Personal Finance

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  • Toxic Laundry: What’s in Your Dryer Sheets and Fabric Softener?

    Wise Bread
    Kentin Waits
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:48 am
    Fabric softeners, dryer sheets, fabric sprays...and now laundry crystals. Most American laundry rooms are beginning to look like home chemistry labs. Liquids, gels, foams, and fragrances are mixed and remixed in a never-ending (and quite ironic) search for “freshness.” It makes me wonder what, exactly, our clothes and linens are going through that requires them to so be thoroughly and aggressively treated. Are all these products really necessary, or have we wholly embraced some trendy loft full of marketers’ whiteboard dreams? (See also: 9 Ways to Help Your Clothes Last…

  • Renting Vs. Buying

    MintLife Blog | Personal Finance News & Advice
    Vivian Wagner
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:29 am
    It’s not always easy to tell what’s best to do — renting or buying a home. We tend to assume that buying is always better, and the American Dream is, at least historically, built on that all-important goal of owning your own home. Yet if the housing crash and recession of the last several years have taught us anything, it’s that owning a home isn’t always all that it’s cracked up to be, and renting can protect you against some of the downsides of the commitment of home ownership. With all of that in mind, here are some guidelines to consider whether renting…

  • Savings Bonds vs. Bank Savings Accounts

    My Money Blog
    Jonathan
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    (In this post, I’m not going to provide all the background information on savings bonds that I normally do. For that, please read the older posts in my Savings Bonds category.) When the Treasury announced the $10,000 purchase limit for 2012, a few readers asked if you should buy savings bonds in January, or wait until later in the year. Since then, a few things have happened. For one, the Federal Reserve has basically said that they will keep their target fed funds rates at zero until late 2014, while setting a target inflation rate at 2% annually. Translation: Interest rates on savings…

  • How To Book Cheap Flights & Air Travel Deals

    The Digerati Life
    Beth M.
    24 Jan 2012 | 7:49 pm
    In my circle of friends, I am known as the budget traveler, a point of pride with me. I have a long list of cheap trips under my belt, and I love talking travel with whoever wants to listen, and not only to encourage them to travel often but to consider doing it cheaply. If [...]How To Book Cheap Flights & Air Travel Deals Copyright 2011 TheDigeratiLife.com All rights reserved.

  • 5 Money Lessons We Can Learn From Grandma and Grandpa

    MintLife Blog | Personal Finance News & Advice
    cheapchic
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:10 pm
    They’ve lived through the Great Depression, raised kids from diapers all the way through adulthood, worked for decades, bought and sold homes and even managed to save a bit. Now our elders are sharing their life lessons via Cornell University’s “The Legacy Project,” a survey of more than 1,200 Americans (most 70 and up) on the best practical advice they’ve absorbed throughout the decades. Here are five money lessons we can learn from grandma and grandpa: Avoid getting into debt “These wise Americans say you should wait to buy everything — except for a house and an…
 
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    I Will Teach You To Be Rich

  • What I think of information addicts

    Ramit Sethi
    22 Jan 2012 | 9:04 pm
    I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about giving away free material vs. charging for it. Here’s a recent 1-hour interview where I talk about free vs. paid material, including how I went from charging $4.95 for my first ebook to $12,000 for my most recent course. I also did another interview on the psychology of monetization, too, where I cover more academic psychological and marketing theory. This is for the true psychology/marketing nerds, so I reveal some gems that only they would appreciate. Based on the kinds of emails I get, I assume about 80% of you are huge huge nerds. So, let’s…

  • What The Pros Know About Networking That You Don’t

    Ramit Sethi
    20 Jan 2012 | 11:57 am
    When I was on the Today Show a couple years ago, I sat down to prep a few minutes before air time. About 45 seconds before we went live, Meredith Viera came onto set. She took one look at the topic sheet, then reached out to shake all of our hands. In the next 30 seconds, she asked a couple questions to get to know us, and then we started the segment. What was fascinating was that, within those 30 seconds, she was so personable that we instantly felt a connection to her (“Wow, she’s so friendly!”). And I realized that the masters — like the world’s top TV anchors, politicians,…

  • How to use Natural Networking to connect with anyone — including the exact email scripts

    Ramit Sethi
    18 Jan 2012 | 10:36 am
    How many of us have heard career experts telling us to “go out there and network”? What does that actually mean? They never seem to specify. So we end up going to 1 or 2 pointless networking events, which actually turn out to be a bunch of unemployed people looking for jobs, until we realize the pointlessness of random networking. We stop going. But we keep hearing about the importance of our network, and we hear about how most jobs are found through personal contacts. Pretty soon, it becomes clear to us that it’s WHO you know, not WHAT you know. But we have no idea how to actually turn…

  • How to write a resume that wins

    Ramit Sethi
    17 Jan 2012 | 12:31 pm
    Last night, 3,000+ IWT readers from all over the world tuned in, live, to learn the inside techniques to craft a winning resume. These are the same techniques I used to get jobs at Google, Intuit, and many other companies. Attention jackasses: These are not my curtains. I’m not 78 years old. I was at a hotel. I had nothing to sell. I just wanted to show people that — instead of blaming the economy, or believing that “I don’t have enough experience” is a valid excuse — they could take their Dream Job search into their own hands. Here’s what attendees had to say:…

  • Tonight: Live Resume Boot Camp

    Ramit Sethi
    16 Jan 2012 | 10:18 am
    Welcome to Week 2 of the 3-week Dream Job Boot Camp. As you know, I got tired of seeing the same old career advice from 68-year-old people who have never been through serious recruiting. As a result, even when they tried to offer advice — even when they genuinely believed it would help! — it really didn’t. There’s only so many times we can listen to someone tell us to shorten our resume to 1 page before we start to contemplate suicide via a butter knife. Instead, I want to pull back the veil on how top performers find their Dream Jobs. These are people who use their immense…
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    Get Rich Slowly - Personal Finance That Makes Sense.

  • Ask the Readers: Basic Financial Frameworks?

    J.D. Roth
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    One common request from new GRS readers is some sort of central location where they can find a list of introductory articles to guide their progress. This is a great idea, and I’m working on it. Some of the GRS elves are working on a “Guide to Money” that will provide some of this info, but I envision a single page that collects all of the relevant articles for folks starting out. In the meantime, folks like Ashley are hoping they can get some help now. Ashley writes: I’m a new reader to the blog and just wanted to say thanks for presenting often overwhelming…

  • Spare Change: Submit Your Story Edition

    J.D. Roth
    26 Jan 2012 | 3:00 pm
    Like a hibernating bear, I feel like I’m waking from a long winter’s nap. For the past few months, I’ve been dormant, not just at Get Rich Slowly but at my other sites as well. I’ve had so much happening in my personal life that it’s been tough to find the mental energy to write about money (or anything else). Now I’m ready to get back to work. As part of that, it’s time to call for another round of reader submissions. I’ve always said that it’s your contributions that make this site great. Get Rich Slowly isn’t about me —…

  • 11 Things You May Not Know About Retirement Accounts

    Robert Brokamp
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    This is a guest post from Robert Brokamp of The Motley Fool. Robert is a Certified Financial Planner and the adviser for The Motley Fool’s Rule Your Retirement service. Robert contributes one new article to Get Rich Slowly every two weeks, and photocopies his face and other body parts. I don’t know you personally (yet), but my guess is that you own an IRA or employer-sponsored retirement account such as a 401(k) or 403(b). Such accounts are where the majority of Americans hold their longterm savings. However, like anything governed by the Congress and the IRS, there are plenty of rules,…

  • How to Stock Your Liquor Cabinet on the Cheap

    Tim Sullivan
    25 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    This post is by staff writer Tim Sullivan. It’s Friday night. A few friends and I are debating whether or not to go to the college bars down the street to get a drink when my friend Steve chimes in that his apartment is just up the way, and says, with his chest slightly puffed, “I have a fully stocked liquor cabinet — something for everyone.” Steve obviously likes to keep his apartment ready for impromptu entertaining. There’s ample seating, surround sound, and yes, a bar separate from the kitchen that’s almost equal in size. Behind the bar he keeps bottles upon bottles of…

  • The Calculus of Convenience

    J.D. Roth
    24 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    For several years now, I’ve lived in a sort of financial sweet spot. After paying off my debt, I realized that Kris and I had everything we really wanted or needed, so we never had to buy much for the house (except when something broke). But now that I’m on my own, I’m finding all sorts of little things I need to buy again. And those little things add up. Last Friday, for instance, I invited the neighbors across the hall to join me for a glass of wine. Great! Except that I apparently no longer own a corkscrew. Oops. Something else to add to my ever-growing list of things to…
 
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    Personal finance news - CNNMoney.com

  • Obama expands foreclosure prevention program

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:58 pm
    The Obama administration is taking another swing at improving its main foreclosure prevention program.

  • Retirement saving: Don't shortchange the later years

    27 Jan 2012 | 4:52 pm
    Many people think they can plan on spending less later in retirement since they'll become less active as they age. But if their health declines, they may actually shift spending rather than reduce it. Do you think it's risky to plan as if one's expenses will go down later in retirement? --Tim, U.K.

  • Nonprofit founders put passions ahead of planning

    27 Jan 2012 | 11:51 am
    Scott Pankratz and Julie Osborn are phenomenal planners and money managers -- except when it comes to their own investments.

  • Recovering from a too risky portfolio

    27 Jan 2012 | 11:48 am
    We spoke to five families who face challenges that could keep them from meeting their financial goals. With a few tweaks to their game plan, they can get back on course. Here, the Mitchells' story -- and the recommended financial fixes.

  • Rich, Gingrich and crazy rich

    27 Jan 2012 | 10:48 am
    Which presidential candidate paid the most in taxes? Who is the most charitable? Here's an inside look at the top candidates' 2010 income tax returns.
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    Consumerism Commentary

  • The Role of Money in Choosing a Relationship

    Flexo
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:22 am
    Do people have any kind of control over whom they fall in love with? Perhaps Cupid’s arrow strikes randomly, and there is no choice but to obey the heart — or chemicals in the brain — or sexual urges. But once that initial response has subsided, if you and your partner are headed for a life-long or major long-term relationship, there should be some discussion about money. What role does that discussion have in determining the path of your relationship? A recent study explains that opposites don’t attract in relationships. If you’ve ever looked at relationships…

  • Improve Your Child’s Cognitive Ability for Income Potential

    Flexo
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    There’s a chance you could become a multi-millionaire after repeatedly slamming your head into other people and suffering through the resulting mini-concussions and minor brain damage, but not everyone can be a professional football player in the NFL. There’s a safer and less harmful path toward financial independence. Cognitive ability is an important part of your human capital, and your human capital measures, among other things, how likely you’ll be able to support yourself financially, particularly through difficult economic times. Cognitive ability is important because…

  • The Best Cash Back Credit Cards, January 2012

    Flexo
    25 Jan 2012 | 1:10 pm
    Cash back credit cards can help consumers practice responsible spending while earning a little extra for their efforts when used properly. It wasn’t long ago that the best cash back credit cards were offering rewards as high as 5% for all purchases, but that is unfortunately no longer the case. Today’s cash back credit cards are all similar in nature, generally offering 1% cash back on all purchases. However, if you look hard enough, you’ll find a number of credit cards with higher cash rebates than just 1%. This article lists the best cash back credit cards you can find…

  • She Spends Less Than She Earns: Zooey Deschanel

    Flexo
    25 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    It’s not often that a young, female star of music, movie, and television can avoid financial scrutiny. Tales of financial woe tend to be much juicier, anyway. It’s not difficult to remember the Britney Spears train wreck. She couldn’t handle earning more than $700,000 a month. At least her antics kept her in the news. I’ve been recently enamored with Zooey Deschanel. She’s a fine actor and a fine singer; I own her three albums on vinyl — including a Christmas album, something of a stretch for me. But today I learned something that increased my respect for…

  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Wants Payday Loan Feedback

    Flexo
    24 Jan 2012 | 3:30 pm
    While the mainstream financial industry has faced a dizzying array of government and quasi-government regulations through most of the last one hundred years, non-bank financial products have, for the most part, evaded regulations. Catering to lower-income communities, payday loan storefronts and check cashing establishments have managed to justify their business models. The more desperate you are to pay your electricity bills and your rent before your power is turned off and you’re evicted, the more likely you are to willfully ignore the fact that the companies helping you are taking…
 
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    Forbes - Personal Finance

  • Good and Better IRS News For Abuse Victims

    Peter J Reilly
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:35 pm
    It is a real tragedy that someone can escape an abusive marriage, only to find themselves being pursued by the IRS for the abuser's tax debts.  How does it happen ? Filing a joint return will usually result in a married couple having a lower federal tax than the total of two married filing separate returns (The total of the two returns as single might be even lower, but that is not an option if you are married).  It is rare for couples or their tax advisers to seriously consider filing separately even for the last year of a marriage.  I believe that this is a…

  • Hooking Up With Gen Y - Challenge for Business

    Peter J Reilly
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:20 pm

  • America's Most Overpriced Cities

    Morgan Brennan
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:07 pm
    California cities dominate this list but Florida hot spots and Texas border towns are pricey too.

  • America's Most Overpriced Cities

    Morgan Brennan
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:07 pm
    The Lone Star state has gotten a lot of good press lately for coming through the economic downturn relatively unscathed. Since 2008, nearly 40% of all of the nation?s new jobs since have been created there. Thanks to that strong economy, housing in Texas? biggest cities, including Houston, San Antonio and Austin, never suffered from the plunge in property values that struck the rest of the United States in the last few years.

  • Weekly Wrap: 1/27/2012

    MarketNewsVideo
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:57 pm
    This fourth trading week of 2012 comes to a close with investors sending stocks lower following a disappointing GDP report.
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    My Money Blog

  • Savings Bonds vs. Bank Savings Accounts

    Jonathan
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    (In this post, I’m not going to provide all the background information on savings bonds that I normally do. For that, please read the older posts in my Savings Bonds category.) When the Treasury announced the $10,000 purchase limit for 2012, a few readers asked if you should buy savings bonds in January, or wait until later in the year. Since then, a few things have happened. For one, the Federal Reserve has basically said that they will keep their target fed funds rates at zero until late 2014, while setting a target inflation rate at 2% annually. Translation: Interest rates on savings…

  • Pay Your Kids To Fund Their Own Roth IRA?

    Jonathan
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:27 am
    You’re probably aware of the wonders of the Roth IRA and how it allows your money to grow completely free from taxes, even upon withdrawal. An added wrinkle is the lack of age restriction, so that even kids with earned income (wages, salaries, tips) can contribute to a Roth IRA up the lesser of their taxable income or $5,000. Along those lines, I received a PR e-mail from a site called 1417power.com. The idea is that you pay them “tuition”, and in return they pay your kids official job income that makes them eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA. They claim to follow all…

  • Clover Pay $5 Bonus via Referral

    Jonathan
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:12 am
    Clover is a new person-to-person payment system for use between phone numbers. Simple fees (none for personal use), simple interface. If you sign-up via invite from a registered user, you’ll get a $5 bonus (I actually got a $5 Amazon GC + $1 credit, but the link just says $5). The referrer gets $5 too. You don’t even need a credit card or bank account to start, just a phone number (landline numbers work, but it’s optimized for Android and iPhone/iPod Touch users). I am out of invites (thanks!), here is Mrs. MMB’s Clover $5 invite link. I think she still has 10 left or…

  • LivingSocial: $20 at The Body Shop for $10

    Jonathan
    25 Jan 2012 | 10:33 pm
    LivingSocial is offering $20 to spend at The Body Shop for $10. Valid in-store only. Valid toward sale and promotional items. Over 65,000 purchased already. Psst guys… Valentine’s Day is less than 3 weeks away p.s. Groupon has $6 movie tickets to romantic comedy flick “One For The Money” Related posts: LivingSocial: $20 Amazon Gift Card For $10 American Apparel: $50 Gift Card For Just $25 $2 for Five Movie Rentals from Blockbuster Express – Groupon LivingSocial: $20 at The Body Shop for $10 from My Money Blog. © MyMoneyBlog.com, 2012.

  • Citi Dividend Platinum vs. Chase Freedom Visa: Which Is Better?

    Jonathan
    25 Jan 2012 | 5:32 am
    Some of you may not like the idea of trying out a new credit card with an annual fee and possibly having to cancel the card later (even if comes with a big sign-up bonus!), though the effect on your credit score is a lot less than many media articles would lead you to believe. Here are a couple of cards with $200 sign-up bonuses and minimal requirements (indeed, they would have been rock stars in 2008 and 2009) – but are also everyday “keeper” cards with no annual fee. I’ve had both of them for years. Chase Freedom Visa – $200 Bonus $200 bonus cash back after…
 
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    The Simple Dollar

  • Set Your Refrigerator to the Warmest Setting (26/365)

    Trent
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:00 pm
    Let’s cut straight to the chase. The sweet spot for any refrigerator is between 39 and 40 F. This is the temperature at which bacterial growth is inhibited but the difference between your refrigerator and the ambient temperature outside of your refrigerator is minimized. In other words, keeping your refrigerator’s internal temperature at about 39 F will keep your food safe while minimizing your energy costs. Simple, right? Well, not quite so simple. Your refrigerator is one of the biggest power guzzlers in your house. Over the course of a year, a modern refrigerator sucks down…

  • What’s Next After Debt Freedom?

    Trent
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    Thanks to Forest Wander for the picture. Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end – Seneca As I write this, Sarah and I are completely debt free. We have no mortgage. We have no car loans. We have no student loans. We have no credit card balances. We have no consumer loans of any other type. We have a healthy emergency fund that will keep us from falling back into debt very easily. We have a healthy amount of savings for our next car and for our next appliance replacement or two. We’re saving for retirement, for our children’s college education, and…

  • Don’t Install Your Refrigerator Next to Your Dishwasher (25/365)

    Trent
    26 Jan 2012 | 2:00 pm
    Your dishwasher gets hot. Your dishwasher also gets moist, meaning it’s harder to cool down the air around it. Your refrigerator gets cold. So does your freezer. Why would you put a device that gets hot next to a device that gets cold? No insulation is perfect, after all, so they would both be using energy to fight the effects of the appliance next door. So many elements of frugality and personal finance come down to paying attention to the details. This is one of those little detail things that so many people will overlook, but over time it just continually costs you money. When we…

  • Reader Mailbag: Unfinished Business

    Trent
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    What’s inside? Here are the questions answered in today’s reader mailbag, boiled down to five word summaries. Click on the number to jump straight down to the question. 1. Strange credit card fee 2. Handling sudden income increase 3. Great job, next financial move? 4. Children’s movies 5. Keeping papers 6. Determining ownership percentages 7. Taking control 8. Stuck in a condo? 9. 529 plans and multiple children 10. Saving old magazines On my desk, I keep a stack of papers that reflect “important but not urgent” tasks I need to get taken care of, like submitting…

  • Make Your Own Dishwashing Detergent (24/365)

    Trent
    25 Jan 2012 | 2:00 pm
    The reason that my photography intern and I decided to use virtually the same exact picture for this entry as entry #18 in this series (outlining powdered laundry detergent) is because the two recipes are very similar. Just simply mix together one cup of borax and one cup of baking soda or washing soda in a tub. If you wish, you can add a small bit of OxyClean to the batch or a small bit of store-purchased dishwashing detergent – you need one or the other to act as the active detergent ingredient if you’re washing any dishes that are fairly dirty. All you need is a tablespoon or…
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    Wise Bread

  • 5 Best Gas Rewards Credit Cards

    Jason Steele
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:36 am
    Americans are having a tough time adjusting to the reality of purchasing gasoline at $3.00 a gallon or more.  When possible, we’ve bought more efficient cars, moved closer to work, and taken fewer road trips. Nevertheless, gasoline continues to consume a disproportionate amount of our budgets, and we are always looking for a way to save anything we can in this critical area. How to Pick the Best Gas Card First, you want to consider the savings you will realize from each card. Some products offer a percentage off your total purchase, while others grant a fixed amount of savings per…

  • A Beginner's Guide to Homemade Bread

    Tara Struyk
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:24 am
    I’d venture to say there are very few people who can resist fresh, homemade bread; when I pull a loaf out of the oven, a crowd inevitably forms around it, and we wait for it to cool so we can slather it with butter while it’s still warm. A fresh loaf of bread seems a bit miraculous when you make it yourself, as you watch a few simple ingredients rise into a golden dome under the oven light. It always led me to assume that making bread was difficult or complicated. What I found out is that it can be very simple — if, unlike me, you choose the right approach. How Not to Start…

  • Best Money Tips: Ways to Save $1 a Day

    Ashley Jacobs
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some great articles on ways to save $1 a day, family-friendly Super Bowl parties, and cheap things that make life easier. Top 5 Articles 18 Way To Save (At Least) $1 A Day — Save at least $1 a day by finding free WiFi. [SavvySugar] 7 Excellent Ideas for a Family-Friendly Super Bowl Party — To have a family-friendly Super Bowl party, make Super Bowl cake! [Parenting Squad] Cheap Things That Make Life Easier — Buying a rubber spatula will make your life easier when it comes to cooking. [Thousandaire] Why I See…

  • Toxic Laundry: What’s in Your Dryer Sheets and Fabric Softener?

    Kentin Waits
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:48 am
    Fabric softeners, dryer sheets, fabric sprays...and now laundry crystals. Most American laundry rooms are beginning to look like home chemistry labs. Liquids, gels, foams, and fragrances are mixed and remixed in a never-ending (and quite ironic) search for “freshness.” It makes me wonder what, exactly, our clothes and linens are going through that requires them to so be thoroughly and aggressively treated. Are all these products really necessary, or have we wholly embraced some trendy loft full of marketers’ whiteboard dreams? (See also: 9 Ways to Help Your Clothes Last…

  • 15 Frugal Ways to Battle Boredom

    Tara Struyk
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:36 am
    If I have a free day with absolutely nothing to do, my first impulse is often to go shopping. I could just take a walk, window shop, and peruse my favorite stores without feeling the need to buy a thing. Unfortunately, my wallet is no shrinking violet. The good news is that there are a lot of great ways to battle boredom and keep your spending under wraps. And you don’t even have to resort to doing laundry or balancing your checkbook (although that’s not a bad idea either). Here are a few of my frugal (and 100% fun) favorites. (See also: Mommy, I'm Bored: 25…
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    Bargaineering

  • Your Take: Hard Work or Connections?

    Jim
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:10 am
    The WSJ Wealth Report blog talked about a Pew Research Center study that attempted to find the origins of the conflict between rich and poor, which has been playing out in the headlines lately. While the main story talked about the impression of significant conflict between the rich and poor, the part that interested me was the same one that caught Robert Frank’s eye – did the rich get rich from hard work or their social network? That poll showed that 46% of respondents thought they were born with money or knew the right people, while 43% thought hard work, ambition or education…

  • Visual Multiplication Video

    Jim
    26 Jan 2012 | 3:14 pm
    Need to do some quick multiplication and only have pen and paper? You could multiply the old school way using numbers (gasp!) or you can just draw some lines. You’re still multiplying, just with lines instead of numbers. One gotcha is to remember the “invisible” lines for zeroes and it gets a little messy when the numbers get larger. From kottke.org Visual Multiplication Video from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

  • 1099-MISC Issued for Bank & Credit Card Bonuses

    Jim
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:15 pm
    If you recently received a 1099-MISC from a credit card company or a bank and wondering if it’s a legitimate form, try to remember if you opened up any new accounts for the cash or reward point bonuses in the last year. In the tiny print at the bottom, the financial institution likely stated that a 1099-MISC would be issued in the event you satisfied all the promotion conditions. The 1099-MISC is a legitimate 1099 form and is used for Miscellaneous Income, banks consider these promotional payments to be miscellaneous income. On the flip side, they don’t consider reward points…

  • More Money May Not Buy Happiness, But It Can Make Your Life a Little Better

    Miranda
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:05 am
    People are fond of pointing out that money doesn’t buy happiness. After all, there are a number of miserable people out there who are rich in terms of finances. However, no matter how fond we are of shrugging off wealth and saying that money doesn’t matter, the truth is that life can be pretty crappy without some money. After all, most of us need money to some degree. While barter is an option in some areas, and you can grow some of your own food, at some point, there are things that you can’t get on your own with out money. And, on top of that, having a certain amount of…

  • Rigged Money by Lee Munson

    Jim
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:15 am
    If you ever thought that the stock market was a rigged game, you’ll really enjoy this book. Lee Muson uses a mixture of anecdotes and data to illustrate why “Wall Street” is putting on a rigged game and that it needs “Main Street” to play along. The basic gist of the book is that your standard investment advice is wrong. Buy and hold is not a guaranteed strategy (it’s not even a strategy, because it only covers half the process – when are you supposed to sell?), diversification is often done wrong, and statistics lie. Your 401(k) might be nice, but…
 
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    Passive Panda

  • The Simple Blueprint to Getting Started (Plus, 7 Ways to Consistently Make Good Choices)

    James Clear
    24 Jan 2012 | 1:06 pm
    There is a way for you to earn more money without working too hard or getting incredibly lucky. Would you like to know what it is? It can be summed up in three simple words: be more consistent. How do you do that? Keep reading and I’ll tell you. How to be more consistent The secret to earning money is not luck or intelligence or creativity — it’s consistency. The people who are the most successful are the most consistent. This is true whether we are talking about money or sports or art or anything in between. You must show up each day, do the best work you can, and then do the…

  • This is Your Year

    James Clear
    5 Jan 2012 | 3:14 pm
    Click here to view the original version. (Feel free to download it for your own use. Free of charge.)

  • How to Make $30,000 in 30 Days (And Why You Don’t Need a Unique Idea to Make Good Money)

    Benny Hsu
    12 Dec 2011 | 6:35 am
    Here’s a quick question for you… What’s a huge obstacle that prevents most people from earning more money? The answer… Coming up with a good idea. We often never start projects that could make us money because we want a “perfect” idea. We think that our idea needs to be unique. Or we think that our idea can’t be any good because someone else has already done it. Don’t get me wrong, it can be hard to think of an idea that will make more money. But if you think that your idea needs to be new or unique, I’m going to prove that mindset completely…

  • Are You Giving Your Best Effort or Your Best Excuse?

    James Clear
    30 Nov 2011 | 9:39 am
    I know what prevents most people from achieving the success they want. But before I tell you, I want you to do one thing right now. Don’t worry. Nobody around you knows that you’re reading this. You don’t have to worry about “measuring up” to someone’s expectations. This is just between you and your mind. All I want you to do is be honest with yourself — truly honest — and answer this question: “Am I giving my best effort?” Your best. Not good. Not even great. But the absolute best that you can do. I’ll be honest with you. Most…

  • 8 Ways to Make Money With a Blog (And the Major Mistake You Should Avoid)

    Danny Iny
    22 Nov 2011 | 10:09 am
    Figuring out how to make money with a blog is hard. There are a few reasons for that. The first reason is that, if you have to figure it out, then you’ve never done it before, and there’s a lot of information that you don’t have. The second reason is that there really isn’t one right answer — even though there are a lot of wrong ones! But the third reason is the real clincher: if you pay careful attention to everything that successful, money–making blogs are doing, you will probably get the wrong idea. Here’s what I mean… So many revenue opportunities If you carefully survey…
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    fivecentnickel.com

  • Does the IRS Accept Scanned Documents?

    Nickel
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:46 am
    I’ve spent a good bit of time digitizing paperwork over the past couple of years. My primary weapon in this battle has been a sheet-fed scanner, though I sometimes snap pics with my iPhone and turn them into “scanned” pdfs using JotNot. While it feels to good to be working toward a paperless financial world, however, the issue of whether or not these scanned documents would be acceptable has always bothered me. Having a store refuse a return because I didn’t have the original receipt would be annoying; having the IRS reject my documents could be a disaster. So……

  • E-Filing Saves the IRS $3.10/Return

    Nickel
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:32 pm
    As January winds down, you should have received most of the paperwork that you’ll need to file your taxes. If you’re like most FCN readers — and most Americans in general — you’ll be e-filing this year. Sure, e-filing is convenient. But guess what? It’s also much cheaper for the IRS to process your return if you file electronically. As it turns out, it costs the IRS $3.29 to process a paper return vs. $0.19 for an electronic return — a savings of $3.10 (or nearly 95%!) per e-filer. Looking back at last tax season, more than 100M individual federal tax…

  • Home Economics

    Jeffrey Steele
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    I have long contended that, at its most fundamental level, keeping a household’s finances in the black has much in common with operating a profitable business. In both cases, you have to try to generate the greatest revenues, while at the same time keeping expenses in check. It’s not rocket science or brain surgery. In both worlds, success boils down to making – and keeping – more money than you spend. These thoughts were percolating in my mind last fall, when I covered one of the printing industry’s largest conventions, the Graph Expo Show at Chicago’s…

  • High Deductible Health Plans and Major Medical Bills

    Nickel
    25 Jan 2012 | 10:06 am
    I spent yesterday at the hospital. Don’t worry, it sounds a lot worse than it was… Our oldest son had to have his tonsils and adenoids removed, so my wife and I were camped out in the outpatient surgical center for the better part of the day. In the end, everything went smoothly, and he’s on the road to recovery. But this isn’t a parenting or medical website. This is a financial website. Thus, I thought I’d talk a bit about the financial side of such things. As you know, we’ve been participating in my employer’s high deductible health plan for the…

  • Should You Buy Travel Insurance?

    Ed Avis
    24 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    If you’ve booked a vacation for your family lately, or sent your kid off on a school-sponsored field trip, you’ve probably considered trip-cancellation insurance. These offers generally promise to reimburse you for the vacation or field trip if you need to cancel. Are these plans worth the cost? It depends on your own personal risk calculation. What does it cover? Trip cancellation insurance comes in several flavors. Basic coverage reimburses you if you can’t make your trip because of certain reasons, such as if you get sick, a hurricane rakes the island you were going to…
 
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    The Millionaire Nurse Blog

  • The Financial Follies: Heart Hits The Dirt Edition!

    Dr.Dean
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    The Friday Financial and Health Follies (FFHF)  summarize the important (or just fun) financial and health issues of the week. Share the humor of  the funny Make fun of the stupid. Highlight  and explain new  financial and health news-so you don’t miss it! Friday Financial Follies This has been a busy week here at The Millionaire Nurse.  I attended a conference for us elected municipal officials in our beautiful state capital of Atlanta.  A thousand of my closest friends and I had the opportunity to eat breakfast with and hear the state of the state with the Governor, Lieutenent…

  • You wanna be work-happy? or work sad?

    Dr.Dean
    25 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Workplace Stress Imagine this conversation:  ” Hey Joan this is Tammy.” “Tammy where are you, your shift started at 7 this morning and it’s almost 9.  You’re never late, is something wrong?” “Joan, I just can’t do it anymore, I’m sorry to leave you shorthanded, but I had a panic attack when I got up to go to work.  My husband insists I stay home from work ’till I go to the doctor, he thinks I’m killing myself with the stress!” I’m sure this conversation has occurred in many households throughout our country. Not…

  • Educate Yourself: Free!

    Dr.Dean
    23 Jan 2012 | 8:56 am
    College education: Costly! by FDL, BSN My object here is not to beat that dead horse. It is instead to trumpet, make the case, testify,  about free courses offered by  famous, ivy league, top ten, world renowned,  (and normally expensive) institutions. Audit or  download free online college courses from the comfort of your easy chair and on your own schedule.  How cool is that? Many of the classes offered will have the same content as the exorbitantly priced variety.  The college credit received with the free classes?  Well, they rarely count toward a degree. Why bother?  What’s…

  • Financial Follies: Kalishnikovs For Free Edition

    Dr.Dean
    21 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    The Friday Saturday just for today-Financial and Health Follies (FFHF)  summarize the important financial and health issues of the week. Share the humor of  the funny Make fun of the stupid. Highlight  and explain new  financial and health news-so you don’t miss it! Welcome to another rousing edition of Friday – Saturday, this week only-Financial Follies, a full folio of fascinating facts and favorites for your reading pleasure/pain!  (because of an agreement to post the blog swap yesterday, my Friday Follies has moved to today.  If you missed it, I am sooo moved, but wonder…

  • The Millionaire Mind And Your Child!

    Dr.Dean
    20 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    I am participating in a Yakezie, the world’s largest network of personal finance writers,  blog swap today.  The blog swap is a fun way to introduce our readers to other bloggers in  the world of personal finance.  Each blogger is assigned the same topic.  I will link to the other bloggers efforts next week so you can get others’ take on this interesting subject. (Dr Dean) My post on this subject is at Odd Cents-please check it out too! How to Rear a Millionaire – Developing Your Child’s Entrepreneurial Aptitude by Dannielle from Odd Cents I can’t resist, and I…
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    AllFinancialMatters

  • Could This Be the Future of the Restaurant Business

    JLP
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:21 am
    I read this in a Thomas Friedman piece I read this morning. I know I complain about the quality of service I receive at most places, but I’m not sure I’m ready to here… Last April, Annie Lowrey of Slate wrote about a start-up called “E la Carte” that is out to shrink the need for waiters and waitresses: The company “has produced a kind of souped-up iPad that lets you order and pay right at your table. The brainchild of a bunch of M.I.T. engineers, the nifty invention, known as the Presto, might be found at a restaurant near you soon. … You select what you want to…

  • Interesting Tidbits from the 2012 Barron’s Roundtable (Part 1)

    JLP
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Note: This post has been sitting in my drafts for over a week. I’m a little behind on my reading but I’ll try to follow-up with any interesting findings from Part 2 of the roundtable. I don’t read the annual Barron’s Roundtable for stock tips. Rather, I read it to get a sense of the bigger picture. Here are a few quotes from Part I of this year’s Roundtable. Bill Gross: When money yields nothing, banks won’t lend it. If a bank can keep money on deposit with the Fed at 25 basis points [a quarter of a percentage point] or lend it at 27 basis points, the yield…

  • Interesting Breakdown of Warren Buffett’s Secretary’s Tax and Salary

    JLP
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Saw this on Forbes: Warren Buffett’s Secretary Likely Makes Between $200,000 And $500,000/Year Not sure how accurate the author’s numbers are. I’m fairly certain that those who are using tax rates for effect, are probably including payroll taxes. If that’s the case, his numbers are off. One thing I find amusing about Buffett and his tax situation is that he’s the boss and he COULD pay himself a much larger salary and pay the income taxes on it accordingly. He doesn’t do that, though. Oh, and if he really did desire to pay more taxes, he could always write…

  • Question of the Day – Parenting

    JLP
    25 Jan 2012 | 12:15 pm
    My oldest son is 16 and is about to inherit our old car as soon as we get his mom something else to drive. Since he will have transportation, we have decided to let him get an after school job to help pay for his insurance, save for another vehicle, as well as get some experience. I know several people from my grocery store days back when I was in college. So, here is my question… Is it a bad (or good) idea for me to help him get a job by making a couple of phone calls? I’m leaning towards helping him. Why? Because he’s a good kid and I know he’ll do a good job when…

  • This Stuff STILL Angers Me…

    JLP
    24 Jan 2012 | 4:01 pm
    Begin rant. Just saw this on MSN: Deal could cut principal on 1 million loans Apparantly, there’s ANOTHER deal being hammered out to help homeowers (misspelled on purpose). Here’s how this deal might work out: • $17 billion would go toward principal reductions. If 1 million homeowners were to be helped, that would equal an average reduction of $20,000 each. About 11 million U.S. homeowners are underwater on their mortgages. • $5 billion would go toward homeowners affected by the deceptive practices and to state and federal housing programs. The settlement envisions a…
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    FreelanceSwitch

  • Does Facebook Timeline Make Sense For You?

    FreelanceSwitch.com
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:00 am
    I have yet to adopt the new Facebook Timeline interface. I don’t want to. I’m comfortable with using Facebook the way it is, thank-you-very-much. When I found this post on mashable about how to revert back to Facebook classic, I knew I wasn’t alone in wishing some things would just stay the same. I know I probably sound like a curmudgeon to you, but honestly, when things I use on a constant basis—like Facebook—go through an “upgrade” it’s all I can do to not pout. They say they are making their product more user friendly, but all change has a learning curve. I’m a busy…

  • Interview with Freelance Marketer Danny Iny

    FreelanceSwitch.com
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Want to boost your profile? Add additional income streams to your freelancing business? Release your own self published book? It’s time to have a chat with author and freelance marketer Danny Iny. He quit school at the age of fifteen to start his first freelance web design business. The only problem with it was that it didn’t work. He then tried several other businesses, continually pushing himself. A lot of hard work and devotion paid off. Soon he saw himself guest lecturing at the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University, making a good income from his blog Firepole…

  • Make Time for YOU – Part Two

    FreelanceSwitch.com
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:00 am
    It’s the beginning of the year and things are slow. You are hustling to get work and the work that comes your way you don’t feel you can turn down. By the time summer rolls around, you have been working your butt off and let things—like life outside of your office—go by the wayside. Having a life outside of your job is incredibly important. Spending time with your family and friends, as well as making time for your hobbies keep you grounded, energized, and overall happy. I really loved the ideas these entrepreneurs shared with Inc.com on how to get a life outside of your job. Here are…

  • 9 Steps to Starting Your Freelance Web Design Business

    FreelanceSwitch.com
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:00 am
    So, you want to be a freelance web designer? Ah, the glamor of it all. Your own boss, answering only to the call of your creative muse… get up, feel inspired, do some work, go for a walk, laugh knowingly with other freelancers who have also discovered The Secret of: high profile projects, the big bucks, expensive coffee, conferences in glamorous European cities, laughing at the corporate rats you’ve left behind… enjoying the high life that you so richly deserve. Hurrah! Or… welcome to a world of uncertainty, of irregular income, of blurred lines between work and home. Where,…

  • 5 Pros and Cons of Freelance Job Marketplaces

    FreelanceSwitch.com
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Online job marketplaces are billion dollar businesses today, ducking the recent recession and expanding at a tremendous rate. No wonder then that more and more sites open up every day catering to a small niche of freelancers. The two biggest general online job marketplaces are Elance and oDesk, but there are many smaller ones which are specialized, offering differentiated options for freelancer. These marketplaces have potential to add value at every stage of a freelancer’s career. While online job marketplaces are a current trend worthy of your attention, you should consider the pros…
 
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    The Digerati Life

  • Want To Be Your Own Boss? Steps To Take Before Going Solo

    Tisha K.
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:41 pm
    Be proactive before you make the switch to full time entrepreneurship. It’s a statement often dished out and applied to people who attempt to do something they’re not very good at, a statement made to discourage those who are seeking out an alternative career path: “don’t quit your day job”. In the entrepreneurial world, this [...]Want To Be Your Own Boss? Steps To Take Before Going Solo Copyright 2011 TheDigeratiLife.com All rights reserved.

  • Is Investing In Rental Property A Good Move?

    Silicon Valley Blogger
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:42 pm
    Want to be a landlord? Here are some points to consider. For those of us who are investors, real estate has been considered as a decent, long-term investment that can provide us with some reasonable level of diversification. Its historical returns have been somewhat lower than stock market returns over the long run as measured [...]Is Investing In Rental Property A Good Move? Copyright 2011 TheDigeratiLife.com All rights reserved.

  • How To Book Cheap Flights & Air Travel Deals

    Beth M.
    24 Jan 2012 | 7:49 pm
    In my circle of friends, I am known as the budget traveler, a point of pride with me. I have a long list of cheap trips under my belt, and I love talking travel with whoever wants to listen, and not only to encourage them to travel often but to consider doing it cheaply. If [...]How To Book Cheap Flights & Air Travel Deals Copyright 2011 TheDigeratiLife.com All rights reserved.

  • Ink Bold With Ultimate Rewards from Chase: Get 50,000 Bonus Points

    Silicon Valley Blogger
    23 Jan 2012 | 1:45 pm
    Being a business owner, I’ve contemplated picking up a credit card to handle my business expenses. There are actually a lot of good choices from some of the well known issuers, such as Chase and American Express. One of those I’ve had the chance to check out is this business credit card with a rewards [...]Ink Bold With Ultimate Rewards from Chase: Get 50,000 Bonus Points Copyright 2011 TheDigeratiLife.com All rights reserved.

  • 7 Basic Tax Strategies For Salaried Employees

    Silicon Valley Blogger
    22 Jan 2012 | 2:40 pm
    It’s not just how much you make that matters, but also how much you actually keep. There are but few words in the financial vocabulary that strike fear in me, and TAX is one of them. The annual chore of preparing and organizing my financial documents that comes around February or March never fails to [...]7 Basic Tax Strategies For Salaried Employees Copyright 2011 TheDigeratiLife.com All rights reserved.
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    Mighty Bargain Hunter

  • How to save money on gifts for your spouse

    mbhunter
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:53 am
    Next week I’ll have been married ten years to the best woman in the world.  (Yeah, I know — I’m biased.) We’ve gotten into the habit of letting each other know before we’re about to purchase something big — something that costs in the neighborhood of $150 or more.  When I tipped my plans to get a rather expensive 10th anniversary gift, my wife thought that we had better uses for the money at this time. This leniency extends to other gift-giving occasions like Christmas, birthdays, and even Valentine’s Day. She lets me off the hook.  But…

  • Reusing paper towels?! Hmmmm …

    mbhunter
    16 Jan 2012 | 1:50 am
    We don’t watch a whole lot of TV — and we only have basic cable anyway — so I’m not a regular watcher of Extreme Cheapskates on TLC.  The first time I had heard of the show was through a video on MSN.com. This particular one-minute clip features four extreme cheapskate tactics: Cutting open toothpaste tubes to get at the last bit of toothpaste Sharpening the blades from disposable razors on the striking surface of a box of matches Pulling apart two-ply toilet paper to get two one-ply rolls Hanging up paper towels to dry Life is a giant exercise in opportunity cost…

  • My two cents on Suze Orman and her prepaid card

    mbhunter
    11 Jan 2012 | 2:03 am
    Suze Orman needed to upgrade her leather jacket to a flak jacket tonight in a personal finance scrap match with personal finance bloggers over her new self-branded prepaid debit card.  The Approved Card is her own personally-branded prepaid debit card with what appears to be a decent package of tools and features.  The downsides, as pointed out by PT Money, are a $36/year minimum fee and a less-than-clear path to using it for building or rebuilding credit. Some of the more outspoken posters got tweets back from Orman’s Twitter account.  20 and Engaged has a history of the…

  • Yet another reason that lottery tickets are a waste of money

    mbhunter
    7 Jan 2012 | 2:08 pm
    It’s often said that the lottery is a tax on people who can’t do math.  It’s virtually guaranteed that you’ll lose money playing the lottery regularly, because the more you buy, the closer you’ll be statistically to the intended winning probabilities (i.e., losing more than winning).  Even casting lottery tickets as an investment is flawed; Powerball tickets generate about am 80% loss, which dwarfs any year-over-year loss of the S&P 500 or the Dow. Let’s throw good financial sense to the breeze Let’s say that for whatever reason, you still buy…

  • How much is my gold chain worth?

    mbhunter
    28 Dec 2011 | 10:46 am
    I received a question in a comment on one of my more popular posts that describes how to figure out how much gold jewelry is worth.  Here’s the question: What is the dollar worth of an 18″, 14-karat, 14.38 gram weight gold chain?  No formulas please. Before working out the answer, it’s important first to discuss the sentence that follows her question. She doesn’t want me to giver her formulas.  She just wants an answer to her question.  Customers in general are more than welcome to ask for whatever they want.  I don’t fault her for just wanting an answer.  I…
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    Personal Finance Articles, Tools, Calculators and Resources

  • Fixed Maturity Plans: UTI Launches New Series

    18 Jan 2012 | 10:41 am
    Top Fixed Maturity Plans have given a return of 9.5% over the last one year. (See top FMPs on ValueResearch).  Fixed Maturity Plans is a type of Mutual Fund that invest in debt instruments and has a fixed maturity date. The FMPs are for Investors who want to park money for a fixed period of time with a view to meeting certain financial goals in near future. It is also for risk-averse investors who seek avenues for investment and in the process keep money in the form of bank deposits. You can see a list of FMPs on offer on Valueresearch UTI Mutual Fund has launched UTI Fixed Term Income Fund…

  • IDBI Launches Portal to buy Government Securities

    17 Jan 2012 | 11:37 am
    IDBI Bank Ltd. has launched India's first online retail G-Sec Portal.This Portal provides an opportunity for retail investors to invest in Government securities. Government Securities are bonds issued, both by Central and State Government. Government securities are the safest investment one can have and can be part of your debt investments (See Debt & Equity, the two investment class). See more stories on Bonds. To register for the portal, you need to go to the IDBI Samriddhi G-sec Site. You need to allow the pop-up to sign in or register. Some of the important points to remember is as…

  • 8 Investment Myths To Be Avoided

    13 Jan 2012 | 1:18 am
    Today I am going to debunk a few investment myths. You will know ‘why individual investors are failing miserably and how you can avoid being one of them’. I am too young to plan for retirement Have you started planning for your retirement? You may be saying ‘who me? I am too young to be thinking about retirement”. It is not so! Rethink. You should have started thinking about it yesterday. Because time flies quickly. If you were smart, and planned for retirement when you are young, your retirement years will be really those “Golden years”. If not you need to compromise and you need…

  • Apollo Munich Optima RESTORE health plan review

    12 Jan 2012 | 3:42 am
    Apollo Munich Health Insurance has launched ‘Optima RESTORE’, a health insurance product that they are confident about being a game changing product. The unique benefit of Optimal RESTORE is that even when you have exhausted the basic cover and again fall ill with another illness, the entire sum insured will be reinstated for one to use, at no further cost. The company also offers lifelong renewal of the policy and senior citizens up to age 65 can take the policy. Similarly in family floater policy if someone’s illness in one’s family uses up the coverage and if any other member of…

  • Where will you be Financially five years from today?

