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Whether you're an investment junkie or a timid novice, investing needs to be part of your relationship. So what makes investing so complicated for couples? Let's see ...

There are some things in life where you really, really hope the first time is a charm -- marriage, declaring a college major, and bungee-jumping, for example.

Mom and Dad were right a lot of the time: Scratching only makes it worse; high school's not the end of the world; and that style (whatever "that style" was in your day) isn't flattering, even if all the popular girls are wearing it.

Economic uncertainty, pinched savings, job insecurity -- I hate to pile on, but there's one more ingredient in this bitter stew: credit card debt.

When hiring a financial planner, it pays to screen carefully. It's important to understand exactly how each candidate is paid, so that you can make an informed market decision. But remember, few worthwhile pros work for peanuts. Don't get so ruthless about cost that you end up with worthless advice.

Saving money these days is de rigueur. So you might as well make the most of it -- literally. Here are some painless ways to make the money you already have go further.

A sputtering economy, implosions at financial institutions, or just plain bad management -- on any given day, investors can name a number of reasons to sell a stock. Yet while panic is never beneficial to investors, it's good practice to play devil's advocate with investments from time to time.

Those who work as contractors, small-business owners or freelancers aren't watching the employment figures. They're too busy trying to make a living.

Adults spend an average of 16 times as many hours selecting clothes (145.6 hours a year) as they do on planning their retirement. And proportionally speaking, we spend more time deciding how to handle a single in-box document than we do on purchasing our dream domicile.

In the mood for a money talk? Yeah, we know. It's hardly on the top of anyone's list. But the task does fall somewhere between teaching the kids the birds 'n' bees and remembering to give the dog its heartworm pill.

Most folks know all about securing adequate insurance coverage for their cars, homes, and other personal property. The tangible nature of these items reminds us that someday they could be lost, stolen, or damaged, leaving you scrambling for a replacement.

We Americans may be tightening our belts, but that doesn't mean we're happy about it.

In todays real estate market, your home may be your castle for longer than you originally intended it to be.

Paper or plastic? Cash, check or charge? Receipt in the bag or out? Briefs or boxers?

A short-term disability that turns into a long-term one can seriously sideline your finances. And just in case you think it can't happen to you, consider that the U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2000 that nearly 20% of the population had some type of long-lasting condition or disability. (And, no, "road rage" doesn't count.)

Even on the market's worst days, buyout news and other short-term forces can send individual stocks up by 10%, 25%, even 50%.

Success stories are regular features of our Motley Fool Rule Your Retirement newsletter service, where we share profiles of people who have become financially independent. One of the most remarkable stories we've come across is that of Billy and Akaisha Kaderli. In their late 30s, they left their fast-track lives and started traveling the world. We caught up with them in Chapala, Mexico. Here, Billy and Akaisha address ruling your retirement.