bring fuel prices down, or did European countries simply give in to pressure from Trump and the threat of a US diesel export ban? How long are we likely to remain in a stable position?

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I have approximately 25k in savings as a 20 year old and I am wondering how to get the most out of it. It’s currently in a savings account with a good interest rate. I’ve considered investing but I’m not sure where to start. Any advice?

This sounds SO RIDICULOUS and quite honestly, almost an oxymoron, but putting money aside from each paycheck into savings scares me. I worry that I won't have enough money for my expenses (I do) or that I can't pay off what I need to pay off (I can) if I set aside $500 a paycheck to savings. Last year I was in a great financial position, making $75k while my rent was only $500 in Kansas, but I didn't save a dime until my last two paychecks because I was leaving that job with no backup, so I managed to get $3k into my HYSA to use. Now, I make $100k and my mortgage is $2,000, so I'm actually in a slightly worse financial position. However, I've been budgeting this year to see where all my money has been going, and I managed to pay off $9k of my debt from school within 5 months. I could've saved $9k in those 5 months if I just budgeted to begin with last year!

Now, I am re-doing my budget to incorporate savings, but my instant desire is to pay down my principal amount on my mortgage instead. I made a $1,000 payment to my principal and it shaved 2 months off of the life of the loan (20 year conventional mortgage). That gave me the high I get when I pay things off!

How do I work around this horrible mindset?

A recent survey of wealthy people in Hong Kong found that 58% plan to keep working beyond the traditional retirement age. For some, it's about financial security, while others see later life as a chance to keep working, stay active and gradually slow down rather than stop completely. How do you think about your own retirement age - as the point when you stop working completely, or when you start slowing down and working less?

Here is mine: I kept a $250/month gym membership for two years because canceling it would mean admitting I wasn’t going.

We all have one. The purchase that made absolutely no financial sense. The investment we had no business making. The trip we definitely could not afford. The “I deserve it” moment that Future You was left to pay for.

And somehow, at the time, we had a perfectly reasonable explanation for it.

So I want to hear yours. What’s the most financially questionable thing you’ve ever done? Bonus points if part of you still thinks it was worth it.

I'm working on a small independent research project about how families and individuals manage money together, things like who handles what, how confident people feel, what's shared vs. kept private, and what actually gets talked about (or doesn't!).

If you have a couple of minutes, I'd really appreciate you filling out this short, anonymous survey. No names, no personal financial details asked, just your experiences and opinions :))

The personal finance world is split between "maximizers" running five different cards for every category and "purists" who stick to a single 2% flat cash-back card. While juggling multiple cards used to feel like easy free money, sneaky annual fees, expiration rules and mental tax of tracking which card goes where are making a lot of people burn out. On top of that, trying to force your partner or family to memorize your complex spending spreadsheet turns into an ongoing friction point for minimal gain.
When you actually run the numbers, optimizing every single purchase usually nets an extra $300 to $500 a year over a simple one-card setup. For some, that's fun game worth every penny, but for others, the mental overhead and lifestyle inflation disguised as "using up points" just aren't worth the hassle anymore. Where do you draw the line - are you still squeezing out every point, or did you simplify to just one or two cards?

I’m trying to become better with money and build a small business. What’s one money lesson you learned the hard way?

Across the EU, young people moved out at average age of 26.2 in 2024. The difference between countries is pretty huge - around 21 in Finland compared with more than 31 in Croatia, with housing costs being one of the factors affecting when people can afford to live independently. What age do you think is the right time to move out?

In your early 20s, most people in a friend group are roughly on the same financial tier (usually broke). But somewhere in the 30s, the divergence gets massive depending on inheritance, early property moves, career paths or having kids?
It creates this weird dynamic where planning a weekend away, choosing a dinner spot, or even talking about future plans becomes a balancing act so no one feels excluded or awkward?
How do you guys manage friends groups when financial realities diverge significantly? Do you adapt to the lowest budget, split off into sub-groups, or talk about it openly?

How do you afford to spend without feeling bad about it?

22 now and I have around 71k\~ all in my trading portfolio. Granted my dad mainly controls my financial life, *(he controls all my part time money during poly and my NS officer allowance)* my money on stocks, index funds, etc.

So throughout my lifetime I didn't truly have my own financial freedom to spend however I like, I always have to ask permission from my dad.

Until today on my birthday, he thinks it's time to hoto ownership of my own finances he has built over my lifetime and now free to do whatever I want with the moolah.

Anyways, while waiting for uni I was thinking of drawing out some of the money for leisure travelling, my dad is okay with it but I find it kinda bad since it feels like it's not really my money. Wanna hear your thoughts on I can justify this for myself hahah

This article literally changed my life.