    10 Jan 2012 | 2:43 am
    Would you like to know the financial secret behind moving from where you are and where you want to be? Try to answer this question. “Where will you be financially five years from now? 10 years from now…? 20 years from now…?” You may get answers like “I will be financially stronger”, “I want to be financially better”. Are these answers specific? If you don’t know where you want to go exactly, there is no focus. When there is no focus; there will be lot of distraction. Distraction either leads to mediocrity or destruction. How to refrain yourself heading towards mediocrity or…
 
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    Generation X Finance

  • Saving For a Down Payment on a House

    Jeremy Vohwinkle
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:38 am
    The shakeup in the housing market over the past several years has brought the need and advantages of a down payment when buying a new home back into focus. In a traditional mortgage, the home buyer was required to provide a 20% down payment at the time of closing. This trend shifted during the housing boom and often allowed buyers to purchase a new home with little or no money down. This practice persisted until the financial meltdown of 2008 brought both borrowers and lenders back to reality and down payments have become a part of buying a new home again. While many of these low or…

  • Five Money Saving Habits You’ll Want to Learn This Year

    Charissa
    24 Jan 2012 | 8:20 am
    When it comes to saving money, there’s no better time to get back on track than the New Year. For some miraculous reason, January gives people hope and inspires them to change their ways. That’s why New Year’s resolutions are so comical. In retrospect, everyone wishes that they had done something different the previous year. So they over plan and overanalyze until they reach the point of frustration and scrap their goals altogether. I’m here to say that there are better ways to spend your time. If you truly want to be financially fit, you’ll pay careful attention to the advice…

  • It’s Not Too Late to Max Out Your 2011 IRA Contribution in 2012

    Jeremy Vohwinkle
    19 Jan 2012 | 10:23 am
    Max Out Your 2011 IRA in 2012 The calendar may have flipped to the new year, which means most tax tricks, tips, and deductions have closed the book on last year’s taxes, but that isn’t the case for your IRAs. Individual Retirement Accounts are unique in that they give you up until when you file your taxes on or before the April 16th tax deadline. That means you have a full three and a half extra months in the new year to catch up on an entire year of Roth IRA or Traditional IRA contributions if you choose to. This is good news for many people because it’s easy to forget to…

  • Job Hunting Tips for the New College Graduate

    Jeremy Vohwinkle
    17 Jan 2012 | 9:56 am
    If you’re a college student preparing to graduate, you may find that some job markets aren’t exactly hot right now. There are plenty of jobs out there, but finding your ideal job will be harder than it has been in the past. While many of these tips are helpful for someone seeking their first job out of college, the tips can be used by anyone that is seeking employment. If you’re not a recent graduate but simply someone looking for work after being laid off, before you continue reading make sure you brush up on your outdated job skills. Experience Matters Those with…

  • How to Find Legitimate Work From Home Opportunities

    Charissa
    16 Jan 2012 | 1:18 pm
    We’ve all received an email with urgent information about how we can make our living in a few hours a day by working from home. Although opportunities like this do exist, these unsolicited messages are often deemed as nothing more than spam sent by scammers trying to get your credit card information. So, how does one find legitimate Work From Home opportunities when the net is full of fakers and cheats? It’s relatively easy. You do your research. If you’re diligent about checking into opportunities you’ll find that you really can make money online or at home from anywhere.
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    Earn More and Invest Wisely at The Sun's Financial Diary

  • (Cheap) Must-Haves for Parents

    Shannon M. Medisky
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:59 am
    I’ve been around the block a few times, and I’ve made said trip with kiddos in tow. As a result, I’ve come to learn there are few key “must-haves” every parent should have in his or her arsenal of tricks at all times. Fortunately, too, all of these items are cheap. But they’re absolutely worth their weight (and then some) in gold. So drum roll, please… Small bubbles are convenient, cheap and fun. They can easily be stored in the car, in a purse or stashed anywhere throughout the house or even elsewhere. Whether you get ‘em at a local retailer or…

  • Citibank Checking Account $100 Bonus Promotion

    Sun
    24 Jan 2012 | 4:27 pm
    In case you are shopping for a checking account, Citibank is currently running a promotion for its checking account that comes with a promotional bonus up to $100. The promotion runs for a full year, from now to December 31, 2012. During the promotion period, if you open a Citibank checking account, you could receive up to $100 cash rewards. To qualify for the cash bonus, you will need to meet these conditions:Open a Citibank checking account in the Citigold or Citibank Account Package;Within 45 days after account opening, fund the account with at least $1,000;Within 45 days, complete one…

  • ING Direct Promotion: $25 Referral Bonus

    Sun
    23 Jan 2012 | 8:43 am
    Do you want an ING Direct Orange Savings Account or Electric Orange Checking Account? Get rewarded by using any ING referral bonus link to open an account and receive $25 bonus.This product has been around long enough (probably one of the oldest online savings accounts) and I feel that anyone who wants to have an account probably already has one. Though their rate (0.8% APY) isn’t that great right now as it used to be, many value their other features, such as easy-to-use interface and excellent customer service, over their rate. If you are looking for incentives so you can finally open…

  • Morningstar Introduces Analyst Rating for Mutual Funds

    Sun
    19 Jan 2012 | 6:48 am
    One of the earliest articles I wrote about investing in mutual funds was how to understand Morningstar Star Rating system and use it to research mutual funds.  It has been a while since that article was written and I haven’t added any new fund to my taxable investment accounts for years, so I haven’t used it for quite some time as you can see. However, I still consider the Star Rating a valuable tool when evaluating funds because it gives me a quick idea of how a fund has performed, in the past of course, which also makes the Star Rating kind of backward-looking. Even though we…

  • Sites that Help You Lose Weight for Free

    Shannon M. Medisky
    17 Jan 2012 | 6:55 pm
    Now that the new year is upon us, it’s time for all those well-intended resolutions. And for many of us that means trying to drop a few pounds or just making an effort to eat healthier. If you fall into one of these categories, keep reading!As with nearly everything else, even the business of losing weight has gone online. Want to count calories and design a plan to help you make better food choices to help you reach your ultimate goals, then arm yourself with the guidance, encouragement and support of a virtual dietician. Even better, there’s plenty of sites out there that won’t charge…
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    Lazy Man and Money

  • Goodbye Bank of America, Hello USAA

    Lazy Man
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:25 pm
    If the title wasn't exactly clear, I'm changing my banks. This post is actually quite a bit overdue. I had been gradually doing it for a couple of years now. I would have written about it earlier, but I didn't realize it until recently. That's how gradual the change has been. It's not that Bank of America has done anything in particular to lose me as a customer. I know many were upset by their announcement to charging fees on debit card purchases (though Bank of America changed its mind on the fees). I wouldn't have been affected by it since I rarely use my card as a debit card. It comes down…

  • Grading Men’s Health’s Tips to Build Wealth in Trouble Times

    Lazy Man
    24 Jan 2012 | 11:18 am
    I've been a big fan of Men's Health for over a decade and a half. It seems that in the past few years they've sprinkled in a little more personal finance into every issue. The latest one is no exception. One article in particular caught my eye: Build Wealth in Troubled Times. Their idea was to ask a variety of money people (traders, economists, and money managers) and ask them their advice for navigating these difficult financial times. You'll notice that these are all Wall Street people. You won't find Clark Howard or Jean Chatzky here. Men's Health is realistic with the information that…

  • Five Things I Think I Think (and Personal Finance Links)

    Lazy Man
    23 Jan 2012 | 2:24 pm
    Cocktails with SavvyMoney and DailyWorth - This Wednesday I was invited by SavvyMoney and DailyWorth along with some other San Francisco media types (bloggers and others) to a cocktail party. It was great to talk with both CEOs. I've been a big fan of both products. SavvyMoney is still viewed as DebtGoal in my mind, but I'm making the transition to the new branding. Loved talking with the founder about MLMs (he's from Utah where most of them originate). I get DailyWorth's emails every day (though it is more targeted at women) and there's some great advice there. Free Tax Filing for those who…

  • Reviewing my 2011 Goals

    Lazy Man
    19 Jan 2012 | 7:22 pm
    With 2011 now a distant memory, it's time to go back and look at my goals for 2011. That's one major benefit of blogging, there's accountability baked into everything I do. In 2011, I had set 5 goals, most of them business-related. Traffic to my Websites - Goal: Increase by 100%. Actual result: Increase by 21% - That's a colossal failure, right? It could have been much worse. Google Panda hit many of my blogging colleagues and they lost traffic. I didn't get the website I was hoping to off the ground, which was a direct consequence of #3 below. Revenue from my Websites - Goal: Increase by…

  • How Lazy Man Could Be Impacted By SOPA and PIPA

    Lazy Man
    18 Jan 2012 | 12:26 pm
    As a software engineer-turned-blogger, following the technology industry has always been one of my main hobbies. While my wife may care about who is walking down the red carpet, I'm tuned in to the Amazon Web Services live broadcast of the release of its DynamoDB product. If you've been to WikiPedia or Google's home page today you might have noticed that they are different than what you are used to see. They are trying to warn you of current legislation that may change the way that Americans have access to information on the Internet. This legislation is commonly in the form of two proposed…
 
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    No Credit Needed

  • Mortgage Payoff Progress for January 2012 with Chart

    NCN
    13 Jan 2012 | 10:52 pm
    Two years ago my wife and I purchased our very first home. We have a conventional, fixed-rate 15-year mortgage.  Our goal is to pay it off our mortgage in less than ten years. As of January 13, 2011, we have made 22 regular monthly mortgage payments.  We have also made several additional principal-only payments. Our mortgage payment is drafted from our primary checking on the first day of each month.  Additional principal-only payments are made throughout each month, as we earn additional income and find ways to decrease budgeted-for expenses. Here is our most recent chart - The chart…

  • When all is Said and Done, it is the Done that Counts

    NCN
    13 Jan 2012 | 5:30 am
    When all is said and done, it is the done that counts. Lots of folks spend their time talking about their problems, especially their financial problems.  Only a select few ever commit to the task of fixing those problems.  The talking is important, but only if it actually leads to real changes.  Decisions must be made, goals must be created, and plans must be implemented.  Real progress demands real work. Establish Big Goals - Here’s a brief paragraph, outlining the financial future that I want - I want to live my life without borrowing money.  I want to be able to send my children…

  • Reduce Credit Card Use

    NCN
    12 Jan 2012 | 5:45 am
    According to this recent L.A. Times report - Consumer borrowing increased at an annual rate of 10% in November,the largest jump in a decade…  Outstanding credit card debt increased 8.5% in November… (emphasis, mine) It appears that folks are using credit cards more than ever – and outstanding balances are increasing. For more than seven years, here’s how I have reduced (and almost eliminated) my use of a credit card: I live on a budget. If we eliminate unplanned-for spending, we can eliminate unplanned-for borrowing.  At the beginning of the month, I know how much…

  • Reduce Debt and Save Money on Groceries

    NCN
    10 Jan 2012 | 4:17 pm
    With so many of us focusing on improving our finances in 2012 – I thought it might be beneficial to link to a few of my favorite personal finance-related resources: Free Printable Grocery Store Price Book - I created this printable price book to track fluctuations in the prices of grocery store items.  Download the price book and print several pages.  You can track prices for multiple stores and multiple items. Free Printable Coupons – You can click the link and print your coupons from right here at No Credit Needed.  You can also click the link at the top of No Credit…

  • The Emergency Fund

    NCN
    10 Jan 2012 | 4:35 am
    Savings.  Rainy-day Fund.  Cash Reserves. The Emergency Fund.  It goes by many names, and whatever you want to call it, ours helped us to get out of debt. Why we established an emergency fund before attacking our debt - When we first decided to start paying off our consumer debt, we were pumped.  It would have been very easy for us to have used every extra dollar to reduce our debts.  However, we were concerned about emergencies – those unplanned-for expenses with which we must all deal. So, even before we began to attack our debt, we funded an emergency fund.  Having a small…
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    Free From Broke

  • TurboTax Online Tax Software 2011 Review

    Glen Craig
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:12 am
    With a new year comes your W2 and other tax forms from the previous year.That means it’s time to get your taxes filed.Fun times, right?No need to be intimidated when you have TurboTax online tax software to guide you every step of the way.  Every edition of the 2011 TurboTax software guarantees you a maximum refund, 100% accurate calculations, and free audit support with the TurboTax Total Assurance™, assuring your confidence in filing this year.Whether filing your taxes will be EZ, or if things get a bit more complicated with deductions, investments, and businesses, there’s a…

  • H&R Block At Home™ Online Tax Software – Review

    Glen Craig
    25 Jan 2012 | 4:32 am
    With more then 55 years in business, H&R Block is one of the most recognized tax preparation companies. Their do-it-yourself tax preparation with their online software, is one of the easiest ways to get your taxes done fast and accurately.H&R Block online has a variety of support features and guarantees, making doing your taxes yourself worry free and simple.Features of H&R Block Online Tax Prep Software:free online support offered with each programone live tax advice session from an H&R Block tax professional included (fees apply for the Free, Basic and Deluxe products).help…

  • How to Negotiate Lower Rent in Your Current Apartment

    Melissa
    24 Jan 2012 | 4:35 am
    In this market, many new renters are freely negotiating with prospective landlords on the price of rent and having success.However, what if you are currently locked into a lease and don’t really want to move?If you have been in your apartment for several years, before the downturn of the housing market, you may be paying up to a couple hundred dollars more than new tenants.Luckily, there are still ways you can negotiate a lower rent payment.How to Negotiate Lower Rent in Your Current ApartmentKnow the market. Take the time to find out what others in your building are paying.  You may find…

  • What is Tax Evasion and How Could it Affect You

    Miranda
    23 Jan 2012 | 4:01 am
    As tax season moves into high gear, thoughts turn toward how to improve tax efficiency.There are a number of legal ways to reduce what you owe in taxes, thanks to deductions and credits.  If you think about your expenses, and re-examine your position, it is quite likely that you will find a few commonly overlooked deductions and credits that you missed.Additionally, with a little thought, it is even possible to reduce your tax liability for the previous year — even though a new year is under way.However, there is a very real difference between employing legal and properly documented…

  • SOPA and PIPA are Shelved and Links

    Kevin Mulligan
    22 Jan 2012 | 8:43 am
    Legislation that would have threatened the existence of an open and free internet was shelved this week in part to widespread “blackouts” at many popular internet sites.For 24 hours users were unable to access Wikipedia, Google’s logo was blacked out on their homepage, reddit and BoingBoing blacked out their sites and gave messages for users on steps to take.The pressure worked — for now.The two bills have been shelved, but that doesn’t mean they won’t come back up again.Ironically enough, immediately following the shelving of these bills, a controversial…
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    Clever Dude Personal Finance & Money

  • How Vonage saved me money overseas

    Clever Dude
    15 Jan 2012 | 4:48 pm
    Copyright 2006-2011 Clever Dude. All Rights Reserved. (This may sound like a commercial for Vonage, but it’s not. It’s seriously just my own story) I used to be a Vonage customer for about 6 years, but after a couple years of not using many minutes, I decided to just cancel it. Fast forward to now where I’ve been working from home almost every day for the last 6 months. Without a home phone, and only my work cellphone, I’ve been using twice as many minutes allotted per month. I needed a home phone. I checked with Comcast for a Triple Play deal, but to keep my same…

  • We’re sitting on a time bomb…

    Clever Dude
    3 Jan 2012 | 10:11 pm
    Copyright 2006-2011 Clever Dude. All Rights Reserved. We’ve owned our house for about 8 years now, but the last owners put in some major renovations about 6 years before we bought it.  That adds up to 14 years, and you know what starts happening when a house gets 15-20 years old? Stuff starts breaking and failing. Why would I say that? Well, there’s some particulars to our home, but in general there’s a lifetime to certain appliances, etc. such as: Water Heaters: 10-11 years. We have 2 water heaters. One (gas) is about 15 years old and the electric one is about 13. Both are…

  • How you know your electric water heater is dying

    Clever Dude
    30 Dec 2011 | 7:00 am
    Copyright 2006-2011 Clever Dude. All Rights Reserved. As some of my long-time readers know, we have 2 water heaters in our home thanks to the prior owners. One is a 40 gallon gas water heater upstairs that is for everything except the “new” bathroom the added. The 2nd bathroom has its own 30 gallon electric water heater. Why? I don’t know, but it has been convenient when we have a lot of guests visiting and needing showers at the same time. You may also recall that we each have “our own” bathrooms. The gas-heated one is mine and the electric one is hers. When my…

  • Why I don’t tithe (in the traditional sense)

    Clever Dude
    29 Dec 2011 | 9:41 am
    Copyright 2006-2011 Clever Dude. All Rights Reserved. Tithe Definition from Dictionary.com: tithe   [tahyth] noun, verb, tithed, tith·ing. noun 1. the tenth part of agricultural produce or personal income set apart as an offering to God or for works of mercy, or the same amount regarded as an obligation or tax for the support of the church, priesthood, or the like. 2. any tax, levy, or the like, especially of one-tenth. 3. a tenth part or any indefinitely small part of anything. verb (used with object) 4. to give or pay a tithe or tenth of (produce, money, etc.). 5. to give or pay…

  • What I learned from watching “Parking Wars”

    Clever Dude
    21 Dec 2011 | 9:57 am
    Copyright 2006-2011 Clever Dude. All Rights Reserved. (Photo courtesy of A&E) If you’ve been wondering where I’ve been lately, I’ve been to Germany, working, been very sick and watching a lot of TV. You’ll be hearing about a few of them in my upcoming articles because, regardless of their “reality show” genre, I’ve really learned some good lessons from each. The show Parking Wars airs on A&E and centers around the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s ticketing, booting and impounding divisions. Every episode has some type of drama, and…
 
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    Don't Mess With Taxes

  • How your future retirement tax bracket affects today's Roth IRA decisions

    skbell1
    28 Jan 2012 | 1:43 am
    A couple of years ago -- Yikes! Has it been that long!? -- I asked in a post Are you ready for a Roth conversion? It looked at the elimination of the income limit on converting a traditional IRA to a Roth account. Back then, my fellow personal finance blogger and Twitter pal JoeTaxpayer. was among those who offered some answers to that question so I invited him to elaborate. He graciously agreed to write a guest post then and now he's updated it with 2011-2012 tax data. Today, I'd like to offer a look at what it would take to be in a higher tax bracket at retirement. Since no one…

  • New York offers debit card refund option

    skbell1
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:00 pm
    Tax refunds via debit cards didn't work for Uncle Sam last year, but maybe the Empire State will have better luck. The New York Department of Taxation and Finance announced this week that the state's taxpayers can now choose to receive their personal income tax refunds on a prepaid MasterCard debit card.   Click image to view a video on the NY tax refund debit card option. The option was created to provide folks without a bank account a way to have their refunds directly deposited.  New Yorkers can choose the debt card refund method when they file their tax returns. Once the return…

  • Tax refunds delayed by fraud fine-tuning

    skbell1
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:42 am
    Few folks are as eager as those awaiting a tax refund. Well, there's bad news for some of you early filers. New anti-fraud measures implemented this tax filing season have caused the Internal Revenue Service to be a bit slow in sending out refunds. After getting calls from taxpayers and tax professionals wanting to know why folks were still waiting for refunds -- e-filers generally can expect their directly deposited refunds in about 10 days -- the IRS announced that the tax cash could be delayed a week because of a new anti-fraud safeguards. Here's the official email word from the…

  • Federal workers and retirees owe more than $3 billion in taxes

    skbell1
    26 Jan 2012 | 2:28 pm
    Lost in the political sniping this week about which candidate pays how much in taxes was a report on which federal workers aren't paying what they owe. The latest tax delinquency data shows that at the end of fiscal 2010, about 98,000 federal, postal and Congressional employees owed $1.03 billion in unpaid taxes. Add in federal retirees and military personnel, and the Internal Revenue Service says the total comes to nearly 280,000 people owing $3.4 billion. The numbers are from the IRS' Federal Employee/Retiree Delinquency Initiative (FERDI). Since 1993, FERDI figures have been send…

  • State of taxes in Obama's State of the Union address.

    skbell1
    25 Jan 2012 | 8:59 am
    Tuesday was the day that news really wasn't new. First, Mitt Romney released his tax returns, which didn't tell us very much we didn't already know. Then came Obama's 2012 State of the Union address, which also contained a lot of tax ideas that we've heard before. And we've still got a week until Groundhog Day! In case you missed it, you can watch the White House video of the speech. Or you can read the transcript. Or you can peruse a collection of Twitter comments posted while Obama spoke. But since you've stopped by the ol' blog, here are the tax…
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    Money Smart Life

  • Can’t Pay Taxes, It’ll Cost You

    Miranda
    24 Jan 2012 | 8:04 am
    I think it’s safe to say that most of us don’t like filing income tax returns and writing big checks every April but you know what they say about dying and paying taxes – you can’t avoid them. If you don’t pay what the IRS says you owe it’ll end up costing you a lot more than your initial tax bill. When you skip out on your taxes, there are some fairly harsh penalties. Even if you know you can’t pay what you owe, you are better off filing a return and working with the IRS than just ignoring the problem and skipping taxes altogether. Penalties and…

  • Your Financial Goals 2012

    Ben
    10 Jan 2012 | 8:47 am
    Did you ever notice that life often doesn’t go as planned?  When I first envisioned a financial goals system I had an idea of what the first topic would be but after asking you what your money goals were for 2012, it wasn’t at the top of the list. Here are your financial goals for the coming year.  Most of the goals are pretty self explanatory except for “Other”.  I grouped all the goals that only had a few votes into the “Other” category for the purpose of the summary. Of course, that doesn’t mean they’re not as…

  • Best Gym Membership Deals

    Kevin
    8 Jan 2012 | 8:52 am
    Gym membership deals seem to be everywhere this time of the year. We’re one month into a new year – you promised yourself it was time to get healthy as part of your New Year’s resolutions, but have you? It isn’t too late to start now. Gyms usually see a large influx of customers in January as we all promise to get healthy and fit every year. If you’ve waited until now you can still get a good deal, and the crowds will be slowly going down moving further into the year. You’ve missed part of the “resolution rush”. Join the Right GymBefore you can…

  • How To Squash Your Nagging Money Worries

    Ben
    6 Jan 2012 | 6:36 am
    Do you ever go to bed at night worrying about money?  If you’re anything like my wife then some of those worries can keep you tossing and turning all night long.  The simple answer to get rid of those worries is to tackle whatever concern is nagging at the back of your mind.  Unfortunately, life’s not always that simple.  Whether it’s work, family, school, or other responsibilities – life is busy and it’s tough to make time to get things done. Running the Rat Race I know before we had kids, I worked long hours at my job while going back to…

  • How I Failed You in 2011

    Ben
    5 Jan 2012 | 6:53 am
    You’re probably looking for tips and motivation on reaching your financial goals for 2012 but I think it’s important to reflect on the year that just ended and see what we can learn from it. I promise there will be lots of tips and motivation in the coming weeks but first I have some confessions to make.  I did fail you in 2011.  Today I’ll talk about how I screwed up and what I’m doing to fix it. 1) Adopting a Pet Panda My pet panda wasn’t exactly invited into my life but I have learned something from the experience.  It all started at the…
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    Frugal Living

  • Shopping and Cooking Frugally for One

    Jessica Ward
    2 Jan 2012 | 1:01 pm
     This post goes out to Libby from our Facebook Page, who wanted help cooking for one frugally. Truth: There are lots of great books on cooking for one, but not a single one on how to grocery-shop effectively for a household of one! It can’t be denied—cooking for one is a tricky thing.  It seems like a lot of work for only a single meal.  Dishes made, serving sizes to be determined, and usually too many leftovers.  Besides, after all that cooking, you don’t typically have someone else to wash dishes. I spoke with DebtKid (who prefers to use this alias for privacy reasons, but you can…

  • Holiday Budget Relief

    Jessica Ward
    5 Dec 2011 | 2:01 pm
    Many of us are feeling that tightness and pressure that comes from the extra spending surge this time of year.  Holiday activities/entertainment, Christmas cards, gifts, office parties, friends of friends’ parties, and gifting expectations galore, not to mention what the children hope to find under the tree. For many of us, this kind of annual pressure doesn’t fit our budget, but also, doesn’t fit our lifestyles. You may prefer to focus on the real meaning of Christmas, without feeling like a “party pooper” or wrecking your annual budget. When my husband and I adopted our…

  • Stocking Up the Freezer For Virtually Nothing

    Jessica Ward
    10 Nov 2011 | 8:34 am
    In your day-to-day cooking, you are likely throwing away valuable flavor and nutrients every day without even realizing it. You cut an apple, peel an onion, and cut the hard skin off of a squash before baking or boiling it, or scrubbed the brown bits out of a roasting pan. If you’re frugal, you’re composting the vegetable scraps, or adding it to a worm bin. If you’re super-frugal, you’ve discovered this goldmine of nutrients can be used one more time before heading for the compost heap. You can make and freeze stock made from either meat or vegetable bits and scraps and use it as a…

  • Affording Adoption, Without Debt

    Jessica Ward
    8 Nov 2011 | 7:33 am
    Many readers know that we are very excited about being an adoptive family.  We adopted our girls in 2005 and 2008, both under unusual circumstances and with substantial fees that left our family happy and fulfilled, but in debt to our eyelids. That was before we drank the debt-free Kool-Aid.  In fact, right after arriving home from Ethiopia with our second daughter, who was very ill, I received my layoff notice. That’s what sparked our debt-free crusade. We asked ourselves, how could we care for these children properly, when we were so financially vulnerable? Our adoptions were both…

  • Bargaining 101: How to get lower prices on everything

    Jessica Ward
    13 Oct 2011 | 2:54 pm
    Bargaining, “wheeling and dealing” or just getting a deal—whatever you call it, it isn’t always easy to find exactly the item or service you want, and then ask for a lower price.  Our American culture often views this sort of thing as the move of a cheapskate, or disrespectful/distrustful of the merchant and his or her pricing. But it doesn’t have to be this way.  The best “bargain” is where everyone is happy, and where the transaction is conducted in a respectful way. (Oh, and when you get a screamin’ deal). I never considered myself a bargainer, until I traveled in…
 
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    I've Paid For This Twice Already...

  • DIY Projects that Will Save You Money in Winter

    paidtwice
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:45 am
    Winter is upon us and for many that means bundling up and dealing with high heating bills. While many find paying the utility bill a bit troublesome in the summer due to high AC costs, a bitter winter can lead to even higher bills. However, there are a few quick projects you can do around your home to keep that heating bill low during those cold winter months: Weatherstripping If you have an older home, there is a good chance that your home has settled over the last couple of years leaving slight cracks between your doors and windows and their frames. These slight gaps between your windows…

  • Keeping Track Of Finances The Old Fashioned Way

    paidtwice
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:18 pm
    A good way to save money is to keep track of the money you do spend. This seems fairly obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people do not tabulate their daily, weekly, or monthly expenses. Before you know it, you can’t pay your rent and you’re taking out a loan in order to pay for your groceries. This could have been avoided by simply being aware of the money that’s in your bank account. Whats interesting is that money mismanagement actually seems to affect working people more than the unemployed, as unemployed people tend to be more aware of the money in their…

  • Why You Shouldn’t Open a Store Card

    paidtwice
    25 Jan 2012 | 2:23 pm
    We’ve all had it happen. You walk into your favorite department or retail store and are quickly greeted by an employee asking you if you want to sign up for an in-store card. If they don’t catch you there, the store clerk will put you on the spot at the register and ask you if you’d like to sign up to receive 15 percent off today’s purchase. While in-store cards may seem harmless and like a good way to build up credit, they can actually do more harm than good. You’ll Spend More Retail stores offer in-store cards because they know they will make money off the…

  • Considering Your Cost of Living Expenses When Buying a New Home

    paidtwice
    21 Jan 2012 | 1:56 pm
    When looking to buy a new home, most people are acutely aware of the budget they can afford to spend. They consequently look closely at home prices, consider valuation, and take tax rates into account before making any decision. They often further factor in other considerations, such as the cost of local private schools. Otherwise, however, people generally assume that their regular expenses and spending habits will remain the same. They assume that – save for changes perhaps in educational and mortgage costs – their cost of living will be little different upon moving to a new…

  • Decreasing Debt Demands Daily Due Diligence

    paidtwice
    10 Jan 2012 | 10:50 am
    Short of a once-in-a-lifetime windfall or brilliant business idea, nothing is likely to alleviate the average American debt burden besides on-time repayment. It’s a daunting task, but not impossible. All it requires is dedication to debt elimination. With that said, it must become a part of your daily routine. Far too much spending happens on a day-to-day basis for anyone to safely assign their personal finances to weekly and monthly projections. In order to position yourself for true debt elimination, you ought to commit to the following daily actions and decisions: You ought to…
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    My Two Dollars

  • Your Bank Account Full Of Time – How Are You Spending It?

    David
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:46 am
    The other day I came across a saying that made me really give thought to the amount of time I have left in my life and what I want to do with it. Comparing the time I have left to accomplish my goals to the balance in a dwindling bank account made me really reflect [...]Your Bank Account Full Of Time – How Are You Spending It? is an article from My Two Dollars You might also like:Stop Paying Bank Account Fees – Best Banks with Free CheckingWhat Is a Money Market Account?Federal Government Spending – How Are Your Tax Dollars Spent?

  • Comparison of Prices for My Purchases at the Dollar Store

    David
    28 Dec 2011 | 2:57 pm
    Think those dollar stores are only full of useless junk you don’t really need in the first place? Guess again. I too used to think that, until I stopped into a local Dollar Tree the other day on the advice of my grandmother, who wanted me to pick up some holiday wrapping paper for her. [...]Comparison of Prices for My Purchases at the Dollar Store is an article from My Two Dollars You might also like:Cost of Living Comparison and Difference Between Cities

  • 8 Banks Offering Checking Accounts With No ATM Fees

    David
    5 Dec 2011 | 3:33 pm
    I stopped paying fees to use an ATM about a year and a half ago when I moved my checking and savings from Bank of America to Charles Schwab. No matter where I am, how often I do it, or how much money I withdraw, Schwab reimburses me for any fees I incur from using [...]8 Banks Offering Checking Accounts With No ATM Fees is an article from My Two Dollars You might also like:Stop Paying Bank Account Fees – Best Banks with Free CheckingWhat Is a Money Market Account?

  • 10 Ways to Stop Wasting Money

    David
    8 Aug 2011 | 8:24 am
    Just last week I read the article “Ten Biggest Money Wasters” over on CNNMoney.com and was fascinated at the types of things that people tend to waste their hard-earned money on. While a lot of us go way out of our way to clip mounds of coupons, drive an extra mile out of the way [...]10 Ways to Stop Wasting Money is an article from My Two Dollars You might also like:Stop Paying Bank Account Fees – Best Banks with Free Checking10 Ways For How to Save Money on Utility Bills

  • Carbon Monoxide Detector – A $30 Investment to Save Your Life

    David
    25 Jul 2011 | 8:30 am
    A few weeks ago I was reading an older article about a family killed in their sleep by carbon monoxide poisoning. Just like that, a family was wiped out overnight because of a silent killer in their home, one that could be present in any of our homes at any given moment. Without a carbon [...]Carbon Monoxide Detector – A $30 Investment to Save Your Life is an article from My Two Dollars No related posts.
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    Queercents

  • Download the Pilot of ‘Smash’ Before it airs Feb. 6

    DJ
    17 Jan 2012 | 3:59 pm
    If you are tired of waiting for the pilot of the new musical ‘Smash’. Wait no longer. The Smash premiere is just around the corner to air on Monday, Feb. 6 at 10/9c! But Queercents readers don’t have to wait – download the full pilot from iTunes for free now. And in the below video, [...]

  • New Years’ Consolidation

    DJ
    3 Jan 2012 | 8:44 pm
    Happy New Years’ 2012! Let’s make this year a prosperous one! First, you may consider transferring those high interest rate credit cards to a card that can give you 12 months of no interest and no balance transfer fee.

  • Finding the Best Close-out Bargains

    DJ
    31 Dec 2011 | 9:51 pm
    We all enjoy a good bargain. There’s no getting around the fact that if we find something for considerably less than we would normally find it we’ll often part with our cash for something we didn’t even intend to buy. But although plenty of people will be out in the January sales looking for some [...]

  • Making Your Cash Work Harder This Christmas

    LizParker
    2 Dec 2011 | 7:00 am
    While it’s probably fair to state that most of us do enjoy a certain level of financial freedom that others may not (of course I refer to the idea of the disposable income) in these times even the most comfortably secure need to ensure that their money is watched and managed properly, and that they [...]

  • Should Gays Spend Money at Chick-Fil-A?

    DJ
    30 Nov 2011 | 7:34 pm
    All day long there has been countless Facebook posts on Chick-Fil-A and comments that we should not spend our hard earned money there anymore. While you do vote with what you eat and spend your money not going to Chick-fil-A because they don’t approve of gay marriage just seems a bit extreme. They have stated [...]
 
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    MoneyNing

  • The Perfect Second Income Stream: Rent Out Your Stuff

    Emily Guy Birken
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    After the two-decade shopping binge that was the 90s and 2000s, pretty much every American can claim an enormous abundance of once-used, rarely-used or even never-used stuff lying around the house. Back when the economy was booming and credit flowed like water, needing to use a tool once was a good enough reason to go [...]

  • Finding Your Financial Love Language: The Psychology of Spending

    Jamie Simmerman
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Knowing why you spend is as important as knowing what you spend when it comes to developing healthy financial habits. If you’ve ever heard of the Love Languages, you might be interested to know that people have assort of financial love language as well. Each of the six financial love languages reflects the psychology behind [...]

  • Why You Should Start Budgeting Early

    AJ Pettersen
    25 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Being an economics major, I was well-prepared to handle my own finances. But budgeting wasn’t a walk in the part for me either, as I had to experiment before I found the right system. Don’t wait to experiment. Start tracking your dollars now. I didn’t have a lot to manage when I first started counting [...]

  • Looking for Another Deduction? Open an IRA or a HSA

    Miranda Marquit
    24 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    As you figure your taxes this year, you might be looking at the result and thinking that it would be nice if you could deduct just a little bit more from your income. Even though a tax deduction isn’t as valuable as a tax credit, it can still help you by lowering your tax liability and [...]

  • Three Not-Too-Pricey Valentine’s Ideas

    Tracy
    23 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    It’s still a few weeks until Valentine’s Day but I thought I’d go ahead and offer up some tips on how to make a big impression on Valentine’s Day without spending a ton of cash. Some of these ideas are a bit time intensive so now is the time to get started if you’re planning [...]
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    treesfullofmoney.com

  • How to Protect Yourself from Rising Oil and Gas Prices

    Ben
    4 Jan 2012 | 7:53 am
    Simple “Hedge Fund” Investment Techniques for the Average Person With the World’s economy starting to “turn-around” and now Iran’s threat to disrupt the shipping routes of oil tankers passing through the Middle East. Many analysts are expecting the price of oil to once again climb to new record levels over the next few months. If you’re one of the many expecting oil prices to rise, it may be a perfect time to implement some of my “hedge” techniques to protect yourself from rising gas and home heating oil prices! There has been a lot of…

  • How to Do a Home Energy Audit: A Do It Yourself Guide

    Ben
    3 Jan 2012 | 8:01 am
    How to do a home energy audit yourself! The following article has been prepared as a step by step guide on how to conduct a do it yourself home energy audit. It is not my intention to replace the services offered by a professional energy evaluator; instead this article shall serve as a DIY guide for families that (for what ever reason) choose not to hire a professional at this time. Identify Air Leaks (Drafts) In Your Home Stopping cold air drafts in your home is essential to maximizing the efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling system. According to the US Department of Energy,…

  • How to Determine the Value of Clothing Items Donated to Charity

    Ben
    29 Dec 2011 | 5:00 am
    As per IRS guidelines, you are allowed to claim tax deductions for donations of clothing items to charitable organizations such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill. According to IRS rules on non-cash charitable donations (assuming you’ll be itemizing your tax deductions vs. taking the standard deductions), tax filers are allowed to deduct the “fair market value” of clothing items donated to eligible organizations. The IRS offers no clear guidelines on how to value specific articles of donated clothing for tax write-offs, however, they do loosely define what they mean by…

  • 6 Ways to Reduce Your 2011 Tax Bill

    Ben
    26 Dec 2011 | 11:22 am
    There are two basic principles when it comes to reducing the amount of tax money you owe for the 2011 Tax Year. You can either reduce the amount of money you “earn”, or, you can “increase” the amount of money you’ve paid, donated or lost on tax deductible items. The following list includes legitimate and legal ways to accomplish these principles, but as always, I strongly advise you to consult a tax professional (which I am not) as each person’s individual circumstances are different. Defer Your Income: One way to reduce the amount you owe in taxes for the 2011 is to defer any…

  • 2011 Investment Banker Year End Bonuses “In the Mail”

    Ben
    20 Dec 2011 | 9:07 am
    Disclaimer: Like my yuppie car buying guide, this article should be read with an open mind…don’t be a hater! It looks like it will be another prosperous year for the 1 Percenters! Investment banker year end holiday bonuses are on their way and by all accounts, except one, it is going to be another year of excess for employees of Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, US Bank, and Wells Fargo! The one exception being Goldman Sachs where it is expected the average year end “performance” bonuses will decline 13% this year to a “paltry”…
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    The Dough Roller

  • American Express Credit Cards Review

    Rob Berger
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:00 pm
    Founded all the way back in 1850 (even before Dough Roller was born!), American Express has spent the better part of 160 years providing financial services to consumers and businesses.  Strangely, AMEX started out as an express mail service and did not make its way into the financial industry until 1882 by opening up a money order business. Today, American Express is best known for its line of charge cards and credit cards to both consumers and small businesses.  Year in and year out, American Express is voted as the favorite issuer of consumers (by a landslide no less), and even though…

  • Avoid These Mistakes When Climbing Out of Debt

    Rob Berger
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:03 am
    Welcome to our week-long series on crushing your credit card debt. In this last of five articles, we look at some common mistakes people make as they try to pay off their credit card debt. So you have considered the decisions and circumstances that got you into your current debt situation. You are committed to doing something about it. You’ve taken steps to lower your credit card interest rates. You’ve set up the debt snowball system to pay off your cards as quickly as possible. And you’ve squeezed every dollar possible out of your budget to throw at your debt. Now, in the…

  • How to Find Extra Cash to Put Toward Your Debt

    Rob Berger
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Welcome to our week-long series on crushing your credit card debt. In this fourth of five articles, we look at several ways to free up extra cash to put toward your credit card debt. Photo Credit: Rocpoc In yesterday’s article about using the debt snowball, we saw how even an extra $50 a month toward your debt can make a huge difference. Now it’s time to find that extra $50 (or more) in your monthly budget. And it’s easier than you might think. Now before we get to the details, let’s look at the big picture. There are only three ways to free up more cash to put toward…

  • How a Debt Snowball Can Reduce and Then Eliminate Your Debt

    Rob Berger
    25 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Welcome to our week-long series on crushing your credit card debt. In this third of five articles, we look at how to supercharge your get out of debt program with the Debt Snowball. Let’s cut right to the chase. Using the debt snowball method can save you thousands of dollars in interest payments and significantly reduce the time it takes you to get out of credit card debt. The debt snowball is a method for paying down any debt, not just credit cards, and it’s extremely easy to implement. So let’s take a look at how it works. What is the Debt Snowball The idea of a debt…

  • How to Lower the Interest Rate on Your Credit Cards

    Rob Berger
    24 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Welcome to our week-long series on crushing your credit card debt. In this second of five articles, we look at several ways to easily lower the interest rates on your cards. The average credit card interest rate is just above 14 percent. But averages can be misleading. Actual credit card interest rates range from a low of 0% up to whopping 40% or more! The first step in reducing the interest rates on your credit cards is to know what rates you are currently paying. You can easily find this information on your card statements. Regardless of the rates you are paying (unless they are 0%), there…
 
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    Moolanomy Personal Finance

  • Federal Income Tax Return Filing Requirements for Retirees

    Kevin Mulligan
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:08 pm
    Do retirees have to file a federal income tax return? You might think that the days spent filing income tax return each year is behind you once you retired; however, being retired doesn’t necessarily get you [...]Read the rest of Federal Income Tax Return Filing Requirements for Retirees at Moolanomy.com. Copyright 2007-2011 Moolanomy.com. All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal.

  • Get a $150 Restaurant.com Gift Certificate from Discover Card

    Pinyo
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    Discover Card is currently promoting Discover Open Road Card with a free $150 Restaurant.com gift certificate. Apply for a Discover Open Road Card by clicking on the “Apply Now” button below to receive the gift card after [...]Read the rest of Get a $150 Restaurant.com Gift Certificate from Discover Card at Moolanomy.com. Copyright 2007-2011 Moolanomy.com. All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal.

  • 7 Pillars of Wealth Creation

    Davida Yemi-Akanle
    24 Jan 2012 | 10:02 pm
    Have you ever asked yourself the question, “How can I become rich”?  You’d be surprise at the number of people that never ask the question; for fear that they may be aspiring to a goal that [...]Read the rest of 7 Pillars of Wealth Creation at Moolanomy.com. Copyright 2007-2011 Moolanomy.com. All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal.

  • 12 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Negotiate for a Better Deal

    Kevin Mulligan
    22 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    In many cultures around the world negotiation is a part of every day life. No one pays the listed price for an item; you haggle until an agreement is reached. In American society this is practically [...]Read the rest of 12 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Negotiate for a Better Deal at Moolanomy.com. Copyright 2007-2011 Moolanomy.com. All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal.

  • Best High Interest Checking Account Rates

    Pinyo
    21 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    If you keep a lot of money in your checking account, moving your money to a high interest checking account may be a good move. Below is a list of nationally available highest yields checking accounts. [...]Read the rest of Best High Interest Checking Account Rates at Moolanomy.com. Copyright 2007-2011 Moolanomy.com. All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal.
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    Hustler Money Blog

  • Chase $200 Bonus Business Checking Coupon Promotion til 1/31/2012

    Hu$tler
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:00 am
    This new Chase $200 Business Checking Account just became available and it’s only good until 1/31/2012. That’s less than 4 days to get this $200 bonus for all new business checking customers! Whether you are a small business owner or you are simply looking for additional capital for your organization, this is a great offer for anyone! Simply visit the Chase $200 Business Checking promotional page, sign up to receive a coupon for your bonus, and take that coupon to your local Chase Bank location to open your new account! I personally have a Chase Business Account. In order for…

  • Clover Payment Person-to-Person $91 Total Bonus!

    Hu$tler
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:18 pm
    Clover is the easiest payment system by using your phone to pay your friends and family for meals and entertainment, living expenses, group presents, etc.  You can add money to your Clover account with your credit card, bank or Paypal account. Likewise, you can withdraw money via your bank or PayPal accounts, Amazon gift cards, or even by check. Do you want $91 in total bonus using Clover?  Sign up using my referral link and get $6 bonus($5 Amazon bonus and $1 in your Clover account). They will also give you 17 referrals to refer your friends and family. You’ll make $5 each referral,…

  • Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus Card Review – 25,000 Bonus Points = Free Roundtrip Flight!

    Hu$tler
    25 Jan 2012 | 11:04 pm
    Apply for the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus Card and receive 25,000 Bonus Points after your first purchase – worth over $400 in Wanna Get Away Fares that can be redeemed for a FREE ROUNDTRIP FLIGHT! For each dollar you spend, you earn one point from Southwest’s newly revised Rapid Rewards program. Purchases from Southwest Airlines earn two points per dollar spent; these purchases can include hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages purchased through the Southwest website. The $69 annual fee is nearly offset by the 3,000 anniversary bonus points that roughly equals $50 in…

  • U.S Bank $30 Bill Pay Bonus

    Hu$tler
    25 Jan 2012 | 8:11 pm
    With over 3,089 banking offices and serving across 25 States, you are bound to run into a U.S Bank. They are currently offering a $30 Bonus for using their Bill Pay online system. Here’s how it works: U.S. Bank will give you $10 just for trying Bill Pay when you donate $1 to a charitable cause.  Plus, earn another $20 if you make three or more payments online using Internet Bill Pay. Not a U.S bank customer? Join today and enroll in their S.T.A.R.T savings plan to earn a $50 bonus once you reached $1,000 in your savings account. Earn another $50 bonus by maintaining a balance of $1,000…

  • Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard 40,000 Bonus Miles + $100 Statement Credit

    Hu$tler
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:54 pm
    Choosing a credit card can be an overwhelming process, hence it’s important to pick the the right credit card. The AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard gives members up to 40,000 American Airlines Advantage bonus miles (30,000 bonus miles after $750 in purchases and an additional 10,000 bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases) and a one-time $100 statement credit for the first eligible American Airlines purchase.You earn one mile per dollar spent on this card, with two miles earned for any purchase with American Airlines. Cardholders are eligible for reduced mileage awards, which can…
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    American Consumer News

  • Two Money Management Strategies to Reach Your Goals Faster

    Debbie
    22 Jan 2012 | 9:19 am
    There isn’t much you can do about the current economic conditions, but you always have control over managing your money.  If you’re not afraid to spend some money in exchange for reaching your goals faster, you can take steps to maximize your finances that people who prefer to be frugal and cut expenses won’t try.  Sometimes you have to spend money to make money – if that’s your rule of thumb; these money management strategies might be right up your ally. Investing with a Moderate-Risk Portfolio If you have modest amounts of money to invest, and can’t spend hours studying the…

  • 3 Options for Selling Your Home

    Debbie
    19 Jan 2012 | 11:32 am
    In a buyer’s market, if you’re ready to buy your next home or fear that home values are going to fall even further and want to sell your home before that happens – you have a few options for selling your home.  Here are three options for selling your home that might help you meet the challenge of selling a home in a poor economy: For Sale by Owner You always have the option of listing your home for sale without the help of a real estate agent.  This is probably the most time consuming method of selling your home, but you will keep more of your home’s selling price because you…

  • The Shopping Habits You Need to Lose

    ACN Staff
    17 Jan 2012 | 9:04 am
    A major setback to a more frugal lifestyle is not getting rid of your bad shopping habits. These habits can make or break your attempts to save and should be considered carefully and honestly. The Worst Habits Although window shopping can be therapeutic, it’s not a good idea to window shop if you can’t afford to make a purchase. This is because people tend to give in to impulse buying, which blows your good budgeting intentions out of the water. Even if they don’t have cash on hand, window shoppers are more likely to rack up high balances on credit cards than those that…

  • Tips to Avoid Paying Late Fees

    Debbie
    22 Dec 2011 | 8:37 pm
    Late fees are unnecessary expenses that rob you of your hard earned money and leave long term damage to your credit score.  For many people, the late fees they pay to their credit cards cost more than the minimum payment itself!  Learn the following tips to avoid paying late fees – and also a strategy for getting a late fee removed if you do happen to send a payment late. Avoid Late Fees with Automatic Payments If you find yourself too busy to send your payments in on time, but you have the income to support your debts – consider setting up an automatic payment schedule to pay your…

  • The CARD Act and Credit Cardholder Rights

    Debbie
    22 Dec 2011 | 9:11 am
    Credit card companies have long been the source of consumer complaints regarding excessive and unreasonable fees and penalties. In addition, for many years, credit card users found themselves dealing with unreasonable, and often times, downright rude customer service. The downturn in the economy triggered even more aggressive behavior and antics from the credit card companies. That was until the CARD Act (Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act) was signed into law, offering consumers some protection from these unfair practices. The credit card companies seem to be responding…
 
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    Cash Money Life

  • Volunteer Opportunities That Teach Valuable Skills

    Emily Guy Birken
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:00 pm
    This article was originally published on Cash Money Life at Volunteer Opportunities That Teach Valuable Skills.In 2003, I became an AmeriCorps volunteer. For nearly a year, I worked in the art room of a Boys & Girls Club in Columbus, Ohio, creating educational and fun projects for 6-12 year olds. It was a rewarding, challenging, and educational part of my career. I can also say that it truly helped me later on when I decided to become a high school English teacher. During my student teaching, I felt fairly comfortable with classroom management and discipline—which are usually the bane…

  • When Will I Get My Tax Refund?

    Ryan
    24 Jan 2012 | 10:55 am
    This article was originally published on Cash Money Life at When Will I Get My Tax Refund?.If you file your taxes with the IRS EFile, or with an tax software program that files your taxes online for you, then you are in luck – you will generally receive your tax refund much more quickly than if you file your taxes by mail. The reason is that electronic tax returns are easier for the IRS to process, making it faster for them to clear the books on your tax return and send you a refund check. IRS E-File – When Will I Get My Tax Refund? How long does it take to get your tax refund? The…

  • How To Find Affordable Auto Insurance Rates

    Ryan
    24 Jan 2012 | 5:38 am
    This article was originally published on Cash Money Life at How To Find Affordable Auto Insurance Rates.Car insurance is a requirement – and not just to protect yourself and others in the event of an accident – but a legal requirement. If you drive a car, you need insurance. Fortunately (and unfortunately), there are thousands of companies which provide automobile insurance and just as many policies from which to choose.  With so many options availalbe, it’s easy to throw your hands up and choose whichever is the cheapest option, or to just stay with the company you have…

  • How to Buy Super Bowl Tickets – 2012

    Ryan
    23 Jan 2012 | 4:14 pm
    This article was originally published on Cash Money Life at How to Buy Super Bowl Tickets – 2012.A couple years ago, my coworker and I were discussing our bucket lists, you know, the list of things you want to accomplish or see before you die. He mentioned his dad’s biggest wish was to go to the Super Bowl, and we got on the topic of buying Super Bowl tickets. All we knew about buying Super Bowl tickets was that it is very expensive, and it helps to know someone. So we looked it up for fun. How to Buy Super Bowl Tickets How to Buy Super Bowl Tickets The first thing you need to…

  • Are You Ready for the New 1099-K?

    Miranda
    23 Jan 2012 | 5:36 am
    This article was originally published on Cash Money Life at Are You Ready for the New 1099-K?.Starting this year, for tax year 2011, there is a new 1099 form in town. Many of us are already familiar with the 1099-MISC, especially if we work from home as contractors. The 1099 is meant for income that comes, in a fairly regular way, from sources that aren’t considered a “regular” job (which will issue you a W-2). There are different types of 1099 forms, including those that report interest income and dividend income. The latest type of 1099, though, is the 1099-K. What is the…
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    brip blap

  • the questions you need to succeed in business

    Steve
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    These are not my original thoughts, but they are a great list of questions if you’re interested in providing a service (a blog, a business, consulting – basically any service you can think of): What needs do people have that I can fulfill? What trend or trends are present here? What opportunities do they present? What are the current gaps in the marketplace? What is the insight that can lead me to create greater value in this segment? How can I leverage what I know about this category or industry that makes sense for my [work] and my brand name? How can I test the efficacy of my…

  • 6 Ways to Salvage your New Years Resolutions

    Guest Writer
    25 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    We’re less than a full month into the new year. Did you make any resolutions? If so, how’re they doing? If you’ve already broken your New Year’s resolution, don’t be too hard on yourself. It turns out that the odds were stacked against you. A study in 2007 by Richard Wisemen from the University of Bristol showed that 88% of people who make New Year resolutions fail to keep them. Those are pretty dismal numbers when you consider it. A lot of people break their resolutions and feel depressed. But as the Japanese proverb says “Fall 7 times, stand up 8″.

  • a bird in hand, or two in the bush…

    Steve
    23 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    OK, think fast: two jobs. One pays $50,000 this year; it will have a steady raise keeping pace with inflation (more or less) for the next 20 years, but there will be no spectacular bumps up. The other job pays $15,000 this year. In 10 years it might give you the experience to make $100,000 per year – or, if you haven’t done that well, it might pay you $15,000. What do you do? I would argue this is at the core of your personality for many reasons. If I told you that I would give you $5 straight out, or we could flip a coin and heads you’d get $10 or tails you’d get $0,…

  • Control Your Financial Destiny – Be Your Own Boss

    Guest Writer
    20 Jan 2012 | 5:30 am
    Most people are concerned about money. If you aren’t a millionaire, you are most likely part of this group. Money – we never seem to have enough of it and are always looking at ways to spend less of it. For the average person, the concept of taking control of their financial destiny consists of little more than having a 401(k) at a job they most likely don’t care too much for. Few people take true control of their financial destiny. One way to have greater control over how much money you have is to be an entrepreneur. While not the right option for many (if not most) people, being…

  • the itch that never ends

    Steve
    16 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Imagine your wrist is itching right now. It’s the kind of itch that just has to be scratched – it doesn’t matter what you are doing, because the urge to scratch rises up and blocks your ability to concentrate on almost anything else. I am sure you know this feeling – the sudden intensity of the itch narrows your vision to a tunnel. You stop, you scratch, you resume whatever it was you were doing. Now imagine that keeps happening. Again and again. You itch at random all over. Your nose itches, you stop and scratch and take ten steps before your knee itches. The…
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    Poorer Than You

  • Net Worth Update: December 2011

    Stephanie
    23 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Hey guys! So remember that time I stopped writing for more than six months? That was funny, right? Hahahaha… ha… ha. Sorry about that. Let’s get back to business. Change (from the last update in April): +$2323 or +8.63 % That’s a pretty respectable climb (more than 1% per month!) in numbers, but the graph reveals that there was also a bit of a backslide in there. So what gives? Just what has happened these last 8 months? Traveled the country as a NASA groupie. When we last left off, I had tried to go a NASA Tweetup for the STS-134 shuttle launch, but the launch was postponed.

