Boomers can learn from their parents’ money habits

A June 2008 study by the market research firm Matthew Greenwald and Associates reveals that our parents attribute their ability to live comfortably in their retirement years to
* Avoiding credit card debt (81%)
* Having an emergency fund (86%)
* The ability to save well (79%)

Have subsequent generations followed suit? Read a good overview here. Or if you’re a detail person who wants the whole study, it’s here.

Dump your credit cards– even if you’re not in debt?

I’m intrigued by this article in the July 2008 issue of Money. Mostly because I’m hating my credit cards these days.

My issue with credit cards is not about racking up debt. We pay off our cards in full every month. But I have two gripes:
1. I feel like I spend more freely with plastic than with cash.
2. It’s tough to stick with a tight monthly budget when “old” purchases show up in a new month needing to be paid.