Apple is one of the most admired, wealthy, valuable and powerful companies in the world. They are absolutely at the top of their game – their products have created entirely new industries and changed the way business is done in personal computers, movies, music, and mobile phone service. Apple has put computers in people’s pockets (with the iPhone) and brought Star Trek-like technology to life (with the iPad).

When you look at such a big, influential company like Apple, it can be hard to imagine how this company’s success might impact your life and your finances. But if you look closer, there are many lessons that we can learn from Apple as we try to improve our own financial condition.

Read the full post on What can Apple teach us about personal finance?.

The new idea that should be on everyone’s mind now and in the future is your ‘digital death’ and what you can do about the digital legacy you leave behind.  Even celebrities have gotten on the digital bandwagon – committing ‘digital suicide’ in an effort to raise money for charity.  Although their death was simply withdrawing from posting for a while – and not physical death – it sent a message.

When you think about all of your online assets, posts, blogs, information and other more personal data, it can be overwhelming to think about what will happen to all of your ‘digital stuff’ should you die.

Read the full post on 10 Tips to Prepare for Your Digital Demise.

Managing multiple financial accounts and services can be overwhelming can be maddening. Keeping track of all your bank statements, receipts, bills, online payment accounts, and all the rest can be tiresome. One helpful option is to log into your bank or credit union’s site, which gives you a run-down on your money and where it’s coming in and going out.

But let’s face it; managing your money this way is going out of style. Getting paper bills through the mail, constantly checking Amazon and Netflix to make sure payments were made, worrying about suspicious account activity, fumbling through receipt after receipt; it’s all very slow, non-organic, and archaic.

Read the full post on Money-Managing App “Mint” Helps You Take Control of Your Finances.

It’s now common knowledge that America has at least a passive interest in farming (thanks to Farmville). But perhaps you should consider the real thing.

Don’t live out in the boonies to start a farm? No problem; that’s what urban farming is for, and it offers lot of great personal and community benefits. Amber Hunt, from our family company Quicken Loans, provides an inside scoop on how Detroit is taking advantage of all the great opportunities urban farming has to offer.

By Amber Hunt of Quicken Loans

Read the full post on Urban Farming – You Should Try It.