  • Rebuilding Your Credit

    Guest Author
    16 May 2011 | 7:00 am
    Jim Wang writes about personal finance and other money issues at his personal finance blog Bargaineering.com. Many of us have made money mistakes. Additionally, some of us have had financial disasters to contend with. In any case, once the debts start to pile up, and payments are missed, the damage to your credit can be substantial. If you have tried to get a credit loan recently, and you have poor credit, you probably know that your credit report can result in being turned down for a loan. Even if you aren’t denied, you will have to pay a higher interest rate in order to offset the…

  • Net Worth Update: April 2011

    Stephanie
    3 May 2011 | 7:48 am
    I just flew in from Rochester, and boy, are my arms tired! Actually, my everything is tired. The NASA Tweetup for the shuttle launch finally happened, but the shuttle launch itself didn’t. And I jet-setted all around the East Coast to be there and get to a wedding back home… but I haven’t got a single regret in the whole thing. Sure, I’ll tell you more about that. But first, the numbers! Change: +$522 or +1.75 % Whoa… not bad at all! Especially considering the crazy travels of the past week! I left for Orlando on Wednesday night, spent two and a half nights in a group rental house…

  • Savings Snowball Update: Back in Action

    Stephanie
    27 Apr 2011 | 7:00 am
    What with all the crazy change in my life, it’s got to be time to re-evaluate everything. Especially, I need to rethink my savings goals and how I’ll prioritize them. So it’s time to revisit the ol’ Savings Snowball. For those of you not familiar with the concept, here’s the short version: much like a debt snowball, each goal has a minimum payment that gets paid every month, no matter what. Any extra money I can scrounge up goes to the goal on the top. When the goal on the top is met, everything that was getting sent to that goal “snowballs” down into the second goal, and the…

  • Net Worth Update: Quarter 1, 2011

    Stephanie
    4 Apr 2011 | 6:57 am
    Welcome back, for another quarterly update on my financial situation! I’m your host, Can’t-Manage-to-Post-Monthly Stephanie! Boy, do I have a lot in store for you this time – but first, the numbers! January: $617 or +2.28 % February: ($3,104) or -11.74 % March: ($211) or -0.71 % Yeeeee-ouch! What happened here, young lady? No worries! (Yep, I said “No worries!”) Both of the drops this quarter were completely expected and planned for. There is nothing fishy going on here – I didn’t gamble away my hard-earned money or blow it all on Collector’s Edition X-Men figurines (although…
 
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    The Wisdom Journal

  • An Easy Way to Stack Discounts and Make More Money

    Ron
    23 Jan 2012 | 9:47 am
    Have you ever run into one of these disclaimers? This offer can not be used with any other offer, sale or discount. Frustrating, isn’t it? Especially when you have a coupon for 15% off and the store is running a special on an item you need to buy. Trot up to the cash register and the clerk says, “I’m sorry, you can’t use that coupon AND get the discount.” In some rare cases the manager my be able to over-ride that policy but rarely … and you then get labeled a “problem” customer. How do I get around these policies and stack discount on top of…

  • 57 Avoidable Tax Mistakes

    Ron
    19 Jan 2012 | 10:00 am
    Many of these tax mistakes are easily avoidable if you use Turbo Tax or H&R Block to prepare your taxes. I’ve personally used H&R Block for 12 years … this year will be my 13th. I’m planning to do my taxes this year with both sets of software, just to see if one works better for me. I’ll be sure to report my findings. It’s easy to make a lot of these tax mistakes. We’re busy and our lives are taxing enough already (pardon the pun). When tax time rolls around, we can get in a big hurry to get it over with and in our rush, make a few mistakes. Here’s a list you can…

  • Insurance Potholes – Where Are the Gaps In Your Coverage?

    Ron
    17 Jan 2012 | 8:15 am
    An Insurance Pothole? Potholes. The nemesis of drivers everywhere. They appear when you least expect them and they can do some real damage to your tires, your wheels, and even the frame of your vehicle. Potholes need to be filled quickly, before they get larger and damage more vehicles. Insurance potholes act in the same way. They pop up when you least expect them and certainly when you don’t need them. When they rear their ugly heads they can do some real damage to your assets – especially your cash assets. Insurance potholes need to be filled too. And just like potholes in the road,…

  • 12 Truths About Procrastination and You (and me, too)

    Ron
    16 Jan 2012 | 8:20 am
    We’ve all done it: put off what we know we should do, waiting until a later time. While many of us are professional procrastinators, the truth is very few people always do everything on time. Sometimes a “wait-and-see” approach pays off, but that process requires thoughtful judgment, and really isn’t the same as procrastination. Forms of procrastination: Classic Procrastination – where someone delays getting started on a task Contract Procrastination – where someone doesn’t do what they’ve previously agreed to do Completion Procrastination – where someone just cannot…

  • Top 10 Factors Affecting Your Car Insurance Premium

    Ron
    13 Jan 2012 | 8:45 am
    The NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) estimates your lifetime chances of being in an automobile accident at one in four – 25 percent. Car insurance isn’t something you want to “cheap out” but with other items skyrocketing in price, your auto insurance should be a prime candidate for re-evaluation. Auto insurance isn’t an option. It’s the law, so what are the factors that affect your premium amount and how can you and I get the coverage we need at a better price? Get FREE car insurance quotes from multiple providers like Travelers, Allstate, State Farm, Nationwide,…
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    CreditCards.com

  • Emily's list: Too reliant on plastic edition

    Emily Starbuck Gerson
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:18 am
    Earlier this week, I went to run an errand during lunchtime and stopped at a small neighborhood gas station. I swiped my credit card, entered my ZIP code and waited. Eventually, I was told there was a network error. I looked up, and people at the other pumps had puzzled looks on their face. The station had a small kiosk with a cashier rather than a store. I saw a man yelling at the cashier. He was upset that he had swiped his card only to get an error message, without anything indicating that the transaction was completely over. He demanded to know if they still have his credit card…

  • You're Approved for Suze Orman's card (but only if you already have a card)

    Dan Ray
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:50 am
    The irony of it all. Financial personality Suze Orman's new and controversial prepaid Approved card has a glitch that few in the media have reported on: In order to load the card with your money, you need to already have another form of plastic. Her prepaid Approved card has generated gobs of press and decidedly mixed reviews, mostly over its fair-to-middling fee structure. But this one aspect of the orange-hued celebrity's purple-hued card launch irks me: the discussion of whether it has the potential to do a noble deed -- helping those with no bank account (aka "the unbanked") get…

  • Emily's list: Inauguration Day edition

    Emily Starbuck Gerson
    20 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Jan. 20 is Inauguration Day in the United States. One year from now, will President Barack Obama still be in office, or will we be watching a new Republican president sworn in? While incumbents are usually favored, who knows what will happen this time next year. I've watched bits and pieces of the Republican debates, and while some of it is painful to watch, it's been enjoyable to see my state's governor, Rick Perry, laugh at himself a little bit. What I do know is that whoever is president plays a big role in our economy. It significantly affects our nation's finances, from how debt is…

  • Diva in Debt sings about Thankyou rewards blog

    Connie Prater
    17 Jan 2012 | 9:46 am
    My blog about trying to set up a Facebook app to allow my friends to share my Citi ThankYou rewards points was featured in this week's Carnival of Personal Finance.Hosted by Diva in Debt, the 344th edition of the carnival selected bloggers Matt About Money Intelligent Speculator and One Cent for Editor's Choice honors. A blog carnival is a compilation of the best blogs about a particular topic. Each week, a different blogger acts as host and selects what he or she feels are the best blogs related to that topic.The Carnival of Personal Finance focuses on managing money, credit, budgeting,…

  • Suze Orman's debit card: Is it a good thing?

    Sally Herigstad
    13 Jan 2012 | 1:41 pm
    Suze Orman came out with her own debit card this week, called the Approved Card. It's received a lot of attention -- not all of it positive. Some people are aghast that a personal finance expert would push her own product to her loyal following. I have no problem with that. I don't even mind her making lots of money on it. But it had better be a good deal at the same time.The Approved Card is a prepaid debit card, which works like a cross between a gift card and a credit card. You preload it with money and then use it online, by phone or at the store just as you would a Visa or…
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    Born To Sell Covered Call Blog

  • Covered Call Option Screener

    25 Jan 2012 | 3:01 pm
    Born To Sell is in the business of screening for covered calls. We are constantly asked how to use a covered call option screener effectively. Investors know that a screener will save them time, but how to do you reduce the universe of 200,000+ covered call candidates down to a handful that you can then do additional diligence on? This article will show you how. How Many Covered Calls Exist? There are 5643 stocks and ETFs that trade today (Jan 25, 2012). Of those, 3716 have call options available. Factor in all the possible expiration dates and strike prices, and there are 229,636 covered…

  • Writing Covered Calls For Consistent Profits

    11 Jan 2012 | 12:03 pm
    Writing covered calls for income has been a popular investment strategy for investors since standardized option contracts were first introduced in 1973. Many investors are happy with a modest rate of return, as long as it's fairly predictable and consistent. Or, if you're a risk loving investor seeking extraordinary returns, it is also possible to use covered call writing more aggressively. Writing Covered Calls The Conservative Way Playing it relatively safe with covered calls means choosing underlying stocks with these attributes: Large market cap. There are 508 stocks with market caps over…

  • Option Hedging

    9 Jan 2012 | 10:03 am
    Hedging is when you take a position to protect against losses in some other position. Rather than put all your eggs in one basket, you put some in one basket and some in another basket which is inversely correlated to the first. If you are long a certain stock, you might choose to hedge that position by buying some put options for the same stock. That way, if the stock drops you are protected somewhat. You can exercise your puts and receive the strike price per share as a floor price for your investment. Sounds Good. What's The Catch? The catch is that hedging is not free. Much like buying…

  • High Yield Stocks

    6 Jan 2012 | 11:08 am
    A popular screen for high yield stocks involves taking the Dow 30 industrial stocks, finding those with the highest dividend yield, and then sorting by P/E ratio. The idea is that by choosing high yield, low P/E, DJIA stocks you will be buying undervalued quality stocks. Then you can write covered calls against them. DJIA High Yield Stocks The top 16 highest yielding Dow 30 stocks today are: Company Symbol Dividend Yield AT&T T 5.8% Verizon VZ 5.1% Merck MRK 4.4% Pfizer PFE 3.7% General Electric GE 3.7% Johnson & Johnson JNJ 3.5% Dupont DD 3.5% Intel INTC 3.3% Procter & Gamble PG 3.1% Kraft…

  • Bond Yield

    4 Jan 2012 | 8:07 pm
    No Interest For 18 Months! That's a nice offer when purchasing a new TV but it sucks when you're trying to live on fixed income investments. The Fed is serious about keeping bond yield (interest rates) low through the middle of next year. In their own words: "The Committee agreed to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent and to state that economic conditions are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the federal funds rate at least through mid-2013." FOMC Minutes, Aug 9, 2011 The resulting anemic bond yields make it difficult or impossible for many fixed…
 
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    Money Smarts Blog

  • My Online Opinion On Online Opinions

    Mike Holman
    16 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    I’m on holiday this week, so I thought it would be oh so much fun to republish an ancient post (Sept 2008), which most readers haven’t seen before.  Enjoy! Online opinions and reviews are everywhere.  If you are doing some online shopping, it’s almost impossible to go to a site offering merchandise that doesn’t allow [...]

  • RESP Canada Learning Bond (CLB) – Why Aren’t More People Claiming it?

    Mike Holman
    11 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
    Part of the Canadian RESP program is a grant, inappropriately named the Canada Learning Bond (CLB).  The “Canada Learning” makes sense, but I have no idea why the word “bond” was used. In actual fact the CLB is a grant and the big difference between this grant and the regular RESP grants is that no [...]

  • LinkStuff – Bowling With Kids Edition

    Mike Holman
    6 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
    Over the holidays, my wife and I went bowling with the kids (age 3 & 5).  I haven’t bowled in 25 years and all I remember is being in the gutter most of the time. They gave us a lane with rails on it which prevent the ball from going into the gutter.  What a [...]

  • 2011 Portfolio Investment Performance – Not Too Bad

    Mike Holman
    4 Jan 2012 | 6:38 am
    I like to calculate my investment return each year, so I can see how I am doing. My investment return for 2011 was -1.8%.  While this kind of performance won’t secure my retirement any time soon, I was lucky that the numbers weren’t any worse. There were two reasons, I did reasonably well. Low Canadian [...]

  • 2011 Stock Picking Contest Results

    Mike Holman
    3 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
    At the beginning of the year I entered into a stock picking contest with some other bloggers, as I do every year. Once again I decided to short gold which didn’t work out all that well, although it was better than last year. Here are the results: Rank Site YTD Return (%) 1 Dividend Growth [...]
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    One Frugal Girl

  • A Few Things I've Learned From Watching My Son

    One Frugal Girl
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:35 pm
    I've been able to stay home with my son since he was born just over three months ago. Despite feeling a bit sleep deprived this has been the most amazing time in my life! What has been most surprising is how much I've learned from watching him in these last three months.First, when you wake from a long night's slumber or even a short cat nap reach your arms above your head and point your toes. Don't be shy about it. Stretch as far as your body will allow. It's funny that this is such a natural instinct, yet as adults we rush out of bed in the morning and never think to stretch our our…

  • $600 Richer

    One Frugal Girl
    25 Jan 2012 | 10:10 pm
    As I mentioned a few days ago I am currently in the process of rolling my 401(k) into an IRA. My employer instituted a Roth 401(k) a few years ago, so some money will roll into a Roth IRA and the rest will roll into a traditional IRA. To be more precise roughly $100,000 will move into the Roth and $175,000 will move into the traditional account.I planned to move the money to Charles Schwab, because that's where my husband and I keep all of our accounts. In fact, we gave me up traditional banking years ago and haven't looked back once since.Well it just so happens that Schwab is offering a…

  • Have You Ever Wondered Why You Crave New Things?

    One Frugal Girl
    23 Jan 2012 | 9:00 am
    Do you find yourself craving new things? New clothes, new furniture, a new job, new cell phone, etc. Have you ever wondered why you want all of that new stuff in the first place? Winifred Gallagher attempts to explain the human desire to engage in things that are new and different in her book NEW: Understanding Our Need for Novelty and Change. Throughout the book Gallagher discusses 'the love of the new', otherwise known as neophilia. Desiring new things is not always bad. Gallagher's book explains how the desire for newness has pushed inventors to discover new technologies, researchers to…

  • Joining the Yakezie Challenge

    One Frugal Girl
    22 Jan 2012 | 4:30 pm
    I have absolutely loved being home with my son these last three months, but I do miss the sense of community I felt going to work each day. Since I'm not going out much these days I decided to reach out to the digital community and joined the Yakezie Challenge!I'm already a reader of many of the Yakezie members blogs, but I don't often comment on their posts. I guess you can say I'm kind of like that secret lurker who loves what she reads, but doesn't share her thoughts with the bloggers whose work I enjoy.With this challenge I hope to open myself up to the blogging community and hopefully…

  • $1 Million By the Time I'm Ready to Retire?

    One Frugal Girl
    21 Jan 2012 | 3:25 pm
    My job officially ended with my former company in November of last year. In early December I received my last paycheck and on the last day of 2011 I received my severance payout. As each of these events transpire I feel the book officially closing on my previous employment. I believe yesterday marked the final chapter as I withdrew the money in my retirement plan in preparation for a 401(k) rollover. After twelve years of saving my final tally borders $275,000. Better market conditions may have resulted in a larger sum, but I still think that's a pretty decent chunk of change. It proves two…
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    My Dollar Plan

  • American Express Delta 30,000 Mile Sign Up Bonus

    Kate
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:29 am
    Here’s another great Free Money Friday offer for any big travelers. American Express and Delta are offering a sign-up bonus worth a free flight! You’ll get 30,000 Delta miles with the American Express card. How to Get Your 30,000 Mile Sign-Up Bonus Apply for the American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles card. Spend $500 within 3 months of opening the account. Get 30,000 bonus miles – good for a free flight! American Express Terms and Conditions $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. Receive double miles on Delta purchases 1 mile for all other eligible dollars spent.

  • How Much Do You Pay For Health Insurance?

    Madison
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:29 am
    As I piece together our budget spreadsheets projecting our expenses for the next 60 years, there’s one line item that I keep coming back to over and over, the cost of health care. I predict our future expenses with all sorts of inflation rates for our expenses… but what about health care? How much will it cost? At what rate will it increase? We’ve made it no secret that my husband works for health insurance. Our original long term backup plan was access to my husband’s health insurance, which we would have access to for life in 7 more years. However, the writing on the…

  • How to Avoid Foreclosure Scams

    Amanda
    25 Jan 2012 | 8:29 am
    In 4 Foreclosure Scams to Watch Out For we discussed some of the most prevalent foreclosure scams out there. But how are you supposed to avoid these scams, especially since at the time when you are being approached you are most likely feeling vulnerable and extremely eager to get out of your present situation? Below I’ve outlined clear signs and things to avoid when dealing with loan modification and other companies that deal with foreclosures. How to Avoid Foreclosure Scams Objectively Go Over the Offer: One of the best ways to avoid a scam is to objectively look at what you are dealing…

  • 2012 Chase Freedom Rewards Calendar

    Madison
    24 Jan 2012 | 8:29 am
    Each quarter I put together a list of the 5% cash back on rotating categories. However, I find that there’s something missing from just looking at the current quarter. For example, what if you know you want to make a big purchase (a big home improvement purchase, airline tickets, a large electronics purchase…), but you have some flexibility in when you want to purchase it. If you knew the purchase category would be on the list for a future quarter, you might want to hold off on your purchase until you can get 5% cash back. To help you accomplish your purchase planning for the…

  • How Do Tax Brackets Work?

    Jill
    23 Jan 2012 | 9:33 am
    Are you getting ready to file your taxes? If so, you might find yourself needing a slight refresher on how tax brackets work. The US tax system is based on a progressive rate structure – the more income you make, the higher tax rate you pay. But contrary to popular belief, you do NOT pay the same tax rate on all of your income. Instead, your tax bracket tells you exactly how much tax you will owe on income falling within the limits for that tax bracket. Any income below the threshold for that bracket will be taxed at a lower rate. Confused? Read on. Finding your Tax Bracket Federal tax…
 
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    My Financial Journey

  • My best and worst stocks in 2011

    MFJ
    4 Jan 2012 | 9:15 am
    Below are the top 8 best performing stocks I owned for the entire year in 2011 and their performance. MAKO Surgical Corp (MAKO) +65.64% Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) +58.82% Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) +53.96% Starbucks (SBUX) +43.20% United Health Group (UNH) +40.35% Panera Bread Company (PNRA) +38.80% Whole Foods Market (WFM) +37.54% Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) +36.49% It definitely looks like restaurants, food, and medical care was in for 2011 looking at my best performing stocks. Also noticed that this performance is quite a bit different than last year where I had 3 stocks that…

  • My Investment Holdings – January 2012

    MFJ
    3 Jan 2012 | 7:30 am
    It’s been a year since I last updated my investment holdings so I figured January every year would be a good time to do this. In general my investments will not change much from year to year as I pretty much only buy stocks and do not sell very often, but I do make changes occasionally or tidy up my holdings so this will be a good place to see what changes have happened in my portfolio in the last year and what my current portfolio allocation looks like based on new investments and individual positions market changes. In the last year I have actually entirely sold off about 10 stocks. I…

  • Retirement Nestegg Report – December 2011

    MFJ
    2 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Well another year in the books and a bit of a bummer the second half of the year with regards to my nestegg growth and my investment performance vs the SP500. As you will see in some follow up posts – I had two of my largest stock positions from 2010 really tank in 2011 (Netflix and Dolby). I guess the good news is despite this somewhat worst case scenario I have found out that I am diversified enough where it did not do any irreparable damage to my portfolio. Another observation is that I only contributed $16,782 to my retirement nestegg this year and even a bulk of that came from…

  • My savings account is now bigger than my home mortgage.

    MFJ
    2 Jan 2012 | 6:30 am
    Kind of a weird scenario happened last month. The amount of money that my wife and I have saved up for building our next house has actually surpassed the amount of the mortgage on our existing house. We have been living in our first house now for a little under 6.5 years which also ironically is pretty close to how long I have been writing this blog and now I am to the point if I wanted to could have my house paid off free and clear with a couple clicks of a mouse button. My wife and I have never paid extra on our mortgage and currently have it locked into an 5 year ARM at 4.0% that I think…

  • Retirement Nestegg Report – November 2011

    MFJ
    1 Dec 2011 | 8:58 am
    Well another month where I trailed the SP500 (3 in a row). This does not give me cause for concern as over the long term I have been beating the market and up until the last three months I had a really good string of wins on my side – again broken horse but Netflix was one of my largest positions and has taken a serious hair cut here in the short term. While my portfolio was relatively flat up until a few days ago I was down about $15-$20k from last month but the market has been rallying a lot in recent days and brought me back near last months total. Goes to show you that short term…
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    MoneyCrush

  • Learning From Financial Mistakes

    Jackie
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    This is a guest post from Wayne at Young Family Finance. He writes to educate young families on the financial challenges of life, like paying your bills on time or retirement planning for young families. Have you ever made a financial mistake? I guess a more appropriate question would be, when was the last time you made a mistake with your finances? Or maybe, What did you learn from your last mistake? Whether you would like to admit it or not, everyone makes mistakes when it comes to managing their finances. Even those without debt or responsibly investing for their finances – everyone!

  • Holding Yourself Accountable

    Jackie
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Holding yourself accountable is one of the keys to getting ahead in life. Of course, this applies to your financial life too — in everything from getting out of debt to achieving your financial goals. From an actionable perspective, accountability means being doing the things you say you will do — even if no one else would ever know if you didn’t. In other words, holding yourself accountable means recognizing that you are responsible for your own actions and inactions — and then doing something about it. Paying attention When you start to hold yourself accountable, it…

  • Announcing Women’s Money Week

    Jackie
    23 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    If you’ve been reading MoneyCrush for a while, you probably already know that I’m involved in a variety of projects. Well, one of those projects is something new that I’m super excited about: the first annual Women’s Money Week. I’ve been working on the project with Elizabeth Sanberg, who is the co-founder of GoGreenTravelGreen.com and one of the Wise Bread staff writers. Women’s Money Week will be held March 5th-11th. It’ll be similar to a week long blog carnival, but with prizes, tools & content created especially for that week. Content will be…

  • Stay At Home Parents Need Life Insurance Too

    Jackie
    20 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    The following guest post is by Jeff Rose. With the arrival of our third son, my wife has made the decision to leave the workforce. I give her props because I know, as every other parent knows, it’s much harder raising three young kids that working. Don’t believe me? I invite you over to our house for a weekend. When she leaves her job, we’ll be missing out on some of the wonderful benefits that come with a corporate job including her life insurance policy. For working parents deciding how much coverage is needed can be pretty cut and dry. They know the salary their family would lose if…

  • Why I Think My Husband Should Buy a Lotus Elise

    Jackie
    16 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Despite being a non-coffee drinker (I know; the horror!) I loved Aloysa’s “Live a Little: Have a Latte” post. In it, she points out that some of the things we buy “make us feel guilty because we think we make frivolous and unjustified spending choices”. According to David Bach’s web site, the latte factor is based on the idea that “putting aside as little as a few dollars a day for your future rather than spending it on little purchases such as lattes, bottled water, fast food, cigarettes, magazines and so on, can really make a difference between…
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    Million Dollar Journey

  • Last Chance for Newsletter Offer, Lost Decade, Mens Health and More

    FrugalTrader
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:30 am
    Remember the Successful Investor Stock Pick Newsletter offer that was supposed to end Jan 15?  Due to interest from readers, I managed to convince TSI to extend the offer until the end of January!  So as it stands right now, you can still get a one year subscription for the exclusive MDJ price of $30, which is $109 cheaper than their regular price and $59 cheaper than their current promo price on their site.  Check it out the deal here. Europe and the Lost Decade @ Canadian Money Forum Grading Men’s Health’s Tips to Build Wealth in Trouble Times @ Lazy man and Money Why Use Cloth…

  • Joining a Pension Plan? A Closer Look at PAs, PARs and PSPAs

    Guest Blogger
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:30 am
    We live in uncertain economic times and pensions are no exception. Employers looking to bring some certainty to their pension plans are opting to convert their Defined Benefit (DB) plans to the more predictable Defined Contribution (DC) plan at an alarming rate – in a recent survey, 51% of private sector employers admitted to switching their DB plan to a DC plan. With pension plans constantly changing, it’s important to understand the impact they can have on your personal financial situation – let’s take a look at three important aspects of pensions: Pension Adjustments (PAs), Pension…

  • Reader Mail: New Graduate, TD e-Series, RRSP or Non-Reg?

    FrugalTrader
    23 Jan 2012 | 6:30 am
    New graduate, Mike, emailed me with some investing questions.  He’s new to the work force, and is diligently looking to find ways to invest and save money. I am a new grad, just started working permanently last year. I have contributed every year to my TFSA (right now, it’s parked with Canadian Western Bank, which offers 3% on their Demand account). I haven’t contributed to RSPs because I haven’t earned sufficient income to justify doing so. As such, I have carried forward my totals every year. I project that I will contribute by Jan/Feb 2013. In the mean time, I have…

  • Financial Quackery Video

    Ed Rempel
    20 Jan 2012 | 6:30 am
    Video is a medium that I haven’t really considered with this blog, but I can see how it can be useful when educating about certain concepts. Let me know what you think about introducing more video to MDJ. “Financial Quackery” is one of the main reasons why most people struggle financially. This video is my attempt at humour (I have to point this out in case you don’t recognize the humour) to explain what to look for to get real advice, rather than the typical industry foolishness pretending to be advice. If you find finance confusing, this video explains in “plane language”…

  • A Primer on American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)

    Clark
    18 Jan 2012 | 6:30 am
    American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) are securities of non-US corporations that trade in the US stock markets.  Individual shares of such foreign securities represented by ADRs are called as American Depositary Shares. ADRs are created when a broker purchases shares of a non-US corporation on its home stock exchange and transfers them to a local custodian bank, which issues the receipts. ADRs provide North American investors the means to buy shares in a foreign company such as those listed in the UK, China, or France to name but a few. These ADRs, denominated in US dollars, are traded similar…
 
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    Bible Money Matters

  • 8 Important Bible Verses About Money For Christians

    Peter Anderson
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:54 am
    A while back I published a post on this site that gave hundreds of bible verses about money.  The verses were all in some way related to one financial topic or another.  A few of the subjects covered in the post included greed, saving, debt, hard work, honesty, planning, stewardship, worry and where we can find true wealth. When I look back on the post I’m glad I wrote it and I think it gives a pretty good picture of how we’re told to view money and how it relates to our spiritual lives.  One thing that I thought I could rectify with another post, however, is instead of just…

  • Home Workout Programs Can Be A Cost Effective Alternative To A Gym Membership

    Peter Anderson
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    I haven’t written much about fitness on this site as I have another site called Quick To Fit where I write about topics surrounding exercise and getting fit.  I’ll be honest though, the writing on that site has been somewhat sporadic – as has been my motivation for exercising and getting fit.  It’s something I’ve struggled with for some time now, and something I always seem to be working on. With that said, over the past year or so I’ve been making an effort to exercise more and lose some of the excess weight that I’ve put on over the last few…

  • Find A Better Bank: How To Choose!

    John Frainee
    25 Jan 2012 | 10:08 am
    Options, options, options. Just like the cereal aisle at a grocery store, you have options when it comes to choosing a bank account. Sometimes we switch banks because we are tempted by a higher interest rate. Other times we are just fed up with fees at our current institution.  For still others customer service is important. Whatever the case for you, here are some great questions to ask yourself before you choose your next bank. Do yourself a favor, and choose a better bank! Questions to Ask Yourself 1. Why am I really switching banks? We’ve already given some of the simple answers:…

  • Will A Short Sale Hurt Your Credit, And Will You Even Qualify For One?

    Peter Anderson
    24 Jan 2012 | 11:49 am
    One thing we’ve heard a lot about the last couple of years is the rash of foreclosures and short sales, and how the real estate market is experiencing a huge downturn. A lot of people are finding themselves underwater in their homes, owing more on the homes than they’re currently worth. People have seen their home values drop by tens of thousands of dollars, if not hundreds of thousands. In the area that we live in the story hasn’t been much different. There have been a lot of foreclosures and home values have dropped significantly. We bought our house near the height of the…

  • Is Multi-Generational Living For You? What Are The Pros And Cons?

    Melissa
    23 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Between a tight economy and the demands placed on the sandwich generation (that group who finds themselves both helping to take care of their aging parents while continuing to raise their own children to adulthood), more and more families find themselves living in multi-generational households.  According to Money Magazine, “Roughly 16% of the population is living in a house with at least two adult generations.”  This is the “highest level in 50 years.” While Americans don’t typically embrace this living arrangement, it is common for many Asian and Hispanic families.  My husband…
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    Canadian Personal Finance Blog

  • Random Thoughts: $100 Hot Dog? Seriously?

    bigcajunman
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:37 am
    Yes P.T. Barnum’s statement about a Sucker born every minute continues into the 21st century with a restaurateur willing to charge you $100 for a Hot Dog. Dougie Luv is willing to charge you $100 for a Dougie Dog which is infused with $2000 cognac, lobster and Kobe beef and deep fried in truffle oil, but can I get poutine with that? Yes this is possibly the oddest dietary/financial choice you could have made this week, oh and call ahead because it takes 10 hours to prepare too. I’d sell you a hot dog for a bargain price of $10! For my Chinese readers, Happy Year of the Water…

  • Does Canada Need a Buffett Rule?

    bigcajunman
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:40 am
    Warren Buffett has been saying to the media he thinks the American Tax rules are flawed if he ends up paying less tax (as a percentage) than his secretary does, and while I applaud his sentiments, I think he is blustering for the media (i.e. he knows the rules aren’t going to change quickly, so he can say what he wishes about this topic). President Obama has taken Buffett’s statements a step further and has dubbed his push for tax reform as the Buffett Rule, where as a percentage rich folk should not pay less than folks who work for them. A good explanation I heard was we…

  • Tales from Behind the Untaxed Money Wall

    bigcajunman
    25 Jan 2012 | 1:40 am
    For the past year and a half I have been attempting to buy into the Federal Government Employee pension plan, and it all finally went through a while ago (I am planning on doing a string of posts outlining the exact events, and how much fun it is to deal with the Government from the inside, at a later date), and after the dust had settled, it turned out the government owed me money (good they are giving it back, bad they had it for so long). All the moneys I was using was on the other side of the Untaxed Moneys Wall (i.e. the money was in RRSPs, and LIRAs), and I have learned the importance…

  • Can I retire?

    bigcajunman
    24 Jan 2012 | 1:12 am
    I was reading a very interesting article on-line by Mr. Mustache Money about the shockingly simple math behind early retirement and the predictor function used is surprisingly simple, but it also made me wonder when I can retire. Being a Civil Servant I have a nice pension plan (with a medical plan (for now, we shall see what comes in the future)), but for now I am effectively saving for my retirement by paying my pension premiums, and I can (if I manage to keep a position until 65) retire with a full pension (i.e. the maximum I can earn in the pension system which is 70% of the average of my…

  • Inflation Slows a Little to End 2012

    bigcajunman
    23 Jan 2012 | 2:08 am
    Year over year 2012′s Consumer Price Index ended at 2.3% according to our friends at Stats Canada. The drop from last month’s 2.9% is being attributed to gas prices moderating (i.e. not increasing as fast, and in some instances almost dropping a smidge), and car prices dropping a little. This is not to say that Gas prices are really dropping, but that the increase compared to last year at this time doesn’t seem quite as bad. The actual rise of gas prices year over year was about 7.6% as compared to last month where the year over year where gas was effectively up 13.5%, so it…
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    Pecuniarities

  • The Frugal Art

    Madoline Hatter
    11 Jan 2012 | 2:04 pm
    As an artist I am always eager for the creative challenges provided by frugal living and the quest for unconventional solutions. I view limited means and materials as a criteria or assignment and constantly ponder over the possible uses and adaptations of old, broken, or left-over items. My sister and I have always viewed saving money as winning at a game and making something useful out of something unwanted is the same as getting it for free, which is quite a victory. Even while growing up in very comfortable circumstances, I had a fascination with the potential of objects to be used as they…

  • DIY Plumbing Solution: The Baking Soda & Vinegar Plumb Bomb, an Eco-Friendly Chemical-Free Liquid Plumr & Drano Alternative

    Penelope Pince
    1 Nov 2011 | 8:00 am
    The Problem Being first time homeowners, we were unaware (until a few days ago) that the main drain in a house needs to be regularly maintained to prevent clogs from developing. So those of you who are savvy homeowners should not be astonished to hear that after 6 years, our drain developed a serious clog. While copious amounts of Liquid Plumr opened the drain enough to allow for a little water use, we were not able to do laundry in the modern fashion or take a shower lasting more than 10 seconds. Therefore, after washing our hair in the kitchen sink, we decided to try the baking soda and…

  • Just when you think health insurance can’t possibly get any worse …

    Penelope Pince
    24 May 2011 | 12:21 pm
    . . . we receive this lovely notice from our health insurance company: We’re discontinuing your automatic credit card payments so you can’t get any cash back or reward points to make up for our continually increasing premiums. We’re going to start sending you monthly bills in July because everyone can use more clutter and who cares about trees anyway? Use the enclosed form to enroll for automatic check withdrawal … (Oops, wait, we forgot to enclose it.) Sure, you can by phone … we’ll just charge you $15 to do it. If this is this some sort of plan to get…

  • Free $3 Credit (3 Free Songs) on MP3′s at Amazon.com

    Penelope Pince
    26 Nov 2010 | 7:00 am
    I don’t often post deals on this blog, but thought I’d share this one today as this promotion led to my first purchase of MP3′s on Amazon and there are some pretty good deals to be had. Click on the following link to get Free $3 credit on MP3′s at Amazon.com. This promotional code expires Nov. 29th so hurry on over and get your free $3 worth of MP3′s. Happy Black Friday! © 2010 – 2011. Pecuniarities. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or published anywhere outside of Pecuniarities.com without our written permission. Tags:…

  • Uses for Expired Cosmetics, Lotions and Other Beauty and Personal Products

    Madoline Hatter
    9 Jul 2010 | 10:30 pm
    It is generally understood that cosmetics should not be used longer than 6 months because they get contaminated with bacteria and other substances. Instead of throwing away your cosmetics upon reaching a certain date, try some of the following. Uses for Expired Cosmetics, Lotions and Other Beauty and Personal Products Old facial moisturizers can be used on hands and other areas less sensitive than the face. Face moisturizer with SPF make nice hand lotion as sunlight causes wrinkly hands. Reapply every time you wash your hands. Face moisturizer containing alpha hydroxy acid can be demoted to…
 
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    PFBlog.com: The Unique Personal Finance Blog Since 2003

  • 2011 Year-End Update ($1,212,450)

    webmaster@pfblog.com
    2 Jan 2012 | 6:57 pm
    What a coincidence! S&P 500 ended the year of 2011 within 0.01% of where it was at the beginning of the year. What it means for our household financial life is that while we had our fair share of the rollercoaster financial ride of the year, we barely received any return from our $1M-strong investment portfolio at year end (but fortunately we didn't lose either). Still, we saved our way toward a year-end net worth tally of $1,212,450 with an annual increase of $90,083, or 8.0%. And another view of our annual net worth changes -- it is a much choppier ride as we managed thru the financial…

  • Monthly Update - March 2011 ($1,149,008, +$2,362)

    webmaster@pfblog.com
    9 Apr 2011 | 7:51 pm
    In a month that is filled with natural disasters and geopolitical conflicts, our net worth survived the month relatively unscathed. In fact, our savings from job income and minimal portfolio gain more than offset the $6K drop in our employee stock option account, and helped us to end the month with a tiny net worth gain 0.2% gain or $2,362. For the full quarter, we expanded our net worth by 2.4% or over $26K, which represents 18% of our annual net worth growth goal of $148K. We also shifted about 10% of our portfolio from cash and equivalents to investment accounts. As of March 31, we have…

  • Monthly Update - February 2010 ($1,146,646, +$19,373)

    webmaster@pfblog.com
    5 Mar 2011 | 8:57 pm
    The first month of Chinese Year of Rabbit is rather uneventful. Thanks to the steady climb of the stock market, our portfolio also received a nice lift. Our net worth grew almost $20,000 in the month to $1,146,646. Year 2011 Goal and the Journey to $3M We are establishing our 2011 year-end net worth goal at $1,270,000. This represents about $147K or 13% year-over-year increase. We hope we can save up to $90K from our take-home pay, and our investment portfolio can have a modest 5% return. Assuming we can consistently increasing our annual savings by 3% from the 2011 base of $90k, and over the…

  • Monthly Update - January 2010 ($1,127,273, +$4,906)

    webmaster@pfblog.com
    5 Feb 2011 | 10:12 pm
    January 2011 sees the 10 year anniversary of our marriage, and we celebrated this big event with a weekend gateway in a fantastic boutique hotel in Hong Kong, and a 1.4ct diamond ring from Blue Nile. It is a great trip indeed and a memorable beginning of our second decade together. Back to the financials, our net worth inched ahead a modest $5,000 in January, despite the sizable cash outlay for the rock and the anniversary trip. We also put a lot of more cash to work in a variety of investment vehicles. With the beginning of the new year, we are revising our monthly balance sheet format to…

  • Monthly Update - December 2010 ($1,122,367, +$37,499)

    webmaster@pfblog.com
    1 Jan 2011 | 4:52 pm
    Happy New Year Everyone! With the help of cross-the-board gain in financial markets, we closed the year of 2010 in a high note with over $37,000 net worth increase in the month of December. For the full year, our net worth grew a handsome $152K to a new height of over $1.1M. As we combing financial statements and analyzing thru software, slightly more than half of the annual gain, or $82K, comes from savings. Some highlights of the year: - We saved nearly 40% of our $200K+ after-tax income, which aligns with our annual financial plan at the beginning of the year. - I have renewed career…
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    2million's Personal Finance Blog

  • Reducing Financial Impacts of a Job Loss

    2million
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:40 am
    My wife was recently notified that the preschool she teaches at for a few hours a week is shutting down. It got us thinking about a more difficult scenario for us - the loss of my job. Given its by far the most significant income we have we'd be in a world of hurt rather quickly if something happened. One of the things we have been working over the years is to expand our multiple streams of income as this is by far the best way for us to divert a potential disaster. Reduced reliance on a single income could be a huge safety net for us. However I recognize we are not in a comfortable position…

  • Reduce Home Energy Costs

    2million
    23 Jan 2012 | 7:18 am
    Regulars readers know over the past couple years I've had some focus on trying to reduce our household energy costs. We moved into our current home at the end of 2008 and it didn't take long for me to realize we bought ourselves a money pit when it comes to energy usage. We current live in an approx 2,600 two story traditional single family house on a crawlspace foundation with a 1994 gas pack HVAC downstairs and 2003 heat pump upstairs. We also have a circa 1994 electric water heater located in the crawlspace and a well for our water. My wife stays at home with my daughter during the day,…

  • Time Is Money

    2million
    16 Jan 2012 | 9:30 am
    While on our transatlantic cruise our dinner table companions were 2 couples in their late twenties/early thirties that had quit their jobs and were trekking around the world. We had some great discussions about life and I gained a lot of insight in to how to travel more frugally. One thing that stuck with me was the paradigm they operate in when spending money. They viewed time as an abundant resource as they had a lot more time than money. The decision criteria they used is very different than ours these days in which I consider us very time poor. These globe trekking couples happily trade…

  • 2011 Passive Income Summary

    2million
    11 Jan 2012 | 1:12 pm
    Here is my annual look at our passive income. I've historically focused on dividends, but I bought my first fixed income asset this year so I'll include it in the review. Our dividend income improved in 2011, but it was less than anticipated and as a result a disappointing year for me. We peaked our dividend income in 2008 and we are still trying to catch up and then continue to build past those income levels. After all passive income from stocks/bonds are a critical part of our financial freedom plan. Our dividend income increased about 10.6% in 2011. Its decent, but we'll need to increase…

  • 2012 401k Contribution Limit

    2million
    9 Jan 2012 | 9:37 am
    The 401k employee contribution limit has finally had its first increase in 4 years in 2012. I historically max out my 401(k) contributions so I'll need to tweak my contribution levels to ensure I hit the max by the end of 2012. 401(k) Contribution Limit Catch-Up Contribution Limit2012 $17,000 $5,500 2011 $16,500 $5,500 2010 $16,500 $5,500 2009 $16,500 $5,500
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    FIRE Finance

  • Top Traffic Referrers for FIRE Finance - Dec 2011

    26 Jan 2012 | 12:41 pm
    Jan 26, 2012: December was a fun month since it brought in holidays filled with the spirit of sharing. It's always exciting to choose gifts for our loved ones. The beauty of pure joy shared with our near and dear ones is unparalleled. We hope you had a fabulous time too :). We're really thankful to our readers and the pf community who sent traffic our way in the holidays. Here's our top traffic Click on the post title to continue reading .....

  • Top 5 Freebie Websites

    24 Jan 2012 | 7:08 pm
    Jan 24, 2012: We like to collect freebies. Over the years this liking has developed into a creative hobby which has a tidy annual payoff worth hundreds of dollars in savings. But this habit involves investment of time and energy. Too bad that it's not free. We guess somewhere we've got to pay in some sort of currency for what we get in life! In short, nothing in the universe is really free. Click on the post title to continue reading .....

  • Three Good Habits of Successful Retirees

    19 Jan 2012 | 11:34 am
    Jan 19, 2011: Vanguard's chairman and CEO Jack Brennan has nearly three decades of valuable experience in investing at this great firm. He has observed that successful long term investors share some common traits. Here is our spin to his observations. Plan Ahead: Successful retirees planned well ahead of time to meet their retirement's financial needs and they walked the talk triumphantly. This Click on the post title to continue reading .....

  • Upto 40000 Bonus American Airlines Miles - Citi Platinum Select AAdvantage World Master Credit Card Review

    11 Jan 2012 | 11:12 pm
    Flying with AAdvantage miles is really cool, it saves money and takes you to great destinations. To make the experience of flying FREE with AAdvangtage miles really sweet, Citi has come out with a great offer. You can now earn 30,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after $750 in purchases within the first 4 months of card membership. It does not end there. You can receive a one-time Click on the post title to continue reading .....

  • 20% OFF - OfficeMax Coupon Codes | Promotional Codes | Discounts - 2012

    9 Jan 2012 | 6:37 pm
    Here are some great OfficeMax coupons that can come in handy if you are planning to make some big ticket purchases for office supplies. These coupons from OfficeMax can give you substantial savings if you are planning to buy tax or personal finance software. We hope that these Office Max coupons help save your hard earned dollars. OfficeMax Coupon Code - 20% OFF 20% Savings on your ENTIRE Click on the post title to continue reading .....
 
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    Ranjan Varma's Blog

  • 2012 and New Years

    Ranjan
    2 Jan 2012 | 11:50 am
    The thing with a New Year is that it happens all the year round. Just two months back, in November, we had a New Year after Deewali. Another fortnight and we have Makar Sankranti. And then we have Basant Panchmi and then something! All harbingers of new things and starting things afresh. But 2012 brings special emotions, right! We all look forward to the “predicted” end of an era. It also means that we might witness a dawn of a new era. But as you note, that new things happen all the time. Here’s an interesting story about the continuous change that we need to be aware of!

  • Spending Money

    Ranjan
    25 Dec 2011 | 10:38 am
    Here’s a lovely and powerful quote on money that resonates with me. What about you? Share/Save Most Commented PostsJune 7, 2010 -- What Is The 88% Solution? (45)October 1, 2009 -- RupeeManager in Private Beta Now (43)October 16, 2009 -- Workshops (29)July 1, 2010 -- Become A Member of Association of Indian RupeeManagers (28)April 13, 2009 -- About (24)

  • Irrational Buying and Smart Selling

    Ranjan
    24 Dec 2011 | 7:51 am
    Personal Finance is combination of maths and psychology. Just 1-10 % maths, 90-99% psychology, to my mind. Economist has an insightful article on how irrational buying offers an opportunity for smart selling and advertising by brands/ companies. Excerpts: “You would be amazed to find how often we mislead ourselves, regardless of how smart we think we are, when we attempt to explain why we are behaving the way we do,” Dichter observed in 1960, in his book “The Strategy of Desire”. He held that marketplace decisions are driven by emotions and subconscious whims and fears, and often…

  • Daily tasks tracking through the Internet

    Ranjan
    23 Dec 2011 | 8:07 am
    Let me introduce a new guest writer. Anastasia Chumakova will tell us today about efficient time and task management. What is the way you organize your day? I usually write all I have in my mind on a paper in a form of a list or a mind map. Then I decide what I will do today and what will be left aside due to lack of necessary resources. It’s easy when I do this work deciding what I will do. And what if I have others at work who need to know what I’m doing now and when I will finish the part of the work they are interested in? Let’s make this task more difficult and ask this: how will…

  • One Million Content Hits, Thank You

    Ranjan
    15 Dec 2011 | 10:27 am
    Just noticed that my website crossed 1000000 content view hits. Thanks for reading. The site has content on 347 topics and growing. 1 Million! The statistics are on the right sidebar, near the bottom of the website, if you are interested. More importantly, thanks for your emails and calls that encourage me to share more and more information. Thanks. Share/Save Most Commented PostsJune 7, 2010 -- What Is The 88% Solution? (45)October 1, 2009 -- RupeeManager in Private Beta Now (43)October 16, 2009 -- Workshops (29)July 1, 2010 -- Become A Member of Association of Indian RupeeManagers (28)April…
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    How I Save Money.net

  • Just Pulled A Credit Report

    LuLuGal
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:57 am
    I just pulled one of my credit reports from the ONLY site that is totally FREE. To get your free credit report directly from the three agencies you need to go annualcreditreport.com to log in. Once you have filled in the necessary identifying information on the first page you will be able to request a credit report from Experian Equifax Transunion. You can request all three at the same time or you can do what I do, which is request one from each bureau every four months so that you spread out the reports over a full year. I was only able to get one report this time because it is not time for…

  • Get $50 Bonus From ING When You Open An IRA In 2012

    LuLuGal
    25 Jan 2012 | 4:16 am
    If you have not already opened an Individual Retirement Account or IRA you now have a chance to get an extra $50 by simply opening a new account with ING. All you have to do is go to retiremyway.com/50 and open your new account with $500 before 31 January 2012. Once your account is open and funded then you will receive the bonus by 16 February 2012. Of course this bonus will be reported as income for the year and will be listed on your tax documents but the benefit will far outweigh the cost in my opinion. ING also notes that the bonus will be counted towards your contribution for the year so…

  • Documents You Need To Do Your 2012 Taxes

    LuLuGal
    23 Jan 2012 | 4:11 am
    It is tax time once again and while some people view this time with trepidation, I am one of those who actually look forward to doing my taxes. I do not get excited about my taxes because of a possible refund. In fact if I do get a refund it is really very small, meaning that the government did NOT get to hold on to my cash for a whole year. In fact most of the time I end up having to pay a small amount and that is quite fine with me. I have been waiting on my documents to come in so that I can file as soon as possible and was just told by the HR department that they would be mailing out our…

  • Tracking My Finances In 2012: January Week 3

    LuLuGal
    20 Jan 2012 | 4:41 am
    I have decided to post my weekly spending for the previous week on Fridays so you know how my cash has been flowing for the week. Please note that I get paid on the last day of the month so my cash flow net effect will usually be negative until the last day of the month. This does not mean that I am adding to my debt, it just means that the money coming in is less than the money going out because bills are due starting on the first but I don’t get paid until the last day. So again to clarify (since I get so many questions), this shows the cash FLOW for the month. On Day 2 of every…

  • Happy Martin Luther King Day 2012

    LuLuGal
    16 Jan 2012 | 10:10 am
    I just wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday today. As you celebrate Martin Luther King day today please remember to take some time to think about what today really means. Dr. King fought for equality and fair treatment and went through a lot to get his point across. His supporters were beaten and jailed so that people could enjoy the same rights and freedoms as everyone else. So I challenge you today to do something nice for someone today while you are celebrating!!!! Get great interest with PayPal Similar Posts:Happy 4th Of July 2010 Happy Memorial Day 2011 Happy birthday FeedBurner Happy…
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    Funny about Money

  • Is the AAA Worth Its Cost?

    funny
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:25 pm
    Yesterday morning M’hijito’s battery died. So I had to drive up to his place and chauffeur him to work, and then pick him up after work and lend him the Dog Chariot so he could chase down a battery. My friend La Maya asked why we don’t have a AAA (American Automobile Association) membership, since they allegedly will come and replace the battery for you, wherever you are. Welp. There’s a reason we don’t. We’ve both had some pretty negative experiences with AAA, which is not cheap—membership in the Arizona branch ranges from $55 to $165 a year. After…

  • Google Privacy Follow-up

    funny
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:47 am
    The Washington Post has a nice article by one Hayley Tsukayama on how to get some modicum of control over what you’re sharing, perforce or by accident, with the megalith that is Google. If your privacy matters to you, check it out.

  • Out of My Face, Google!

    funny
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:16 am
    {Ugh} Mention that you’re having a bout with bronchitis, look up the prescription meds online before blithely swallowing any damnfool thing your doctor shoves at you, and you’re blitzed with ads for prescription cold nostrums and asthma treatments! Damn, but I hate that! Am I the only neurotic who gets the galloping creeps by having Google peering over her shoulder all the time? This is the worst bug I’ve ever had. My whole torso hurts from hacking. Last night I coughed until I couldn’t breathe, coughed until I was spitting up blood. Even standing in the shower til the…

  • Check Out My New Blog!

    funny
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:31 pm
    As if I didn’t have enough on my plate, I decided it would be fun (and maybe someday profitable) to start a new blog in which to vent and rave about my teaching adventures. Called Adjunctorium, it just went live in WordPress.com. This’ll be the beta version. If it goes over reasonably well after, say, three or four months, then I’ll move it over to BlueHost so as to monetize it a bit. Go on over and check it out! Lemme know if it looks promising.

