Wednesdays are all about personal finance here at Abnormal Returns. You can check out last week’s links including a look at how not to get ripped off when you use your credit card overseas.
Quote of the day
“Discussing somebody’s investments without the appropriate context is, at best, entertainment, and has the potential to be harmful.” – Brendan Mullooly
Chart of the day

A handy guide to help you think about financial independence and retirement. (Morningstar)
Spending
- Why you should dump your self-storage unit. (humbledollar.com)
- At a certain point there are diminishing returns to frugality. (thesimpledollar.com)
Insurance
- Been with the same insurance company for awhile? It may be time to shop around. (evidenceinvestor.com)
- Why you may need to up your term life insurance. (businessinsider.com)
Student loans
- Why are income-driven student loan repayment programs so difficult to navigate? (nytimes.com)
- Companies are helping employees pay off student debt by contributing to their 401(k) plans. (wsj.com)
Estate stuff
- Estate-planning issues to consider, if you remarry. (cnbc.com)
- Options for a spousal inherited IRA. (financialducksinarow.com)
- On the corrosive effects of big wealth transfers, i.e. inheritances. (ft.com)
Careers
- How dual-career couples can support each other. (nextavenue.org)
- Why you need to get more comfortable asking for stuff. (jason-butler.com)
Investing
- How to use buckets for your non-retirement savings needs. (morningstar.com)
- What will Vanguard's new Digital Advisor program offer that all-in-one funds doesn’t offer? (obliviousinvestor.com)
Personal finanace
- What do three of the best-selling personal finance books agree on: "Eliminate debt. Live below your means. Look for ways to supplement your income." (nytimes.com)
- Why paying off debt and building an emergency fund is so important. (alephblog.com)
- Dragging out the time it takes to get a degree can be a real drag on your finances. (realsmartica.com)
- When it makes sense to pay some capital gains taxes. (retirementfieldguide.com)
- Visualizing global attitudes toward retirement. (visualcapitalist.com)