Posted by DebtKid :: March 15, 2008 @ 4:42 am

You are a spreadsheet master. Should the average person use spreadsheets to help manage their finances and investments?

Thanks! My wife and I ditched the commercial software programs like Money and Quicken because we didn’t like the lack of flexibility. So, we decided to set up an Excel spreadsheet to track our finances. I’m sure our method isn’t for everyone but we like it.

Your blog focuses on 401Ks and retirement planning, among other money topics. What are some creative tips you would give to a 25-year-old on retirement planning? A 35-year-old?

I consider a 25-year-old and a 35-year-old in the same boat as they are both at least a couple of decades from retiring. Therefore, my advice would be pretty much the same: Invest AS MUCH AS YOU CAN and invest the majority (80% or more) in equities. Finally, don’t let the downturns get you down.

You've made some custom financial calculators available on your blog. How do you use these? Which calculators are your favorites?

The calculators are really just a useable Excel spreadsheet. I created them for the fun of it. My favorite is probably the one about how much a person can save in their lifetime.

What do you enjoy most about writing on "All Financial Matters"? How did you get started as a finance blogger?

Investing is probably my favorite topic. I also try to cover controversial topics like the subprime bailout.

I got started blogging in October of 2004 as a way of writing a cheap newsletter. I had read an article in the Wall Street Journal about people setting up blogs for their families and I thought it would be cool to use one for personal finance.

What are you thoughts on P2P lending? Does it have a place in investors’ portfolios? (Be totally honest, LC is all about the honesty.)

To be honest, I haven’t given P2P lending much thought.

When you're not blogging...what do you do?

Sleep.

Jim Cramer or Suze Orman? (chuckle...heh, heh)

Neither.