  • The Beside-the-Dumpster Exchange

    funny
    25 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Donna Freedman recently posted a fun article about rescuing various goods from dumpster oblivion. A horde of readers commented on everything from the riches to be had to the ick factor to ecological correctness. The impulse for discovering hidden treasures in the trash is strong! Here in the neighborhood, we have what can best be called a “beside the dumpster exchange.” Got something you wanna get rid of but it’s too big to easily haul to the Goodwill? Drag it out to the alley and let it sit by the dumpster. By nightfall, it’ll be gone. Especially if it contains metal:…
 
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    Rule #1 Blog: Phil Town on Investing

  • JOHN DUNCAN ON INTUITIVE SURGICAL - MOS BUT NO PBT

    Phil Town
    22 Jan 2012 | 6:40 pm
    John Duncan posted this ISRG analysis on my facebook messages page and I thought it was rational so here it is: The Robotic Surgery money machine Phil, I would appreciate it if you could review my analysis of Intuitive Surgical (ISRG).  I purchased this business (okay, not the whole thing, but quite a few shares of it) when it was definitely on sale and made a good profit.  I recently sold it.  Since then it has run up even more in value.  Now I wonder if I made a mistake. What is Intuitive Surgical? ISRG is a manufacturer of a proprietary robotic surgical system - the "Da Vinci…

  • THE SECRET DOCUMENT THAT TRANSFORMED CHINA

    Phil Town
    21 Jan 2012 | 2:09 pm
    My daughter, Danielle, found the following incredible story on the NPR iPhone App:http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/01/20/145360447/the-secret-document-that-transformed-china?sc=17&f=1001 The Secret Document That Transformed Chinaby David Kestenbaum and Jacob Goldstein - January 20, 2012 In 1978, the farmers in a small Chinese village called Xiaogang gathered in a mud hut to sign a secret contract. They thought it might get them executed. Instead, it wound up transforming China's economy in ways that are still reverberating today. The contract was so risky — and such a big deal —…

  • GARRETT SLAMS BUY AND HOLD, DAVE RAMSEY AND ALL OUTLANDISH PROJECTIONS

    Phil Town
    20 Jan 2012 | 6:41 pm
    This is an interesting post that I thought should go up on its own.  From Garrett.  As always, fascinating and right on: Rulers: Recently I was on Dave Ramsey's web site to use his investment/mortgage calculators.  While there, I got distracted like usual (oh look..a chicken!)...and starting reading what some fans had posted.  I noticed some things that permeate investor’s thoughts.  And they just aren't true.  They're more lies that have been fed to us by the Financial Services Industry. Here's the dialog among 4 individuals responding to something Dave had apparently said on his…
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    Timothy Sykes

  • Meet The Most Dangerous Penny Stock Promoter In The World Today 4-5PM EST

    Timothy Sykes
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:15 am
    Do you want to chat with a live ex-promoter? Here’s your chance: LiveStock is LIVE with THIS ex-penny promoter in the HD-studio today 4-5PM EST Tune in HERE at 4PM EST and use the password SUBSCRIBERSONLY He’s NEVER revealed himself due … Continue reading → .

  • 3 Great Traders To Follow & 1 Will Be On Special LiveStock Tomorrow 4-5PM EST In @LiveStream Studios!

    Timothy Sykes
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:08 pm
    I’ve previously written why this penny stock trader/ex-promoter has remained anonymous, but now we’re going to reveal his identity LIVE on LiveStock tomorrow 4-5PM EST from LiveStream studios in NYC so tune in HERE and use the password SUBSCRIBERSONLY….it’s gonna …... .

  • The Best Damn Penny Stock Of 2012 So Far

    Timothy Sykes
    25 Jan 2012 | 12:43 pm
    This happens only once every few years: Click here to learn about this stock The good news is the story is only 1/2 over & I’m excited to short eventually Click here to be prepared on this stock And I … Continue reading → .

  • This Penny Stock Pump & Dump Has Lost $1.2 Billion But Is Up 450%+ In A Month

    Timothy Sykes
    24 Jan 2012 | 10:00 am
    UPDATE: Beautiful BVSN profits http://tim.ly/A0EIg9 and http://tim.ly/xAh3O1 and http://tim.ly/zykjBW from students who adapted & bought breakouts, but all of whom GREATLY underestimated this pump’s potential as did I. Please watch these brand new 7 free videos I just finished to …... .

  • Dirty Penny Stock Money

    Timothy Sykes
    23 Jan 2012 | 11:30 am
    Please soak up this great lesson: Watch this free video lesson now I love it and I hope you do too! Be inspired by these profits and watch free video lesson now Sincerely, Timothy Sykes PS Also be inspired by … Continue reading → .
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    Lending Club Blog

  • Lending Club’s Year in Review

    Lending Club
    13 Jan 2012 | 2:12 pm
    As we look back at 2011, we wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on a successful year and especially to thank our many borrowers, investors and employees who made it all possible! A record 21,721 loans for $257,363,650 were originated on the Lending Club platform during calendar 2011, more than double the $126,351,175 issued via 12,537 loans during calendar 2010!  (Lending Club’s fiscal year ends March 31st.)  Through December 31st, a total of $460,296,150 of personal loans have been originated since we commenced operations in 2007! Who are some of the people who helped make 2011 a…

  • Press Play: Lending Club’s Video Highlights

    Lending Club
    21 Nov 2011 | 4:09 am
    Lending Club is proud of the recent successes we've had as a financial community with our investors and borrowers, and we've been fortunate to have been featured in many well-established, recognized publications in the past few months. From hitting $400 million in loan originations, to airing our very first TV commercial, we're looking forward to wrapping up 2011 with a bang (and maybe with some more record-breaking news, too!) Here's a look back at some of our most recent video highlights: Fox Business – Oct. 7, 2011 "A Loan That Works for Borrowers and Investors" Renaud LaPlanche, Lending…

  • Happy $400MM To Us!

    Lending Club
    3 Nov 2011 | 5:12 pm
    We’re proud to announce that this week Lending Club passed $400 million in total loan originations, less than four months after reaching $300 million. It’s hard to visualize such a large number, and we’ve had some fun kicking around ways to understand just how much money $400 million is—for example, it could buy 100 million gallons of gas (enough to drive from San Francisco to New York 1 million times!), 200 million Slurpees, or maybe 250 Lamborghini Reventons. But in all seriousness, reaching $400 million is a big milestone for us, and an exciting way to move into the final months of…
 
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    MintLife Blog | Personal Finance News & Advice

  • Betting on the Bowl: How Much is Wagered on the Big Game?

    Ross Crooks
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:03 pm
    Super Bowl gambling isn’t just limited to innocent wagers amongst friends. In fact, the amount wagered on the Super Bowl is the equivalent of a massive industry, with most of the money going untaxed. Click on “Launch Infographic” to get a picture of just how much is spent on Super Bowl gambling, as well as some of the more unusual bets that get placed.

  • 5 Money Lessons We Can Learn From Grandma and Grandpa

    cheapchic
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:10 pm
    They’ve lived through the Great Depression, raised kids from diapers all the way through adulthood, worked for decades, bought and sold homes and even managed to save a bit. Now our elders are sharing their life lessons via Cornell University’s “The Legacy Project,” a survey of more than 1,200 Americans (most 70 and up) on the best practical advice they’ve absorbed throughout the decades. Here are five money lessons we can learn from grandma and grandpa: Avoid getting into debt “These wise Americans say you should wait to buy everything — except for a house and an…

  • Renting Vs. Buying

    Vivian Wagner
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:29 am
    It’s not always easy to tell what’s best to do — renting or buying a home. We tend to assume that buying is always better, and the American Dream is, at least historically, built on that all-important goal of owning your own home. Yet if the housing crash and recession of the last several years have taught us anything, it’s that owning a home isn’t always all that it’s cracked up to be, and renting can protect you against some of the downsides of the commitment of home ownership. With all of that in mind, here are some guidelines to consider whether renting…

  • Will 2012 See a Housing Turnaround?

    CNBC.com
    26 Jan 2012 | 3:43 pm
    Despite mixed results in the housing sector, many homebuilder stocks are outperforming the overall market by a large margin. A new report released Thursday showed that U.S. housing starts in December were worse than expected, posting a 4.1 percent decline after rising 9.1 percent in November. On the other side of the spectrum, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) announced last week that its housing market index beat expectations and rose to its highest level in 4 and a half years. Following last week’s positive news, the PHLX Housing Sector Index closed at an 11-month high…

  • 4 Lucrative Resolutions You Forgot to Make

    cheapchic
    26 Jan 2012 | 12:29 pm
    New Year’s resolutions tend to look something like this: Lose 10 pounds, start working out four days a week, stop drinking coffee like it’s water or make the bed each morning. For the most part, financial changes are nowhere on that list . In fact, 80% of Americans say they didn’t focus on financial planning when making resolutions this year, according to a survey by Allianz Life, and even when they are, those resolutions tend to focus on the same old stuff. Of the people who make financial resolutions, 46% want to “save more,” 21% want to “spend less” and 19% want to “pay off…
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    Personal Finance Buzz - Published news

  • 8 Important Bible Verses About Money For Christians

    biblemoneymatters
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:48 am
    There are hundreds of bible verses about money. In this post I explore 8 key financial scriptures that I think every Christian should know.

  • TurboTax Online Tax Software 2011 Review

    freefrombroke
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:46 am
    TurboTax has become the industry standard for online tax preparation. See the different tax software editions are available and which one is best for you in this review.

  • Is lack of money creating stress among employees?

    Canadian Finance
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:33 pm
    The globe and Mail featured an article on Stress and how it is causing a whole bunch of health related issues. It went so far as to call stress the new smoking problem. Financial Education

  • A happy retirement is not out of the question

    Canadian Finance
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:30 pm
    Despite the onslaught of pessimism, I’ve had the pleasure of working with a lot of successful retirees so I thought it would be appropriate to share some success stories at a time when we need a little optimism. Retirement

  • Best Personal Finance Reads of March 2009

    Canadian Finance
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:23 pm
    I love the month of March, not only because it is my birthday month, but also because the weather starts to change for the better and we finally get a hint of spring. monthly roundup
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    Free Money Finance

  • Attention Financial Bloggers: Free Promotion for Your Top Posts in the FMF March Money Madness Tournament

    NA
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:50 pm
    Yes, it's that time of year again -- Free Money Finance March Money Madness is upon us!For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, it's our annual "tournament" of the best personal finance articles of the past year. They face each other in an NCAA-style bracket system, FMF readers vote for the winner, and at the end of it all, the best post is left standing. And like last year, it's all for several good causes. Here are some details from last year: My announcement post An example of a "round" Wrap Up This year I'm getting a late start on it because I've been on vacation for the…

  • Funeral Add-Ons

    NA
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:29 am
    Even before McDonald's asked, "Would you like fries with that?", American businesses were trying to add on items to the purchase of other items. For instance: "Would you like the extended warranty with that new car/TV/computer/almost anything electronic purchase?" "Would you like stain coating on that new couch?" "Would you like preferred seating on your flight?" "Would you like the insurance package with your car rental?" And on and on they go. Ugh.But I didn't know that add-on sales had hit funeral homes. Or at least the extent of the add-ons. Sure, I knew they had some "extras" like…

  • Reader Profile: RM

    NA
    26 Jan 2012 | 2:45 pm
    The following is the latest post in my "Reader Profiles" series. Each post in this series details the financial situation and challenges of an FMF reader. The purpose of this series is to help us all identify with people like us (in similar situations -- not all will be, of course, but eventually I'm sure you will find someone like you here), get to know the frequent commenters on the site, and hear some financial wisdom/challenges from people other than me. If you're interested in contributing to this series, then drop me an email. The series seems to be very popular with readers and I need…

  • Saving $2,000 a Year by Eating Samples at Costco and Grocery Stores

    NA
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:45 am
    Three years ago I asked Can You Pay for a Costco Membership by Eating Free Samples? (then followed up that piece with Extreme Saving Tips for Sample Eating at Costco) As you might imagine, the comments were mixed. ;-)Anyway, a reader recently left this comment on the original post: My boyfriend and I eat a meal of Costco samples approximately three times a week. We work within walking distance and do purposely use this as a money saving technique. I don't see anything wrong with it. We pay for an executive membership and part of that membership is sample offerings. We are always respectful of…

  • Back from the Caribbean

    NA
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:49 am
    You may have noticed that I've been quieter than usual on this blog lately. It's because I spent the last 10 days on a Caribbean cruise. Yes, I pre-wrote all the pieces you have enjoyed during this time and set them to come up at designated times so you wouldn't suffer from personal finance withdrawal. ;-) I will give you all the gory details of the cruise (costs, plans, what went right, what didn't, and maybe even some pictures) over the next few weeks, but for the time being I have a few more days off work to dig out and get things back to normal. If you made a comment to me and didn't get…
 
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    Ultimate Money Blog- Save Money and Live Green!

  • Gluten Free Pancake Recipe

    Mrs Money
    11 Jan 2012 | 5:37 am
    One of my favorite breakfast foods is pancakes. Since going gluten free, I’ve had pancakes less often than usual. For awhile, we were buying Pamela’s Ultimate Baking and Pancake Mix but it got to be too expensive. I just couldn’t justify adding that into our food budget. I had to come up with some recipes that would be gluten free using items we normally had on hand. I have an awesome gluten free pancake recipe that has been tested and endorsed by those who are not even gluten free! Gluten Free Pancake Recipe (serves at least 2 people) -2 cups ground oats (you can use…

  • Our 2012 Budget

    Mrs Money
    9 Jan 2012 | 5:10 am
    For 2012, I wanted to come up with a more accurate budget, seeing that our baby would be born this year and hopefully we’ll be able to control our spending without worrying too much about it. I figured if I budget better, then I’ll hopefully be less stressed about where our money is going. Of course, I’ve also decided I’m not going to be so darn hard on myself because I’ll have a baby and have no clue how that’s going to impact our budget. If it costs us more money than I anticipated, then it does, and I’ll adjust our budget accordingly. Here’s…

  • 2012 Financial and Life Goals

    Mrs Money
    6 Jan 2012 | 5:56 am
    2012 is already here, and I’m a little behind on our financial and life goals.  I’m a little uncertain about what I should aim for, as we’re going to have a brand new baby and will have to adjust to the new expenses and life with a child.  My goals this year will be attainable (I hope!) and I am crossing my fingers for the best year ever.  It certainly will be interesting and a lot different than past years!  Here are some of the goals I’d like for us to accomplish: 1. Set up a savings account for the baby. The baby has not even been born yet and already has a…

  • I’m Quitting my Job to be a Stay at Home Mom

    Mrs Money
    4 Jan 2012 | 5:18 am
    Friday, January 6 is my last day of employment with the bank.  I’ve been an employee there for over seven years, and it’s been a really tough decision, but I’ve decided that I’m going to quit and be a stay at home mom.  I’ve always wanted to do that, so this is the path I’m going to take.  I can always return to work if I have to.  When considering being a working versus stay at home mom, I considered many factors. 1. If I kept working, I’d have to pay daycare.  Full time day care is expensive, costing anywhere from $600-$800 a month!  That…

  • 2011 Financial and Life Goals Recap

    Mrs Money
    2 Jan 2012 | 5:04 am
    At the beginning of 2011, I set some financial and life goals for myself and Mr. Money. Here’s how 2011 played out for us: 1. Keep up with the clutter and declutter 365 items from our house this year. SUCCESS. I know I decluttered and donated a lot more than 365 items from our house this year. 2. Pay at least $3,000 down on the principal of our mortgage. FAIL. We did pay off $2679 off our mortgage prinicpal, so I think that’s pretty good!  Our extra money this year went to our savings account.  Honestly, I’m not too concerned with paying down our mortgage aggressively at…
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    Money Crashers

  • 5 Warning Signs of Unhealthy Crash Dieting & Eating Disorders

    Ann Olson
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:20 pm
    You’ve probably heard it before: A friend or family member loses weight by going on a crash diet, detoxing, or eating too few calories. Or perhaps you’ve tried to lose weight by severely restricting your diet, to the point of feeling miserable or weak. Unfortunately, due to the unhealthy eating habits they promote, these diets can [...]5 Warning Signs of Unhealthy Crash Dieting & Eating Disorders is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

  • What Is CoreScore – New Credit Report From CoreLogic

    Miranda Marquit
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    In the world of consumer credit scoring, there’s always something new, more “accurate,” and even more intrusive than the credit reporting that has preceded it. One of the latest attempts to delve into consumer behaviors and reduce them to a single number is the CoreScore from CoreLogic. The CoreScore promises to base its score on [...]What Is CoreScore – New Credit Report From CoreLogic is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

  • 18 Great WD-40 Uses for Around the House

    David Bakke
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:55 am
    It’s a safe bet you’ve heard of and used WD-40, an oil which can be used as a cleaning product, lubricant, and anti-corrosive solution. Its name actually stands for “Water Displacement – 40th Attempt.” The creator of the product sought to concoct a formula designed to prevent corrosion, and he perfected it, as you may [...]18 Great WD-40 Uses for Around the House is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

  • 8 Asset Protection Strategies – How to Protect Your Wealth From Lawsuits

    Jason Van Steenwyk
    25 Jan 2012 | 5:30 pm
    The best offense is frequently a good defense. No matter how astute a business person you are, or how skilled you are as an investor, or how lucky you are with your lottery tickets, it does little good if you leave your assets hanging like a slab of meat in the water for trial lawyers [...]8 Asset Protection Strategies – How to Protect Your Wealth From Lawsuits is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

  • How to Curb Hunger & Suppress Your Appetite – Feel Full on a Diet

    Ann Olson
    25 Jan 2012 | 2:30 pm
    If you’ve ever dieted, you know how hard it is to stay committed, especially in the wake of constant hunger pangs. Despite eating right and keeping your calories under control, your stomach still growls constantly, which makes you crave food – and tempts you to overeat. So how do you combat these unwanted pangs of hunger? [...]How to Curb Hunger & Suppress Your Appetite – Feel Full on a Diet is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.
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    Mighty Bargain Hunter

  • How to save money on gifts for your spouse

    mbhunter
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:53 am
    Next week I’ll have been married ten years to the best woman in the world.  (Yeah, I know — I’m biased.) We’ve gotten into the habit of letting each other know before we’re about to purchase something big — something that costs in the neighborhood of $150 or more.  When I tipped my plans to get a rather expensive 10th anniversary gift, my wife thought that we had better uses for the money at this time. This leniency extends to other gift-giving occasions like Christmas, birthdays, and even Valentine’s Day. She lets me off the hook.  But…

  • Reusing paper towels?! Hmmmm …

    mbhunter
    16 Jan 2012 | 1:50 am
    We don’t watch a whole lot of TV — and we only have basic cable anyway — so I’m not a regular watcher of Extreme Cheapskates on TLC.  The first time I had heard of the show was through a video on MSN.com. This particular one-minute clip features four extreme cheapskate tactics: Cutting open toothpaste tubes to get at the last bit of toothpaste Sharpening the blades from disposable razors on the striking surface of a box of matches Pulling apart two-ply toilet paper to get two one-ply rolls Hanging up paper towels to dry Life is a giant exercise in opportunity cost…

  • My two cents on Suze Orman and her prepaid card

    mbhunter
    11 Jan 2012 | 2:03 am
    Suze Orman needed to upgrade her leather jacket to a flak jacket tonight in a personal finance scrap match with personal finance bloggers over her new self-branded prepaid debit card.  The Approved Card is her own personally-branded prepaid debit card with what appears to be a decent package of tools and features.  The downsides, as pointed out by PT Money, are a $36/year minimum fee and a less-than-clear path to using it for building or rebuilding credit. Some of the more outspoken posters got tweets back from Orman’s Twitter account.  20 and Engaged has a history of the…

  • Yet another reason that lottery tickets are a waste of money

    mbhunter
    7 Jan 2012 | 2:08 pm
    It’s often said that the lottery is a tax on people who can’t do math.  It’s virtually guaranteed that you’ll lose money playing the lottery regularly, because the more you buy, the closer you’ll be statistically to the intended winning probabilities (i.e., losing more than winning).  Even casting lottery tickets as an investment is flawed; Powerball tickets generate about am 80% loss, which dwarfs any year-over-year loss of the S&P 500 or the Dow. Let’s throw good financial sense to the breeze Let’s say that for whatever reason, you still buy…

  • How much is my gold chain worth?

    mbhunter
    28 Dec 2011 | 10:46 am
    I received a question in a comment on one of my more popular posts that describes how to figure out how much gold jewelry is worth.  Here’s the question: What is the dollar worth of an 18″, 14-karat, 14.38 gram weight gold chain?  No formulas please. Before working out the answer, it’s important first to discuss the sentence that follows her question. She doesn’t want me to giver her formulas.  She just wants an answer to her question.  Customers in general are more than welcome to ask for whatever they want.  I don’t fault her for just wanting an answer.  I…
 
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    Rich Credit Debt Loan

  • 4 Ideas to Create Multiple Income Streams Online

    Rich Leverage
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:06 pm
    In the past, creating multiple streams of income required a lot of footwork and there were few passive stream opportunities available. However, thanks to the Internet, it has never been easier to create multiple streams of income online and many are passive! Let’s go into a few ideas that you can use to start your own income streams right now. 1. Blogging – This is far from passive, but if you’ve got something to say, you can make money at it. It has never been easier to create a solid stream of income that can bring in a few hundred dollars a month or even more. Programs like Google…

  • Tips for Investing Online

    Rich Leverage
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:55 pm
    The concept of doing your investing online through the use of an online web portal has truly revolutionized everything that financial trading is all about, especially in stock exchanges and in the FOREX market. Availability of resources like quick internet connectivity and portable laptop computers has made it even simpler and more appealing for investors to get into online investing, seeing as they can now manage and track their investments and finances any time of the day online, no matter where they are as long as they can get an internet connection. Investors can now get access to any…

  • The Dangers of Financial Illiteracy

    Rich Leverage
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:42 am
    Financial illiteracy is a growing problem throughout the world, and as the recent housing crisis has brought to light, it can have dangerous consequences. There are a few basic financial tips that everyone can use to increase their financial literacy the easy way, and many of these tips can help you save thousands of dollars over a period of just a few years. Let’s take a look at what you need to know: 1. Checking accounts must be balanced. If you are not taking the time to balance your checkbook every month, your risks for overdrafts may rise and you may be spending more than you would…

  • Choosing the Right Types of Investments pt 2

    Rich Leverage
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:33 pm
    If company stock is the only option that is available to you through your company's offered 401 k savings plan, then you should be looking at other types of investment vehicles to handle some of your savings for retirement. Annuities When you decide to buy an annuity, what you have to do is to sign a contract in accordance with an insurance company, stipulating what amount of investment you are putting in, as well as whether you are choosing a fixed interest rate or a variable interest rate, what method of payment is being used and also if there are any fees involved. Fixed interest rate…

  • Do You Have to be Thrifty?

    Rich Leverage
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:29 am
    As the economy continues its upheaval, the word thrifty seems to be on many people's minds. Is it absolutely necessary to be thrifty in times of economic uncertainty? There are many schools of thought on the subject, and while at first glance, it may seem like the only economical choice, there is another way to look at it. Speculation is an age old practice, and in times like these, those that are willing to take risks may end up either losing their shirts, or making out like bandits. While it only makes sense to apply some measure of thriftiness to your everyday spending, now may be the…
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    Spilling Buckets

  • Is Gardening in Small Spaces Easier than in Your Backyard?

    Leslie
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:28 am
    It’s hard to believe it with the mildness of this winter, but it’s nearly time to start preparing for spring and gardening. I love winter, and all the seasons, but I can’t wait to soak up the sunshine in the summertime. Up here in Rochester, (zone 5) we start growing the super-slow things like peppers and tomatoes from seeds in March so they are ready for the ground in late May. I’ve slowly been opening my binder of garden notes from last year, and reading new tips and tricks to help us have a higher yield than last year. We’ve got a difficult spot to garden: our…

  • You Must Learn How to Fall Before You Fight

    Leslie
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:23 pm
    Thud! “Good but next time tuck your chin in more” Thud! “Almost got it, just be sure to keep your arm straight” Thud! … These were the sounds of my karate class this week. We were practicing falling, rolling, and getting back up unhurt to keep fighting another day. When you think of karate you probably think of Mr. Miyagi, or of little kids punching in unison. Kyokushin isn’t really like that; it teaches you the basics, but it also teaches you how to really fight on the street. It teaches you a tournament punch but also a…

  • “My cat is more like a …” CAT

    Leslie
    23 Jan 2012 | 11:11 am
    Whenever I type something on the computer, invariably I’ll have a cat friend who decides my lap is the best place to be.  She’s on me now, kneading and asking for head-scratches. I’ve heard a lot of people refer to their cats as being “more like dogs than cats” in personality.  Usually this means the cat greets them at the door (both ours do), asks to play with them, follows them around, and generally like being with them.   This goes counter to the stereo-type of cats being aloof, distant, and generally only barely tolerating humans as a food source. For some…

  • What Emergency Funds Are For

    Leslie
    17 Jan 2012 | 10:17 am
    Today started off normally. I got up, enjoyed a Greek yogurt (tried a new flavor, pomegranate. Yum!) and made some delicious scrambled eggs with spinach. It was sunny and there was snow on the ground, and I enjoyed looking out our huge kitchen window at the squirrels and birds in the forest. Everything indicated it would be a good, regular, day. However, that quickly changed and it turned into the most expensive day I’ve had in months. Here’s how it broke down: Last week I took my car in for a routine oil change. This time I took it to one of the Toyota dealerships because we were…

  • Marketing Debt by Encouraging Spending? What Are Your Thoughts?

    Leslie
    16 Jan 2012 | 11:41 am
    A few days ago on my morning commute I heard a radio ad that just about made me pull over. Cue the ocean waves sound effect: Man: “I’d never thought I’d be that guy, I can’t believe I’m actually doing this…” Woman: “Can I open my eyes now?” Man: “Not yet…” Sound effect: WhhhhHoooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnkkkk! **Cruise ship horn** Woman: “We’re going on a cruise?!” Man: “Yes… its the honeymoon we never took…” Next comes the voice-over explaining that the man got a personal loan…
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    Saving to Inve$t

  • How You Can Get a 14% Effective Tax Rate Like Mitt Romney and Other Super-Rich Americans

    andys2i
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:26 pm
    GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his wife paid a 14% effective income tax rate in 2010 on nearly $22 million of income. Given the marginal federal income tax rate for anyone making over $35,350 (single) or $70,700 (married) is higher than 15%, it is pretty clear that the Romney’s are paying way below what [...] Read the full article at savingtoinvest.com - How You Can Get a 14% Effective Tax Rate Like Mitt Romney and Other Super-Rich Americans Related posts: Taxing The American Middle Class and Rich – Fair or Not? Am I Saving Enough Money For Retirement and How Much You…

  • Using Your Roth IRA as an Emergency Fund

    andys2i
    24 Jan 2012 | 5:19 pm
    Have you considered using your Roth IRA as an emergency fund? In this era of tight budgets, a lot of people are finding it difficult (if not impossible), to save for retirement and maintain an emergency fund. Because of this, it’s become trendy to recommend using your Roth IRA as a sort of de-facto emergency [...] Read the full article at savingtoinvest.com - Using Your Roth IRA as an Emergency Fund Related posts: Check For IRA and Roth IRA Excess Contributions To Avoid a 6% Tax Penalty Traditional IRA versus Roth IRA – 2011 Contribution and Phase-out Income Limits Roth IRA 2011 vs.

  • 2012 Food Stamp (SNAP) Income Eligibility Levels, Deductions and Benefit Allotment Payments

    andys2i
    21 Jan 2012 | 10:25 pm
    The Federal Food Stamp Program is now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Eligibility for SNAP depends on things like the number of people in your household, income, and resources (cash, bank accounts, etc…). Income includes money earned from work. It also includes benefits like Social Security and unemployment. The following table shows [...] Read the full article at savingtoinvest.com - 2012 Food Stamp (SNAP) Income Eligibility Levels, Deductions and Benefit Allotment Payments Related posts: Food Stamp Program Now Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program…

  • 2011 Average 401K and IRA Returns And 2012 Performance Outlook

    andys2i
    20 Jan 2012 | 10:23 pm
    I recently received my 2011 401(k) performance statement and was disappointed to see a -3.2% performance for the year. This is especially the case after my 2010 return of 13.5%. Because my 401k is pretty diversified, the S&P 500 is a good proxy for the level of returns I should be getting. In 2011, the [...] Read the full article at savingtoinvest.com - 2011 Average 401K and IRA Returns And 2012 Performance Outlook Related posts: 2012 Tax Filing Deadline Dates – When You Can File 2011 Tax Returns and Get Your Refund 2011 vs. 2012 401k, 403b Contribution Limits and Catch-up Amounts…

  • Pick Your Correct Tax Filing Status To Minimize Taxes

    andys2i
    16 Jan 2012 | 3:43 pm
    Selecting your tax filing status is one of the first key steps in filing your federal tax return. Choosing the right status is extremely important because it can affect your filing requirements, standard deduction and eligibility for certain tax credits/deductions. In certain situations picking an incorrect filing status can make the difference between paying taxes [...] Read the full article at savingtoinvest.com - Pick Your Correct Tax Filing Status To Minimize Taxes Related posts: 2012 Medicare Part B Monthly Premiums By Income Levels And Tax Filing Status Tax Deadline Tips – Filing…
 
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    PennyJobs.com

  • Why Obama’s Definition Of Economic Fairness Is Fundamentally Wrong

    27 Jan 2012 | 6:24 pm
    During the state of the Union address, President Obama once again made his case for economic ‘fairness’ to argue for more taxes and a larger government. Obama believes that fairness cannot be achieved by the private sector of the economy, because people and nations are not fair and they will never be without government policy to level the playing field. Obama said it this way, “We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by.  Or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot,…

  • Obama Calls For Prolonged Detention Of Anyone That May Commit A Crime

    22 Dec 2011 | 9:51 am
    This is unbelievable; in a speech a few days ago the leader of the free world blamed the previous administration for created an adhoc legal approach to fighting terrorism to hold people indefinitely, then told the nation he was going to do the same thing.After condemning the previous Administration, in a speech which contained his signature poetic language, Obama told the world that we will hold people for 'prolonged detention' without committing a crime regardless of our laws that say otherwise. This is against the U.S. Constitution, in which we are a nation ruled by laws,…

  • Federal Reserve Begins To Panic As Global Banks Ratings Are Cut

    1 Dec 2011 | 3:03 pm
    Yesterday S&P ratings services downgraded more than a dozen of the largest banks in the world, including the six biggest U.S. institutions. Fearing a major stock market meltdown, the Federal Reserve issued a statement that they are more than willing to make is easier for distressed banks to get access to dollars whenever needed. The rating cuts will make is more expensive for them to fund their day-to-day borrowing needs, by increasing the interest rates they will be expected to pay when borrowing money. The rating agencies have been criticized for underestimating the risks of debt for…

  • Obama’s Job Plan; More of The Same, Bigger Government, More Spending

    6 Sep 2011 | 10:18 am
    In Obama’s Job speech on Thursday, he is likely to call for more than 1 trillion in new spending.Obama has completely ignoring the utter failure of the last few trillion in spending while he continues to boldly claiming that more government spending is the only way to create jobs. The reason Obama is unable to look at the mounting evidence against his economic policies, is because he is completely convinced of the liberal economic ideology that government can create wealth by taking money away from productive businesses and spending it on unproductive government projects. Obama believes…

  • President Obama and Senate Liberals Make History Bringing Down America’s Credit

    8 Aug 2011 | 11:24 am
    The Tea Party leaders in the house, did all they could to stop the President from raising the debt limit past the GDP, triggering a credit rating downgrade. But in the end, Obama and Senate liberals refused to cut spending in anything and a bill was passed last Wednesday at the last minute before a national default would have begun. Since then, President Obama continues his rhetoric of class warfare, dividing the nation with anger rather than leading the nation into common understanding of the grave economic outlook we face. Tea Party To Save NationRory Cooper, of heritage.org, had this to…
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    Girls Just Wanna Have Funds || Personal Finance Advice Blog For Women

  • Avon Regional Sales Executive Interview: Maria Sutej

    Ginger
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:54 am
    Maria Sutej A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of interviewing Maria Sutej- Regional Vice President, Sales with Avon Products, Inc. Maria Sutej is a Regional Vice President in Sales at Avon Products, Inc.   Maria leads a team of professionals with cross-functional skills and experience focused on defining short and long term measures related to achieving annual sales goals, and provides stewardship in the implementation of global business strategies.   Maria began her career in 1983 joining Avon as a District Sales Manager. She quickly ascended through the sales ranks holding…

  • 21 Days To Rock Your Finances: Day 13: Creating An Emergency Fund

    Ginger
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:26 am
      Creating an emergency fund is critical in being able to maintain financial stability.   We often hear and read that creating an emergency fund is important but what’s hardly discussed is how to go about doing so.  Let’s look at a few ways to create your emergency fund. Now if you’re thinking to yourself, how on earth will I do this if I am in debt or having financial issues?  Let’s take a look at that: Getting Started: Cut back on spending-drastically.  Everything that you do not need is extra and you don’t need the extra while creating the emergency…

  • Is Graduate School Worth It? 6 Things To Consider Before Taking The Plunge

    Ginger
    24 Jan 2012 | 9:36 pm
      I consider myself to be a student of life, however there comes a time when you realize that maybe going back to school may be the best thing for your career.  A great education is priceless but for our purposes, let’s discuss a few things you should look at when deciding to take the plunge and enter graduate school. Cost This one is obvious.  How much will it cost you to return to school for the total time in school?  Will you take out loans or have you saved to cover all costs associated with returning to graduate school.  Make sure that you understand the real cost of…

  • 21 Days to Rock Your Finances: Day 12 -Contact Your Creditors

    Ginger
    22 Jan 2012 | 10:37 pm
    Today’s post in the Rock Your Finances series addresses taking yet another baby step around setting up your debts on paper or on a spreadsheet.  The rationale for this is to to prepare yourself for the call to your creditors after you’ve devised a plan to get current and get out of debt. By listing your debts, you gain concrete information about your debts such as balances, interest rates and while devising a plan to become current if applicable.  Then once you’ve laid out this information, you will then call your creditors to discuss your plan to get current when ready.

  • 21 Days to Rock Your Finances: Day 11 -Get Out And Stay Out Of Debt

    Ginger
    19 Jan 2012 | 10:21 pm
    Today’s post gives you soup to nuts as it relates to getting out of debt!  So if you’re in debt and need a strategy?  Pull up a seat! Before we get started, it’s important to underscore the importance of this step.  If you’ve been in debt for some time, you’re clearly reading this post because you want to get out, right?  Ok, good!  So let’s not sabotage your efforts by keeping those credit cards available to you.  This is what I need you to do, and you can do one or all, it’s up to you. Cut up your credit cards and throw them away Put them all…
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    The Finance Buff

  • Friday Reading: Securities In An Insecure World

    TFB
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:29 am
    A Rediscovered Graham Masterpiece from Jason Zweig Mr. Richard A. Rigg of San Francisco saved a typewritten copy of a 1963 Benjamin Graham speech. Jason Zweig posted it online for everyone to read. Another Credit Union Increases Early Withdrawal Penalty on Existing CDs from DepositAccounts.com Some credit unions are really tarnishing the good reputation of credit unions. Of the two reported incidences of changing terms on existing CDs, both are done by a credit union. A complaint to the federal regulator NCUA was even ruled in the credit union’s favor. Let’s see how the state…

  • How To Buy I Bonds On a Future Date in TreasuryDirect

    TFB
    25 Jan 2012 | 7:20 am
    It’s time to buy I Bonds! I waited until now because I wanted to earn a little more interest on the money in my checking account at Alliant Credit Union. I Bonds will still pay interest for the full month if you buy on any day during the month. Therefore if your own bank account pays interest, it’s better to buy near the end of the month. Money will stay in your own account longer earning more interest, although these days it isn’t much. Actually you can schedule your purchases ahead of time. That way you don’t have to remember to log in near the end of the month.

  • Consistently Dependable Hotels: Days Inn, Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Holiday Inn, La Quinta, Best Western, Or Hampton Inn

    TFB
    24 Jan 2012 | 7:27 am
    Today’s post relates to my vacation in December when I observed so many other people seem to have more money. Thank you so much for your comments on that one. I need your inputs again. It was a road trip. We flew into Arizona and then drove around. We didn’t have a fixed itinerary except for the arriving and returning flights. Every night, we would figure out the the place to go for the next day. This also involves finding a hotel for the next night. Over the course of about two weeks, we stayed at more than 10 hotels of different brands: Days Inn, Comfort Inn, Quality Inn,…

  • Saver’s Credit Plays Hard to Get

    TFB
    23 Jan 2012 | 7:44 am
    Are you a saver? I bet you are. Did you know there’s a tax credit called Saver’s Credit that reduces your federal income tax if you save for retirement in an employer sponsored retirement plan (401k, 403b, etc.) or in an IRA? If you knew, did you ever receive it? I bet you didn’t. I mentioned Saver’s Credit in one of my Friday roundups. I said it’s one of the most elusive tax credits. I call it the "feel-good credit" because Congress created it to make itself feel good about helping low-income people save when in reality very few get it. When they get…

  • Friday Reading: Credit Unions Are Not The Solution

    TFB
    20 Jan 2012 | 7:13 am
    Related to what I wrote about prepaid debit cards for the unbanked and underbanked, I read this discussion on The Atlantic about whether credit unions can replace payday lenders: Round 2 on Predatory Lending: What Are Credit Unions Good For? The author is skeptical. So am I. From the comfortable vantage point of a middle class life (or better), credit unions seem to be a good solution for the unbanked and underbanked. They are not, unless credit unions make radical changes to their business model. If I must watch my balance down to the last dollar on a weekly basis, a bank or credit union…
 
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    Amateur Asset Allocator

  • I Don’t Care What Tax Rate The Presidential Candidates Pay And Neither Should You

    Kyle
    24 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Apparently, Mitt Romney pays “about 15% in taxes” and Newt Gingrich pays around 32%. Quelle Horreur! Apparently, this is big, important news on the campaign trail. Said Newt Gingrich (to paraphrase), “I am a superior candidate to you, Mitt Romney, because you utilized more completely legal and above-board tax planning strategies than I did last year.” Color me impressed! Why Do People Care? Newt is right, after all. Not intentionally paying more taxes than you legally owe is both immoral and stupid. All moral people, both rich and poor, always pay more taxes than they…

  • Weekend Links

    Kyle
    15 Jan 2012 | 8:50 pm
    Greetings! Lots of craziness on the gridiron this week. Packers lost. Stupid crappy Saints lost. And the best football franchise in the history of the world, my beloved Falcons, were defeated last week. I suspect cheating was involved with that one. Any bets on who will end up in the Super Bowl? Could we possibly be in for a Patriots-Giants rematch? On to the links! I Was Interviewed By Credit Card Assist! First of all, I’d like to think Bill over at Credit Card Assist for interviewing me for their Best of the Blogger series. Go check it out if you’d like to hear some of my…

  • Advantages Of Index Funds Over Active Funds

    Kyle
    10 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    I invest my own portfolio in index funds whenever possible and suggest most other investors do as well. That their long-term performance records dominate the average actively-managed fund is the stuff of legend at this point. The primary reason index funds make such good long-term investments, of course, is their low costs. Yeah, there are some high-cost index funds out there, but most index funds offered by reputable firms such as Vanguard, Fidelity, and Charles Schwab are dirt cheap. Costs matter, and index funds dominate in this regard. Other Advantages Of Index Funds But it’s not…

  • Best Vanguard Funds: Active Funds Edition

    Kyle
    5 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    I recently wrote a post outlining what I believe are the best Vanguard index funds in each major asset class. While I favor index funds for my own investment portfolio (see my IRA allocation), many investors prefer the thrill of potentially beating the market that comes with actively-managed mutual funds.  While the odds are definitely against you, they are not overwhelmingly so if you keep a few key concepts in mind. Anatomy Of Good Active Fund I’ve written on this subject previously so I’ll keep it short here. To have a realistic shot at beating or at least matching its…

  • My Goals For 2012

    Kyle
    3 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    I didn’t set any goals for 2011, at least not publicly. And that’s a shame because studies have shown there are clear benefits both for writing goals down and being held accountable for them publicly. Since I probably need all the help I can get, I’m going to broadly outline a few personal finance and business goals for myself in 2012. I’m not going to get too terribly specific because I don’ t want to reveal too much personal information, but you’ll get the gist of it. Personal Finance Goals Increase my net worth by $60,000 - This is a pretty aggressive…
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    Tip'd / Published News

  • Why We Seek Security Versus Freedom

    gresham
    28 Jan 2012 | 12:25 am
    The challenge is not to demonize traditional employment but rather to have an honest discussion of the perils of focusing on job security instead of financial freedom. Here are three reasons why we seek job security instead of freedom.9 Tips (http://www.roshawnwatson.com)

  • Do You Save Your Pocket Change? For One Indiana Man It Adds Up To A New Car Every 10-15 Years.

    moneymatters
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:32 pm
    Do you save enough of your pocket change to be able to buy a car? One Indiana man did, twice! What if he had invested the money as well?9 Tips (http://www.smartonmoney.com)

  • Best Personal Finance Reads of March 2009

    CanadianFinance
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:45 pm
    I love the month of March, not only because it is my birthday month, but also because the weather starts to change for the better and we finally get a hint of spring. To close out the month, I’d like to share with you my favorite reads of the month10 Tips (http://stupidcents.com)

  • 5 Ways to Reduce Investment Volatility

    Wealthpilgrim
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:58 pm
    If you are an investor, you know how difficult it is to tolerate investment volatility. It’s not unusual to experience day after day of multiple 100 point swings in the major indexes – from one direction to the next. 11 Tips (http://wealthpilgrim.com)

  • A happy retirement is not out of the question

    CanadianFinance
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:01 pm
    Does every retirement study seem to paint a bleak vision for the future? It seems everywhere you turn there is another study or article about how Canadians are not prepared for retirement or not saving enough or increasingly worried about the future10 Tips (http://retirehappyblog.ca)
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    DollarVersity

  • Tim Thomas, What Were You Thinking?

    Eric J. Nisall
    24 Jan 2012 | 7:37 am
    Sports like hockey, football, baseball, basketball, soccer (fútbol for those outside the US) and others are about team, and trying to succeed as such.  It’s the perfect combination of individual talent coming together to fill specific roles which leads to success and eventually championships.  Among the four major team sporting leagues, the winning of a championship is punctuated by the parade down the streets of the winning city to celebrate with the fans, followed by the traditional visit to the White House to be recognized by the sitting President himself (or herself as the case…

  • User Beware: Coupons May Cost You More Than They Save

    Eric J. Nisall
    23 Jan 2012 | 7:13 am
    You’ve seen them.  They come in a variety of forms and sizes: from the big cardboard mailers Bed Bath & Beyond sends out to the credit card like design used by Office Depot to the standard old thin-stock magazines that come in the weekend paper.  I’m talking about coupons, which are seen as a way to save money on anything from grocery items to restaurant meals, office supplies, clothing and personal services.  Some people have even made a side hustle of collecting and selling coupons on the web, while a few have even developed methods of using coupons to get stores to…

  • Organize Your Office And Improve Business In Many Ways

    Eric J. Nisall
    20 Jan 2012 | 7:20 am
    Not many people give being organized a second though.  It simply doesn’t fit into their already hectic routines.  Usually, papers are tossed anywhere, equipment placed wherever an empty space can be found, huge messes accumulating to be dealt with at a later time.  The problem, however, is that when this “later time” arrives, it seems like an insurmountable task to get everything orderly.  What’s worse is that bills tend to be late and invoices left unsent, clients can’t be seen due to lack of space (or sheer embarrassment).     Unfortunately, such…

  • Are Credit Scores Still Relevant?

    Eric J. Nisall
    18 Jan 2012 | 5:37 am
    There is no doubt that recent history has turned many people off to debt and credit.  For some that involves holding off on a property or car purchase until you have the entire amount to pay in cash and to others it could mean closing & cutting up your credit cards forever and swearing by a complete cash-only lifestyle.  Some simply choose to drop off the grid for fear of “big brother”.  Whatever the rhyme or reason, this leaves a very big question that begs answering: is good credit still important?   The answer to that question isn’t very simple.  …

  • Suze Orman Teaches You How NOT To Handle Criticism

    Eric J. Nisall
    12 Jan 2012 | 4:57 am
    In case you don’t follow business or personal finance news, financial “guru” Suze Orman recently announced the launch of her new prepaid debit card.  This article has nothing to do with the card itself.  If you want to know more information on it, you can head over to the DollarVersity Facebook page where I’ve been collecting the reviews from my fellow personal finance bloggers.  No, instead, this is about how Ms. Orman reacted to criticism directed her way regarding this new product, and how she may have done some serious damage to her brand in doing so.    If…
 
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    No More Spending.net

  • Saturday Link Love (28th January 2012)

    laura @ nomorespending
    28 Jan 2012 | 1:35 am
    Good morning! What plans do you have for today? I'm working this morning and then visiting a friend this afternoon...which will be then followed by a quick trip to the supermarket. I also need to finalise the budget for January and set the budget for February, but this will have to wait until tomorrow! Okay onto the last of the January links that I have saved in my reader. How to Win at Monopoly and Real Life at Money Talks So What Do I Want To Do? at American Debt Project Good Words for Wednesday at Frugal Beautiful On Taking Financial Risks: Living on the Road at Budgets are Sexy 2012 - The…

  • February Low (No) Spend Challenge

    laura @ nomorespending
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:13 am
    Okay we're off again for February and this time Carla is holding a double challenge; a Low (No) Spend Challenge and a De-Clutter Challenge. I'm taking part in the Low Spend Challenge only and so I need to set my goals and my rules. My financial goal for the challenge: To add another £250 from our regular budget to our monthly mortgage overpayment How? By keeping our grocery spending below £150 (Usual £216.67) By not spending the £168.37 usually budget for water and council tax (no payments this month) By keeping my personal spending below £65 (Usual £80) The big challenge will be…

  • Grocery Spending #4 (January 2012)

    laura @ nomorespending
    25 Jan 2012 | 11:29 am
    It's my goal to keep our grocery spending below £2,600 (£50 per week, £216.67 per month) for 2012. We are three adults and one extra during school holidays. I'm trying to eat healthily and lose weight, as well as move further towards a more local/organic diet. I shop once a week (supermarket and farm shop). No big supermarket shop for me last weekend, just a couple of trips to the small local supermarket to top us up. I spent £11.02 Saturday and £11.77 yesterday which brings my total grocery spending for January to £154.27. I set the budget at £180 for this month only and I think…

  • Comparing Our Budget 2010 vs. 2012

    laura @ nomorespending
    24 Jan 2012 | 5:17 am
    I don't tend to look backwards but today, after having caught site of an old post on this site, I though it might be interesting to take a look at how our 2012 budget compares to one from 2 years ago. I would go back further, but it's difficult to make a comparison because I was working full time then, and still paying off credit card debt. I've listed our essential expenses and and our personal spending allowances. As you can see the amount is less today than it was back then, due to the most part to there being 3 of us in the house now, compared to 4 previously. Mortgage: stayed the…

  • Menu Plan Monday (Use it up week)

    laura @ nomorespending
    23 Jan 2012 | 12:23 pm
    I'm a little late posting my menu plan today, but here it is. Simple meals Monday to Thursday and then hubby is back on Friday in time for the weekend. Monday - Poached eggs on toast Tuesday - Tuna Pasta Bake Wednesday - Vegetable Soup Thursday - Chilli on Jacket Potatoes Friday - Pizza Saturday - Baked Haddock Portuguese Style (my favourite fish dish) Sunday - Chicken Fajitas What's on your menu this week? For further menu plans ideas please visit I'm an Organizing Junkie ♥ Subscribe by Email | Subscribe by RSS | Follow on Twitter ♥
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    Think Money

  • How debt management plans work

    27 Jan 2012 | 11:20 am
    Read on for a brief guide to how debt management plans work, including how payments are calculated and kept affordable.Full article: How debt management plans workVisit: www.thinkmoney.com

  • How debt consolidation loans work

    26 Jan 2012 | 10:19 am
    A debt consolidation loan could make the way you repay your debts simpler, reducing your outgoings and taking some pressure off your monthly budget. Let's look at how it works.Full article: How debt consolidation loans workVisit: www.thinkmoney.com

  • Euro debt crisis - an update

    23 Jan 2012 | 11:40 am
    What's new in the Euro debt crisis? Here's a look at three of the recent stories that have made the papers.Full article: Euro debt crisis - an updateVisit: www.thinkmoney.com

  • What your financial past can tell you about your future

    23 Jan 2012 | 9:12 am
    Lenders, economists and financial traders all look to the past to make important decisions about the future - and you could too. Read more here.Full article: What your financial past can tell you about your futureVisit: www.thinkmoney.com

  • IVA remortgage for equity release: how does it work?

    13 Jan 2012 | 3:57 am
    Homeowners on an IVA are often expected to release equity as part of the agreement. But what if you're struggling to remortgage?Full article: IVA remortgage for equity release: how does it work?Visit: www.thinkmoney.com
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    Capital Stories

  • The Biggest Winner

    patrickmullins
    8 Jan 2012 | 12:38 pm
    Like a lot of you one of my goals this year is to improve my general health. Exercise can only do so much so with a little help from my friends I’m trying to drop some weight by paying attention to what I eat. Four of us weighed in on January 3rd and will compare again in about 17 weeks on May 1st. The “winner” with the most percentage weight loss will take the prize and admiration of the group. Though the truth is we all expect to benefit by simply participating. Our start points were as follows: Mr. A 280 lbs, Mr. D 219 lbs, Mr. M 214 lbs and me 218 lbs. We are all business…

  • So, what’s wrong with the Stock Markets?

    patrickmullins
    9 Sep 2011 | 11:24 am
    Many conversations about investing this year are centered on what is wrong with stock markets in 2011. The assumption underlying this concern is that markets are only acting correctly when prices move higher, like in 2009/10, and are therefore defective when they move lower. There are however, periods of time when economic risk is higher; the global debt problems and Japan’s difficult natural disaster come to mind. In some time periods earnings are generally not growing. If markets are discounting higher risk then it stands to reason there should be some additional volatility and in…

  • Too big to fail….The National edition

    patrickmullins
    8 Aug 2011 | 6:43 am
    I am not a fan of sequels.  It seems to me that little new is added to our understanding of the main characters, and the plot outcome seems predictable from the start. Many observers say sequels are never as good as the original hit, the exception perhaps being Godfather II. The volatility and pressure in world stock markets is regrettable. Risk has manifested in providing little if any return for the past decade. It seems to me that this current downturn has been triggered by the perception of a lack of effective leadership on the part of governments around the globe. Of the three main…

  • Savings: Building for Retirement

    admin
    25 Mar 2011 | 10:40 am
    For a change of pace today’s entry is from guest blogger Ryan Leroux. Ryan is an intern on our team and had completed the second Level of the CFA program. Ryan correctly points out that all successful investment approaches are built on savings. Over generations, the concept of saving has been instilled in most Canadians as a top priority.  Many of us were taught early on the value of a dollar and to save for a rainy day. Sadly, saving has become a mere afterthought to thousands of Canadians.  Looking at this graph, you can see just how bad the savings rate has declined, from a high of 20%…

  • We’re Getting Older and our Needs are Changing

    patrickmullins
    17 Feb 2011 | 9:02 am
    There is currently a good deal of discussion about the speed at which the Canadian population is aging. This aging affect is expected to accelerate in the next 20 years (see chart below). As has been the case at every stage of their generational life, boomers are going to have a dramatic impact on Canadian society as they retire. In twenty years, fully a quarter of the population will be drawing CPP and OAS. For many people, government pensions won’t be enough to cover spending requirements. Source: Statistics Canada. Estimates of Population, Canada, the Provinces and Territories (Persons).
 
