(Because ten is not enough)

For most folks, money (or lack thereof) is the primary stated reason why they can’t manage a BreakAway. It’s true that amassing and managing the necessary funds can be a challenging task. But it needn’t be complicated or painful. Here are some simple suggestions to help you get ahead—so you can get away.

• Live under your means—no matter what that means.
• Save 10% or more.
• Gradually sock away months, then years, of living expenses.
• Max out on matching programs, good IRAs, and other no-brainers.
• Get tax smart.
• Know when the price tag is too high—financially, environmentally, and ethically.
• Know credit—or no credit!
• Invest your long-term assets as aggressively as you can stomach. (Long-term means at least five years.)
• You can’t take it with you—so plan to have nothing to take.
• Nothing appreciates in valu

Start seeing Career Breaks! They’re OUT there, perhaps calling YOUR name. While the interns have been busy digging up these highlights, the first story hardly requires a bevy of underpaid minions—because it’s getting a LOT of online ink. Clearly, human nature remains fascinated with the rich and fabulous.

• Super-Rich buy into ultra-sabbaticals

Did you know that the top 1% worldwide now has more $ than the rest of us combined? They must find that boring. So they’re seeking rare-critter safaris (with helicopter spotters to make sure they don’t get skunked), dancing with the sharks, and RTW family adventures with nannies and tutors in tow.

In general, the more exotic and extraordinary the itinerary, the better. Think: Bragging rights. This story going viral proves, we believe, that the even 99%-ers (who m…

After a long and self-indulgent break, the Spendology category is pleased to get off the recliner and return to the turf of BreakAway. And thus ends the good news—and the party. Because we are here to predict that the U$A is exactly two years away (or less, maybe much) from the next recession. Duh.

Market timing remains a foolish and dangerous sport. So “SELL” makes little sense. But neither does “BUY.” So here’s our best recommendation: “GO!”

• Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans (or not)

Stick to your plan, of course. If you have one. But if you’re like most Merrkuns, you don’t. Even worse, a recent LAT article made a painfully compelling case that most of us have not improved our fiscal fitness since armpit of the last downturn. Yep, despite the longest uptick in our history, our national personal debt has actua…