Joe Wallace specializes in personal finance, military affairs, and consumer protection topics. Since 1995, his work has appeared on Air Force Television News, The Pentagon Channel, ABC and a variety of print and online publications. He is a 13-year Air Force veteran and collects unusual vinyl records, which gives him an excuse to write the vinyl blog Turntabling.net.
Ruby is a mom, an investor, and a travel blogger at A Journey We Love and Voyage Florida. She is currently on her path to financial independence through real estate, index funds, stocks, and cryptocurrency. She is currently based in Jacksonville, Florida after living in London, UK and Manila, Philippines.
Tamila McDonald has worked as a Financial Advisor for the military for past 13 years. She has taught Personal Financial classes on every subject from credit, to life insurance, as well as all other aspects of financial management. Mrs. McDonald is an AFCPE Accredited Financial Counselor and has helped her clients to meet their short-term and long-term financial goals.
Syndicated Authors
Based in the Pittsburgh, PA area, Brian Lesko holds full-time employment as a Warehouse Manager for an electronics firm. Brian enjoys wealth building, investing, gardening and the great outdoors. Brian holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Robert Morris University.
Hope is a digital marketing manager and foster/adoptive single mom to five kids. She has run her own consulting company for over 15 years and took a leap of faith returning to the corporate world in 2021 to a job and team she loves! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the Spring of 2015 and feels like she has finally mastered the balance between family first and wise financial decisions.
Lyle Solomon has extensive legal experience, in-depth knowledge, and experience in consumer finance and writing. He has been a member of the California State Bar since 2003. He graduated from the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California, in 1998 and currently works for the Oak View Law Group in California as a principal attorney.
Allen Francis was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years with no money, no financial literacy, and no responsibility when he had money. To him, the phrase “personal finance,” contains the power that anyone has to grow their own wealth. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including focusing on your needs instead of your wants, asking for help when you need it, saving and investing in your own small business.
Critical Financial is now part of the District Media, Inc. portfolio. Originally founded in the District of Columbia in 2007, District Media, Inc is an independent media company. Our objective is to deliver high-quality personal finance news and advice that informs, empowers, educates and entertains the public. We provide this information free of charge through our portfolio of personal finance websites, with all operating expenses paid through advertising.
Disclosure of Material Connection:Some of the links in the articles are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
About the Author
Melissa is a writer and virtual assistant. She earned her Master’s from Southern Illinois University, and her Bachelor’s in English from the University of Michigan. When she’s not working, you can find her homeschooling her kids, reading a good book, or cooking. She resides in Arizona where she dislikes the summer heat but loves the natural beauty.
Critical Financials’ Basic Personal Finance Rules
Here are some simple guidelines that will help you build wealth:
1) Do the math. Get a budget and calculate your net worth 2) Get an emergency fund. Save at least 6 months worth of expenses 3) Limit costs. Spend no more than 30% of your income on housing 4) Max your retirement. Maximize contributions to your tax-deferred retirement accounts 5) Pay yourself first. Set aside money for yourself before you take care of your other bills 6) Set goals. Goal let you get ahead faster 7) Avoid high interest debt. Avoid credit cards, title loans and other usurious loans 8) Diversify. Diversity your assets.
Critical Financial is now part of the District Media, Inc. portfolio. Originally founded in the District of Columbia in 2007, District Media, Inc is an independent media company. Our objective is to deliver high-quality personal finance news and advice that informs, empowers, educates and entertains the public. We provide this information free of charge through our portfolio of personal finance websites, with all operating expenses paid through advertising.