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    MaximizingMoney.com

  • Personal Capital Online Money Management Service $10 Referral Bonus for Both Parties

    MaximizingMoney.com
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:15 am
    The Personal Capital online money management software service is offering a $10 referral bonus for both parties with a free Personal Capital account. Current Personal Capital members will receive a $10 bonus for each new member that you refer, plus new members will receive a $10 bonus when you sign up for a free Personal Capital account through a current customer’s referral link. Personal Capital $10 New Account Bonus Just sign up for a free account through this Personal Capital $10 Referral Link to receive a $10 bonus when you open a new Personal Capital account. You’ll get $10…

  • Chase Business Checking Account $200 Banking Bonus through January 31, 2012

    MaximizingMoney.com
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:49 am
    Chase Bank is offering a $200 new business checking account bonus with a deposit of $2,000 or more, valid through January 31, 2012. Just open a new Chase business checking account at your local Chase Bank branch and deposit $2,000 or more to earn this $200 promotional reward. Visit this Chase $200 Coupon Code Page to request your business coupon code via email directly from Chase Bank. Chase Business Checking Promotional Details To qualify for this offer, you must open a Chase BusinessSelect Checking account and deposit a minimum of $2,000 or more into your new business checking account…

  • Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card 30,000 Bonus Miles Promotion

    MaximizingMoney.com
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:34 am
    The American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles card is now offering 30,000 bonus miles with no annual fee for the first year. Just apply for the Delta Airlines – Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card to earn 30,000 bonus miles. You’ll get 30,000 bonus miles when you spend $500 on the card in the first 3 months from account opening, which is redeemable for a free flight. You can redeem your 30,000 bonus miles for a total of $300 off Delta flights through the Delta Pay with Miles Program, which allows you to use miles to pay for any Delta seat at anytime with no blackout dates and no seat…

  • Priority Club PointBreaks Hotel Redemptions for Only 5,000 Points Per Night through January 31, 2012

    MaximizingMoney.com
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:56 am
    Priority Club PointBreaks are currently available to get hotel redemptions for only 5,000 points per night, valid for booking through January 31, 2012. Take advantage of Priority Club PointBreaks if you have Priority Club Rewards points available. The Priority Club PointBreaks offer and participating hotels are subject to change at any time, and this promotion is currently valid for booking through January 31, 2012. About Priority Club PointBreaks Priority Club PointBreaks are a feature of Reward Nights. PointBreaks are Reward Nights priced at 5,000 points at select hotels for a limited…

  • Spirit Airlines 5,000 Bonus FREE SPIRIT Miles to Book Anywhere Spirit Flies by February 1, 2012

    MaximizingMoney.com
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:35 am
    Spirit Airlines is offering up to 5,000 bonus FREE SPIRIT miles when you book qualifying travel to anywhere Spirit flies by February 1, 2012. You’ll earn up to 5,000 FREE SPIRIT bonus miles for each trip flown when you book by February 1, 2012, and complete travel by June 20, 2012. Check out this FREE SPIRIT 5,000 Bonus Miles Offer to book your flight on Spirit Airlines today. FREE SPIRIT Promotional Details You must be a member of Spirit’s frequent flyer program, FREE SPIRIT. This offer is valid only for new reservations booked between January 18, 2012, and February 1, 2012, for…
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    Darwin's Finance

  • FACEBOOK IPO: They Missed The Boat. I’ll Pass

    Darwin
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:45 pm
    Friday, news broke that Facebook was preparing to file papers for an IPO possibly as early as next Wednesday.  While just about everyone is ON Facebook, many people probably haven’t considered all the reasons this will be a bad investment for retail investors trying to jump in after the open.  Here are just a few [...]FACEBOOK IPO: They Missed The Boat. I’ll Pass is an article from Darwin's Finance Related posts:6 Alternative Investments That May Beat Stocks and Bonds Over the Next Decade

  • Should Teacher Salaries Be Published for All to See?

    Darwin
    23 Dec 2011 | 1:34 pm
    The other day, a friend sat down at my wife’s table at a kids’ school function and seemed a bit sad and said, “Well, now that you all know what my husband makes…that’s how my day’s going”.  My wife and the others at the table actually didn’t know what her husband made (until she made [...]Should Teacher Salaries Be Published for All to See? is an article from Darwin's Finance Related posts:Should Americans with No Kids Be Able “Opt-Out” of School Taxes?

  • Are You Prepared for 5% Annual Returns for Years to Come?

    Darwin
    30 Nov 2011 | 9:18 pm
    In yet another common refrain from the Bond King Bill Gross, he stated this week (CNBC) that anyone realizing even 5% returns on stocks or bonds should consider themselves in the upper echelon of performers in the years ahead due to the debt issues in the EU and US which are anticipated to restrict growth [...]Are You Prepared for 5% Annual Returns for Years to Come? is an article from Darwin's Finance No related posts.

  • It’s That Time of Year – How to Calculate Your FSA Contribution Amount for 2012

    Darwin
    28 Oct 2011 | 9:14 pm
    For those of you who have a Flex Savings Account option at work, it’s time to set the total annual allotment for 2012 before the year starts.  I’ve always had mixed emotions about this provision of the tax code.  On one hand, you’re allowed to deduct medical expenses from your income normally subject to federal [...]It’s That Time of Year – How to Calculate Your FSA Contribution Amount for 2012 is an article from Darwin's Finance Related posts:2011 Average Raise – Will Raises Stink Like Last Year?

  • Should Americans with No Kids Be Able “Opt-Out” of School Taxes?

    Darwin
    29 Sep 2011 | 10:40 pm
    I was at a family gathering this summer and the usual topic of complaining about the ineptitude of local government officials and school boards came up.  That then led to older participants questioning what their tax dollars were being used for and why they’re even paying school taxes to begin with.  It led to an [...]Should Americans with No Kids Be Able “Opt-Out” of School Taxes? is an article from Darwin's Finance Related posts:Is It Something I Said?Americans Scooping Up Doomsday Shelters – The Illogical “Recency Effect”
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    Do You Dave Ramsey?

  • Dukan Diet Week 9

    Dave Ozment
    23 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Week 9 – Cruise Phase In this report we skim week 9 and share about my progress being noticed.   I also discuss how hard, or easy I’m finding this plan. Monday, September 12, Day 57 Breakfast – Dukan Pancake and coffee Lunch – Grilled chicken and yogurt Dinner –Sirlion, yogurt Tuesday, September 13, Day 58 Breakfast – Dukan Pancake and coffee Lunch – Grilled chicken, yogurt Dinner – Hamburger patties Wednesday, September 14, Day 59 Breakfast – Dukan Pancake and coffee Lunch – Hamburger patty and grilled chicken, yogurt Dinner –Stuffed peppers and yogurt It happened…

  • Dukan Diet Week 8

    Dave Ozment
    16 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Week 8 – Cruise Phase In this report we discuss my loose fitting pants, another trip to the scales, and a new super low carb yogurt is discovered.  I also take a football road trip and trip up my program. Monday, September 5, Day 50 Breakfast – Protein Shake Lunch – 2 grilled turkey burgers, yogurt Dinner – Grilled chicken and grilled fish We had storms blow through the area in the afternoon so we hung out in the basement watching the weather channel.  That was a layer of boredom I’ve not had in a while and I found myself looking into the basement fridge for something to snack…

  • Dukan Diet Week 7

    Dave Ozment
    9 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Week 7 – Cruise Phase In this report we talk about the start of the college football season and the inevitable impact on my program. Monday, August 29, Day 43 Breakfast – Dukan pancake and coffee Lunch – Chicken salad Dinner – Grilled sirloin Tuesday, August 30, Day 44 Breakfast – Dukan pancake and coffee Lunch – Grilled fish Dinner – Stuffed bell peppers.  Great entre in my wife’s repertoire and Dukan friendly when she doesn’t use rice to augment the stuffing.  This is something I could eat 2-3 times a week but it’s a little more effort intensive so I’m not…

  • Dukan Diet – Week 6

    Dave Ozment
    2 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Week 6 – Cruise Phase In this report we un-retire some pants and close in on another milestone on the scales.  I also share my larger objectives and goals, and someone takes notice of my progress.  Monday, August 22, Day 36 Breakfast – Protein shake Lunch – Yogurt… light lunch due to poor planning by me this morning. Dinner – baked chicken and protein shake  Tuesday, August 23, Day 37 Breakfast – Protein shake Lunch – Baked chicken left overs, sliced tomato, yogurt Dinner – Omelet, Dukan Pancake, Protein shake Last night I pulled out a pair of pants from a separate rack in…

  • Dukan Diet – Week 5

    Dave Ozment
    26 Dec 2011 | 5:00 am
    Week 5 – Cruise Phase In this report we expand the menu and achieve the smallest hole in my belt.  I also report another transgression, but one probably worth it considering the context. Monday, August 15, Day 29 Breakfast – Dukan pancake, protein shake, coffee Lunch – Roast beef roll-ups Dinner – stuffed peppers – stuffed with seasoned hamburger, chopped zucchini, and a tiny amount of cheese covered in tomato sauce.  These were great and didn’t at all feel like ‘diet’ food.  That’s one of the lessens I’m learning on this program.  Making changes to our consumption…
 
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    Bible Money Matters

  • 8 Important Bible Verses About Money For Christians

    Peter Anderson
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:54 am
    A while back I published a post on this site that gave hundreds of bible verses about money.  The verses were all in some way related to one financial topic or another.  A few of the subjects covered in the post included greed, saving, debt, hard work, honesty, planning, stewardship, worry and where we can find true wealth. When I look back on the post I’m glad I wrote it and I think it gives a pretty good picture of how we’re told to view money and how it relates to our spiritual lives.  One thing that I thought I could rectify with another post, however, is instead of just…

  • Home Workout Programs Can Be A Cost Effective Alternative To A Gym Membership

    Peter Anderson
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    I haven’t written much about fitness on this site as I have another site called Quick To Fit where I write about topics surrounding exercise and getting fit.  I’ll be honest though, the writing on that site has been somewhat sporadic – as has been my motivation for exercising and getting fit.  It’s something I’ve struggled with for some time now, and something I always seem to be working on. With that said, over the past year or so I’ve been making an effort to exercise more and lose some of the excess weight that I’ve put on over the last few…

  • Find A Better Bank: How To Choose!

    John Frainee
    25 Jan 2012 | 10:08 am
    Options, options, options. Just like the cereal aisle at a grocery store, you have options when it comes to choosing a bank account. Sometimes we switch banks because we are tempted by a higher interest rate. Other times we are just fed up with fees at our current institution.  For still others customer service is important. Whatever the case for you, here are some great questions to ask yourself before you choose your next bank. Do yourself a favor, and choose a better bank! Questions to Ask Yourself 1. Why am I really switching banks? We’ve already given some of the simple answers:…

  • Will A Short Sale Hurt Your Credit, And Will You Even Qualify For One?

    Peter Anderson
    24 Jan 2012 | 11:49 am
    One thing we’ve heard a lot about the last couple of years is the rash of foreclosures and short sales, and how the real estate market is experiencing a huge downturn. A lot of people are finding themselves underwater in their homes, owing more on the homes than they’re currently worth. People have seen their home values drop by tens of thousands of dollars, if not hundreds of thousands. In the area that we live in the story hasn’t been much different. There have been a lot of foreclosures and home values have dropped significantly. We bought our house near the height of the…

  • Is Multi-Generational Living For You? What Are The Pros And Cons?

    Melissa
    23 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Between a tight economy and the demands placed on the sandwich generation (that group who finds themselves both helping to take care of their aging parents while continuing to raise their own children to adulthood), more and more families find themselves living in multi-generational households.  According to Money Magazine, “Roughly 16% of the population is living in a house with at least two adult generations.”  This is the “highest level in 50 years.” While Americans don’t typically embrace this living arrangement, it is common for many Asian and Hispanic families.  My husband…
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    Christian Personal Finance

  • How To Check Your Credit Report for Free – GS20

    Bob
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:25 am
    Video Intro Can't see the video in your RSS reader or email? Click Here! If you haven’t checked your credit report in a while, lets do it today. While there are many sites that will charge you to check it, you can get a copy of your report from the big 3 credit reporting agencies for free by getting it from AnnualCreditReport.com Even if you don’t plan on buying a house any time soon, I recommend checking your report for errors now. I waited until just a couple months before purchasing a house and I found out the hard way that getting credit report errors removed can be very time…

  • 24 Legitimate Home-Based Business Ideas & Opportunities – GS19

    Bob
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:20 am
    If you are like many, the thought of starting a home-based business has probably crossed your mind at some point. With the economy being what it is, layoffs all around us, and an increasing desire for many to escape the rat race and work from home, many are trying to start a home-based business. Working from home not only offers independence and freedom but there are also some great home-based business tax deductions as well. Video Intro Can't see the video in your RSS reader or email? Click Here! As I sit and write this, I am reminded of the years I spent in jobs that I didn’t like and…

  • Making Sacrifices to Get Out of Debt – GS18

    Bob
    25 Jan 2012 | 7:20 am
    Video Intro Can't see the video in your RSS reader or email? Click Here! This one is where the rubber meets the road. This is where we see how bad you want to be out of debt. The sacrifice is only temporary! The most important thing to remember as you are reading this is that it is ONLY TEMPORARY. By making a sacrifice you are not condemning yourself to that for the rest of your life. You just need to make up for all the overspending that has taken place in the past If you have done some of the things mentioned in the last few articles, you are on a better financial footing than you were.

  • How Cars Affect your Financial Freedom – GS17

    Bob
    24 Jan 2012 | 8:05 am
    I had a revelation about cars that has caused me to not really care what mine looks like. It’s not that I don’t want a really fast car, it is just that there is something I want a bit more: financial freedom. Video Intro Can't see the video in your RSS reader or email? Click Here! Is any car worth your financial freedom? The thing I have noticed is that so many people give up financial freedom for their whole lives solely because of the decisions they make with their cars. I know it sounds like a bold statement, but I think it is frightening how true it is. For most people, a car…

  • Protect Your Family: The Importance of Life Insurance – GS16

    Bob
    23 Jan 2012 | 8:09 am
    If you don’t have life insurance and you have a family that you support, today is your day. Part of preparation is for our benefit and part of it is for the benefit of our loved ones. In this case you and I won’t have any tangible benefit from purchasing life insurance, but the peace of knowing that our loved ones will have a nice financial buffer is pretty nice. Video Intro Can't see the video in your RSS reader or email? Click Here! Just like the FLOP we mentioned the other day, the hope is that you will never need to use this. But if that day were ever to come, there would be…
 
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    Denise Richardson

  • Beware of Phone Scams: 3-Digit Security Code Ruse, Computer Tech Support

    Denise Richardson
    25 Jan 2012 | 3:15 pm
    Criminals use the phone to commit many different types of fraud. They often use publicly available data, phone directories or data they obtained in a data breach --so they might know your name and other personal information when they call...

  • IRS Overwhelmed with Identity Theft

    Denise Richardson
    20 Jan 2012 | 7:50 pm
    Now that the New Year is here, it's time to start thinking about W-2's and 1099's to get ready for tax season.  Though many people don't start thinking about their taxes until closer to April, the IRS actually begins processing...

  • How Stolen Data is Bought & Sold Online

    Denise Richardson
    16 Jan 2012 | 12:07 pm
    Have you ever wondered how identity thieves use the Internet to buy and sell your stolen information? When most people think of identity theft they imagine people stealing credit card applications from their trash or stealing their credit card numbers...

  • Got a Plan for Your Unwanted Holiday Gift Cards?

    Denise Richardson
    12 Jan 2012 | 8:58 am
    You might think that the holiday shopping season concludes once the mad dashes for last-minute presents have been run and the carefully wrapped paper has been torn away and discarded, but that's certainly not true in the modern gift card...

  • FL ID Theft Bust: Part of Massive Identity Fraud Conspiracy

    Denise Richardson
    11 Jan 2012 | 8:50 pm
    A major identity theft ring bust thought to be centered in Apopka FL --appears to stretch far beyond the state of Florida ---and the United States. According to law enforcement authorities, the Florida arrests are part of a massive conspiracy...
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    PT Money

  • Day 27: Involve Your Kids

    Philip Taylor
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:29 pm
    Welcome to day 27 of the 31 Days to Improve Your Financial Life series.There are several ways that the act of involving your kids in your financial life can help to improve it.First, kids (especially little ones) are naturally frugal when it comes to how they spend their time. I think if we followed their lead a bit more in this area, we’d spend a lot less on stuff and activities.But kids can become a financial burden of their own in the teens if you let their spending get out of control. By involving them in the family budgeting process, and by showing them how you plan to spend your…

  • H&R Block At Home Online 2012 Review

    Michael
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:35 am
    H&R Block has long been known as the largest tax service company. They actually prepare 1 out of every 7 tax returns that are filed in the U.S. They do it with physical branches and with their online and offline tax software products. H&R Block meets you where you are at and gives you the choice: do you want to meet face-to-face with a tax professional, or do you want to do it yourself, either at home or online. If you need a local branch, odds are there is one within 5 miles of you right now.If you just need tax software, you can quickly get it on their website at www.HRBlock.com.

  • An Update on the Suze Orman Prepaid Debit Card Fiasco

    Philip Taylor
    24 Jan 2012 | 10:48 am
    I’m late in updating this information, but I just got some new info (as of yesterday) so I thought a full recap was due.After I posted my review of Suze Orman’s new Approved Card, Briana from 20 and Engaged retweeted my post saying she was disappointed in Suze. Suze then called me an “idiot” on Twitter which caused a bit of a stir.Several others blogged about both the Approved Card and Suze’s odd reaction.Does Suze Orman’s Prepaid Debit Card Make Sense for You?Suze Orman Loses Her Sh*t on TwitterSorry, Suze Orman’s New Prepaid Debit Card Won’t…

  • TurboTax 2012 Review

    Michael
    24 Jan 2012 | 10:30 am
    My TurboTax 2012 review hardly needs an introduction. These guys are the best-selling tax preparation software program year-after-year. Their software walks you step-by-step through the process of preparing your taxes. They take care of yearly tax updates and understanding the confusing tax code. All you need to do is decide which of their versions to use, then complete a series of questions, and file. Depending on the complexity of your tax situation, this can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours.TurboTax 2012 ReviewTurboTax provides their software in both offline (CD or download) and…

  • Stay Out of the 401k Penalty Box

    Guest
    23 Jan 2012 | 10:55 am
    The Penalty BoxHigh sticking in the NHL will get you a minimum 2 minutes in the penalty box.Same rules apply for cross-checking. In more severe cases, the penalty can be doubled that.The bright side to all that is after the penalty time expires, you are allowed back on the ice to play again.Hopefully, with no harm to the team.In retirement planning, this is often not the case, especially when it comes to your 401k.If you find yourself in a financial emergency, you might consider withdrawing money from your 401k.It might seem logical to use your own money to help yourself out of a financial…
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    RetirementRevised

  • Low-cost entries shake up market for small 401(k) plans

    Mark Miller
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:19 pm
    If you own a small business, the time to comparison-shop for 401k plans has never been better. Low-cost plans are cropping up, as new federal regulations kicking in this year call for greater disclosure of fee information to plan participants and sponsors. The numbers should be a real eye-opener. Fees vary widely among retirement plans [...] Related posts:Schwab plan to cut costs, add advice points to changing 401(k) marketAutomated retirement plans can help, but watch for these pitfallsFive ways to make 401(k) plans more like pensions

  • Workers fight switch to church plan pensions

    Mark Miller
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:14 pm
    Mary Rich worked for a hospital in northern New Jersey for 25 years, first as a registered nurse and later as an executive. One of the job’s benefits was a traditional pension that she expected to receive at retirement. Now that benefit seems unlikely to be around by the time she retires. Rich’s financially troubled [...] Related posts:Obama plan to bolster pension insurance fund stirs controversyWhy federal insurance for pensions needs shoring upWisconsin fight points to importance of traditional pensions

  • Big penalties await if you delay Medicare filing

    Mark Miller
    20 Jan 2012 | 12:39 pm
    Most seniors on Medicare will pay $99.90 per month this year for Part B outpatient coverage. But how would you like to pay 10 percent more for that coverage, or 50 percent more? Failing to sign up for Medicare at the right time can cost you – big time. The monthly Part B premium jumps [...] Related posts:Reader mailbag: Stay on COBRA or enroll for Medicare?Reader mailbag: IRA beneficiaries and Medicare first payorsMedicare will cut into big Social Security COLA in 2012

  • To boost Social Security benefits, know the rules

    Mark Miller
    18 Jan 2012 | 4:06 pm
    When the oldest baby boomers start turning 66 this year, they’ll be eligible to file for full Social Security benefits. But pollsters say many Americans plan to work well past that age, reflecting tough economic times and a general desire to reshape the idea of retirement. What will working longer mean for the Social Security [...] Related posts:Social Security may tighten do-over loophole rulesSocial Security Administration tightens do-over rulesHow to maximize your Social Security benefits

  • Six steps young investors can take to build retirement security

    Mark Miller
    12 Jan 2012 | 2:28 pm
    You’re young and lucky enough to be gainfully employed, but it’s a hard time to be starting out in life – the job market is perilous, financial markets are volatile and the housing market’s direction is anyone’s guess. Is this any time to be thinking about saving for a secure retirement? Absolutely. Top retirement experts [...] Related posts:This weekend: Are young retirement investors abandoning stocks?How working longer helps build retirement securityReuters: How working longer helps build retirement security
 
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    RateNerd

  • 6 Hidden Tax Law Changes That May Impact Your 2011 Tax Return

    Rate Nerd
    19 Jan 2012 | 4:31 pm
    Changes impacting your taxes and this year’s refund from Uncle Sam In the way of tax legislation, 2011 was a relatively quiet year. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t tax law changes that will affect this year’s tax returns. “The changes enacted at the end of 2010 will still impact this year’s and next year’s [...] 6 Hidden Tax Law Changes That May... To read the full article, please visit http://RateNerd.com and find more unadvertised deals from banks.

  • 6 Key Tax Mistakes To Avoid

    Rate Nerd
    12 Jan 2012 | 4:29 pm
    Have you made these six tax mistakes? How to avoid them this year Tax time is a stressful time, even for the most prepared filer. And for the many people who aren’t perfectly prepared when the season rolls around, each commercial, ad or sign that mentions tax preparation can be a painful reminder that the [...] 6 Key Tax Mistakes To Avoid is a post from: RateNerd - unadvertised deals from... To read the full article, please visit http://RateNerd.com and find more unadvertised deals from banks.

  • Best Checking Account Offers for 2012

    Rate Nerd
    14 Dec 2011 | 12:08 pm
    Here’s our annual list of the best checking account offers for the new year – Happy 2012!   Your checking account is the centerpiece of your financial life. You can always have a savings account elsewhere, and then link it to your checking account. Your Checking account should be easy to use, have nationwide ATM [...] Best Checking Account Offers for 2012 is a post from: RateNerd... To read the full article, please visit http://RateNerd.com and find more unadvertised deals from banks.

  • $125 Chase Checking Account Offer

    Rate Nerd
    12 Dec 2011 | 11:54 am
    Open a Chase Total Checking account, set up direct deposit and get a $125 cash bonus.   Chase continues to offer one of the best checking account incentives out there – plus having a truly good checking account, great ATM’s, and lots of branch offices. For new checking customers, open a Chase Total Checking account with a [...] $125 Chase Checking Account Offer is a post from:... To read the full article, please visit http://RateNerd.com and find more unadvertised deals from banks.

  • 4.01% Free Checking Account – Daily Deal

    Rate Nerd
    28 Nov 2011 | 3:42 pm
    Pelican State Credit Union’s e-Xtra Bonus Checking is paying a very high interest rate of 4.01% APY on balances up to $20,000. Experience the Ultimate Advantage in Checking! This electronically based free checking account offers monthly dividends with the opportunity to receive an additional bonus dividend each month. You could earn up to 4.01% APY! [...] 4.01% Free Checking Account –... To read the full article, please visit http://RateNerd.com and find more unadvertised deals from banks.
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    The Financial Blogger

  • Epic Shiz of the Week

    MD
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Time to see what’s really worth checking out from the past week. I must admit that I was impressed with the personal finance eBook library. This is a collection of free and premium eBooks from the top personal finance bloggers. Not only is it a really neat layout, but it gives you instant access to the best eBooks around. I also wanted to give out two additional mentions. First I want to think Matt About Money for this weeks Carnival of Personal Finance: Words of Wisdom Edition. This carnival has been a staple for finding new blog readers in the personal finance field ever since…

  • Where Are You Really?

    MD
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Do you know where you are? No not your physical location. Where are you really? Do you know where you stand when it comes to your position in your field or your industry? I’ve often heard that there’s a big difference between where you are and where you want to be in life and in business. You may think and want to be successful in your field, but are you really? You could be on the other end of the spectrum. The challenge comes in being realistic about where you are and then moving towards where you want to be. A few months back I saw a brief news story about Snooki (the short…

  • 5 Years To Become Millionaire

    The Financial Blogger
    25 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
      When we first started our company back in 2008, we decided to name it M-35. To be honest, my friend wanted to name it M-30 at first…. But the  “M” stands for “millionaire” and the number stands for the age when we arrive. I thought that 3 years was a little too short . So this is why we decided to use M-35 as our official name: because we think we can reach $1M in net worth by the age of 35.   As of my last net worth statement, I’m standing at $203,500 and for the record, I’m 30. Therefore, I have to multiply my net worth by 5 in order to achieve my objective. Out…

  • I Got The Job!!!

    The Financial Blogger
    24 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
      Wow!     2012 will definitely be a great year!   I’ll be a father for the 3rd time!   I’m about to pass the ultimate test with my company!   I’ve been awarded the Best Financial Planner in Montreal within my company for 2011!   And I’ll be working 5 minutes away from my house!   Yup, I got the job of my dreams!   I know, it’s a funny line coming from a guy who advises to quit the rat race ASAP. But when you do something that you love, don’t have to work ridiculous hours and that brings you a very high level of security, it’s hard to…

  • From 30K to 176K in 8 years; The Chronology of My Income

    The Financial Blogger
    23 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
    A few weeks ago, a reader asked me to post about the evolution of my income during my career. Since I have a pretty short work history (I only started working back in 2003!) I hadn’t thought about writing such an article. But when you think about it, I have been able to grow my income by 586% in 8 years, from $30K to $176K in 2011.   Did I start to sell drugs in the process?   Nope!   Did I work over 60 hours a week for 5 years before hitting the jackpot?   Nope!   Did I have to be a brown-noser?   No way Jose!   So how the hell I was able to grow my…
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    Intelligent Speculator

  • Free Super Bowl Tickets Thanks to eBay’s ($EBAY) Flaws?

    IS
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    With the Super Bowl a few days away, many of us fans are wondering how we would ever pay for Super Bowl tickets. I’m a Colts fan so obviously going to see the Super Bowl in Indianapolis would have been nice, even without those Colts being part of the game. Do you think you could never afford or never want to pay that much for a Super Bowl ticket? How about going for free? Unfortunately, today’s post is not a happy story, it’s the story from the other end of the table. A friend of mine is a big hockey fan and lives in Montreal. He had bought some Montreal Canadiens tickets at…

  • Closing Long Dice Holdings (DHX) & Short Monster Worldwide (MWW)

    IS
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:55 am
    For a third time this year, I am able to close a trade, the one where I went long Dice Holdings (DHX) and Monster Worldwide (MWW) which currently stands at +29,27%. How did it get to this point? Mainly thanks to Monster which announced disappointing results, as has often been the case lately. They also announced lower revenues and profits expectations than most analysts expected sending the stock down over 20% today…!

  • Dividend Investing Is Not Just A Trend

    IS
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:05 am
    It’s a bit annoying honestly. Why in the world do so many people in the media and elsewhere like to punch on dividend investing and those that use it. I’m not saying that it’s a perfect investing method or even the best one around, but saying that it’s just a fade or a big bubble is at least as ridiculous. I’m not sure if those writing such stories do so just because it will make a good story, to get a good story out there or if they truly believe it. Here are the top reasons why I think that dividend investing is not only there to stay but will actually become…

  • Investing Or Paying Down Debt? 6 Steps To Help Decide Between The Two

    IS
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    We all know that the economy is weak, that unemployment is high, that debt is exploding, that it would be much higher if all laid off workers were still looking for a job or if those that recently graduated had decided to enter the job market. We know all of that. It still hurts when we know people that are affected personally by the economic struggles. One of the top ways that I use to discuss with readers is using the mailing list. I give out a lot of information, about dividend stocks, tech/web stocks, and more. But I also ask questions and discuss with many of you. If you have not joined…

  • I Hate Breaking It To You, But Your Debt Level Is Exploding

    IS
    24 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Today I was reviewing some of the news from the NY Times and it got me a bit depressed. Chances are that if you did, you are feeling the same way. It’s one thing for the Times to break down why Apple’s iPhone is being made in China rather than the US but more depressing are the reasons why and what it means. Hint.. iPhone production is not coming back to the US anytime soon, so are all of those lost jobs from the last couple of decades. It’s a well written article that explains why iPhones and all kinds of other products are no longer being built in the US which will…
 
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    Kingdom Calling

  • Financial News at Your Fingertips

    Wes Bridel
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Some big financial news has been coming out recently, so we thought it a good idea to share some of the important recent events with you.  You can check out the last few posts of this series here, here, & here.  Of course, you’ve probably already seen the biggest news of the week which is that Ben Bernanke and the Fed have lengthened the time that they plan to keep interest rates at near zero until 2014.  This means that all the “good news” that the financial media is spinning for the economy is NOT what the Fed itself is seeing. The Fed also seemingly left the door…

  • Exposition on “The Shepherd of the North”

    Wes Bridel
    25 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    On Monday, we shared an ancient parable out of China that probably pre-dates the Kingdom of God’s advancement into that land (as goes on in amazing ways today).  But it’s an amazing parable that has often come to mind when sharing with others that teaches an important lesson. Today, we’ll share a few thoughts on how this relates to your life and mine as a believer in this broken world. The circumstances in our life are always arranged by God for our benefit.  And thus they are always good even when our flesh might find them to be horrific. Paul said, “And we know that in all things…

  • The Shepherd of the North

    Wes Bridel
    23 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    There was an old & wise shepherd who lived in the north of China. One day, the best of his few horses ran away. His neighbors came by and tried to console him. He replied, “Who knows this might be a blessing?” About a month later, his horse came back with a flock of wilder horses.   His friends came by and exclaimed, “Wow, you are so blessed to have this happen out of nowhere to make you a rich man!” The wise man said, “Maybe, who knows?” Years later, he had a son, who enjoyed riding horses as he grew up. One day, as he mounted a fine horse, the stallion took off running and…

  • January 2012 Newsletter Reprint

    Wes Bridel
    20 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    We’re reprinting the January Kingdom Calling Newsletter today so that it’s easier to link back to in the future.  If you’re not receiving the Monthly Kingdom Calling Newsletter, sign up to the right above the RED “Get Video Now” Button. Year in Review Today, we’ll review our predictions from a year ago.  But first, I wanted to give you a peak behind the curtain of my writings here at Kingdom Calling. I’ve had difficulty deciding what to put in this month’s newsletter mostly because I have 7 – 10 topics I want to write about right now. …

  • Update on US Economy (Pt 2)

    Wes Bridel
    18 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    This economic update video helps you understand what is going on in the US economy and markets so that you can be more fully informed to decide how to position your portfolio & prepare your family.  This video will discuss what’s been going on over the last 3 months.  We’re continuing a  series of videos which can be found here.  This is the second of two videos in this series focusing on the US economy. Today, we’ll look at factors affecting the US economy such as:  1)  Where did this 1% tax on financial transactions come from and who is supporting it?,  2)  Two…
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    Don't Quit Your Day Job...

  • Parsing the South Carolina Exit Polls! (Debates Matter! Ron Paul’s Hand Strengthens!)

    PK
    26 Jan 2012 | 2:08 pm
    Well, Newt Gingrich took down previous favorite Mitt Romney in a shocker in South Carolina.  What can we say about the upset?  These exit poll posts will continue until morale improves! You can read the cross-tabs here.  Hope you’re ready for the debate tonight on CNN… Side note (skip if you hate/dislike sports): Does anyone else see the Republican Primary in 2012 as college football in the mid-00s?  Let me lay it out for you:  Mitt Romney is USC, Rick Santorum is LSU, and Newt Gingrich is Texas.  Ron Paul is probably Boise State, a strong football school that didn’t…

  • Zodiac Signs and Gambler’s Fallacy

    CameronDaniels
    25 Jan 2012 | 3:30 am
    The Economist posted a not-so-interesting graph relating a year’s stock market returns to its Chinese Zodiac sign. I would imagine that a random number generator making up returns for clusters of years since 1900 and ranking the outcomes would produce a similar outcome… but let’s play devil’s advocate and see if there is something to be said about these numbers. Business Cycles Returns by Year in the Chinese Calendar (The Economist) Economic theory, news headlines and politics often revolve around the theory of business cycles, loosely defined as periods of monetary, investment…

  • How Did Mitt Romney Get a $20.7 Million IRA?

    PK
    23 Jan 2012 | 9:44 am
    You’ve got an IRA, right?  This site has been preaching the tax benefits of both traditional and Roth IRAs since the beginning… and we aren’t going to stop now.  So hopefully you’ve been diligently saving in your IRA, with the hope that some day you’ll have a couple million dollars in there (or at least a good amount of funds you can tap in retirement). Mitt Romney, it was revealed in financial disclosure documents, has an Individual Retirement Account worth somewhere between $20.7 and $101.6 million dollars.  Note that IRAs have a small limit when compared to…

  • The DQYDJ Weekender (Week of 1/16/12)

    PK
    21 Jan 2012 | 11:19 am
    Can you ever forgive us for blacking out the site Wednesday?  You can?  Okay… then hopefully you’ll forgive a bit more ranting on the issue in this edition of the Weekender (most of it way below the fold.) Thousand of Ineffective Words? When does politics invite introspection?  When a site takes an overt political stand on an issue unprecedented in the history of that site.  If it’s true for a whale like Wikipedia, it’s true for a site like DQYDJ – except I can shut the site down without buy-in from Cameron and Bryan (Jimmy Wales, are you jealous?  For the…

  • S&P Ratings Cuts in Europe

    PK
    19 Jan 2012 | 4:36 am
    Well, S&P has finally done it – it cut the credit rating of nine European countries in response to the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. Two of those countries, France and Austria, formerly held AAA ratings, the highest grade which S&P assigns to sovereign debt (read: the lowest default risk). You know that DQYDJ thinks rating the debt of countries is silly because risk (default and debasement/inflation) is already priced in, but let’s humor S&P and take a look at how the world’s debt ratings now stack up. You can also see a similar map from the US debt ratings…
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    Money Saving Tips: All - billeater.com

  • Why Harley Davidson Should Sell Car Insurance

    Guest Blogger
    26 Jan 2012 | 2:16 pm
    For many baby boomers and those on the fringes of generation X, the introduction to a Harley Davidson motorcycle came either from watching Evel Knievel nearly kill himself trying to jump over the fountain in front of Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, or from images of a Hell’s Angel motoring down the street. But if you were able to admire these images from distance, then they created quite the romantic image of the Harley Davidson motorcycle.  Read the rest...

  • 6 Tips for Saving Tons on Daily Living

    Guest Blogger
    25 Jan 2012 | 9:59 am
    In today's struggling and debilitating economy, most people are having a difficult time keeping up with their daily expenses and their overall finances. With price hikes, staggering unemployment rates and increasing reports of bankruptcy at the left and right, it hasn't been an easy economic era to live in. Fortunately, there are ways for low and middle-class families to survive these harsh times. Read the rest...

  • 15 Ways to Reduce Hotel Expenses When Traveling

    Guest Blogger
    20 Jan 2012 | 12:03 pm
    The more affordable you make your vacation, the more fun you can have and the more things you can see and do. How do you make your travel more affordable? By bringing down the costs on the major expense heads, such as travel, hotels and food. Here are 15 ways you can cut costs on your hotel expenses.Read the rest...

  • At Home or Overseas, Stores Suffering through the Recession

    Guest Blogger
    19 Jan 2012 | 9:00 am
    The last 12 months have been a difficult time for all businesses, but Britain's high street (high end to those of us on this side of the pond) stores have had it worse than most. During 2011, job losses, pay cuts, and rising household expenses hit even the best-off families, and meant that the amount of disposable income flowing towards high street stores fell dramatically.Read the rest...

  • How to Protect Yourself When Shopping Online

    Guest Blogger
    18 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    You're the most avid online shopper you know. You buy everything from shoes to clothes to accessories to home furnishings and electronics. But do you know who you're sending all of your financial information to when you make those purchases? Better watch your back, because hackers are out there tracking down people like you who don't know how to protect themselves when buying online.Read the rest...
 
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    Manisha Thakor

  • The Behavior Gap

    Manisha Thakor
    5 Jan 2012 | 9:21 pm
    Last week my hubby and I had dinner with our dear friends Harry and Olivia. Towards the end of the meal Harry asked a very interesting question. “When you pick up a menu, what side do you look at first – the right or the left?” Harry and I immediately said “the right” while my hubby and Olivia both said “the left.” What’s on the right side of a menu? The prices! What’s on the left? The food! Harry’s question beautifully highlights a trend academics have long noticed – namely that we are often attracted to our financial…

  • Give A Gift That Keeps on Giving

    Manisha Thakor
    20 Dec 2011 | 10:55 pm
    Are you feeling last minute holiday shopping stress?  If so, you are not alone.  This blog post can help. The other day my sweet hubby emailed me two links. The first (“Shoppers Forgo Basics For Presents“) was a gut-wrenching read. It was a powerful reminder of how easy it is during the holiday season to go off base with our spending. The second (“All I Want For Christmas Is You“) was an uplifting song from Mariah Carey. It flipped my mood 180 degrees by reminding me that what most of us really want from the holidays is just to be happy and around the people we love.

  • Spend Your Remaining FSA Dollars… In Under an Hour!

    Manisha Thakor
    14 Dec 2011 | 9:53 pm
    Would you like to experience less (financial) stress and more (money) joy this holiday season? If you’re a flexible spending account (FSA) user, there’s an easy way for you to get both: take a look at your current FSA account balance and spend down any remaining funds. Yes, you heard that correctly. I’m encouraging you to SPEND! The reason is that if you don’t spend all of the money in your FSA by the end of your plan year, that money will be forfeited as a result of the “use it or lose it” rule. Here’s a simple 6-point plan you can follow to spend…

  • The Quiet Wisdom Of Saving

    Manisha Thakor
    8 Dec 2011 | 1:44 pm
    photo by Juliancolton2 “Where is the Life we have lost in living? Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?” -T.S. Eliot Reading these beautiful words from T.S. Eliot, I am struck by how well they describe our current relationship with money. With so many personal finance books, magazines, shows and blogs presenting information, we women should feel confident in the knowledge that our finances are in order, right? After a 15-year career in the institutional financial services world, I’ve spent the past few years traveling the…

  • Top 5 Health Expenses You Didn’t Know Could Be Tax Free

    Manisha Thakor
    1 Dec 2011 | 10:35 pm
    Can focusing on your health help you to pay less in taxes?  If your employer offers a healthcare flexible spending account (“FSA”) and you elect to participate, the answer is yes! Toward the end of the year I am frequently asked about ways to lower minimize the burden of taxes. That’s a logical query. After all, it’s not what you earn that puts food on your table, but what you get to keep after Uncle Sam takes his cut. When it comes to tax breaks most people think of the mortgage interest deduction and charitable contributions. Those are certainly common and valuable…
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    Sound Money Matters

  • Stupid Homeowner Tricks: When a Cheap DIY Project Requires a Pro

    Aryn
    24 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Last week, we developed a leak near the main water line. The water pressure regulator was just replaced two years ago, so we knew it wasn’t that. After testing the water pressure with an $11 water gauge, we determined the leak was probably from a worn out Pressure Relief Valve. I went to Home Depot and bought the $10 replacement part. Then I returned home and discovered that we couldn’t fix it ourselves because the previous homeowners were idiots. Stupid Homeowner Tricks There are actually several questionable remodeling choices that have been made to our home over the years, but…

  • An Update on Daily Deal Sites

    Aryn
    23 Nov 2011 | 5:00 am
    I first posted about Groupon in July, 2010. At that point I had purchased one offer. Fast forward a year and a half, and I’m up to a whopping seven deals split between two sites. I’m not exactly a Groupon addict, that’s for sure! So, first my deals, then my tips on avoiding wasting money on them. These are the deals I’ve bought: Wine Insiders – I saved over 50% on twelve decent bottles of wine. That was my first steal, but it required some finagling. Amazon – $20 for $10. I order from Amazon a lot, so of course I took this deal. Frankly, I don’t know…

  • That Makes Me Stabby: Pizza Is Not a Vegetable

    Aryn
    17 Nov 2011 | 12:00 pm
    This has nothing to do with personal finance, but I was so mad when I heard this report Tuesday, that I had to say something. Congress is pushing a bill that would continue to allow school lunch programs to count the two tablespoons of tomato paste on a slice of school pizza as a vegetable. Under the recommendations set to go into effect, pizza must be accompanied by an actual vegetable in order to be served. What is wrong with Congress? This is just ridiculous. Pizza is NOT a vegetable. It may have veggies on it, and yes, the sauce is composed of tomatoes, but two tablespoons is not a…

  • That Really Makes Me Stabby: Black Fridays Starts on Thanksgiving

    Aryn
    11 Nov 2011 | 5:00 am
    We might as well dispense with Thanksgiving altogether and just enjoy an extra day of shopping. It’s certainly not going to be a happy holiday for those poor souls who work at Wal-Mart or other popular Black Friday destinations. After several stores announced that their Black Fridays specials would start at midnight (which is ridiculous, but still technically Friday), Wal-Mart is upping the ante. They will now open their stores at 10 PM on Thanksgiving! So, stuff your faces, then run to your car to get in line for some cheap stuff. $5 Barbie dolls are worth giving up a holiday for,…

  • Alternatives to Debit Card Fees

    Aryn
    6 Oct 2011 | 6:00 am
    Yesterday, the CEO of Bank of America argued that the bank has a “right to make a profit.” They do, in fact, have that right. But that doesn’t mean you have a responsibility to help them with that. If you regularly use your debit card and don’t want to pay the new $5 fee each month you use the card, you have a few options for avoiding the fee: Switch to Cash Many people have stopped carrying cash, but cash is still accepted in most places. I won’t say all, because I’ve been in doctor’s offices that couldn’t make change and airlines don’t take cash for in-flight purchases.
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    The Quizzle Wire

  • Leave It to the Pros: Q&A with Financial Expert Lynnette Khalfani-Cox

    Kate Parham
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Welcome back to the Leave it to the Pros series, where we ask the country's top financial experts important questions about your personal finances. We’re up to round six, sitting down today with Lynnette Khalfani-Cox. Co-founder of the free financial advice blog, AskTheMoneyCoach.com, Lynnette also heads up MyMoneyCircles.com, a free personal finance boot camp that launches this month.

  • 5 Ways to Deal with a Lowball Offer on Your Home

    Kristie Lorette
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    When your house is for sale, almost nothing is more disheartening than when you get a lowball offer. It might take the wind out of your sails or it might simply leave you breathless. Before you let your anger get the best of you and decline the offer, consider some other ways to deal with it. You might just be able to turn a lowball offer into a sale.

  • Save Money on Your Move

    Juliana Weiss-Roessler
    25 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Depending on how far you are going, a move can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Even if it’s just across town, it’s no small matter. The sooner you start planning, the better off you’ll be when it comes to keeping things under budget and also getting things organized for when you get to the other side. Here are a few cost-saving tips to get you started.

  • Fun Facts from The Money Chart

    Benjamin Gran
    24 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    One of my favorite blogs is kottke.org – a daily posting of fun facts, videos, photos and essays from around the web. Kottke recently posted a chart from a website called XKCD called “A chart of almost all the money” showing a huge visual representation of big picture things about money like how much a billion dollars can buy, total government spending, who are the wealthiest people in the world, etc. This chart goes into amazing detail and it has a lot to teach us about the larger world of money. Here are some of the fun facts I found from “The Money Chart.”

  • 5 Situations When You Should Use Your Credit Card

    Kristie Lorette
    20 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    The scuttlebutt is to avoid using your credit card at all costs. Using a credit card to make purchases just racks up the balance and interest you have to pay off later. While there are many occasions when using a credit card is a bad idea (like when you are unable to pay off your balance in full by its due date), there are five situations where using credit is better than using cash or a debit card.
 
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    How to Get Out of Debt With the Get Out of Debt Guy

  • How to pay off two colleges so I can get my transripts

    Consumer
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:29 pm
    From How to Get Out of Debt My son went to two Colleges and there holding his transripts because of Summer School at one College and didn’t pass 2 classes as well falsely drop from one class.I have been doing my best to pay them,but still not enough money.Trying to get him in another year of College in August 2012. VeronicaOther Related [...] Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org, click... [To view the rest of this article go to GetOutOfDebt.org]

  • Did You Get Paid Unemployment Benefits in 2011? Prepare to Pay the Taxes.

    Steve Rhode
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:25 pm
    From How to Get Out of Debt People are often under the impression that unemployment benefits are not taxable. On face value you’d think that public benefits for unemployment that help you to try to get by would not be taxed. But you’d be wrong. If you were paid unemployment benefits in 2011 and did not opt to have taxes withheld from [...] Read the full article at GetOutOfDebt.org,... [To view the rest of this article go to GetOutOfDebt.org]

  • Arkansas DEA Extortion Scam Alert!

    Amanda Miller
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:08 pm
    From How to Get Out of Debt The Eastern District of Arkansas put out a scam alert this week to inform residents that impersonators are contacting citizens in the Little Rock district posing as DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) agents and extorting them. Anyone that receives a telephone call from a person claiming that they are a DEA special agent or other law [...] Read the full article at... [To view the rest of this article go to GetOutOfDebt.org]

  • Return-A-Pet Scam Preys On Victims Of Lost Pets

    Amanda Miller
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:58 am
    From How to Get Out of Debt It’s annual pet scammer week! That’s a lie. But it sure feels like it. Eric Stein was charged with running an investment scam through Return-A-Pet LLC. Return-A-Pet was a New York company that allegedly facilitated the return of lost pets to their owners. Stein was out on supervised release for a previous investment fraud scheme [...] Read the full article... [To view the rest of this article go to GetOutOfDebt.org]

  • Nationwide Financial Consulting – Consumer Complaint – 1-27-2012 #2

    Steve Rhode
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:57 am
    From How to Get Out of Debt Date You Feel You Were Scammed: January 27, 2012 State You Live in: Florida Race/Ethnicity: Age Range: 51-65 Total Amount of Fee Paid: Company Name: Nationwide Financial Consulting Company Address: Company Telephone Number: 714-377-9777 Website of Company: Consumer Statement: I happen to receive a telephone call form Nationwide Financial Consulting, a person named... [To view the rest of this article go to GetOutOfDebt.org]
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    Broke as a Spoke

  • Growing Up Poor

    Corrin
    23 Jan 2012 | 11:54 am
    I didn’t grow up poor. At least, not to my knowledge. But I think most anyone who has ever been a college student, had an underpaying job, or just stumbled upon shitty times can relate to The Five Stupidest Habits You Develop Growing Up Poor. It doesn’t take long to acquire these habits, but it can take a lifetime to break them. You Develop a Taste for Shitty Food – Who doesn’t crave Ramen Noodles from time to time? Something from the $0.99 menu, perhaps? Extra Money Has To Be Spent Right Goddamn Now! – Extra cash burns a hole in my pocket. If the bills are paid,…

  • Trop50 True Resolutions (and an update on my resolutions)

    Corrin
    22 Jan 2012 | 2:55 pm
    Can you believe it’s almost February? I have no idea where the month went but I’ve been trying to stay conscious of my new year’s resolutions and I think I’ve made some good progress, how about you? I blogged in detail about my 2012 financial goals, but here’s a quick update: 2012 Financial Goals Pay iMac in full. Double emergency fund, bringing total to $6,000. Reduce credit card debt by 25%. Progress Paid $500 towards iMac Added $500 to emergency fund I haven’t blogged about my personal goals because I feel like they are a little loftier and…

  • Daily Dollars – January 15 – 21

    Corrin
    21 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    Good morning! Did you have a good week? Where did you spend your money? $56 grocery $5 Summermoon $100 deposit on website redesign I’m super excited to be giving my personal blog a facelift and then I’ll be making some changes over here! What would you like to see?   Daily Dollars – January 15 – 21 Share and Enjoy:

  • GlassesUSA New Year Sale

    Corrin
    15 Jan 2012 | 1:46 pm
    I didn’t start wearing glasses until high school. I didn’t start wearing glasses every day until college. Both awkward times to make the transition to wearing glasses, but I embraced them as a fashion accessory (with the bonus of actually being able to see clearly) and quickly acquired a collection of bold and colorful frames. Now I have a hard time visualizing myself with out glasses and on the rare occasion that I pop in my contacts, my friends and coworkers hardly recognize me. I know you’re thinking that my little eyeglasses habit must cost a small fortune, but it…

  • Daily Dollars – January 8 thru 14

    Corrin
    14 Jan 2012 | 3:24 pm
    Yeah! We made it through another week and I, for one, couldn’t be happier. Has 2012 been exhausting for everyone? $29 gas $49 Target $39 DSW $82 Costco I’m on a crazy paleo diet and Costco has been a dream when it comes to fresh fruits, veggies, meat, and seafood. I’m able to more easily portion and freeze meals and I’m saving 30% on average compared to the grocery store. If I ever get my act together, I’ll be visiting the local farmers market for my fruits and veggies, but until then viva la Costco! Where did you spend your money this week? Daily Dollars –…
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    Creditshout

  • CreditShout’s Contest For Bloggers: Win a $500 Amazon.com Gift Card

    Kevin
    11 Jan 2012 | 10:01 am
    We’ve had quite a few contests for our readers recently and it’s been a lot of fun. So I want to do something similar for our fellow personal finance bloggers (you can have any type of blog to enter). To kick things off, we have decided to give away a $500 Amazon.com Gift Card to one lucky blogger. We want to make this easy, here are the rules:Entering The Contest is Simple1. Write a post on your blog about achieving financial goals in 2012. We are leaving this pretty broad so that you can be creative!2. Mention CreditShout in the post.3. Email us a link to your post…

  • How To Get The Most Cash For Your Unused Gift Cards: We Compare 7 Popular Gift Card Sites

    Clay Wyatt
    5 Jan 2012 | 3:35 pm
    We’ve all gotten gifts that we don’t like. They are well intentioned, but we just have no use for them. We end up re-gifting them, selling them online or just throwing them away.With gift cards being popular these days, you may wonder what to do with that gift card to a store that you’ll never visit. You may be a vegetarian who received a gift card to a steak house or maybe you received a gas card, even though you don’t own a vehicle. Whatever the case may be, you’ll probably want to get rid of that card and get something back for it.You may or may not be aware, but there are plenty…

  • My Student Loan Was Bought by Discover – Now What?

