Must Read: When It’s OK To Leave A Bad Tip, Winning The Lottery Actually Does Make You Happy

These are the must read stories in personal finance this week.

Exactly How It Cost My Family Over $32,000 To Immigrate To The U.S.

It might not be written about every day in the media, but it’s on the minds of many all day long – it’s expensive to immigrate to the United States. In addition to having to endure the emotional toll of moving to a new place, immigrants also feel the financial burden of Visas, Green Card applications, Naturalization applications, and other procedural fees associated with becoming a citizen. This post describes how one woman and her family moved to the US when she was a teenager along with the costs that came with it. (The Financial Diet)

When It’s OK To Leave A Bad Tip

Tipping is getting heftier these days – while 15% used to be the norm, it’s now a lower percent to leave. On top of that, there seems to be a difference in tip size between the generations, with baby boomers tipping 17% on average and millennials leaving around 22%. Now we’re feeling the pressure. How much is enough to tip? And when is it fine not to leave a tip at all? (Two Cents / Lifehacker)

Highest Paying Jobs Without A College Degree

We here at The Money Manual write a lot about student loan debt and the costs of attending college, and maybe you’re not willing to take that nosedive of a payment after graduation (we get it, and we feel the pain, too). Coming straight from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, this information will enlighten you on the top prospects pay-wise for jobs that don’t require college degrees. The future is looking bright! And … green! (Maximize Your Money)

Winning The Lottery Actually Does Make You Happy, Says New Study Proving What We Knew All Along

European economists found that winning the lottery increases people’s satisfaction with their incomes and lives. Analysts in Germany made this enlightening discovery, which is contrary to many other studies on the same topic. The difference between this study and the others? Sample size. This survey was administered to 617 winners while most others contained an average of 22 winners. 617 is definitely better for accuracy. They say money is not the key to happiness, but apparently winning money has an effect. (Money)

Having A Hard Time Paying Off Debt? Try A Money Board!

There are plenty of tools nowadays that can help you save to pay off your debt, and they are very useful indeed … but sometimes you just need a physical representation of what you’re trying to accomplish to really make it happen. Enter the money board – a board onto which you physically attach money in order to pay off whatever is frustrating you in the moment. One woman paid off $249,000 this way. (Budgets Are Sexy)

How To Wean Your Adult Children Off The Bank Of Mom And Dad

If you’re a parent with older children, you may be acquainted with the Bank of Mom and Dad. This bank is a faithful, helpful bank that never really charges interest or requires payment in return for “borrowing” money. It does not sound like a profitable business model at all. If you’re considering weaning your offspring off of this system, here’s some advice. (Money)

7 Tips For Becoming An Ethical Shopper

You see it happening everywhere – stores are reducing the amount of plastic waste they generate, packaging is including phrases like “ethically sourced,” and people are becoming more aware of what they’re buying and how it’s made. While it’s kind of impossible to know everything about well … everything that you’re buying, we can all do our part to do a better job of shopping ethically. (Nerd Wallet)

Feature Image: When Harry Met Sally