    Kaitlin T
    5 Jan 2012 | 2:18 pm
    Q: I just received a notice explaining that my student loan was bought by Discover. Why did this happen and what should I do?A: In September, Discover bought about $2.5 billion in student loans that were previously owned by Citi. You’ve probably received a notice in the mail or heard about it on the news, and may be wondering about how it will affect you. While a few things may change, the ownership of your student loan shouldn’t affect you too much—either way you’re still required by law to pay. Your interest rate may change some, but if it was going to, it probably already has.One…

  • Earn The Most Miles With United and Continental: In-Depth Credit Card Comparison

    Clay Wyatt
    4 Jan 2012 | 2:32 pm
    If you are a fan of United Airlines (which recently merged with Continental), United miles are an excellent tool to save money on future flights. Each mile is worth one cent toward a future flight, so the more the better.There are a few credit cards that offer a large upfront bonus of United miles. Let’s take a look at some cards that you can use to build up United / Continental miles quickly.United MileagePlus Explorer Card Secure Application CREDITSHOUT RATING: Very Good After your first purchase, you’ll receive 25,000 bonus miles with the United MileagePlus Explorer card. If you add an…

  • Will AAdvantage Miles Become Worthless With The American Airlines Bankruptcy?

    Clay Wyatt
    2 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    As you may have heard, American Airlines has filed for bankruptcy. This has caused a lot of uncertainty and anger among AAdvantage cardholders, many of whom have earned tens of thousands of miles only to find out these miles may become worthless. Although there is still much uncertainty, all hope is not yet lost.American Airlines’ Side of the StoryAccording to Forbes, American Airlines sent an email to it’s frequent flyer program members that their miles are safe. They are promising business as usual, so your miles should work normally if you go by what they say.Of course, corporations…
 
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    blogstash.com

  • How to Make Money With Blogger?

    satrap
    26 Jan 2012 | 9:47 pm
    How to make money with blogger? This is a popular question these days amongst people who are wondering about the possibility of making money with blogger blogs and indeed anyone how wants to learn how to make money blogging. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Blogger.com or Blogspot (as it is also known [...] Related posts: How To Become A Better Blogger? 6 Easy Ways To Blog Better. A Quick Way To Make Fast Money With Google! 5 Ways to Make Money Blogging

  • 3 Big Small Home Business Tips!

    satrap
    23 Jan 2012 | 6:20 pm
    Looking for some small home business tips that can help you choose the right home business?… You are in the right place. These days there are hunderds of small business ideas and opportunities out there. No matter what your skills sets are or what your budget level is, you can find a small business opportunity [...] Related posts: Home Based Business Ideas- Start an Online Used Book Store for Less than $100 101 Small Business Ideas Getting Paid What You Are Worth With Home Jobs

  • Home Based Business Ideas- Start an Online Used Book Store for Less than $100

    satrap
    11 Jan 2012 | 9:05 pm
    Looking for small business ideas? How about an online used book store?… Used book stores are popping everywhere these days. Wherever you look, offline or online, there are new used book stores being born every day. It must be a profitable business since so many stores are being born left and right. How would you [...] Related posts: How To Create an E-book? (6 Steps For Making An E-book 100% Free) 3 Big Small Home Business Tips! 101 Small Business Ideas

  • Making Money Through Building Diverse Link Profile Networks (Part 3)

    satrap
    25 Dec 2011 | 10:27 pm
    Welcome to part three of our series of learning how to make money through manual contextual link building. This article will talk about advanced way to do you link prospecting. It is only relevant if you have read parts 1 and 2, and if you have found a few clients to start paying you to [...] Related posts: Making Money Through Building Diverse Link Profile Networks (Part 2) Making Money Through Building Diverse Link Profile Networks (Part 1) Three Steps to Building a List & Making Money Online

  • Making Money Through Building Diverse Link Profile Networks (Part 2)

    satrap
    24 Dec 2011 | 10:17 pm
    Welcome to part two of the three part series of learning how to make money through building diverse link building profiles – if you missed part one click here. Part two will be all about Clients, and how you can find them and how to want to integrate with them. The guest posting/link building niche [...] Related posts: Making Money Through Building Diverse Link Profile Networks (Part 3) Making Money Through Building Diverse Link Profile Networks (Part 1) Three Steps to Building a List & Making Money Online
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    Baddest Credit Fixed

  • Credit Repair Magic

    28 Jan 2012 | 5:32 am
    Make your Credit Problems Disappear with Credit Repair Magic Millions of people around the country have horrible credit reports. These hinder them from being able to make loans or use their credit cards properly. There are

  • Debt-Free

    28 Jan 2012 | 5:32 am
    Credit Crunch Slayer – Your Path to Debt-Free Living Do you find yourself in over your head in debt? Have you been seeing the “Past Due” marks on your billing statements each and every time you

  • 37 Days to Clean Credit System

    28 Jan 2012 | 5:32 am
    The 37 Days to Clean Credit System Millions of people around the world suffer from Learn how to repair your credit and improve your credit points in just 37 days. This step-by-step system, created by a

  • 37 Days to Clean Credit System

    28 Jan 2012 | 5:32 am
    The 37 Days to Clean Credit System Millions of people around the world suffer from Learn how to repair your credit and improve your credit points in just 37 days. This step-by-step system, created by a

  • Debt-Free

    28 Jan 2012 | 5:32 am
    Credit Crunch Slayer – Your Path to Debt-Free Living Do you find yourself in over your head in debt? Have you been seeing the “Past Due” marks on your billing statements each and every time you
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    Getdebthelp.org - by American Debt Counseling, Inc

  • Key Points to Reading a Credit Report

    American Debt Counseling
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:14 pm
    Key Points to Reading a Credit Report Reading and understanding a credit report can be a difficult mission for many people.  There are often things included that we simply don’t understand.  We have learned what contributes to our credit and how to improve our score, but people sit staring blankly at their credit report trying to make sense of the words and numbers.  If this is the situation that you have been in, please read below to get a better grasp on the red lights you should be looking for on your credit history. Identifying Factors: This part of your credit report will have…

  • Rebuilding Credit!

    American Debt Counseling
    20 Jan 2012 | 12:02 pm
    As most of the nation, Americans have felt the downturn in the economy recently.  Its effects nationally are unspeakable.  Unemployment rates, foreclosures are just among a few of them.  Credit scores have been sacrificed for numerous people due to financial issues.  People who used to be on sound financial footing are now slipping uncontrollably.  Credit scores that used to be high are now mediocre to bad.  Citizens who at one time were a good credit risk suddenly realize that their scores indicate that they are a bad risk.  It is a frustrating scenario, especially for Americans who…

  • Start the New Year off Credit Savvy!

    American Debt Counseling
    7 Jan 2012 | 12:32 am
    Start the New Year off Credit Savvy! One of your top resolutions this year should be to stay on top of your credit score.  We are all aware that our credit scores are important in securing our chances of getting approved for loans, insurance and employment.  However, too many people don’t check their credit report for months or even years.  You are entitled to one free credit report each year from all 3 bureaus, so start 2012 by accessing your credit history by going to www.annualcreditreport.com.  Those people that do pull their reports often have no idea how the credit bureau comes up…

  • Wrapping up the Financial Year

    American Debt Counseling
    17 Dec 2011 | 3:10 pm
    Wrapping up the Financial Year As we head into a new year it is a great time to look back over the year financially.  Analyze what decisions you made in 2011 that you regretted or were pleased with.  Don’t get discouraged over past financial mistakes.  The great thing about going into a new year is you can learn from the past.  2012 gives you the opportunity to keep your good habits and drop the bad ones. Last month we talked about saving money during the holidays, however most of us need to save money all year around on everyday expenses.  Let’s review some slight changes in our…

  • Online Banking

    American Debt Counseling
    10 Dec 2011 | 9:26 am
    Online Banking Last month we reported that banks were going to start charging a monthly fee for making purchases with a debit card.  However, as the announcement hit the mainstream media many banks announced they would no longer do this.  Then on November 1st Bank of America, the largest bank by deposits, stated that due to their customers concerns and outrage they would not charge the fee either.  As we covered last month this fee was going to be charged due to the Durbin Amendment which limits the amount of money a bank can charge a merchant for debit card fees. Banks are estimated to…
 
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    About.com Financial Software

  • Microsoft Money Accounts and Registers

    27 Jan 2012 | 9:04 am
    As I mentioned earlier this month, a lot of my readers are still using Microsoft Money, even though it's not fully functional. If you are looking for basic money management software for Windows, then Microsoft Money Sunset Deluxe is definitely an option - and it's free.  If you're just setting up Microsoft Money, you need to check out my collection of short tutorials which I've gathered together in Working with Accounts and Registers in Microsoft Money....Read Full Post

  • TurboTax 2011 Review

    25 Jan 2012 | 8:48 am
    I've been hard at work on my annual tax software reviews, and finished my seventh annual TurboTax review last night.  In my opinion, TurboTax is still the easiest tax software to use (although TaxACT and H&R Block At Home are very user friendly as well)  with easy to understand explanations embedded in all topics in the tax interview.  My favorite thing about TurboTax for tax year 2011 is the free federal and state tax advice from tax experts available to all TurboTax users, even if you use the Free Edition....Read Full Post

  • Free Tax Software: What Do You Think?

    24 Jan 2012 | 4:19 am
    Have you tried free tax software through the IRS Free File program or directly from an online tax software provider?  I would like to hear some opinions about how free tax software worked out for you....Read Full Post

  • H&R Block At Home Tax Software Review

    18 Jan 2012 | 10:04 am
    This year, H&R Block At Home adds an iPad app that works with just about any tax return to its tax software offerings for Windows, Mac or online. Cool tax apps for iPhone and Android are also available if you file a 1040 EZ. You can log into H&R Block At Home Online using your secure Facebook credentials this year, which is just easier for a lot of people, and I think the Best of Both package rocks for value....Read Full Post

  • First Look at TaxACT Tax Software

    12 Jan 2012 | 8:04 am
    Let the tax software reviews begin!  I'm starting with my TaxACT review this year, which has a free version that can be used even for complicated personal income tax returns. Is it just me, or don't all returns seem complicated? Anyway, even the paid versions of TaxACT are very reasonably priced, the TaxACT Answer Center has improved, there's help for students who need to get tax information together when applying for financial aid and lots of other goodies to make preparing your taxes easier without lightening up your wallet too much....Read Full Post
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    Credit Card Chaser

  • What kinds of rewards program credit cards are available?

    Michelle
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:41 pm
    When it comes to choosing the best rewards credit card, there are different types of reward programs that will fit your lifestyle. Whenever you apply for credit cards, you should check out the types of reward program that your credit card company can offer. Many credit cards offer reward programs at reasonable rates. Use the FREE credit card chaser on this page to find the best rewards credit cards online now! Some of the most popular credit card rewards programs that are available to credit card users are: Airline mile rewards Automobile rewards Cash-back rewards Hotel and travel rewards…

  • Will a credit card dispute cost me money?

    Michelle
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:24 pm
    You know that there is no guarantee that you will win a credit card dispute and not pay anything, but understanding the entire process will definitely help you with the odds. If you do find a billing dispute in your credit card statements, you should immediately contact your credit card company. Use the FREE credit card finder above to find credit cards from reputable credit card companies! It is very important that you know all about your credit card rights, especially when you are involved in resolving the dispute with the credit card company. Don’t rely on any misinformation from…

  • Do I need to cancel lost or stolen credit cards?

    Michelle
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:17 am
    It is imperative that you report your lost or stolen credit card to your credit card company as soon as possible. You will be able to find the issuer’s customer service number printed on your monthly credit card statement. Find great credit cards from the best companies with the FREE credit card finder now! Many credit card issuers provide online access to your account. Therefore, you can use this service to also report your missing or stolen credit cards. However, it is still advisable that you should follow-up with a written letter after reporting your card missing or stolen through…

  • What companies issue credit cards?

    Michelle
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:55 pm
    With the rising popularity of credit cards, there are many companies that issue these cards for the ease and convenience of their customers. Several important players dominate the market, which includes credit card companies, credit unions, and banks. You should choose the best credit card company that fit your needs and will provide a consistent satisfactory level of customer service. Use the FREE credit card chaser to chase down the best credit card deal from one of the best companies! Credit card companies offer all types of credit cards that come with a range of different interest…

  • What does my business need in order to start processing credit cards?

    Michelle
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:26 pm
    A merchant account for credit cards will allow you to receive credit card payments from your clients. If you have decided to accept payments by credit card, it is important that you have a merchant account. A trustworthy credit card processing service is essential for every business as it can help increase your sales. In order to start processing credit card transactions, you will need to decide what equipment is best for you. Check out credit cards and processing options with the FREE credit card chaser tool on the page! You will be able to receive all sorts of payments from anywhere with an…
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    Mogo Lounge | Mogo Blog

  • CONTEST: See DRAKE live in L.A.!

    Jamie
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:15 pm
    Are you a Drizzy fan? Or… maybe just a Degrassi fan? Either way, Mogo has teamed up with Dose.ca to send one lucky winner on a VIP trip to Los Angeles, California, to see Drake live in concert! Earlier this month we listed Drake as one of this year’s hottest acts – so now’s your chance to get in on the action (and get a free trip to the home of the stars)! So what’s included in a VIP trip? Well, we’ll take care of… Round-trip flights for two to Los Angeles, California 2-nights’ accommodation Premium tix to Drake’s Club Paradise Tour…

  • CONTEST: Let us send Cookies from Cupid to your sweetheart!

    Jamie
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:07 pm
    As resident blogger, Alan, mentioned in his post earlier today – Valentine’s day is just around the corner. So… Mogo wants to help you look like a total hero! The winner of our Cookies from Cupid contest will choose the lucky person they want to receive a basket of 3 dozen assorted cookies (including a heart-shaped one) from cookiegrams.com. And, if you choose yourself, we won’t judge you – we’d do the same. Click here to enter Cookies from Cupid on Facebook What’s the best knock-it-out-of-the-park V-day gift you’ve ever given?

  • Warning: Valentine’s Day is only days away

    Alan
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:39 pm
    Ok, lovers. Don’t let it sneak up on you, but Valentine’s Day is less than three weeks away; 18 days, to be exact. As a helpful blogger, I wanted to point this out to you, so you can get in front the planning and make sure that special someone feels, well, special. W Whether you’re a roses, candles, champagne and helicopters type couple (and really, aren’t most of us?), or a simple dinner and a note, it’s the thought that counts on February 14th. Do yourself a favour today and make the plan, reservation — or even plan to do NOTHING. That way, it will feel…

  • Get connected – a new guide for social media

    Nikki
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    How social media platforms can help streamline your business and personal experience online. Want more social media fun and exclusive prizes? Visit Mogo’s Facebook and Twitter pages for year-round fun and excitement. Social media is a boon to the tech-savvy professional. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have revolutionized the way we do business and the way we speak to our clients. Simple to understand and easy to use, nurturing your social media accounts will help you to get your message out, to reach many more readers than traditional advertising and improve your…

  • How to find an apartment in Canada’s toughest rental markets

    Alan
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    If you’re in any of the country’s competitive rental markets (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Fort McMurray, many others), you know the pain of finding a great place. The most recent apartment I landed was only advertised for 25 minutes before it was rented to me – and my wife and I were the 8th (!!) people to see it. It’s a dog-eat-dog-rent-to-dog world out there, so check out this article for some tips that should give you an extra edge when finding the right place for you (not just any place). The awesomely named Alan Henry lays out 7 quality steps that should keep you happy in your…
 
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    Ready To Be Rich

  • Ask Community #1: On Jobs, Extra Cash, MLM and Couples

    Fitz
    28 Jan 2012 | 1:43 am
    It’s been a few months now since I started, and a few weeks since I officially launched ASK – our community’s question and answer portal. For today, I’m starting a new feature series here that will highlight select questions that was asked and answered by the community. Much like the Reader Mail series, I hope [...]Note:This preview is to inform you that there's a new post over at Ready To Be Rich. Thank you for subscribing to my blog. You may now read the full article here:Ask Community #1: On Jobs, Extra Cash, MLM and CouplesAdvertisement:Reach out to the almost…

  • Control Your Cellphone Expenses Through Globe’s Load Tipid Combo

    Fitz
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:02 am
    A lot of my friends are on mobile prepaid plans and their primary reason is because it allows them to properly budget their cellphone expenses. While I think that’s a generally good idea, I can’t help but notice how some of them don’t really get to save much. Why? Well because first, when they run [...]Note:This preview is to inform you that there's a new post over at Ready To Be Rich. Thank you for subscribing to my blog. You may now read the full article here:Control Your Cellphone Expenses Through Globe’s Load Tipid ComboAdvertisement:Reach out to the almost 5,000…

  • Your Guide To Creating Your Dream Job

    Fitz
    23 Jan 2012 | 4:59 am
    What’s your dream job? I know someone who dreams of becoming a National Geographic photographer, and another one who wants to be a chef in his own restaurant. Then, there are some who dreams of becoming a famous actor, and those who seek fame as a world-renowned singer. So again, what’s your dream job… and [...]Note:This preview is to inform you that there's a new post over at Ready To Be Rich. Thank you for subscribing to my blog. You may now read the full article here:Your Guide To Creating Your Dream JobAdvertisement:Reach out to the almost 5,000 subscribers of this blog.

  • My List of Things to Accomplish For 2012

    Fitz
    17 Jan 2012 | 10:39 pm
    “What’s your super wish for 2012?” asks a friend during one of our usual coffee hangouts. “SUPERWISH?” I replied back. “Yeah, the things you want to have or accomplish this year,” he clarified. That conversation went on for almost an hour – first starting with his use of the term “super wish”, which I found [...]Note:This preview is to inform you that there's a new post over at Ready To Be Rich. Thank you for subscribing to my blog. You may now read the full article here:My List of Things to Accomplish For 2012Advertisement:Reach out…

  • Getting Your Finances In Shape For 2012

    Fitz
    14 Jan 2012 | 10:47 am
    We’re halfway through the first month of 2012. So how’s your budget coming? Have you paid yourself after receiving your first salary for the year? Were you able to track your expenses from the past two weeks? I hope your resolve to make your finances better this year is going nice and smooth for you. [...]Note:This preview is to inform you that there's a new post over at Ready To Be Rich. Thank you for subscribing to my blog. You may now read the full article here:Getting Your Finances In Shape For 2012Advertisement:Reach out to the almost 5,000 subscribers of this blog. Learn…
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    Cash Flow Planning for Life

  • 4: What You Need to Know About Mortgage Interest

    Mark
    18 Jan 2012 | 5:30 pm
    This is the second installment of Tax Deductions & You: What You Need to Know which can also be downloaded from our free eBook library. Although most people understand that mortgage interest is deductible, many people may not be aware that there are certain situations in which it actually creates a greater savings not to claim a deduction as mortgage interest. Under Treasury Regulation 1.163-10T(o) a taxpayer may elect to treat mortgage debt as not secured by a qualified residence. Once this election is made, it is effective for all subsequent years and can only be revoked with IRS…

  • The New IRS Form 1099-K

    Mark
    28 Dec 2011 | 7:00 pm
    Starting in 2011, credit and debit card companies will begin reporting payments made to merchants on a new IRS form 1099-K to payees with over 200 sales transactions and over $20,000 in annual sales.  This amount will be reported on a separate line on a taxpayer’s applicable tax return, this will leave cash and check sales reported net of credit card sales on a separate line. This change is an attempt to reduce underreporting of gross receipts by sellers of goods and services.  If a taxpayer takes cash sales out of the drawer to purchase merchandise and does not record the purchase and…

  • Time To Celebrate! Makara & Associates Turns 5 Years Old This Month!

    Mark
    20 Dec 2011 | 4:30 pm
    I would like to take this opportunity to say “Thank You” to our clients and our web followers of Makara & Associates. This month marks our company’s 5th Year Anniversary. We could not have achieved this continued success without the support of our clients and people like you. Due to this continued growth, I am happy to announce that we have welcomed two new staff members to our team at Makara & Associates. We would like to introduce you to Stan English and Theresa Cosey. Please feel free to contact them at any time with questions regarding your tax returns or other accounting…

  • 3: What Do You Need to Know About Student Loan Interest?

    Mark
    30 Nov 2011 | 5:30 pm
    This is the third installment of Tax Deductions & You: What You Need to Know which can also be downloaded from our free eBook library. A student loan is designed to help students pay for university or college. It is a calculated amount that should assist with the cost of tuition, books, and living expenses. This loan may differ from other types of loans in that the interest rate may be substantially lower. In addition, the repayment schedule may be deferred while the student is still in education. Student loan interest is another form of interest that is deductible, but with limitations.

  • 2: What You Should Know About Home Equity Loan Interest

    Mark
    9 Nov 2011 | 4:50 pm
    This is the second installment of Tax Deductions & You: What You Need to Know which can also be downloaded from our free eBook library. Any loans that fall under the nondeductible category need to be reviewed along with your cash or equity availability. If possible, they also need to be re-characterized to a deductible form of interest. An example of this would be having availability on a home equity loan (balance after transfer must be below $100,000) and paying off an auto loan or credit card. This will increase cash flow two fold: The interest rate charged on a home equity loan will,…
 
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    JoeTaxpayer

  • A Wealth Tax? Really?

    JOE
    24 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    An article recently appeared in the Wall Street Journal titled “The Conservative Case for a Wealth Tax.” The proposal is to have a fair exemption, say, $3M, and any amount above this would be taxed each year at 3%. The author, Ronald McKinnon offers an example showing that a couple with $5M would be taxed $60K. I imagine many will think this is hardly enough, those hedge fund managers who make million each year can afford to pay more than this. Perhaps, but in the spirit of “Unintended Consequences” I’d suggest that this tax will hurt some people unfairly. Take a…

  • A Deeper in Debt Round Up

    JOE
    22 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    This week really flew by, and it’s time for another roundup. Unlike last week’s all-Suze roundup, this week we’re back to a variety of authors. Blogger Luke Landes guest posted at Business Insider, a thoughtful article, Yes, There is Such a Thing as Saving Too Much Money. It’s as much about the journey as the destination. Saving to the point you are not happy is certainly saving too much. New Year resolutions are behind us (you’re keeping up with yours, right?) but Financial Samurai Predictions for 2012 is a great read. 10% on the S&P would be great to see…

  • The Fifteen Percenters

    JOE
    21 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    When asked what his tax rate is, Romney responded “15%.” No surprise, this is the rate for dividends and long term capital gains. This isn’t likely to go away, as those with money make big donations to the campaigns of the congressfolk who make these laws. Thus the old line, “Is that a congressman in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?”

  • Why to Save the Flexible Spending Account

    JOE
    18 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    There are times I get a comment that’s both long enough and insightful enough that I request the author’s permission to put it up as an article. The follow guest post is from Andrew Chunis, the Business Manager at Advanced Benefit Strategies, a third party administrator of employee benefits. Andrew makes a compelling case for improvements to the FSA, not elimination. Thank you, Andrew, here’s your comment-turned-article, unedited. Gonna have to disagree, Joe. Hear me out: First on administration cost: Typically a third party administrator bills the employer a monthly fee per…

  • Resolutions for 2012

    JOE
    17 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    It’s about time, I know. I remember last February, I ran into someone I see every month or so, and he wished me a Happy New Year. I responded in kind, but thought to myself that it was already February, time to move on. Since it’s still mid-January, I’m thinking it’s not too late to share my 2012 goals. Run 1000 miles. Again. In 2011, I came up short, just over 900. This year, I need to be more consistent, once behind, it’s really tough to keep up, and the time off at year end isn’t time to run at all, so I need to end November well ahead of pace. I still…
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    Simplified Saving

  • Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day or Redbook $5 Per Year

    Lisa @ Simplified Saving
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:55 am
    Today Eversave is offering a 1 year subscription to your choice of Woman’s Day, Redbook, or Good Housekeeping for only $5. Eversave is one of my favorite deal sites and features 50% – 90%  off on restaurants, spas, local activities and online deals.  It’s free to join and first time buyers get a FREE $2 credit to use towards their first purchase. Share This

  • High Value Printable Dog Food Coupons

    Lisa @ Simplified Saving
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:48 am
    Treat Fido to some fancy dinners with these printable dog food coupons! Share This

  • Tickled Pink NOLA Sale: Personalied Bedding & More

    Lisa @ Simplified Saving
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:43 am
    I have to be honest with you all. I nearly swooned when I saw all the cute personalized bedding at Tickled Pink NOLA. This stuff is seriously so cute. They also have personalized shower curtains and cutting boards. Be still my beating heart! They have personalized stuff for boys too, but since we have girls, I tend to gravitate toward all the fun girly stuff. Click here to check it out! Share This

  • Great Popchips Sale

    Lisa @ Simplified Saving
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:05 am
    Today’s Amazon Deal of the Day is 35% off on select Popchips. Plus you can save an additional 15% when you choose the Subscribe & save option. This will make for some super deals! Here’s the prices if you choose Subscribe & Save. Popchips 6-Flavor Variety Pack, 0.8-Ounce Single Serve Bags (Pack of 24) $11.33 Popchips Barbeque Potato Chips, 0.8-Ounce Single Serve Bags (Pack of 24) $11.33 Popchips Original Potato Chips, 0.8-Ounce Single Serve Bags (Pack of 24) $11.33 Popchips Barbeque Potato Chips, 3-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12) $14.08 There are other flavors to choose from as…

  • Free Online Craft Classes

    Lisa @ Simplified Saving
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:37 am
    Is 2012 the year you’re going to get your craft on? If so, you’ll want to check out The Craftsy Block of the Month. The Craftsy Block of the Month is a completely free, year-long online craft class. There are 12 installments, each one posted on the first day of every month. The first 10 months/installments teach our students two new exciting blocks (brand new designs or funky spins on traditional blocks). The last two months are dedicated to finishing the quilt. At the end of the class, our students will have full-size and one-of-a-kind quilts. Students can view the classes…
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    Money Is Not Important

  • "Putting in a market order the day a stock opens can be risky. In fact, many retail investors were..."

    27 Jan 2012 | 3:35 pm
    “Putting in a market order the day a stock opens can be risky. In fact, many retail investors were burned during the dotcom era for moving too fast on IPO stocks that never again exceeded their order price. Placing a limit order or stop market order can help alleviate some of the risk, but it won’t guarantee a buyer a piece of the action.” - Can Regular Investors Buy a Piece of Facebook?

  • “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to...

    27 Jan 2012 | 1:53 pm
    “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

  • Photo

    27 Jan 2012 | 12:26 pm

  • This is fantastic.

    27 Jan 2012 | 12:10 pm
    This is fantastic.

  • simplifyyourlife: You may have read about Andrew...

    26 Jan 2012 | 6:49 pm
    simplifyyourlife: You may have read about Andrew Hyde somewhere. He is another extreme minimalist guy who owned just 15 things (as of Jan 2012 he has 39). To hear stories directly from him, visit Andrew’s blog.  His stories will inspire you to go for a lifestyle of less so you can live a richer life. -Danny What is extremely odd is how people think this is a stunt or a short-term publicity stunt. I have less and do more.  Because I have less, people talk about me more.  Because I do more, I talk less about the things I have.
 
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    Move To Portugal

  • Make-Up + Beauty Products

    movetoportugal
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:42 am
    This post takes inspiration from Rachel over at The Minimalist Mom who recently posted about her own minimalist make up (and it ties in nicely with my feel good week) I’ll start by saying that I’ve never really been a make up person, a lick of mascara and a light foundation is about as far as I go. However in the past I’ve not been immune to buying the latest skin care product to hit the shelves, only to throw it away a few months years later.  I’ve learnt my lesson though and these days stick to buying my favourites only. Here are the only products that I use…

  • A feel good week

    movetoportugal
    23 Jan 2012 | 4:12 am
    I don’t have a lot going on this week and M. is away working until late on Thursday night, so to keep myself busy (and focused), I’m going to have a feel good week.  A few days of increased concentration on my health, body and well being.  My diet is going quite well, but other things, like my sleep patterns, are a little by the wayside. I’ve set myself a little health & beauty plan for the week, which includes going to bed at 10.30pm every night. For me this is early, so we shall see how it goes! I’m taking part in Carla’s ‘No (Low) Spend…

  • House Projects – Small Hall (Before)

    movetoportugal
    22 Jan 2012 | 9:26 am
    I’m not feeling any motivation for house projects at the moment, but I really need to get started on the update to our small hall. It’s at the side of our house and embarrassingly grubby. So grubby that I’m horrified when visitors first set eyes on it. It’s the main entrance to our house and so the place where we dump all our shoes and coats….and apparently where I store my vases!  It also houses the electric meter, the fuse box and the door to the under stairs cupboard, all which are damaged in some way. There’s quite a bit of work for such a small…

  • Make Money With Your Credit Cards

    movetoportugal
    21 Jan 2012 | 12:00 am
    The following is a guest post. I’m a firm believer that you can make good money by using a credit card if you use it wisely.  There are many different rewards card that offer great cash back options.  You can also try to make money using a credit card balance transfer What Is A Balance Transfer? A credit card balance transfer is just like it sounds, you move money from one credit card account to another.  Usually one credit card will offer you an incentive to move, and they will provide you with a “balance transfer check”.  You simply use that check to pay off your current card, and…

  • Kitchen Equipment

    movetoportugal
    18 Jan 2012 | 1:37 pm
    Every new year without fail I have a mad idea to clean and de-clutter every single bit of my house. And I mean every bit. I make a very (very) long list and slowly work my way through it. I’ll usually get about half way before throwing in the towel, and I never quite get to certain jobs. Like extractor fan cleaning for example, which always seems to get left! (Well life is to short isn’t it!?) But it’s not too short apparently (if you’re me), to organise your cutlery drawers! Hmmm. I know, I need to get out more! Anyway I present two of the three drawers that I have in…
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    Personal Dividends - Money+Lifestyle

  • Money + Lifestyle Roundup

    Tom Drake
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    This week Financially Smitten wants you to ask yourself, Are You Struggling to Change Your ‘Wicked Ways’ When It Comes to Money?  If yes, they have some great advice to help. Now that the holiday season is over, it’s time to replenish certain things in your house.   This week Get Rich Slowly gave some tips on How to Stock Your Liquor Cabinet on the Cheap. This post by Free Money Finance was too good not to share!  It involves Costco memberships and free food samples.  The post shows how to go about Saving $2,000 a Year by Eating Samples at Costco and Grocery Stores.

  • Could an Indexed Annuity Be Right For You?

    Miranda
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    “In general, an annuity is like any other investment option,” Ryan Peterson tells me. “It’s a tool, and you need to evaluate your situation and find the best tool to help you. An annuity isn’t appropriate for everyone.” Peterson is the founder and President of Wisdom & Wealth Solutions, an independent investment advisory firm. He has years of experience as a financial planner and investment advisor, and works closely with clients to help them fund their futures. One of the products he feels can be a good fit for many investors is the indexed annuity.

  • Happy Chinese New Year: Year of the Dragon

    Miranda
    24 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Chinese New Year is underway. In China, this is the most important of traditional holidays, and is actually called Spring Festival. Spring Festival coincides with the first solar term of the year, and so we see it as Chinese New Year. The traditional Chinese calendar is interesting, since it does not actually use continuously numbered years. Outside China, though, many scholars choose to number the years from the Yellow Emperor. Every year in the Chinese cycle has an animal — and specific characteristics — that go with it. There are 12 different animals in the cycle, and this new…

  • Lifestyle Changes With Pre-Diabetes

    Briana Myricks
    23 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    After going back and forth to the doctor trying to figure out what was wrong with me, gaining weight, constant fatigue, getting dizzy, I finally received a diagnosis: pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes means your fasting glucose level was higher than normal, but lower than diabetic range. Pre-diabetes can turn into type 2 diabetes if you don’t make a few lifestyle changes. Your risk increases depending on your ethnicity, family history, and other preexisting conditions. Here are a few things I’m doing to ensure that I don’t develop type 2 diabetes down the line. Testing blood sugar:…

  • Money + Lifestyle Roundup

    Tom Drake
    20 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    This week Create Hype posted a great guest post that details how to go about Creating a Side Gig with Full-Time Potential. Want to try something new for investing?  Five Cent Nickel wrote an interesting post that divulges several Far-Out Investment Strategies. The Gratitude Challenge is one of the nicest challenges going around the blogsphere.  Are you taking part?  Check out what this challenge is via Oh She Glows! Want to start a blog but have no idea what to write about?  Have I found a great jump-starter for you!  This week Think Traffic released 81 Topic Ideas for Starting a Blog…
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    Benzinga Feeds

  • A Look Ahead: Next Week's ETFs to Watch

    ETF Professor
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:32 pm
    A flurry of late buying helped pare losses for U.S. equities on Friday, but the weekly results weren't too bad as both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed higher on the week. Most of the Dow's Friday decline can be attributed to Chevron's (NYSE: CVX) fourth-quarter earnings that missed Street estimates.

  • Fast Money Picks For January 30th (QCOM, SBUX, WFT, RIMM)

    Craig Jones
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:22 pm
    On CNBC's Fast Money, Zach Karabell said that he would buy QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) on Monday. QUALCOMM, Inc. (QCOM) fell 0.03% today, and it is going to report earnings on February 1st.

  • Benzinga's Top ETF Decliners, January 27th (TVIX, NIB, ZSL, DAG)

    Craig Jones
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:06 pm
    VelocityShares Daily 2x VIX Short Term ETN (NYSEARCA: TVIX) lost 4.41% on Friday, and it closed at $16.90. This was the third trading session in a row that TVIX closed lower. iPath Dow Jones-UBS Cocoa Subindex Total Return ETN (NYSEARCA: NIB) traded lower today, along with cocoa futures.

  • Benzinga's Top ETF Gainers, January 27th (BOIL, NUGT, TAN, AGQ)

    Craig Jones
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:48 pm
    ProShares Ultra DJ-UBS Natural Gas (NYSEAMEX: BOIL) jumped 9.64% on Friday, and it closed at $16.60 as natural gas traded higher. BOIL had a volume of 391K traded shares, and its average volume is 81K shares. Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 3X Shares (NYSEARCA: NUGT) gained 6.92% as Silver Wheaton Corp.

  • Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Friday January 27, 2012

    Greg Chalmers
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:40 pm
    The following are the M&A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Friday January 27, 2012: Illumina's Board to Review Offer from Roche The Offer:Illumina's (NASDAQ: ILMN) Board announced Friday that it will review Roche's (RHHBY) offer of $44.50 per share.
 
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    Much more than debt, IVA and personal finance from ClearDebt.

  • The Creditor Climate for 2012 – time for a change?

    Chris Brown
    23 Jan 2012 | 4:02 am
    The Creditor Climate for 2012 – time for a change? is a blog post from: ClearDebt a leading UK IVA licensed insolvency services company. ©2011, All Rights Reserved. Further to the success of his blog on Lloyds, Creditor Liaison Team Leader, Chris Brown, takes a moment to put fingers to keyboard and finally, tell us how it is. Starting a Debt Management Plan Photo credit to Pat Pilon It’s a common experience for many of our debt management clients, that the first few weeks of a plan can be the most difficult. Contact from creditors does not stop overnight and it is during this…

  • Blue Monday 2012- the most depressing day of the year?

    Sally Hardiman
    12 Jan 2012 | 8:42 am
    Blue Monday 2012- the most depressing day of the year? is a blog post from: ClearDebt a leading UK IVA licensed insolvency services company. ©2011, All Rights Reserved. As the date of ‘Blue Monday’ is calculated, we offer you some simple steps you can take to lessen the blues. The January blues have suddenly become a lot more specific, being at their most vivid on 16th January according to a formula used to calculate the most depressing day of the year. This takes into account the weather, the distance from Christmas, the level of individual debt and failure of New Year’s…

  • Fresh year, fresh start with ClearDebt

    Jacqueline Cohen
    9 Jan 2012 | 7:28 am
    Fresh year, fresh start with ClearDebt is a blog post from: ClearDebt a leading UK IVA licensed insolvency services company. ©2011, All Rights Reserved. New year, new start! That’s how you might think many people across the UK have started 2012. But it appears, if you think this, you could be wrong. According to a poll by First Direct, the biggest financial worries of the year in 2011 were not saving enough and not paying off enough debt – that sounds like a catch 22 to me. Other worries are quoted as spending too much on a partner, lending or borrowing money from family, or, paying…

  • Credit where it’s due: Co-operative Bank freezes Christmas overdrafts

    Andrew_F_Smith
    4 Jan 2012 | 6:24 am
    Credit where it’s due: Co-operative Bank freezes Christmas overdrafts is a blog post from: ClearDebt a leading UK IVA licensed insolvency services company. ©2011, All Rights Reserved. We often give creditors a hard time for some of the things they do to customers. Rightly so in our view; so it’s only fair that, when we see a bank bending over backwards to help over-indebted customers, that we should be fulsome in our praise. So, take a bow Co-op: Co-operative Bank current account customers will have interest on agreed overdrafts frozen for three months in order to provide a…

  • Debt Relief Orders hit the headlines

    Nazma Noor
    3 Jan 2012 | 3:50 am
    Debt Relief Orders hit the headlines is a blog post from: ClearDebt a leading UK IVA licensed insolvency services company. ©2011, All Rights Reserved. Last week the Insolvency Service released figures showing that debt relief orders are more prevalent among 25-34 year olds than any other age group. These figures were released to launch a “Dealing with your debt” campaign by the Insolvency Service which “aims to help the young deal with their debt in the most appropriate and effective way”. The campaign gained a lot of publicity, being featured on BBC News…
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    Money Watch

  • Infographic: How Google Made Money In 2011

    Rob Lewis
    25 Jan 2012 | 5:16 pm
    Last week Google announced its earnings for 2011, coming in at a rather impressive $39.7bn (£25bn). What was once a research project started in a garage has become an enormous company, but how do they earn all their money? This infographic from Wordstream shows Google’s sources of revenue. In particular, take a look at the top industries which spend the most on Google ads. At no.1 it’s Finance & Insurance. Click for a larger version: One interesting aspect of finance and insurance being top of the advertising spenders is that this is a market that Google appears to want to…

  • First Direct Launches 24/7 Customer Service On Twitter

    Rob Lewis
    24 Jan 2012 | 5:17 pm
    First Direct bank have increased their use of Twitter for customer service, with representatives now available 24 hours a day on the site. The new account, firstdirecthelp, frees up their original first_direct account to look after PR and marketing, and promises to help with customer queries at any time of the day, every day of the year (they may want to alter their bio to say 366 days per year for this leap year). First Direct’s explain their policy on Twitter on their website: We regularly update and monitor our Twitter streams and welcome feedback and ideas from all our followers. We…

  • What Your Past Can Tell You About Your Bank Balance

    Rob Lewis
    24 Jan 2012 | 5:16 pm
    No matter how much money you have, it never seems enough, does it? Well if that’s the case, you might like to take a piece of advice from the financial solutions company Think Money, which recommends delving into your past (one year is enough) to find out how your finances back then compare with your finances today. photo credit: Philippe Put You’ll need your old bank statements, receipts, budget plans, bills and any paperwork associated with debts like credit cards or personal loans. If you don’t usually keep these things, now is the time to start! Looking back over your…

  • Will mPowa Become UK’s Square?

    Rob Lewis
    23 Jan 2012 | 5:40 pm
    Credit card reader Square has been doing pretty well in the US, with over 800,000 customer, processing over $2billion last year, and has some big name backers, including Richard Branson, and now a UK company, mPowa, wants to emulate that success over here. This new breed of technology allows vendors who have previously been unable to accept credit and debit card payments the ability to do so, with the use of a gadget that connects to a smartphone. The mPowa car reader looks a lot like the Square reader, plugging into the headphone socket of an iPhone, Blackberry or Android phone. An app on…

  • 5 Tips To Help Protect Data On Your Mobile

    Rob Lewis
    22 Jan 2012 | 4:48 pm
    photo credit: bredgur Unfortunately, most of us do not take any specific security measures to ensure our mobile data is safe. Yet as our mobiles continue to hold more and more personal and private data, including banking login details, so the need to secure that data grows. Wired has published 4 tips for protecting the private data on your phone, including: Register your phone’s IMEI number – the IMEI number is unique to your phone, and is used by your phone company to block the phone in the event of loss or theft. By registering your number it is easier to notify the police,…
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    Yes, I Am Cheap

  • Four Easy Resolutions: Just Be Better

    Sandy
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    I’ve been blogging about how I’m working my way out of a 6-figure debt for the past three years.  You’d think that by now I’m an expert at every money making and debt avoidance trick in the book, but quite honestly, I’m not.  It’s been a long journey filled with ups and downs and I’ll keep going until my balance hits zero. At this time of the year it’s not unusual for people to begin reflecting on the past year and deciding how to make this New Year even better.  We like to call them resolutions.  For many years I avoided making resolutions because, honestly, haven’t we…

  • Get Out of Debt in 2012: How Much Do You Owe?

    Sandy
    25 Jan 2012 | 11:19 am
    It is now almost the end of January.  If you have not already abandoned your New Year’s resolutions, this is a great time to solidify a resolution that is probably already on your list – getting out of debt.  Or at least, it’s prime time to begin formalizing a plan to get out of debt in 2012. I know that you probably go to work and pay your bills religiously, but you might feel as if you’re going nowhere.  I did the same thing for years.  I woke up every morning with the ominous shadow of a huge debt and the threat of being sued by the landlord of the commercial property where my…

  • Applying All the Right Deductions to Increase That Return

    Sponsor
    23 Jan 2012 | 9:47 am
    For many of us, the holiday season tends to strip us down to our bare financial bones. We overspent on gifts, food, traveling, and that excellent New Year’s party, and now we are wondering how we are ever going to get on the right financial foot in the New Year. While looking for cheap apartments and clipping coupons are definitely a few easy ways to increase the amount of money left over every month, many people rely on their tax return to once again give them a savings account or an emergency fund for the New Year. While this may not be the best practice, it is a fact of life for…

  • Top 5 Reasons Why Baby Boomers Are Screwed

    Sandy
    20 Jan 2012 | 9:13 am
    At 53 my mom is smack dab in the middle of the Baby Boomer generation.  For some reason, she still thinks that she’s pretty young and hip.  Her new obsession has become the weekly sales at Macy’s. I’ve tried hard to tell her that she’s getting old and needs to begin preparing for retirement, but, she somehow thinks that 50 is the new 40.  Instead my mom is busy updating her look from somewhere near 1984 into 2001. I know that at some point reality with hit her like a brick wall, because Baby Boomers, things aren’t going to be as simple as you thought it would be.  In…

  • Why Cash For Gold Is So Popular

    Sandy
    18 Jan 2012 | 9:51 am
    I read an actual newspaper every day (remember those), and every day without fail there is a two page ad from one company basically begging you to send in your old, broken or unwanted jewelry for cash. It occurred to me to me that I’ve been seeing a lot of these ads lately either on television, on the internet or in print. It made me wonder why this business is suddenly so visible. As you may know, gold hit a record spot price of $1,916 per ounce in 2011. With more people running towards investments in precious metals to hedge against the volatility of the dollar valuation, investors…
 
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    Money Reasons

  • Are We Losing Our Ability To Think Independently?

    Money Reasons
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:11 am
    I see so many people repeat what they’ve seen on TV like it’s fact, that it got me wondering if we are losing our ability to think independently or really even think for ourselves at all? Case in point, a friend that I know works in the financial industry.  He told me exactly how he [...]

  • Why Taxing Dividend Income Hurts The Elderly

    Money Reasons
    26 Jan 2012 | 12:56 am
    Let’s say it’s thirty years from now, and you’ve been a solid middle-income earner your entire life.  You were able to put some money in dividend stocks and mutual  funds that pay a dividend. With your dividend portfolio, you get by fairly nicely.  You might even be able to go on vacation every now and [...]

  • Frugality Taken Too Far – The Great Egg Switcheroo

    Money Reasons
    23 Jan 2012 | 10:47 pm
    Frugality isn’t robbery, or at least being inconsiderate of others! As I mentioned in a previous articles, I’m starting to lose weight, trying to alter my lifestyle.  Part of my routine is eating two eggs in the morning for breakfast during the work week.  My morning stable has been two eggs.  I’ve actually always been [...]

  • Are You A Money Hoarder?

    Money Reasons
    23 Jan 2012 | 5:43 am
    First let me start by saying I have the potential to be a money hoarder!  The only thing preventing me from being a money hoarder is I don’t have much money… Honestly, since freeing myself totally from debt, I’m still finding it hard to spend money. Oh sure, usually we go out to eat once [...]

  • Happy Chinese New Year Friends!

    Money Reasons
    22 Jan 2012 | 9:33 am
    For those of us in the US, the Chinese New Year starts tomorrow (although it really has happened already in China since it’s 1/23/2012). I think it’s cool that my son was born in the Year of the Dragon, so around every Chinese New Year, we have a small celebration by going out to eat [...]
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    Retirement Planning Blog by RothIRA.com

  • 6 Ways Start Off Your 2012 Retirement Investing Right

    Kevin Mercadante
    2 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    A new year—and a chance to start out fresh—but only if you seize the day and take advantage of the retirement opportunities that are available to you now. What steps can you begin taking now that will supercharge your retirement investing? Photo by Dan Moyle via Flickr Maximize your retirement contributions When I say maximize your retirement contribution, I’m not referring to the maximum contribution you’re allowed under either IRS regulations or your employer’s 401K or 403B plan, but the most you can afford to fund. If you already contribute the maximum, there’s no decision…

  • Make 2012 the Year You Save for Retirement and Personal Finance Links

    Kevin Mulligan
    1 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    It’s too late to make a significant impact on your financial situation in 2011. (However, you can still contribute to a Roth IRA for 2011 up until April 15, 2012.) Today is the start of a new year. Will it be the year you change your situation for good? Will you set up automatic payments to a Roth IRA? Here are some great articles to get started on changing your finances this year: Our top 3 posts are… Consumerism Commentary: The 3/50 Project: Help Your Local Economy The Simple Dollar: How I Switched to Long Term Thinking CNN Money: Investing in 2012: Resolve to Keep It Simple…

  • Why Chasing Returns Will Burn You

    Kevin Mulligan
    29 Dec 2011 | 7:00 am
    Aren’t you looking for higher returns right now? Who isn’t? Here are some popular options to earn some sort of return these days: Photo by Karah Levely-Rinaldi via Flickr ING Direct savings interest rate: 0.85% Average brick and mortar savings interest rate: 0.20% or less A high yield bond fund: 4% A utility company stock with a dividend: 4% As you can see the options aren’t very attractive. That leads to the want or need of higher returns, and the search is on. We’ll look anywhere to satisfy this need… financial magazines, mainstream blogs, niche paid…

  • Why a Roth IRA is Better Than a 401k

    Hank Coleman
    27 Dec 2011 | 7:00 am
    For many investors, a Roth IRA is a better investment than contributing to your employer’s 401k retirement plan. A Roth IRA is cut from much of the same cloth as a 401k retirement plan, but there are several characteristics that make a Roth IRA a better investment option for many Americans. While this is obviously not true in all circumstances, the tax advantages of a Roth IRA often make it an incredible investment vehicle for to help you accomplish your financial goals for retirement. Photo by Kevin Mulligan A Roth IRA Is More Tax Efficient Than A 401k The largest benefit of a Roth IRA is…

  • Factoring Pensions Into Your Retirement Plans

    Kevin Mercadante
    26 Dec 2011 | 7:00 am
    If you have a traditional pension plan at work, you have nothing to worry about—you’re retirement is covered, right? Maybe not. The world is changing and like a lot of other things, they’re just not making pensions the way they used to. And even if you do have a pension plan…well, again, the world is changing. Moral of the story: don’t take anything for granted, least of which a pension. Photo by iJammin via Flickr The long and short of traditional pension plans One of the principal problems with employer pensions is that relatively few people have them anymore. Up until the 1970s…
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    LifeQuote Blog

  • The Man Behind the Curtain: How Underwriters Decide the Fate of Your Insurance Rate

    Guest Author
    25 Jan 2012 | 9:37 am
    Thinking about how life insurers decide on policy terms and coverage it is not hard to imagine “the great and powerful Oz” spinning wheels and cranking levers behind a magnificent emerald curtain. What criteria do insurance underwriters use to determine … Continue reading →The Man Behind the Curtain: How Underwriters Decide the Fate of Your Insurance Rate is a post from: LifeQuote Blog Related posts: What You Don’t Know About Life Insurance Might Hurt You Buying Life Insurance in Tough Economic Times Protect Your Life, Liberty, and Future This 4th of July

  • Insure Your Love: What Fruit Flies Can Teach us About Life and Love

    Ileana Bravo
    25 Jan 2012 | 8:27 am
    It’s that time of year again; that time leading up to February when we profess our love to the person in our life we call our “Valentine.” From gifts to special dinners, we strive to prove our love for that … Continue reading →Insure Your Love: What Fruit Flies Can Teach us About Life and Love is a post from: LifeQuote Blog Related posts: What You Don’t Know About Life Insurance Might Hurt You Buying Life Insurance in Tough Economic Times Protect Your Life, Liberty, and Future This 4th of July

  • Top 5 Life Insurance Commercials

    Josh Harris
    20 Jan 2012 | 10:01 am
    Over the past few years insurance companies have been responsible for some of the funniest commercials on tv. With the super bowl approaching at the end of the month, which has become not only the big game for the NFL … Continue reading →Top 5 Life Insurance Commercials is a post from: LifeQuote Blog Related posts: What You Don’t Know About Life Insurance Might Hurt You Buying Life Insurance in Tough Economic Times Protect Your Life, Liberty, and Future This 4th of July

  • Why You Shouldn’t Cancel Life Insurance When the Economy is Down

    Lauren Bailey
    17 Jan 2012 | 9:48 am
    During these hard economic times, everyone is looking for ways to scale back and save money. People will drop their gym memberships, cut cable services, lose Netflix, and other similar subscriptions when times get tough, and will start making more … Continue reading →Why You Shouldn’t Cancel Life Insurance When the Economy is Down is a post from: LifeQuote Blog Related posts: What You Don’t Know About Life Insurance Might Hurt You Buying Life Insurance in Tough Economic Times Protect Your Life, Liberty, and Future This 4th of July

  • Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions to Lower Your Life Insurance Rates

    Ileana Bravo
    29 Dec 2011 | 1:39 pm
    Another year is coming to a close—- a time when many of us strive to make changes and New Year’s resolutions to improve key things in our lives.  Our motivation is usually pure self-improvement but wouldn’t it be a great … Continue reading →Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions to Lower Your Life Insurance Rates is a post from: LifeQuote Blog Related posts: What You Don’t Know About Life Insurance Might Hurt You Buying Life Insurance in Tough Economic Times Protect Your Life, Liberty, and Future This 4th of July
 
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    Reuters: Money

  • Ford hit by commodity costs, international woes

    27 Jan 2012 | 4:17 pm
    (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co reported a lower-than-expected fourth-quarter profit on Friday as commodity costs shot up and results from operations outside North America fell short of expectations.

  • Obama pushes colleges to keep tuition under control

    27 Jan 2012 | 2:00 pm
    ANN ARBOR, Michigan (Reuters) - President Barack Obama, appearing before thousands of cheering students at the University of Michigan, touted his plan on Friday to reward colleges that keep their...

  • What happens when you walk away from your home?

    27 Jan 2012 | 1:52 pm
    NEW YORK (Reuters) - It was just last summer that Charlotte Perkins made the hardest decision of her life as she and her husband Jim were caught in the vise of the housing bust.

  • Pimco Total Return ETF may not track mutual fund

    27 Jan 2012 | 1:46 pm
    (Reuters) - Pacific Investment Management Co is touting the March 1 rollout of its Total Return ETF as a cheaper, more transparent way for mainstream investors to access bond guru Bill Gross.

  • Personal Finance: Bank Transfer Day saw 600,000 switch

    27 Jan 2012 | 1:12 pm
    NEW YORK (Reuters) - More than 600,000 U.S. consumers have moved their money from big banks to community banks or credit unions, thanks to the much-publicized Bank Transfer Day last fall, according...
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    Financial Woman

  • Friday Financial Woman Money Solutions

    camille
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:00 am
    Enjoy my Friday money solution and enhance your financial savvy one simple step at a time. Everyone in a high tax bracket should consider some form of investments that lower personal income taxes.  This is often in the form of alternative investments such as rental real estate, oil and gas partnerships, or small business ownership. Investing is simpler than you think!

  • Sometimes Blessings Come in Disguise

    camille
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:27 am
    Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; from discord find harmony; in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. Albert Einstein Let’s look at this quote from the context of the work being our financial plan, or the mission to grow money so we can reach our financial goals and have the life we desire. Out of clutter finds simplicity. Do you know how much money you have and where that money is? Do you know how much is flowing in and out every month? Can you easily access those numbers? January is the perfect time to reduce financial clutter while you are still motivated by the…

  • What’s More Important Than a Pair of Jeans and Black Boots?

    camille
    24 Jan 2012 | 6:27 am
    Last week I had a great excuse for hiding out in bed with a huge stack of my favorite financial publications for an entire day; I had a nasty head cold.  I fully realize that I am a bit of a nerdy introvert, and this is not what thrills most people about a “sick” day, but I ended the day feeling refreshed and wiser, albeit a bit stuffier.  The fact that I get to share with you the best bits of information I read is what excites me about writing the financial woman blog! Spending this time also allowed me to focus on improving my own financial plan without the distractions of running a…

  • Friday Financial Woman Money Solutions

    camille
    20 Jan 2012 | 10:00 am
    Enjoy my Friday money solution and enhance your financial savvy one simple step at a time. Money is paper; it becomes a tool when it is put to use. Constantly ask yourself if and how your money is working for you. Investing is simpler than you think!

  • Let’s Keep Things Simple

    camille
    19 Jan 2012 | 8:47 am
    Recently I wrote a post with 6 tips for getting good investment advice from financial experts and media. For every financial expert opinion, there’s an opposite opinion, commonly within the same business news segment. This can be very confusing, even to someone who is proactive with her personal finances. The first tip I shared is realizing that projected investment returns are based on probability. As an empowered financial woman, you need to be able to measure that probability with some degree of accuracy and satisfaction. Any investment you choose to make, other than cash, is based on…
 
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    Control Your Cash: Making Money Make Sense

  • Stupidity Before Bed, And After Every Meal

    admin
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:28 am
    Trent Hamm, after flossing   Kudos yet again to everyone’s favorite purveyor of pointless personal finance advice, Trent Hamm of The Simple Dollar. Our hero has discovered a groundbreaking new way to avoid the tartar and dental caries that have plagued mankind since we started walking upright. Tired of having a smile that looks like a truck drove through it? You’re not going to believe how easy it is to solve that particular problem. Check out Trent, coming hard with the wisdom on November 5, 2009: Brush your teeth. An unclean mouth is a perfect place for unwanted bacteria…

  • Our Appearance On The Suze Orman Show!

    admin
    25 Jan 2012 | 8:19 am
    Suze Orman (Note: We deliberately waited a couple of weeks for this, hoping the hullabaloo would have subsided. It hasn’t. Also, even though we still have a few more posts scheduled for January, you can consider this our Financial Retard of the Month. No one else is going to top it.) Here’s the transcript of our recent television appearance on The Suze Orman Show, hosted by America’s favorite financial professional. It has yet to air.   It’s The Suze Orman Show! Today, Suze’s guest is Greg McFarlane of Control Your Cash! SUZE: I understand you and Betty Kincaid have…

  • Carnival of Wealth, Explanatory Edition

    admin
    23 Jan 2012 | 7:40 am
    The red bar should probably go in front of the word, otherwise it looks like we're encouraging whining   Welcome back to another rousing edition of the only personal finance blog carnival worth reading, the Carnival of Wealth. Why should you read it? Well, you’re already here anyway – it seems pointless to get this far and not finish. Second, you get a cross-section of posts from around the personal finance, there’s that word again, blogosphere. Hate it, but it fits. And you get exciting commentary that makes you want to read each post in sequence, keep the Carnival…

  • Greetings, ProBlogger Readers

    admin
    19 Jan 2012 | 8:33 am
    (If you don’t read ProBlogger and are wondering what we’re talking about, this. And you should read ProBlogger, because it kicks.)  Welcome to the only personal finance site that’s committed to helping you build wealth, if you’re willing to meet us halfway. Therefore, one of this site’s design features is that it’s the only site of its kind that speaks directly and without compromise. Personal finance? Yawn. That stuff is boring and it doesn’t apply to me, anyway. I’m just punching the clock every day, trying to survive. Financial independence…

  • How To Go Broke In Real Estate

    admin
    18 Jan 2012 | 8:11 am
    One month, she tried to pay in canned goods and STDs   Every other post, you guys write about making money through real estate. It’s not that simple.  We never said it was. If your wealth plan consists of nothing more than buying the cheapest house you can find and then placing an ad on Craig’s List for a renter, of course you’re going to fail. Here are some other handy tips to turn passive income into passive outgo:   1. Don’t do your homework.  If you want to become a residential landlord, it takes 5 minutes to determine how much units are going for in your selected…
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    Planting Dollars

  • Don’t Buy Stuff You Can’t Afford SNL Skit

    Ryan
    21 Jan 2012 | 6:21 pm
    Personal finnace is pretty darn simple. Spend less than you make, save, and don’t buy stuff you can’t afford. For some reason people can’t follow one of the most simple to follow concepts out there, which is why it’s perfect for a Saturday Night Live Skit! Watch the video to learn all you need to know about saving your money.

  • Warren Buffett on Buying Gold

    Ryan
    20 Jan 2012 | 8:49 pm
    Gold has been a popular investment option over the past few years. Although it’s had a great run-up value over the past decade, one wonders, how far will it go and why isn’t Warren Buffett jumping on the train? I’m not an expert on this, but at face value, the run up on gold seems to be based on fear and emotion, not intrinsic value. Warren doesn’t invest in Gold and doesn’t see the value since it doesn’t produce anything, unlike farmland or oil companies. Gold won’t put a roof over your head, feed you, clothe you, or do anything other than look…

  • Investing in Self Storage Pays Off Big

    Ryan
    18 Jan 2012 | 10:06 pm
    While looking at the financials of a few companies today over on Yahoo Finance I stumbled upon the largest self storage landlord in America. Public Storage, which has a market capitalization rate of $23.19 Billion (wow), has proven to be a high performing investment with minimal dips throughout the recession. After reading about the strategies of Warren Buffet with buying companies with a durable competitive advantage, that aren’t glamorous, and don’t need much research and development, self storage may fit that bill, slightly… I’m not sure if there’s a durable…

  • Free Copy of The Richest Man in Babylon

    Ryan
    18 Jan 2012 | 9:40 pm
    I happened to just stumble on this, but I was completely amazed that you can now find the 1928 George Clason classic “The richest man in Babylon” absolutely free. Some would argue that this book laid the foundation for the personal finance movement as we know it and was the first of it’s kind. Written in a simple to understand format with a narrative storyline, “The Richest Man in Babylon” is a classic that will never be irrelevant. The book outlines several personal finance mantras which include in an ancient concept. Some of the chapters include: The Man Who…

  • IKEA Small Spaces Shows How to Get Creative in Tiny Living Areas

    Ryan
    18 Jan 2012 | 8:54 pm
    I just wanted to share a few cool videos I found from IKEA. I have to admit, I currently don’t own anything IKEA, most likely because I don’t live near an IKEA, and even if I did I’m wayyyy too frugal to even tempt myself by walking in the doors of a store like that. In any case, the videos shows how small living spaces get get a lot of bang for their buck. Housing is one of the largest expenses a person has, so if you can find a way to live more comfortably in smaller living areas (pretend you live in Manhattan) you’ll greatly reduce one of your biggest budget items.
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    Credit Card Processing Blog

  • Prepaid vs. Debit: Which One Is Better?

    UniBul
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:44 am
    Prepaid cards have been in the news quite a bit lately and not least thanks to the controversy surrounding Suze Orman’s prepaid card. This latest dust-up confirmed my belief that the vast majority of consumers are very poorly informed about this type of payment product, a fact which unfortunately Orman tried to exploit. So when this [...]

  • Card.io vs. Jack Dorsey’s Square: Scan It or Swipe It

    UniBul
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:36 am
    There is a new entrant in the market for mobile credit card acceptance which, though increasingly crowded, is being dominated by Square. Unlike the brainchild of Twitter creator Jack Dorsey, which allows everyone to accept credit card payments through a small swiping device attached to the user’s phone, Card.io does the trick by scanning the [...]

  • The Zappos Data Breach 10 Days On: The Lessons Continue

    UniBul
    25 Jan 2012 | 8:37 am
    We received an incredible amount of feedback to our post last week on the Zappos data breach. The interesting thing about it was that while most of the readers came from our Facebook page, where all of our new articles are immediately posted, and a decent number of them hit the “Like” button, the vast [...]

  • Who Collects Your Debit Card Fees?

    UniBul
    24 Jan 2012 | 8:41 am
    WSJ’s Robin Sidel has a piece about the effect of the Durbin Amendment on the debit card interchange fees charged by credit unions and small banks. Or rather, the lack of a direct effect, as financial institutions with assets of less than $10 billion were unaffected by the regulation. That is an interesting topic for a [...]

  • Suze Orman’s Prepaid Card Will Not Affect Your Credit Score

    UniBul
    23 Jan 2012 | 8:38 am
    Our post on Suze Orman’s prepaid card generated quite a response on Twitter last week (by the way, links to our articles are immediately posted on our Twitter account). Most commenters were in general agreement with our position that the launch of the card is a non-event, but there were some interesting responses and quite [...]
 
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    Cheap Credit Cards - Serving All Your Credit Needs!

  • SEVEN Things You Should Know About Your Credit Card Receipt

    Susan Mitchell
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:25 pm
    You may know them as those annoying scraps of paper that litter your purse or flutter from your wallet at inopportune moments, but receipts for credit card transactions are actually worth paying attention to. Here’s what you probably didn’t know about them, but should: #1. Receipts are more secure than you think … Unless a [...]

  • Extreme Couponing – 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies To Watch Out For

    Susan Mitchell
    24 Jan 2012 | 2:23 pm
    TLC’s Extreme Couponers shows consumers expertly collecting and combining coupons to save hundreds of dollars at the grocery store checkout. Unfortunately, if we’re not careful, coupons can also seduce us into spending money rather than saving it. Retailers are experts themselves at using coupons to lure us into the store and part with our hard-earned [...]

  • Global Income Inequality

    Susan Mitchell
    22 Jan 2012 | 4:59 am
    It’s no surprise that top earners in America make a heck of a lot more than middle- and lower-income Joes. But the disparity is greater here than in most developed nations. The U.S. has a higher level of income inequality than Europe, as well as Canada, Australia and South Korea, according to data gathered by [...]

  • Why People Are Using Local Currencies In The US

    Susan Mitchell
    21 Jan 2012 | 6:43 am
    A growing number of communities across the U.S. are using homegrown local currencies to stimulate their economies and protect themselves from the nation’s broader economic woes. While there were only about 20 active community currencies in the United States in 2009, there has been a recent resurgence, with at least a dozen communities developing their [...]

  • Retirement Income Hit A 5-Year Low

    Susan Mitchell
    11 Jan 2012 | 1:25 pm
    Workers who retire this year can expect their pensions to be £3,000 less than they would have been in 2008. Big falls on the stock- market and record low annuity rates – which determine the annual income savers can buy with their  pension pots – have wreaked havoc with the retirement plans of millions. A [...]
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    Savings Scoop

  • Grocery Store Printable Coupons

    Andrea
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:15 pm
    Use your grocery store printable coupons and save money when you shop for groceries this weekend. So go online and print your grocery coupon today!   Grocery Coupons:   $1.00 off one bag of M&M’S Pretzel 40¢ off when you buy TWO PACKAGES any flavor/variety Totino’s® Rolls Snacks $1.00 off when you buy any TWO 8 – 10 oz packages of Nestlé® Crunch® or Nestlé® Butterfinger® Hearts $1.00 off when you buy any FOUR StarKist Selects® cans $1.00 off when you buy ONE 5.17-12oz pkg of WONKA® Fun Dip, Pixy Stix®, Laffy Taffy®, Nerds® Card & Candy Kit…

  • Friday Freebies 1/27/12

    Andrea
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:00 pm
      It’s Friday freebie where you get all your free freebies,  absolutely free. Just click on the pictures or links for your free things.   Free Kids: Free kids workshop at Lowes       Free online Courses: Life writing Classes- If you like to write then take advantage of  free 9 week  writing course from a UCLA professor.   American Sign Language Browser- Learn sign language for free.   Free Baby Magazine: Send Me a Free Subscription to BabyTalk.       Free Health:   Request a FREE SAMPLE today. Prilosec OTC® provides 24 hours of…

  • All New INFINITI JX Luxury Crossover, Spring 2012

    Andrea
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:45 am
    It’s OK to think about the ultimate dream car you’ll have one day so, Request free information on the all new Infiniti JX Luxury Crossover- Coming Spring 2012.  So if your bills are paid off and you are in the market for a new car then take a look at the luxury crossover Infiniti JX. Stay connected to Savings Scoop for more deals and discounts. Related PostsNo Related Post

  • Free Kid’s Workshop at Lowe’s|Dinosaur

    Andrea
    25 Jan 2012 | 11:00 pm
      From project basics to giving your child the opportunity to say, “I built it!” our Build and Grow kid’s clinics are a great way to help build confidence! Bring the kids into any Lowe’s store and build a FREE wooden project. Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project.   Just sign up in advance for these free workshops and a parent must be present at the workshop with the child. Bring the kids to Lowe’s this weekend so they can make a “Dinosaur”.   This Saturday…

  • Choosing a Trustworthy Debt Consolidation Company

    Guest Blogger
    25 Jan 2012 | 3:00 am
      Are you drowning in debt?   Are you no longer able to keep up with your payments though you have exhausted all of your best efforts?   Consider debt consolidation it is a great resource for managing your debt and regaining control of your finances. However, choosing the wrong debt consolidating company can be extremely damaging to one’s financial life. Debt consolidation is an act of taking out a big enough loan that pays off multiple loans leaving the borrower with a single monthly payment with an average weighted interest rate. It can be challenging to find a…
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    DaleSiegel.com Feed

  • Are You Thinking of Living in North Attleboro

    25 Jan 2012 | 11:00 pm
    Realtor Thursday A conversation with Tiffany Chapdelaine Wetherbee, Realtor® with Kensington Real Estate Brokerage in Attleboro, Massachusetts North Attleboro is a very nice town to work and raise a family in, I have lived here all of my life and have no intention of ever leaving. My hometown is rich in history. North Attleborough is the birthplace of the jewelry industry and celebrated its centennial in 1987. The North Attleborough Historical Commission and society help to preserve the past for the benefit of current and future residents. Read more...

  • Five Things you need to Know about the new Fannie Refi- Plus Mortgage

    22 Jan 2012 | 11:00 pm
    Mortgage Monday The Fed, in hopes of relieving many homeowners from the pains of foreclosure and many banks from the waste of foreclosing, has created an even more aggressive refinance program. This program which came into play a few weeks ago was created to assist even more people refinance their mortgage when their home values are too low for conventional financing.The consumer buzz is that anybody can get a mortgage now with ease. The industry buzz is still about the guidelines and if a borrower qualifies for the program.Below are five fallacies that might disqualify you from the program.

  • Are You Thinking of Living in Maui, HI?

    18 Jan 2012 | 11:00 pm
    Realtor Thursday A conversation with Billy Jalbert, Principal Broker / Owner, The Maui Real Estate Team, Inc.Maui is a truly spectacular vacation destination and is often voted the “best island” in the world.  What many people do not realize is that Maui is a pretty big island and that there are a multitude of communities and climates to suit most types.  Rather than try to extol the virtues of Maui as a whole, I opted to introduce you to one of the lesser known communities, Pa’ia where I live and work. Read more...

  • MLK, Jr.

    15 Jan 2012 | 11:00 pm
    Mortgage Monday MLK, Jr. Day is a bank holiday……. So we went biking!

  • Are You Thinking of Living in Cedar City, UT?

    11 Jan 2012 | 11:00 pm
    Realtor Thursday A conversation with Tony and Darcy Cannon-The C Team--realtors with RE/Max Velocity Realty of Cedar City, UT. Cedar City is located about 185 miles north of Las Vegas, Nevada and 250 miles south of Salt Lake City, Utah, along Interstate 15.  The elevation of Cedar City is 5800 feet above sea level.  The population is around 25,000.  We are home to Southern Utah University, the Utah Shakespeare Festival and the Neil Simon Festival. Read more...
 
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    Smart Balance Transfers

  • Credit Card Use As An Economic Indicator

    Jeffrey Weber
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:13 am
    In a democracy with a decentralized economy, it can be very difficult for economists to determine the exact nature of consumer spending trends. One method that has become increasingly popular is the analysis of data reported by credit card processors. This data can be used to determine consumer spending in various sectors such as food, [...]

  • Review: The American Airlines AAdvantage Credit Card from Citi

    Jeffrey Weber
    25 Jan 2012 | 8:37 am
    When most people consider a travel rewards credit card they immediately think of one that earns frequent flier miles. Their next thought is often about the difficulty they will have booking award flights at the lowest mileage levels. Sadly, most airlines have made it almost impossible to find multiple award seats to popular destinations anywhere [...]

  • 3 Types of Cash Back Credit Cards – Which is Best?

    Jeffrey Weber
    23 Jan 2012 | 7:16 am
    Those who pay their credit card balances on time and in full each month  should be using a rewards credit card. Although many cardholders enjoy their rewards in the form of loyalty points such as frequent flier miles, cash back remains the most popular type of rewards card. Unfortunately, while cash back rewards can seem [...]

  • Airline Credit Card Reward Benefits That Are Better Than Miles

    Jeffrey Weber
    20 Jan 2012 | 8:20 am
    Smart credit card users know how to cash in on frequent flier miles, cash back and loyalty points. But as cardholders have grow smarter about credit card rewards, credit card issuers have been forced to steadily increase the amount of points and miles their customers are earning for spending and as sign up bonuses. In [...]

  • January 2012 – Report on 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards

    Jeffrey Weber
    18 Jan 2012 | 6:03 am
    Now that New Year’s resolutions have been made and holiday credit card bills have started to arrive, many consumers will be searching for ways to save money in 2012. Taking advantage of 0% balance transfer credit card offers is one of the easiest and most effective ways to get a handle on credit card debt [...]
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    Mogo Lounge | Mogo Blog

  • CONTEST: See DRAKE live in L.A.!

    Jamie
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:15 pm
    Are you a Drizzy fan? Or… maybe just a Degrassi fan? Either way, Mogo has teamed up with Dose.ca to send one lucky winner on a VIP trip to Los Angeles, California, to see Drake live in concert! Earlier this month we listed Drake as one of this year’s hottest acts – so now’s your chance to get in on the action (and get a free trip to the home of the stars)! So what’s included in a VIP trip? Well, we’ll take care of… Round-trip flights for two to Los Angeles, California 2-nights’ accommodation Premium tix to Drake’s Club Paradise Tour…

  • CONTEST: Let us send Cookies from Cupid to your sweetheart!

    Jamie
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:07 pm
    As resident blogger, Alan, mentioned in his post earlier today – Valentine’s day is just around the corner. So… Mogo wants to help you look like a total hero! The winner of our Cookies from Cupid contest will choose the lucky person they want to receive a basket of 3 dozen assorted cookies (including a heart-shaped one) from cookiegrams.com. And, if you choose yourself, we won’t judge you – we’d do the same. Click here to enter Cookies from Cupid on Facebook What’s the best knock-it-out-of-the-park V-day gift you’ve ever given?

  • Warning: Valentine’s Day is only days away

    Alan
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:39 pm
    Ok, lovers. Don’t let it sneak up on you, but Valentine’s Day is less than three weeks away; 18 days, to be exact. As a helpful blogger, I wanted to point this out to you, so you can get in front the planning and make sure that special someone feels, well, special. W Whether you’re a roses, candles, champagne and helicopters type couple (and really, aren’t most of us?), or a simple dinner and a note, it’s the thought that counts on February 14th. Do yourself a favour today and make the plan, reservation — or even plan to do NOTHING. That way, it will feel…

  • Get connected – a new guide for social media

    Nikki
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    How social media platforms can help streamline your business and personal experience online. Want more social media fun and exclusive prizes? Visit Mogo’s Facebook and Twitter pages for year-round fun and excitement. Social media is a boon to the tech-savvy professional. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have revolutionized the way we do business and the way we speak to our clients. Simple to understand and easy to use, nurturing your social media accounts will help you to get your message out, to reach many more readers than traditional advertising and improve your…

  • How to find an apartment in Canada’s toughest rental markets

    Alan
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    If you’re in any of the country’s competitive rental markets (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Fort McMurray, many others), you know the pain of finding a great place. The most recent apartment I landed was only advertised for 25 minutes before it was rented to me – and my wife and I were the 8th (!!) people to see it. It’s a dog-eat-dog-rent-to-dog world out there, so check out this article for some tips that should give you an extra edge when finding the right place for you (not just any place). The awesomely named Alan Henry lays out 7 quality steps that should keep you happy in your…
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    Credit.com News + Advice

  • Credit.com in the News: Credit Trends, Cards for the Unbanked, Rebuilding Credit

    Tim Langevin
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:18 pm
    What went on in the week of consumer credit? So glad you asked. In addition to their regular contributions to the Credit.com blog, Credit.com’s credit and debt experts regularly offer their advice and commentary on the state of consumer finance to other media outlets.  For even more great advice and insight, we present to you the highlights from this week’s media appearances: RECOMMENDED: FREE CREDIT CHECK TOOL Credit Report Card Check your credit for free with this great tool from Credit.com. It offers expert advice on how to manage your credit. And you can return every 30…

  • Talk Credit Radio: Truth (and Myths) About Negotiating Debts

    Credit.com
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:03 pm
    This week on Talk Credit Radio: Friday January 27, 2012 Tune in to Talk Credit Radio this week with Credit.com’s personal finance expert Gerri Detweiler, live from 4-5 ET/1-2 PT. Ways to listen are listed below. Here’s a quick quiz: • True or False: There is a government program created by President Obama that requires credit card companies to work with you to pay off your debts. • True or False: Debt settlement companies can no longer charge upfront fees and must wait to get paid until they settle debt. • True or False: Creditors only negotiate with attorneys.

  • How Credit Card Balances Impact Your Score

    Tom Quinn
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    A reader, Dylan, recently wrote in with a question for us. He has three credit cards and wants to know if it is better (results in higher points) to carry similar balances across all three cards or to carry a large balance on one of his cards and zero or very low balance on the other two cards.  The exact answer depends on the balance and ratios dynamics on Dylan’s credit cards, as well as his overall credit profile. [Related Article: 8 Credit Score Myths Debunked] How you manage your overall level of credit debt is a very important component of your credit score—and how you…

  • BofA Tests Credit Card-Tied Social Couponing

    Credit.com
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    A new social couponing plan is being launched by the nation’s largest lender as a means of incentivizing more use of both debit and credit cards. Bank of America is currently testing a new program called BankAmeriDeals with its employees in North Carolina, South Carolina and Nevada, according to a report from The Associated Press. Currently, the bank has no timetable for rolling the plan out to consumers, but will soon extend it to its more than 275,000 employees nationwide to test it further. FREE TOOL: CHECK YOUR CREDIT Credit.com’s Credit Report Card Check your credit bureau…

  • Military Student Loan Forgiveness and Discharge Programs

    Steve Rhode
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:12 pm
    More and more at GetOutOfDebt.org we are getting questions about how to get your student loans eliminated, forgiven, or discharged if you are in or served in the military. It is absurdly ironic that members of the military can go into harm’s way, fight in combat and yet return home only to struggle to escape the invisible bondage of student loan debt. However, there are some real options that can help you do this, but like the military, there are rules to follow and hoops to jump through. [Article: Feds: Mortgage Companies Still Violating Military Families' Rights] Public Service Loan…
 
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    Money Help For Christians

  • What Your Financial Advisor Won’t Tell You About How to Successfully Reduce Your Nest Egg

    Craig Ford
    25 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    The longer I maintain www.moneyhelpforchristians.com, the less money it seems like I’m going to have. From the very first days of this blog, I was open about the fact that I wanted to learn  what the Bible had to say about money (as opposed to assuming that I already knew). I used to have a simple and effective retirement strategy … and then I had to go reading the Bible.  The result?  I started rethinking retirement. Question: What do you think is most people’s greatest fear about retirement savings? Answer: That they won’t have enough. Question: What does the New…

  • How Your Income is a Burden and Not Just a Blessing

    Craig Ford
    22 Jan 2012 | 4:15 pm
    People who have a job talk about how they are blessed. People who make a lot of money talk about how they are blessed. People who can provide for the needs of their kids talk about how they are blessed. As Christians we must always recognize the double edged sword when it comes to making money, having an income, and being blessed. All these things have the potential to be either a blessing and/or a burden. A burden?  In this economy, is an income really a burden? I mean burden in the sense that in many ways you have more responsibilities to carry when you prosper financially.  This is even…

  • Transforming Your Financial Diet [Limited Time Low Pricing]

    Craig Ford
    18 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
    How should Christians manage their money? How do we find a balance between giving, saving, and spending? What is God ultimately calling us to do with money? I, like many of you, have been wrestling with these questions for a long time. These questions only intensified when I moved to Papua New Guinea, a developing nation in the South Pacific. I was instantly forced to start answering those questions. What, I wondered, is my responsibility towards others? How can we as Christians both enjoy the blessing of what we have while feeling the burden toward others? Here’s what I share in the…

  • 2011 Goals Review, 2012 Plans, My New Ministry as a Missional Entrepreneur

    Craig Ford
    16 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
    At the start of 2011, I shared three big goals. They are as follows: Goal #1: By Dec. 2011, I wanted to average as much income online as I did from my full-time job. Less than two weeks later I followed up with a post that said this was a bad goal. Why? The priority should have been honoring God and helping people. If God allowed me to support my family from my online work, then it was for Him to decide. I needed to be sure I was serving Him first, not chasing dollars first. I’m happy to report that God helped me accomplish all three of these revised goals. Keep reading for more on how…

  • The Blessing Journal | How to Be Thankful Even When You’re Not Feeling It

    Craig Ford
    11 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am
    The following is a guest post by Jeri Ford (my lovely wife). What I love about this post is that it openly discusses a struggle we all have – ignoring the blessings of God. Sometimes people write about practices in theory. However, I can vouch for the fact that every night before praying with Jeri she writes in her Blessings Journal. Count your blessings. Name them one by one. Count your blessings. See what God has done… I grew up singing that song in church. I’ve been singing it for years, but haven’t necessarily always practiced what I sang. A couple of years ago, I was going…
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    Get Penny Wise

  • Penny's Pick - Lost on Slickdeals....

    21 Jan 2012 | 11:00 am
    So, life has been a bit hectic and I've not been in the deal posting mode - I apologize! I appreciate those of you who have encouraged me to post more deals so without further adI've discovered a great site - slickdeals.net - it wasn't exactly new to me but I never really, fully discovered all the great content that shows up there. It's great to peruse the front page deals (and I scored a great

  • Penny's Deal of the Day $9 for TWO Movie Tickets!

    10 Jun 2011 | 1:48 pm
    This is a great deal throug Living Social - $9 for two movie tickets using Fandango. What do you want to see this summer? https://livingsocial.com/deals/57725?ref=personalized-link-box-15064119&rpi=15064119

  • Back for More - evreward.com

    1 Jul 2010 | 12:54 pm
    After a long hiatus Penny is back with more deals. It's been a little while but we've still got more deals up our sleeves here at Get Penny Wise. One of the best resources we've found is at Ev'reward (evreward.com). This site features a deal blog, hot deals and coupon codes. The best feature, in our opinion, is the cashback aggregator. All you need to do to search for your shopping site of

  • Penny's Pick of the Day - Free Coffee at Peet's

    7 Aug 2009 | 12:44 pm
    Those of you on the East Coast will have to scurry to catch this one - but Peet's is serving up free Freddos today between 2 and 3 pm.   Limit one per person.This sounds perfect for the Friday afternoon pick-me-up!  Go out and grab yours!

  • Penny for your Thoughts - Caveat Emptor

    6 Aug 2009 | 3:25 pm
    I highly doubt that my High School Latin teacher, Mrs. Doll, is reading but if she were she might be proud that she taught me Caveat Emptor - let the buyer beware! Well, today I'm hoping to teach you to beware of the promises of online dealmakers!Case in point, I recently tried to take advantage of a deal through Shop Discover - they offer 5% cash back on purchases from Hotels.com. They also
 
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    Moneyhacker

  • Is an Equity Release Scheme for me?

    Sherin Dev
    28 Jan 2012 | 1:27 am
    This is a guest post from BeckyAn Equity Release Scheme isn't something to enter into lightly, and you really need to understand what you're getting into before you sign up for one. There are three kinds of schemes, which will be discussed in this article, along with how they work and how to choose the right one for you.What is an Equity Release Scheme?With an equity release scheme, you're able to raise money against the value (or equity) of your home, without having to repay the loan. There are three kinds of release schemes: lifetime mortgages (you repay from your estate after you die),…

  • Why Should a Small Business Use Cash Basis Accounting

    Sherin Dev
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:19 am
    This is a guest post by Rebecca JonesThe small business owners usually employ cash basis accounting method instead of the other choice to collect, record and report the financial information. The accounting information is nothing but an array of &company&rsquo financial transactions. The financial statements are generally the final result of a company &rsquo accounting procedure. The financial statements are usually prepared using two methods- the cash basis accounting and the accrual basis accounting. Generally the bigger business groups employ the accrual basis accounting method…

  • How Much Car Can You Really Afford

    Sherin Dev
    25 Jan 2012 | 12:10 am
    This is a guest post by Evan FischerWhen it comes to buying a new car, you’d be hard pressed to find anyone that would complain about going home with a brand new Ferrari or Tesla. And yet, most of us simply can’t afford these high-priced vehicles. However, that doesn’t stop most buyers from looking at (and even purchasing) automobiles that are out of their price range. But how does this happen? Even fast-talking salesmen can’t make you do something you don’t really want to. The truth is that most of us look at the sticker price on a car and mistakenly make this the magic…

  • 7 Ways to Make a Budget Work for You

    Sherin Dev
    24 Jan 2012 | 3:49 am
    This is a guest post from Joe JohnsonNot thinking about your debt, not sticking to a budget, and not controlling your spending patterns will only lead you down a path of despair. To enjoy your life and in your elder years, it is important to face your financial status and make plans to free yourself from companies that thrive on keeping you in debt for its own gains.Take some steps, no matter how small, on the road to decreasing debt so that more of your money can be saved for things you truly enjoy doing, unexpected emergencies, or for an early retirement. Life shouldn’t be wasted worrying…

  • Tips to Avoiding Investment Property Scams

    Sherin Dev
    22 Jan 2012 | 9:17 pm
    This is a guest post by SachinThis article explains you five essential tips to recognizing and avoiding investment property scamsWhilethere are plenty of legitimate property investment agencies and investment property seminars out there, many investors are still falling victim to property scams and the number of cases across Australia is rising!Property scams usually involve prospective investors going to an investment seminar and meeting with an agent or a property “specialist”. These unsuspecting investors are then spun a golden tale about how they are going to make millions by…
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    Centsible Life

  • Built-In Desk Inspires Organizing & $100 Lowe’s Giveaway

    Candice
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:43 am
    I didn’t realize when I started organizing that it was going to make me feel so revitalized. Several days into it I started to feel so free and rejuvenated. I started to organize to finally begin my built-in desk project. I don’t have a junk drawer. I have had a junk room, otherwise known as the laundry room. We moved in this house 3 years ago, and everything that had no place, just went into the laundry room. We began this daunting task of clearing everything out of the laundry room so that I could move things around and finally build the built-in desk I’ve been talking…

  • New Year’s Resolutions Update: VlogMoms

    Kelly
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:00 pm
    This week I’m taking part in a new linkup and feature called VlogMoms, where bloggers from around the blogosphere talk about the same topic with our own spin. I’m thrilled to be a part of such a fun group of bloggers and some really amazing vloggers are helping lead thew way. Desiree from MommyReporter got us started with the first prompt, “Are you still on track with your New Year’s resolutions?” Since I put my resolutions on the blog for all to read, so I am excited to take part in this week’s vlog challenge and share how my resolutions are going. Watch…

  • Fitness on a Budget

    Kelly Kinkaid
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    A common New Year’s resolution is to attempt to get fit for the year. Last year after having years of stops and starts when it came to adding “getting moving” to my daily routine I started running. For some reason, unlike a lot of other programs this was the first workout that I started that I actually kept going for more than just a few months. When thinking about why this type of working out actually stuck it boiled down to two reasons, it was cost effective and I had a wonderful support group. For me I had found fitness on a budget, and I had found fitness through a great…

  • New Year, New Budget, New Attitude

    Kelly
    25 Jan 2012 | 11:03 am
    Starting 2012 on the right financial foot is a resolution many people share. We’re only a few weeks into the new year and you may already feel defeated, but it’s not too late to get organized, and turn 2012 into the year you become a money ninja. One of my resolutions was to spend more time focusing on our budget, spending, and eliminating debt. So far we’ve doing great on this front including eating at home, paying bills early, and socking away extra funds into savings. Of course I can always do more, so here are some more ways I’m getting my finances organized for…

  • 365 Day Meal Plan: Week 3 Menu

    Kelly
    23 Jan 2012 | 9:26 am
    It’s Monday again, time for another update on our 365 day meal plan and this week’s menu. Last week was pretty successful despite the still nasty cold/congestion that is running through the house and a busy, busy week. For my own record-keeping and to keep me honest here’s last week’s menu and some commentary so I can share thoughts and updates to the menu. Week Two Menu Monday: Key-West style baked grouper, Brown Rice, Salad, Fruit Salad This was really divine. One of the kids ‘hates fish’ but still ate it due to our two bite rule. Another one was a…
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    The Daily Reckoning

  • Best Places in the World to Retire, Part II

    Daily Reckoning Contributor
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:47 pm
    In the States today, most Americans are on the verge of retiring are much more likely to talk about their fears than their dreams. The cost of everything from healthcare to food is rising, while incomes, pensions and nest eggs are shrinking… or at least not growing nearly as much as expected — leaving baby boomers with fewer and fewer options for retirement at home. But all hope is not lost! If you look at the right places beyond our borders today, you’ll find you have more good choices than ever for a comfortable — even pampered — retirement. In any one of our “Top 19”…

  • Tax Laws, Corruption and Other Reasons to Expatriate

    Joel Bowman
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:29 pm
    Here’s a meaningless abstraction for you, Fellow Reckoner. You ready? US GDP grew at an annualized rate of 1.7% for 2011. Now, what does that sentence actually tell us? What does it reveal about life or the quality of it; about the long arc of history and where we are along it; about the Heavens above us, the Hells below and our place in the present somewhere in between? What useful piece of information does this arrangement of letters and numbers divulge that has this morning’s news wires so abuzz with excitement? What, if anything, does it really say? Nothing. Well, nothing important…

  • Unattainable Government Goals

    Bill Bonner
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:25 pm
    Yesterday, investors digested the big news from Wednesday…the Fed’s announcement that it would continue handing out money, asking nothing in return, for the next three years. Stocks went down. Oil stayed under $100. The yield on the 10-year note fell under 2%. And gold just kept going up. The New York Times reported: The Fed said that it now planned to keep short-term interest rates near zero until late 2014, continuing the transformation of a policy that began as shock therapy in the winter of 2008 into a six-year campaign to increase spending by rewarding borrowers and punishing…

  • Commodities Take Off!

    Chuck Butler
    27 Jan 2012 | 10:57 am
    The Greek talks returned to the headlines this morning. I know I said this last Friday, and I was a little too optimistic and turned out to be wrong! But… I do expect this agreement on a private-sector involvement in Greek debt to get hammered out this weekend… It seems that the opposition from eurozone policymakers is backing off, and that has me optimistic once again. The currency guys are optimistic too, for they are willing to keep the euro above 1.31 at this point… Here’s the skinny on the whole process: Greece must repay 14.5 billion euros of bonds in March, and…

  • How Ben Bernanke Rationalizes “Exceptionally Low” Interest Rates

    Joel Bowman
    26 Jan 2012 | 3:54 pm
    Anything happen in the markets yesterday? To tell the truth, we forgot to check. Let’s have a look now, then… Dow up by 80-something points. A barrel of the world’s currently-preferred energy sits pretty at $100, on the nose. Nothing much, in other words. Ooh…but here’s something: “Gold extends post-Fed rally to 6-week high.” MarketWatch has the story… Gold prices climbed Thursday to levels last seen in early December, extending a rally triggered as the Federal Reserve pledged to hold US interest rates near zero until the end of 2014. Gold for February delivery,…
 
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    Canadian Finance Blog

  • Friday Links

    Tom Drake
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
    This week Rob Carrick wrote a stirring post that asks you to Put Your Financial Knowledge to the Test.  Yes, there will be a quiz. Joining a pension plan can be confusing.  Thankfully Million Dollar Journey shared an in-depth article, Joining a Pension Plan?  A Closer Look at PAs, PARs, PSPAs. Retire Happy Blog this week explained in a guest post how The Timing of Retirement is Different for Everyone. The Financial Blogger gave out a ton of ideas and tips in their article on how it can only take 5 Years to Become Millionaire.  Some of the tips will surprise you. If you’ve ever…

  • Improve Your Finances: Look Up, Not Down

    Nelson Smith
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
    They say that you’re an average of your 5 closest friends. Like anything “they” say, this soundbite has to be taken with a grain of salt. There’s undoubtedly some truth in it, like there is in every cliche, but most of the time it’s just simply not true. My interest in finance dwarfs the interest of my 5 closest friends. Their combined interest probably doesn’t even exceed mine. I’m much more interested in frugal living than my friends are, as evidenced by their choices in houses, cars and clothes. About once every few months I get some sort of…

  • Personal Finance Basics: Spend Less Than You Make

    Alan Schram
    25 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
    Was one of your new years resolutions to get your finances in order? Are there a few things about the whole situation that you’re just not sure about? Personal finance doesn’t have to be that hard. There’s a couple basic rules that you can follow that will instantly change your whole financial situation. The first, and most important one of those guidelines is to spend less than you make. In fact, this rule is so basic that it doesn’t matter how much money you make, or what your debt situation is like – everyone needs to spend less than they make. It may sound…

  • Financial Goals That Are Easy To Accomplish

    Jim Yih
    24 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
    January is not only a great time to reflect on the past but also a great time to look into the future and set some goals.  One of the biggest mistakes people make is they set goals without boundaries and goals that are too difficult to achieve. Accomplishing goals can be very rewarding so sometimes it’s great to set some little goals that create a positive feeling that you have achieved some milestones.  Achieving smaller success can be a great stepping-stone to bigger goals. He’s a list of 10 goals that anyone should be able to accomplish Make an extra mortgage payment this year. …

  • Are Group Deal Vouchers All They’re Cracked Up To Be?

    Tom Drake
    23 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
    We do everything socially these days. The Internet has made it easier to share your life with others – and that includes your shopping habits. The rise of sites like Groupon and LivingSocial make it possible for you to enjoy great deals along with all of your friends. But are these group deal vouchers all they’re cracked up to be? Why are You Buying the Vouchers? One of the first things you have to ask yourself is why you are buying any given voucher. When you see that your Facebook friend has just bought a voucher for 75% off on shoes, it looks like a great deal. But would you have…
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    Credit.com News + Advice

  • Credit.com in the News: Credit Trends, Cards for the Unbanked, Rebuilding Credit

    Tim Langevin
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:18 pm
    What went on in the week of consumer credit? So glad you asked. In addition to their regular contributions to the Credit.com blog, Credit.com’s credit and debt experts regularly offer their advice and commentary on the state of consumer finance to other media outlets.  For even more great advice and insight, we present to you the highlights from this week’s media appearances: RECOMMENDED: FREE CREDIT CHECK TOOL Credit Report Card Check your credit for free with this great tool from Credit.com. It offers expert advice on how to manage your credit. And you can return every 30…

  • Talk Credit Radio: Truth (and Myths) About Negotiating Debts

    Credit.com
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:03 pm
    This week on Talk Credit Radio: Friday January 27, 2012 Tune in to Talk Credit Radio this week with Credit.com’s personal finance expert Gerri Detweiler, live from 4-5 ET/1-2 PT. Ways to listen are listed below. Here’s a quick quiz: • True or False: There is a government program created by President Obama that requires credit card companies to work with you to pay off your debts. • True or False: Debt settlement companies can no longer charge upfront fees and must wait to get paid until they settle debt. • True or False: Creditors only negotiate with attorneys.

  • How Credit Card Balances Impact Your Score

    Tom Quinn
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    A reader, Dylan, recently wrote in with a question for us. He has three credit cards and wants to know if it is better (results in higher points) to carry similar balances across all three cards or to carry a large balance on one of his cards and zero or very low balance on the other two cards.  The exact answer depends on the balance and ratios dynamics on Dylan’s credit cards, as well as his overall credit profile. [Related Article: 8 Credit Score Myths Debunked] How you manage your overall level of credit debt is a very important component of your credit score—and how you…

  • BofA Tests Credit Card-Tied Social Couponing

    Credit.com
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    A new social couponing plan is being launched by the nation’s largest lender as a means of incentivizing more use of both debit and credit cards. Bank of America is currently testing a new program called BankAmeriDeals with its employees in North Carolina, South Carolina and Nevada, according to a report from The Associated Press. Currently, the bank has no timetable for rolling the plan out to consumers, but will soon extend it to its more than 275,000 employees nationwide to test it further. FREE TOOL: CHECK YOUR CREDIT Credit.com’s Credit Report Card Check your credit bureau…

  • Military Student Loan Forgiveness and Discharge Programs

    Steve Rhode
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:12 pm
    More and more at GetOutOfDebt.org we are getting questions about how to get your student loans eliminated, forgiven, or discharged if you are in or served in the military. It is absurdly ironic that members of the military can go into harm’s way, fight in combat and yet return home only to struggle to escape the invisible bondage of student loan debt. However, there are some real options that can help you do this, but like the military, there are rules to follow and hoops to jump through. [Article: Feds: Mortgage Companies Still Violating Military Families' Rights] Public Service Loan…
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    Wealth Virtues Journal

  • How to Become Wealthy in 2012 and Win a Valuable Portrait of Ben Franklin!

    James Ward
    22 Jan 2012 | 2:52 pm
    The first fifty people in 2012 who purchase Wealth Virtues (paperback or Kindle) and send a qualified entry submission are eligible for a chance to win a crisp $100 bill displaying the image of the great man, or they can opt instead for a $100 Amazon gift certificate. Non-$100 winners and entries 51 through 100 will be entered to win a Kindle Fire.

  • The Better Road or the Better Mousetrap?

    James Ward
    20 Jan 2012 | 6:51 pm
    The Internet is the highway (duh). What the movie industry will have to realize and deal with is distribution is now in the hands of many. The Internet is the 50-lane Interstate with many on-ramps. The SOPA and PIPA bills before Congress would have figuratively blown up huge parts of the highway to make sure people wouldn’t be able to visit a flea market with pirated stuff.

  • Ten Free Things to do now to Gain Control of your Finances and Save Money

    James Ward
    19 Jan 2012 | 1:56 pm
    It costs little to nothing to find out more about your finances, how to control them, and create wealth.

  • How to Suck it up and Eliminate Credit Card Debt (Unless You Want to Retire Broke)

    James Ward
    11 Jan 2012 | 6:30 pm
    The key is to change the way you think and your behavior. Start with practicing the virtues of Benjamin Franklin and apply them to your finances. Wealth Virtues will help you do this.

  • The Constitution of the Democratic Party and Occupy Movement

    James Ward
    6 Jan 2012 | 9:41 am
    The Occupy movement philosophy of "give me all, and I don't want to pay for it", closely mirrors the actions of the Democratic Party to cater to that philosophy. Here are some wonderful "rights" that meets this philosopy. You will be suprised where they really come from!
 
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    QROPS Advice & Information from the Global Leaders in QROPS

  • Bad timing adds to financial losses for European funds

    QROPS.net
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:49 am
    Bad timing by investors switching their money added to losses in a disastrous year for European funds. Missing opportunities by selling near the bottom or buying as prices were rising added to the financial woe of investors experiencing an awful year, says a research report from fund managers Morningstar. Key findings from the survey showed: Fund outflows were €114 billion – €70 billion from equity funds and €44 billion out of fixed income Money market funds saw the strongest inflow in December, with €4.4 billion, but flows to short-term funds were in the red for the year…

  • The Spanish are still in trouble

    QROPS.net
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:50 am
    If you are dreading going back to work in the New Year, take heart from the fact that your to do list is not as impossible as the one on the desk of the Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy. His predecessor had agreed a deficit target for 2012 of 4.4 per cent of GDP with the other leaders of the eurozone. This was on the understanding that the deficit at that time was between 6 and 7 per cent. On the basis of those supposed figures, this was optimistic. However, economists recently revealed that the current figure is 8 per cent. When the new government took up the country’s reigns and…

  • IMF blames euro for global growth downgrade

    QROPS.net
    25 Jan 2012 | 1:05 am
    Lack of leadership and a failure to deal with debts in the eurozone is blamed for pulling down the world economy, says the International Monetary Fund. In an uninspiring global review, the IMF has downgraded growth figures as the eurozone is mired in recession. Emerging economies are doing their best to pull the rest in to line, with China expected to drop back from last year’s stupendous 9.2% growth to 8.2% and India is hothousing at 7%, while the more established markets in the US – expanding at a sluggish 1.8% – and Japan forecasting to shrink by 0.4%. Overall, says the IMF,…

  • Will Greece go bankrupt?

    QROPS.net
    24 Jan 2012 | 7:43 am
    Despite the numbers not adding up for years, politicians, economists, and Europeans have hoped that Greece will not be the first country to default on its debt in six decades. However, this is becoming more and more likely as talks between members of the Greek government and its creditors keep stalling. A deal must be reached before the deadline of March 20, when the ailing country is due to receive another bailout from the IMF and make some substantial payments. Most Greek sovereign debt is held by European banks, who may face collapse if Greece has a “disorderly” default. It seems that…

  • Bookies shout the odds on the Eurozone debt crisis

    QROPS.net
    20 Jan 2012 | 10:47 am
    With the world’s markets in disarray and politicians seemingly unable to make decisions about continuing problems besetting most of the major economies, it’s time to look at where the smart money is going. Some investors might suggest that despite the sophisticated research that backs fund managers shifting tother people’s millions around the markets, their best work is no more or less the same as putting money on a horse race. Most bookies have odds on some of the major issues dominating the headlines – and here’s a look at what William Hill reckons as the likely results. The…
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    The Dividend Guy Blog

  • Weekly Links

    MD
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Time for the weekly links… 1. What Should I Invest In for 2012? Part-1 @ Dividend Ninja. 2. Intimidation Tactics In The Market @ Barel Karsan. 3. Dividend Investing Is Not Just A Trend @ IS. 4. 5 Years To Become Millionaire @ TFB. 5. Improve Your Finances: Look Up, Not Down @ Canadian Finance Blog. 6. Active Dividend Growth Investing @ DGI. 7. Look for Dividend Stocks @ D4L. 8. How To Assess If The Smith Manoeuvre Is Good For You @ The Passive Income Earner. 9. Stock Market Basics @ Studenomics. 10. Carnival of Personal Finance – Words of Wisdom Edition @ Matt About…

  • Genivar GNV Stock Analysis

    Mike
    25 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
      For the first dividend stock analysis of the year (besides my 29 Dividend Stocks for 2012 eBook), I decided to take a look at a beaten up stock that could definitely become a rising star in the upcoming years. For a fact, GNV dropped by 14% in 2011. Was it justified or was Genivar simply a victim of a bad Canadian stock market? Let’s dig further to find out!   Genivar (GNV) Description Genivar is a leading Canadian engineering services firm offering its expertise in multiple types of buildings for private and public sector clients. Strong from its expertise and the fact that 99%…

  • 4 Top Canadian REITs For 2012

    Mike
    23 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
      Strong from my series on Canadian REITs in 2011, I’m going back this year with 4 top picks on the best Canadian REITs for 2012. I think that it’s important that you don’t get blinded by the attractive yields of REITs and decide to invest all your money in them. On the other hand, since the Canadian economy seems stable, the banking system is solid and interest rates should not go up by much in 2012 (most recent stats on inflation in January 2012 shows a 2.3% annual rate), Canadian REITs seem to be a logical addition to your portfolio. And this is good for US investors too; there…

  • Weekly Dividend Links

    MD
    20 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Time to share the best links from the past week: 1. Top International Dividend Stocks (ADR’s) – Telecom Stocks Dominate @ IS. 2. Maintaining Your Rental Property Once You Hand The Keys Over @ PIN. 3. Dividend Income – January 2012 @ The Passive Income Earner. 4. High Dividend Stocks With Sustainable Payments @ D4L. 5. Eleven Dividend Kings, Raising dividends for 50+ years @ DGI. 6. The Face You Should Be Making Each Day of Your Life @ TFB. 7. Artio Outflows = Investor Upside? @ Barel Karsan. 8. 5 High-Yield REITs With Growing Dividends @ DGS. 9. Is There Really Such…

  • Dividend Stock Power Ranking

    Mike
    18 Jan 2012 | 6:18 am
    You know that since I’ve bought this blog almost 2 years ago, I never thought I would like writing about dividend investing so much? To be honest, I used to write more creative stuff over on my main blog, The Financial Blogger. At first, I felt the need to present something more professional and “straight”. I thought that my creativity had to be put on the shelf as dividend investing was darn serious and you should not be fooling around with money.   This is partially true thought. I actually think that both creativity and professionalism can co-exist. Others obviously disagree…
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    Money Hacker

  • Timing the Property Market: Is it a Good Time to Buy a House?

    David Boyd
    17 Jan 2012 | 7:02 pm
    As in many other areas of the world, the housing market in Australia recently has been subject to close scrutiny. Multiple factors have contributed to Australia’s high property prices namely decades of the flowing credit with home loans requiring only 5% down (or less). Other factors include the strong economic conditions, homeowners desiring bigger residences, [...]Money Hacker is a fresh Australian money and lifestyle blog dedicated to sharing great personal finance tips along with some oddities & curiosities from the financial world.

  • 10 Ways to Cut Costs

    Gareth Boyd
    11 Jan 2012 | 6:30 am
    Like many people you will be looking to cut your spending and save your money after the Christmas spending splurge, so you may need some help to learn how not to spend as much money when out and about shopping. After Christmas your credit cards are probably overloaded and you may be wondering how on [...]Money Hacker is a fresh Australian money and lifestyle blog dedicated to sharing great personal finance tips along with some oddities & curiosities from the financial world.

  • The Game of Life Infographic

    David Boyd
    21 Nov 2011 | 3:28 am
    According to LifeBroker, Australian’s worry about burglary as much as death, only 54% of Australians have life insurance and surprise, surprise the major factor for people to under insure is cost.Money Hacker is a fresh Australian money and lifestyle blog dedicated to sharing great personal finance tips along with some oddities & curiosities from the financial world.

  • 11 Websites of the World’s Biggest Banks

    Mark Brown
    10 Oct 2011 | 12:12 am
    Over the past few years the banking world has undergone a lot of scrutiny, and rightly so. In the world of web design, whoever wins the web design contract for these financial giants will usually not have much room for innovation. All the innovation is mostly unseen and behind the multi-step login screens for internet [...]Money Hacker is a fresh Australian money and lifestyle blog dedicated to sharing great personal finance tips along with some oddities & curiosities from the financial world.

  • How to Negotiate Estate Agent Commission Fees

    David Boyd
    14 Sep 2011 | 9:41 pm
    Since the first boat load of convicts and settlers arrived in Australia, real estate agents have not been far behind. Despite the many years they have been operating, their core services have remained virtually unchanged. A typical Australian Real Estate Agent will charge a rate of 3% on a property worth $400,000. When faced with [...]Money Hacker is a fresh Australian money and lifestyle blog dedicated to sharing great personal finance tips along with some oddities & curiosities from the financial world.
 
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    Debt Free Adventure

  • My Testimony to the Tithe

    Matt Jabs
    25 Jan 2012 | 9:00 am
    God promises that if we give He will bless us. While we should never give to receive a blessing, God is still faithful... here's my story of His faithfulness.Related Articles: Tithe to Prosper – DFA Tip of the Week – 2/9/2009 DebtFreeAdventure::Category List Tithing Our Time?

  • Cash Envelopes For Couples

    Matt Jabs
    23 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Cash envelopes work for singles AND couples. Use our proven tips to save time, save money, and reduce financial stress. I dare you to prove me wrong.Related Articles: Understanding and Improving Cash Flow Using Cash [It's the Only Way to Go] PerkStreet Cash Back Debit Card

  • Grocery Hacks – How We Save Money on Groceries

    Matt Jabs
    20 Jan 2012 | 9:05 am
    This is the story of how we reduced our grocery budget from $400/month down to less than $250/month! The other night we sat down -- together -- and compiled this list of 20 ways we have successfully reduced our grocery bill over the last 7 months. Enjoy!Related Articles: Save Money | Dining Out vs. Groceries Analyzed Save On Groceries and Eat Well Free Haircuts = Save Money – DFA Tip of the Week – 4/27/2009

  • How Much Interest Are You Paying?

    Matt Jabs
    18 Jan 2012 | 2:25 pm
    How much interest you are paying each month? Use this spreadsheet to find out and use it to track your debt reduction progress.Related Articles: How Much Interest We’re Paying – March 2011 How much Interest are YOU Paying? Get Mad at Debt! How Much Interest [Autumn 2011]

  • Smart and Easy Investing with Betterment.com

    Matt Jabs
    16 Jan 2012 | 9:01 am
    Betterment.com is a smart investment account that provides better investing in ETFs for those new to online investing. I joined to earn higher yields on my savings.Related Articles: Betterment $25 Bonus For New Accounts 3 Ways to Get Started Investing with $1,000 or Less Saving and Investing Compared
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    Gen Y Wealth

  • 5 Ways to Ask for a Raise

    Matt
    21 Jan 2012 | 9:59 am
    In life, you sometimes need to make sacrifices to get what you need or want.  Maybe you are running low on cash to make your payments or fund a vacation, etc, so you decide to ask for a raise.  Approaching your boss to ask for a raise can be pretty intimidating but worth it if you have the right tactics.  Make sure that if you do go ahead and try to get a raise that you are ready for “no”.  Keeping your head up high after a “no” will always earn you respect.  Here are five steps you can take to better your chances at getting a raise.  Ask for it.  If you haven’t had a raise…

  • 5 Ways to NOT Get a Raise

    Matt
    16 Jan 2012 | 10:08 am
    When you go to ask for a raise from your boss, it is just as important to know what to say as what not to say.  If you say something that is not ideal when asking for a raise you will not get it and you could have dug yourself a hole for getting a raise in the future.  If you go into the meeting with a chip on your shoulder you will most likely not be seeing an extra penny for awhile so do yourself a favor and avoid these common pitfalls when asking for a raise. “I need the money”.  Here is the harsh reality of what your boss thinks about your finances: they do not care in the…

  • Top Financial Newspaper For Education and Actionable Ideas

    Matt
    7 Jan 2012 | 7:58 pm
    When you go to the news stand you can find a wide variety of financial newspapers and it can be hard to determine which one is the right one for you.  Some offer more commentary while others offer more trade ideas.  However, the ideal newspaper has a healthy balance of both commentary and trade ideas.  The ideal newspaper need both aspects because you need to stay informed on big news in the market, as well as explain why they chose the trades they did.  As for the trade aspect, it is always nice to see where the paper believes there are going to be significant moves in the market.

  • Despite Uncertainty, Stocks Remain Long Term Winners

    Matt
    30 Nov 2011 | 8:35 pm
    It is no secret that the stock market has been failing investors the past few years.  The global economic crisis began in 2008 and has taken many years to finally see some potential for recovery.  Despite what you read and hear on tv, the US economy is strongly improving but still lags recovery in housing.  Europe is still in a rough spot but signs of recovery show as well. Unemployment is finally starting to go down as businesses start hiring again, GDP is at 2%, banks are lending slowly again, the list goes on.  However, there are two main issues that may derail the US if steps are not…

  • 12 Blogs That Will Violate Your Expectations | The Concept of Motivation

    RJ
    15 Sep 2011 | 7:00 am
    Let’s face it, humans are lazy. Laziness is natural, not something that’s wrong with us. If our ancestors expanded all of their energy, they wouldn’t have enough energy to respond to an immediate threat. Josh Kaufman, author of The Personal MBA, refers to this as Conservation of Energy. He explains in his book, “We’ve evolved to avoid expending energy unless absolutely necessary.” Years ago, humans needed to always have gas left in the tank to respond to immediate threats. Today, that gas isn’t needed because most of us are not facing life or death situations constantly. This is…
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    Matt About Money

  • Money Roundup: Mastering the Art of Negotiation, Important Financial Goals That Are Easy to Accomplish, and More

    Matt Bell
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:05 pm
    Here’s what I found in my latest journey through the personal finance cyberspace – 10 articles that will help you win with money. Open Low Minimum Roth IRAs for Kids (Kiplinger’s).  Kids who contribute to a Roth IRA will head into adulthood with a great financial advantage.  Here are three companies with kid-friendly requirements. How to Master the Art of Negotiation (US News).  It’s amazing what you can get if you just speak up.  We recently had a not-so-great hotel experience, so I brought it to the attention of the chain’s customer service department.  I didn’t even make a…

  • How to Truly MANAGE Money With Mint.com

    Matt Bell
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:18 am
    If you’ve been following this series of instructional videos on how to use Mint.com, the hard work is now done.  You’ve opened an account, connected it with your bank or credit union and credit cards, and set up a budget. As you’ll see in the following video, now you’re ready to start truly managing money with Mint. If you have any questions about Mint.com, meet me in the comments section. Related Posts: The Key to Getting the Most from Mint.com Getting Started With Mint.com How Does Mint.com Keep User Information Safe? Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a…

  • Carnival of Personal Finance – Words of Wisdom Edition

    Matt Bell
    23 Jan 2012 | 8:27 am
    It’s my pleasure to host this week’s 345th edition of the Carnival of Personal Finance. If you’re not familiar with a blog carnival, it’s a showcase of some of the best writing from throughout the blogosphere, with bloggers submitting one of their best recent posts.  This particular carnival, which features rotating hosts, has been in operation since the summer of 2005. I thought it would be fitting to intersperse this week’s picks with quotes that feature additional words of wisdom or points to ponder. Editor’s Picks “The ancient Greek definition of happiness was the full use…

  • The Single Most Powerful Personal Finance Tool

    Matt Bell
    20 Jan 2012 | 10:02 am
    If a tool was available that would give you a strong sense of control over your finances and help keep your financial stress low, wouldn’t you use it? If a tool was available that served as a financial roadmap, showing you clearly how to live within your means, be generous, and save or invest for future goals, wouldn’t you use it? And if this same tool helped create a sense of financial teamwork and trust in your marriage, wouldn’t you use it? What is this magical tool? Why, of course, it’s the lowly, much maligned, much misunderstood budget – or, as I prefer, Cash Flow Plan. It’s…

  • The Key to Getting the Most From Mint.com

    Matt Bell
    18 Jan 2012 | 12:53 pm
    Using a budget is not a one-size-fits-all sort of deal.  You could use a paper & pencil system, the envelope system, an Excel spreadsheet, software like Quicken, or an online tool like Mint.com. For those interested in giving Mint a try, I’m showing how in a series of short instructional videos.  In the video below, I’ll show you one of the most important steps for getting the most from Mint – how to set up a plan for your income and expenses. If you have any questions about using Mint, ask away in the comments section. Related Posts: Getting Started With Mint.com How Does…
 
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    Steadfast Finances

  • Why Homebuyers Should Be Thankful About Paying Large Closing Costs

    Corey
    27 Jan 2012 | 9:51 am
    An under-reported study conducted by the St. Louis Fed reveals a very different narrative with regards to the causes of the recent housing crisis. Researchers studied national foreclosure demographics to determine if predatory lending played a crucial role in the recent housing collapse. Economists were able to hone in on two demographics that made up a large share of foreclosures, but the findings were quite the opposite from what you’d expect. The two wealthiest socio-economic demographics made up the largest share of foreclosures during the housing bust. These individuals had the highest…

  • Congressional Insider Trading Activity Finally Goes Mainstream

    Corey
    13 Nov 2011 | 7:22 pm
    Someone in mainstream media, and it’s not all that surprising it’s 60 Minutes, finally got around to covering one of Congress’ most astonishing ethical, moral, and soon to be illegal, violations of holding public office… politicians trading on insider information.  Brief clip: Insider trading on the stock market: if you are a member of Congress, those laws are deemed not to apply. So Congressmen get a pass on insider trading? They do. The fact is if you sit on a healthcare committee and you know that Medicare, for example, is considering not reimbursing for a certain…

  • Fake Prosperity: U.S. National Debt Growth vs. GDP Growth

    Corey
    3 Aug 2011 | 10:56 am
    If you’re a member of Gen X and Gen Y, this is probably the scariest chart you will see in 2011, and possibly, right up to the time you’re old and gray. As you can clearly see, the crony capitalism, fake prosperity, recycled Keynesianism memes et al., have been a great benefit to the U.S. economy… right up until we reach the tipping point and it’s time to pay it back. Let’s hope those folks who started this race to economic ruin in the 1980s (for the sake of winning elections) will get voted out of office see the light and do the right thing: force those who…

  • S&P 500 Support Trendline in Question

    Corey
    1 Aug 2011 | 11:36 am
    Predictably, a vast majority of people thought the markets would soar after a verbal agreement had been reached on the debt ceiling fiasco. Err, wrong. The bigger problems, at least in my opinion, is a potential breakdown of a 2 and 1/2 year support trendline in the S&P 500 index and a potential close under the 200 day moving average. Breaking support doesn’t mean the market will plunge to zero within a month, but with so many technical traders keeping tabs on such indicators, the probability of heading lower certainly rises. Related Posts My Favorite Pro-Gold Chart: the S&P 500 to…

  • The Hypocrisy of the Republican Debt Ceiling Debate

    Corey
    17 Jul 2011 | 10:10 am
    US Government Spending: Why the Republican Argument of “Obama is a Keynesian” Doesn’t Hold Water. Being an idealist, I’m easily repulsed from any person/organization that I lose respect for. Case in point, the reason why I said goodbye to the Grand Old Party was because they’ve completely gone off the deep end when it comes to social issues (e.g. believing they can tell U.S. citizens what they can or can’t do in the bedroom) and they hammer the current sitting President while totally ignoring the reckless spending that went on just 3 short years ago when…
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    Fiscal Fizzle

  • Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Expenses

    Wojciech Kulicki
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    We have two plus years of baby care and the expenses that come with it now under our belt. At the same time, a lot of our friends and family are now having babies for the very first time, as are many of you, my dear readers.As a result, I’m constantly encountering questions about how much things cost, what I recommend, how to do X, Y and Z, and everything in between.If that inquisitive soul sounds like you, this post is a treat because I hope to tackle many of the most common questions I’ve heard to date.Without further ado, here are the FAQs of baby costs:(1) How much does it cost to…

  • How Safe are Your Plans from Unexpected Expenses?

    Wojciech Kulicki
    23 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    This post is super-important.If you can embrace the concept of financial readiness, I believe you can achieve any reasonable financial goal that you set.The problem is that we’re lying to ourselves.We design our budgets, set up our goals and live out our financial lives with the expectations that the world is at our mercy.Sooner or later, odds catch up with us and we realize that things will never go as planned. In one area or another, things happen that put a huge strain on our money.Where We StrayWith practice, I’ve learned to laser-point these unexpected areas in my own life.

  • Warning: Unemployment May Be Good For You

    Wojciech Kulicki
    20 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    It was 2006, shortly after graduating college with professional degrees in architecture, and things were looking up for us.Real estate in Florida was reaching its peak, developers couldn’t hire architects fast enough to create new projects, and firms of all sizes were hiring even semi-decent talent.I honestly believed I could find good-paying work anywhere we moved in the United States.It so happened that my wife already had a job offer pending with a company she interned in 6 months earlier. After a few weeks of research, I applied for and got a job at the first company I interviewed…

  • Is Your Money Better Off Single or Married?

    Wojciech Kulicki
    17 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    Most people don’t consider the financial implications of marriage when they take the plunge.Inherently, this isn’t a good or a bad thing, it’s simply that we have too many other things on our mind when we’re in love and ready to pop (or answer) “the question.”But…as we all know, marriage can have a huge impact on our finances. Today, I’d like to consider this question:Does your money benefit more when you’re married or single?I invite you to share your own thoughts in the comments after reading the post. I’ve outlined what I think of as the major pros for each…

  • Thoughts on 2 Years of Fatherhood

    Wojciech Kulicki
    14 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    Our son turned two last weekend. Developmentally, this marks a point in his life where we’re starting to see emotion, a sense of  preference and improved communication, otherwise jointly known as the Terrible Twos.People randomly ask me if I’m scared of what’s coming next, as if some impending doom is about to descend over our household and make our lives miserable. I recognize I might be singing a different tune on his third birthday, but I see this as just another phase in his growth.In fact, it’s a huge opportunity.If there was ever a time to instill a sense of…
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    The SpendLessTV.com Money-Saving Blog

  • Ways to Save Money on Health Insurance

    SpendLessTV.com
    22 Jan 2012 | 7:22 pm
    Urrg! The rising cost of health care and health insurance is distressing and aggravating, to put it mildly. In November, I received notice that my health insurance premiums are going up. As of January 1  they are increasing a whopping 24% – that’s an increase of $198.44 per month!  Yes, per month, bringing my yearly premium total to $12,279.72. I guess this was an early “Happy New Year” greeting. I am not currently employed, do not seem to qualify to join a “group” for group rates, and I do not yet qualify for Medicare (and I’m not sure if I…

  • Ways to Cut Everyday Health Care Costs

    SpendLessTV.com
    16 Jan 2012 | 9:00 am
    I know I am not alone in feeling a little panic when facing the skyrocketing costs of health care in the U.S. on everything from an aspirin to surgery to insurance premiums. It seems everyone is looking for ways to combat the rising cost of medical care. Here are a few pointers and resources with tips that may help reduce your everyday health care costs, without compromising quality: Always ask. Ask your doctor, hospital, lab, pharmacy, etc. if there is anything they might suggest that would lower the cost of treatment. You’d be surprised at what they might be able to do for you. Ask if…

  • How to Host a Golden Globe Awards Party on a Budget

    SpendLessTV.com
    11 Jan 2012 | 2:33 pm
    Yes, you can enjoy entertaining with Hollywood and Broadway style, right in your own home.  Here are 5 videos from entertaining and trend-spotting experts giving ideas on food, fashion and decorating so you can host a fabulous party that won’t leave you empty handed. Party Great on a Budget - Make your special event the best! You can host a great party, and on a budget, too! The Party Goddess, Marley Majcher, shows how easy it can be. Red Carpet Look-A-Likes, Golden Globes ’10 - You can look like a Hollywood star and do it on a budget. Nextpert.com’s fashion trend…

  • Shop and Save Money! Receive Cash Back, Exclusive Discounts and Coupons

    SpendLessTV.com
    8 Jan 2012 | 3:13 pm
    This is just a very small sampling of the deals, coupons, and cash back offers in effect right now, from our affiliate partner, ShopAtHome.  If you haven’t joined ShopAtHome yet, you’re missing out on what thousands of thrilled money-saving ShopAtHome members know:  ShopAtHome is the easiest way to receive exclusive deals, cash back offers up to 25%, and save money, both in-store and online, for just about everything and anything. Don’t wait! Start enjoying instant savings with ShopAtHome now! It’s quick, safe and free to join. ShopAtHome Link to this article:…

  • Is a Debt Relief Service For You?

    SpendLessTV.com
    4 Jan 2012 | 10:09 am
    More than ever, people are feeling money-crunched.The holiday season brings additional challenges and stress, and the new year traditionally is a time to re-examine one’s financial situation and debts. Many people are, for the first time, facing difficulties in critical areas such as managing loan payments and dealing with home foreclosures and bankruptcy. A growing number of people are seeking professional help in navigating the management of their credit and debt. The decision to enter into a debt relief program can be a stressful one in itself. How do you decide if a debt relief…
 
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    Moneyproblems Tip of the Day

  • Don’t Budget

    Moneyproblems Tips
    2 Jan 2012 | 4:26 pm
    Conventional wisdom is that you need a budget to manage your money.  It’s true that having a budget makes it easier to analyze where you are spending money, and to find places to cut expenses to pay down debt, or to save money. But making a budget is hard.  Keeping it up is even harder. So, don’t budget.  If you are not mathematically inclined, and you think you won’t succeed at budgeting, don’t. Read our article on how to NOT make a budget for the secret to money management without budgeting.

  • Credit Education Week - The Sandwich Generation

    Moneyproblems Tips
    16 Nov 2011 | 3:59 am
    This year the theme of Credit Education Week is “The Sandwich Generation”, aimed at adults who are supporting both their children and their elderly parents. That’s a difficult financial position to be in, so if you are under that level of stress, the starting point is to make a very detailed household budget. If you know exactly where your money is going, you have the best chance to deal with this added financial stress.

  • Credit Education Week - Get Unbiased Advice

    Moneyproblems Tips
    15 Nov 2011 | 3:44 am
    This isCredit Education Week in Canada, and today our tip of the day is simple: get unbiased advice. Banks want you to get a debt consolidation loan, and payday loan companies, of course, want you to get a payday loan.  Of course payday loans are not the answer to your financial problems, and a debt consolidation loan may or may not be the answer, but when you talk to a bank or payday loan company, that will be their advice. Credit Education Week is sponsored by banks, credit card companies, and payday loan companies, so they will generally try to “sell” you the solution that…

  • Credit Education Week - School The Lenders

    Moneyproblems Tips
    14 Nov 2011 | 6:44 pm
    This is Credit Education Week in Canada, where we are all supposed to learn about credit.  Perhaps this year we should do the opposite: we should teach lenders about credit. Gail Vaz-Oxlade, host of the TV shows Till Debt Do Us Part and Princess, is suggesting that it’s time to School Lenders, meaning they need to learn that, in her example, giving a 21 year old person who makes just over $20,000 per year $15,000 in unsecured credit is crazy? So, today’s tip of the day: think before you borrow.  Just because the bank offers to lend you lots of money doesn’t mean you should…

  • Beware of Debt Settlement Companies

    Moneyproblems Tips
    7 Nov 2011 | 6:40 pm
    How NOT to deal with your debts Tip of the Day: Avoid Debt Settlement companies unless you fully understand how they work. For the program to work, you have to stop paying your creditors – you then fall behind, compromise your credit rating, and run the risk of having your income garnisheed. Worse yet, the creditors may not agree to the settlement that the Debt Settlement Company offers to them. Wouldn’t it be awful to pay all of that money to the Debt Settlement Company, have your credit ruined in the process, and still owe the money? Research your debt consultantbefore you sign…
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    JoeTaxpayer

  • A Wealth Tax? Really?

    JOE
    24 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    An article recently appeared in the Wall Street Journal titled “The Conservative Case for a Wealth Tax.” The proposal is to have a fair exemption, say, $3M, and any amount above this would be taxed each year at 3%. The author, Ronald McKinnon offers an example showing that a couple with $5M would be taxed $60K. I imagine many will think this is hardly enough, those hedge fund managers who make million each year can afford to pay more than this. Perhaps, but in the spirit of “Unintended Consequences” I’d suggest that this tax will hurt some people unfairly. Take a…

  • A Deeper in Debt Round Up

    JOE
    22 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    This week really flew by, and it’s time for another roundup. Unlike last week’s all-Suze roundup, this week we’re back to a variety of authors. Blogger Luke Landes guest posted at Business Insider, a thoughtful article, Yes, There is Such a Thing as Saving Too Much Money. It’s as much about the journey as the destination. Saving to the point you are not happy is certainly saving too much. New Year resolutions are behind us (you’re keeping up with yours, right?) but Financial Samurai Predictions for 2012 is a great read. 10% on the S&P would be great to see…

  • The Fifteen Percenters

    JOE
    21 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    When asked what his tax rate is, Romney responded “15%.” No surprise, this is the rate for dividends and long term capital gains. This isn’t likely to go away, as those with money make big donations to the campaigns of the congressfolk who make these laws. Thus the old line, “Is that a congressman in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?”

  • Why to Save the Flexible Spending Account

    JOE
    18 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    There are times I get a comment that’s both long enough and insightful enough that I request the author’s permission to put it up as an article. The follow guest post is from Andrew Chunis, the Business Manager at Advanced Benefit Strategies, a third party administrator of employee benefits. Andrew makes a compelling case for improvements to the FSA, not elimination. Thank you, Andrew, here’s your comment-turned-article, unedited. Gonna have to disagree, Joe. Hear me out: First on administration cost: Typically a third party administrator bills the employer a monthly fee per…

  • Resolutions for 2012

    JOE
    17 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    It’s about time, I know. I remember last February, I ran into someone I see every month or so, and he wished me a Happy New Year. I responded in kind, but thought to myself that it was already February, time to move on. Since it’s still mid-January, I’m thinking it’s not too late to share my 2012 goals. Run 1000 miles. Again. In 2011, I came up short, just over 900. This year, I need to be more consistent, once behind, it’s really tough to keep up, and the time off at year end isn’t time to run at all, so I need to end November well ahead of pace. I still…
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    Financial Samurai

  • What Income Level Is Considered Rich?

    Financial Samurai
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:08 am
    President Obama considers single people making over $200,000 to be rich.  He has specifically called for raising taxes on singles making over $200,000 and couples making $250,000 every year he’s been office.  Yet, he’s been unable to pass any tax increases because I don’t believe most people agree with him that $200,000 for singles and $250,000 for couples is rich.  If most people agreed, higher taxes would pass! There are two aspects of monetary wealth we can focus on: Income and Capital.  Some make a lot of income, but have only a little amount of capital since they…

  • Things To Do And Think About Before Quitting Your Job High Roller

    Financial Samurai
    24 Jan 2012 | 7:08 am
    The wooden bar shimmers with beer stains as I stubbornly try to wipe them away.  Each jab of the napkin gets stuck, like a fly to Venus.  Eventually I give up as my friend returns from the Thomas Crapper smiling. “Sam, when I get my bonus this February, I will have hit my goal of saving $1,000,000 in the bank!” said my 38 year-old friend Paul over his Guinness.  He went on to explain, “I’ve been saving my bonus every year for the past 16 years so that I can one day quit my job and do something more relaxing and fun.” “Well done Paul!” I respond as…

  • Credit Card Enlightenment: Hobbies Are Expensive!

    Financial Samurai
    23 Jan 2012 | 4:08 am
    December is generally a higher expenditure month given the holidays and tempting sales galore.  I would ideally like to keep my personal credit card bill in the $1,000-$1,500 range, with $2,000 as the upper limit.  After $2,000, I feel like I’m wasting money because that just seems like an awful lot to spend on things beyond housing costs. I decided to start tracking my monthly credit card expenses to mainly make sure there aren’t any egregious fees that I know nothing about.  For the past 10 years, all I’ve been doing is eyeballing the total amount, and if it was below a…

  • Is Discrimination OK If You Aren’t Being Discriminated Against?

    Financial Samurai
    20 Jan 2012 | 3:18 am
    On Wednesday, January 18th large internet companies such as Wikipedia blacked out their sites in protest of the Stop Piracy Act Bill (SOPA).  The nice-sounding bill threatens to destroy creativity and freedom of speech on the Internet by allowing the US Department of Justice and copyright holders authority to attack sites who enable or facilitate copyright infringement. Imagine Financial Samurai sharing a piece of useful information on how to prevent credit card theft online, and the original creator is from some giant corporation who has a propensity to sue despite linking back and giving…

  • The Right Amount Of Life Insurance

    Financial Samurai
    18 Jan 2012 | 4:28 am
    If you haven’t done so already, calculate your net worth to assess how you did this past year.  Hopefully, you’ve grown your net worth, despite the stagnant stock markets through aggressive savings, retirement company matches, a diversified investment portfolio, rental property cash-flow, and an increase in your start-up’s value. Wait, all you have is your savings?  Then you better start diversifying your income stream so you’re always moving forward, no matter how rough the economy.  Once you’ve calculated your net worth, make sure your life insurance levels…
 
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    Automatic Finances

  • Is 2012 the Year Bank Accounts Pay For Everything Online?

    Jason Unger
    5 Jan 2012 | 10:01 am
    I mentioned it briefly in my last post about Verizon's $2 online billpay fee (which has since been canned due to public and FCC response), but it looks like 2012 is shaping up to be the year credit cards see a legitimate challenger in online e-commerce. Since the Internet's inception, credit cards have been the primary means buying things online, whether it's through standard e-commerce shopping carts or through a third-party processor like PayPal or Google Checkout. Obviously, the "security" credit cards provide and the relative ease of the transaction has made them…

  • Verizon Now Charging for Online – But Not Automatic – Payments

    Jason Unger
    30 Dec 2011 | 8:06 am
    Verizon has announced that they will begin charging customers a $2 fee for paying their bills online via credit card, in order to "continue to support these single bill payment options in these channels and is designed to address costs incurred by us for only those customers who choose to make single bill payments in alternate payment channels (online, mobile, telephone)," the company says. While the fee applies to one-time online payments, there will be no charges for using the company's AutoPay option, which will pay your bill automatically each month via either credit/debit…

  • Here's Even More Proof the 'Experts' Aren't Always Right

    Jason Unger
    22 Dec 2011 | 8:17 am
    I'm not going to spend the time linking back to posts where I argue that you shouldn't listen to so-called 'experts' when it comes to investing or stock picking – I've talked about it so much that if you haven't gotten the message yet, you're on your own. But yet again, there's irrefutable proof that even the folks the financial media and institutions hold up as investing 'experts' can make some really bad calls. As reported in the December 2011 issue of Money magazine, three so-called experts made horrible investing choices this past…

  • 10 Myths About Online Banking

    Guest Post
    26 Sep 2011 | 3:56 pm
    In a survey conducted this year, researchers found out that four out of five households with Internet access now use online banking. This new way to keep track of your finances has become somewhat of a norm in our society, but the few who do not take advantage of this option have made accusations about banking online. To help weed out some of these accusations, here are ten myths about online banking. Myth 1: Your Money Is Not Safe If You Bank Online A very common myth about online banking is that your money is not secure. However, the reputable companies who provide online banking are…

  • Day 16: Set up Budget and Spending Alerts

    Jason Unger
    8 Sep 2011 | 3:57 pm
    I know you've been waiting patiently for the last few chapters for the ebook – so here we go. With smartphones, SMS and apps, it's easier than ever to get automatic updates delivered straight to you wherever you are. Let's set those up today. Believe it or not, you are almost completely financially automated! You've got your income automated, your savings automated, your billpay automated, and your spending automated. That's amazing! But now that the processes are in place, you need to set up easy ways to track your performance. For that, we return to Yodlee.
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    Stocks to buy, Stocks to watch,stock ideas and forum

  • Wish all of readers a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2012

    admin
    1 Jan 2012 | 8:59 pm
    Wish all of our readers a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2012.  Lets hope we have excellent year for trading 2011 pretty much has been a bear year and it looks all indications are pointing towards a great bull run in 2012. The reason to be optimistic for year 2012 is 1. All the economic indicators have been getting better in past 3 months 2. All the major corporate companies are very well placed with cash reserves and good sales improvements. 3. Technically the probability of a bull run is very likely. Please let us know your comments and how we can improve our site. We intent to be very…

  • stocks to watch tomorrow

    admin
    8 Dec 2011 | 10:16 pm
                      Tomorrow is going to a big day and most probably a little good news from europe would be good enough to have a big positive day. The stocks we are watching tomorrow can be found in http://finviz.com/portfolio.ashx?v=1&pid=25067859    

  • Stocks to watch today

    admin
    16 Nov 2011 | 8:37 am
    CAST  - ChinaCast Education Corporation BPAX  - BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. AEZS  - AEterna Zentaris, Inc. OPWV  - Openwave Systems Inc BSDM  - BSD Medical Corporation JAG   -Jaguar Mining Inc Ordinary Shar VELT  - Velti plc GTAT  - GT Advanced Technologies, Inc. AMRN  - Amarin Corporation plc KOG   -Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp Common St AONE  - A123 Systems, Inc. EK   -Eastman Kodak Company Common St BIOF  - BioFuel Energy Corp. PEIX  - Pacific Ethanol, Inc.

  • Best Stocks to buy right now

    admin
    11 Nov 2011 | 9:25 am
    DIS- The Walt Disney Company  NVDA -NVIDIA Corporation PNS  -Pinnacle Data Systems, Inc. NLST -Netlist, Inc. WES  -Western Gas Partners, LP TRX -Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Corp. LRE -Lancashire Holdings Limited

  • Where to invest when market is falling

    admin
    10 Nov 2011 | 8:24 am
    When the market is bearish pattern and you know for some certianity that the market would fall what do you do, There are many options available in such situations. You can look at investments like Gold You can look at some stocks with earnings that might still do good on that day You can invest in some of the volatility related ETFS like VXX,FAZ,TZA etc( more detailed article coming soon). Please feel free to comment if you have any ideas on where to invest when market in falling. Good luck with your investment, keep coming back for more useful tips and ideas.
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    Saving Money Today

  • Book Review: Secrets of a Stingy Scoundrel

    briana
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:25 am
    Have you ever thought that you know all there is to know about saving money and being frugal? You probably clip coupons, buy your clothes from thrift stores, and reuse before you buy new. You may not take it to the next level, as the people do on Extreme Cheapskate, but you save a lot more than you spend. However, I can guarantee you can learn a thing or two from a stingy scoundrel like Phil Villareal. Author of Secrets of a Stingy Scoundrel: 100 Dirty Little Money-Grubbing Secrets, Villareal takes us into a new realm of saving money, one that may or may not cross your ethical lines. The…

  • How to Pay for Kid’s Activities without Breaking the Bank

    Melissa
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:59 am
    If my son had his way, he would be taking tap dance, playing soccer and baseball, and taking piano and guitar lessons.  However, we simply don’t have the money or the time to put him in that many activities.  If you have children who want to explore many extracurricular activities, here are some ways to keep them active without spending more than you can afford. Institute the one activity rule.  Allow your child to participate in only one activity that costs money at a time.  I instituted this policy because, while I want my son to participate in activities, I don’t want it to be a…

  • Homer Simpson’s Top Ten Business Ideas

    Mike
    23 Jan 2012 | 6:49 am
    I’ve been a fan of The Simpsons from the very beginning when they started out as a cartoon short during the Tracey Ullman Show.  The characters have changed quite a bit over the years and none more so than Homer Simpson.  In early episodes, Homer was a hard-working father with good intentions who just never seemed to catch a break.  These days he’s little more than a buffoon bouncing from one comic adventure to the next. But there is one character trait that Homer has managed to maintain through it all and that is his entrepreneurial side.  Time and time again Homer has started his…

  • Maintaining Your Relationship When You Are Gazelle Intense About Paying Down Debt

    Melissa
    19 Jan 2012 | 7:17 am
    Dave Ramsey made the term “gazelle intense” common vernacular among those who follow his advice and want to get out of debt.  Gazelle intensity means to work as hard as you can to throw as much money at your debt as possible to get out of debt as quickly as possible.  Often, to do this, people must take on an extra job (or two), in addition to selling things around the house. Gazelle intensity works because as you pay off your smallest to largest debts, you become encouraged to see that you are making progress.  It is supposed to be difficult, but the motivation is that you only need…

  • 8 Things You Shouldn’t Do At Work

    briana
    17 Jan 2012 | 8:20 am
    Whether you’re joining a new company or if you’ve been at the same one for years, there are certain things you should keep in mind when interacting with your peers. Here are 8 things you shouldn’t do at work. Gossip: It happens at every job, has been happening and will keep happening. Whether at the water cooler or via instant messaging, he-said she-said always gets around the office. It can backfire on you in no time. Instead, distance yourself from the people who are constantly spreading someone’s business (truth or lies), and keep your personal information to…
 
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    Personal Finance Stories

  • Higher Education One Of Victims of Bad Economy

    Twila VanLeer
    10 Jan 2012 | 7:33 am
    It has long been apparent that higher education has a direct correlation with what a person can expect to earn during his or her lifetime. But there is growing concern that the high cost of higher education may be nudging some young people out of the matrix. With the amount of their tuition checks constantly rising, the number of students borrowing to pay their college costs has doubled in the past decade, the College Board reports. The average cost of one-year tuition at a public four-year college is now $20,000, and at private non-profit schools, the average jumps to $35,000. Those numbers…

  • Web Tools To Help You Manage Money

    Sherry Tingley
    6 Jan 2012 | 7:08 pm
    Fox Television financial expert John R. Quain has specific advice on some of these individual components of a good overall plan to get control of your finances. Eliminate Debt: To go straight to the heart of the problem, there is a free website, ReadyForZero.com. It links to your credit cards, loans and bank accounts, totals what you owe and estimates how long it will take to pay off your debts, depending on the interest rate of each account. A sliding bar of what you can pay each month shows dynamically how you can shorten the time to pay off everything, and save money in the process. Even a…

  • 10 New Years’ Financial Resolutions

    Sherry Tingley
    3 Jan 2012 | 6:45 pm
    Losing weight and stopping smoking are the two most common New Years’ resolutions Americans make. But harder than either of these may be the determination to get your finances into shape. In fact, if you’re in shape and your finances are not, life can be miserable. Here are 10 New Years’ Resolutions that will help you get your finances back on track. 1. Know What You Want Write down what you want this year. Knowing what you want will give you goals to shoot for and reasons to save for those goals. Keep a list of the things you want the most and target them by not overspending on…

  • Life Is Crap? Entrepreneur Capitalizes On The Fact

    Twila VanLeer
    30 Dec 2011 | 6:15 pm
    Everyone who is actually inhaling and exhaling on a regular basis knows it. Life is crap. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we end up in the soup. Anyone over two has already learned to expect the unexpected. (Actually, it starts long before you reach two, but Mom takes care of it. It’s part of her crappy life.) Fun T-Shirts By Life Is Crap So, what’s a person to do? Paul Wheeler believes the only answer is laughter. The whole focus of his company — predictably named Life is Crap — is to take the inevitable, put it up front and visible and laugh it off. “It’s…

  • Depression Caused by Debt

    Guest
    27 Dec 2011 | 7:26 pm
    Many experts say that getting depressed over mounting debt is normal. For many individuals just the thought of not being able to overcome their debt can trigger major psychological problems. Generally, the depression is just a phase, as the debt loan lightens, so does the depression. However, for others, the depression can lead them down a dark and tragic road, ending in suicide or thoughts of suicide. It is critical for anyone that has had thoughts of hurting themselves or others to seek out the care of a doctor or mental health care professional. They will be able to offer a proper…
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    Control Your Cash: Making Money Make Sense

  • Stupidity Before Bed, And After Every Meal

    admin
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:28 am
    Trent Hamm, after flossing   Kudos yet again to everyone’s favorite purveyor of pointless personal finance advice, Trent Hamm of The Simple Dollar. Our hero has discovered a groundbreaking new way to avoid the tartar and dental caries that have plagued mankind since we started walking upright. Tired of having a smile that looks like a truck drove through it? You’re not going to believe how easy it is to solve that particular problem. Check out Trent, coming hard with the wisdom on November 5, 2009: Brush your teeth. An unclean mouth is a perfect place for unwanted bacteria…

  • Our Appearance On The Suze Orman Show!

    admin
    25 Jan 2012 | 8:19 am
    Suze Orman (Note: We deliberately waited a couple of weeks for this, hoping the hullabaloo would have subsided. It hasn’t. Also, even though we still have a few more posts scheduled for January, you can consider this our Financial Retard of the Month. No one else is going to top it.) Here’s the transcript of our recent television appearance on The Suze Orman Show, hosted by America’s favorite financial professional. It has yet to air.   It’s The Suze Orman Show! Today, Suze’s guest is Greg McFarlane of Control Your Cash! SUZE: I understand you and Betty Kincaid have…

  • Carnival of Wealth, Explanatory Edition

    admin
    23 Jan 2012 | 7:40 am
    The red bar should probably go in front of the word, otherwise it looks like we're encouraging whining   Welcome back to another rousing edition of the only personal finance blog carnival worth reading, the Carnival of Wealth. Why should you read it? Well, you’re already here anyway – it seems pointless to get this far and not finish. Second, you get a cross-section of posts from around the personal finance, there’s that word again, blogosphere. Hate it, but it fits. And you get exciting commentary that makes you want to read each post in sequence, keep the Carnival…

  • Greetings, ProBlogger Readers

    admin
    19 Jan 2012 | 8:33 am
    (If you don’t read ProBlogger and are wondering what we’re talking about, this. And you should read ProBlogger, because it kicks.)  Welcome to the only personal finance site that’s committed to helping you build wealth, if you’re willing to meet us halfway. Therefore, one of this site’s design features is that it’s the only site of its kind that speaks directly and without compromise. Personal finance? Yawn. That stuff is boring and it doesn’t apply to me, anyway. I’m just punching the clock every day, trying to survive. Financial independence…

  • How To Go Broke In Real Estate

    admin
    18 Jan 2012 | 8:11 am
    One month, she tried to pay in canned goods and STDs   Every other post, you guys write about making money through real estate. It’s not that simple.  We never said it was. If your wealth plan consists of nothing more than buying the cheapest house you can find and then placing an ad on Craig’s List for a renter, of course you’re going to fail. Here are some other handy tips to turn passive income into passive outgo:   1. Don’t do your homework.  If you want to become a residential landlord, it takes 5 minutes to determine how much units are going for in your selected…
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    FiGuide - A Retirement Plan That Works!

  • Why You Shouldn’t Invest Your Self-directed IRA in Real Estate

    Russell D. Francis, CPA, CFP®
    26 Jan 2012 | 12:17 pm
    You might ask yourself, “With housing prices and interest rates so low, isn’t it a good time to invest my IRA in real estate?” Think twice before you do. There are a lot of disadvantages when purchasing real estate with your IRA funds even if you think property prices have bottomed out and you feel [...]

  • The Best Options For Paying For a Funeral

    Tom Orecchio, CFA, CFP®
    24 Jan 2012 | 10:44 pm
    After recently attending a funeral of a close family friend, I started thinking about end of life planning. Clearly there are steps we should take to lessen, even a little, the hardship facing loved ones at the time of one’s death.

  • The 6 Worst Pieces of Financial Advice

    Fern Alix LaRocca CFP® EA
    23 Jan 2012 | 1:16 pm
    There's financial advice, and their there is really bad financial advice. These 6 common pieces of advice may be the worst we've heard yet. Here's why...

  • A Must Read Before You Set-up A Self-Directed IRA

    Ana Maria Martinetti-Katz, CFP®, CPA, MBA
    19 Jan 2012 | 8:06 pm
    With the market fluctuations of late, investors are growing increasingly concerned and tired of watching their portfolio holdings lose value by the day. This is causing a lot of buzz in the area of Self‐Directed IRAs.

  • How Women Can Successfully Plan for Retirement

    Claire Emory, MBA, CFA, CFP®
    17 Jan 2012 | 4:14 pm
    Women's needs for retirement are often different than those for men. For one, women live 5 years longer than men and earn significantly less than men over their careers, on average. However, with the right planning, women can achieve a successful retirement.
 
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    Budgets Are Sexy

  • Would You Rather…

    J. Money
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:02 am
    Man, it’s been forever since we last did one of these! Have you been missing them like I have?  Remember our last one?  Haha… “Would you rather be RICH 100 years ago, or Average now?” – they’re always entertaining ;)  Even if there’s no real point to them other than having fun (but that’s what Fridays are for, yo!). So let’s continue the tradition, and see what your pretty little brains would prefer today… Here’s our next question in the series:  Would you rather… Win $15,000 in dollar bills, or win $20,000 in…

  • Weekly Roundup: Lies, Pennies and Stupid Habits

    J. Money
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:10 am
    Happy Friday debt killers!  Here’s a handful of my fave reads from around the web this week – got some good ones in there for ya (and some very *interesting* ones too, specifically #10 down there ;)).  Enjoy! Don’t spend too many Benjamins this weekend… The Negative of Wealth @ Simple Island Living Ways to Make Money Map [image] @ Pro blogger The Struggle @ Nate St. Pierre (Not really $$ related) The Charity Water Story [video] @ Charity Water (INSPIRING!!) Lies, Lies, and More Lies About Money @ DINKS Finance Heads Up: The Unemployed Still Get Taxed @ Savvy Sugar…

  • On Taking Financial Risks: Living On The Road

    J. Money
    26 Jan 2012 | 5:20 am
    (Guest Post by Anne Dorko, who’s finally going for her dreams and sharing the dirty details with us!) You know all those crazy adventures you imagined as a kid? They were so awesome. Then you become an adult. Things like, oh, I don’t know… an overwhelming lack of time and money get in the way of ever experiencing the adventures you once thought you’d have. There are bills and responsibilities. Ick. Ugh. Blah. Meh. But you do what you must. Every time you think of those dreams, you say “Someday day I’ll do that. As soon as I’m done with this other part of my life.”…

  • Does America Hate Money?

    J. Money
    25 Jan 2012 | 5:48 am
    That was the subject line of an email a reader just sent in ;)  At 3:30 a.m.  Haha… I think he was bit perturbed. Here’s the rest of the email below: I just opened my hotel bill today and I was shocked to see all the added taxes that were added on my bill.  Now I was a little upset at that.  Not because of paying more money, but I felt that I was being deceived.  What ever happened to: “It costs $5″ “okay” *passes $5* “have a great day!” Nowadays, it is no longer airlines who are not adding random fees on top.  In a way of promoting their…

  • What If We Only Invested in Companies We Loved?

    J. Money
    24 Jan 2012 | 5:17 am
    I’ve been thinking long and hard about this idea lately, and I REALLY think there’s something to it.  And I’m pretty sure I’ve heard a famous investor, or financial guru, or somebody well-respected once say it’s a great theory to adhere to also.  I mean, it makes sense, right? Investing in companies you already support as a consumer? Like, say, Coke or Starbucks or any of those other awesome places like TJ Maxx?  I’m already giving them all my money anyways, might as well get a return on them too! Haha… I know some of you are already doing this…
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    Justmeans

  • Making the Link Between Poverty and Illness: Microfinance Takes on Healthcare in India

    Reynard Loki
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:00 pm
    "The biggest enemy of health in the developing world is poverty." -- Kofi Annan[1]A fifth of all childhood deaths worldwide occur in India, where out-of-pocket healthcare spending is 80 percent among a population of which 76 percent -- about 800 million people -- live below the poverty line. Healthcare is a luxury for many Indians, even as they live in one of the world's fastest growing economies. Indeed, India suffers from a deplorably inequitable distribution of wealth and has a disproportionate number of adults at the bottom of the global wealth pyramid: Almost a third of the world's…

  • Foxes in Charge of the Henhouse: The Influence of Big Agribusiness on Food Policy

    Reynard Loki
    25 Jan 2012 | 3:00 am
    Understanding the relationship between money, politics and food can cause a loss of appetiteThere was a time when very few people questioned the source of the food on their plates: how it got there, how the animal that provided that meat was killed and how it was treated until its demise, as well as the effects of pesticides, antibiotics and carbon emissions created by food production. But even though consumer awareness about where our food comes from may be stronger than ever, the sustained influence of big agribusiness continues to threaten public health, animal welfare, food safety and the…

  • Propping Up the Past: Fossil Fuel Subsidies Should Go the Way of the Dinosaur

    Reynard Loki
    24 Jan 2012 | 1:00 pm
    Ending subsidies for dirty fuel would make gas more expensive. Maybe that's not a bad thingEliminating fossil fuel subsidies could save as much as Germany's annual greenhouse gas emissions every year by 2015 -- half of the carbon emission savings required to prevent dangerous levels of climate change -- according to Fatih Birol, chief economist of the International Energy Agency (IEA). An estimated 2.6 billion tonnes of CO2 would be saved by 2035, more than India and Germany's emissions combined.[1]In 2009, the G-20 countries agreed to phase out fossil fuel subsidies over the "medium term" to…

  • Dirty Fuel, Dirty Money: Congress Is Awash in Contributions from and Investments in the Fossil Fuel Industry

    Reynard Loki
    23 Jan 2012 | 1:00 pm
    Capitol Hill is greased by oil money. In the House, Speaker Boehner leads the packMuch to the relief of environmentalists and ranchers -- two factions often on opposite sides of the table -- President Obama rejected the Keystone XL pipeline. In a statement, he said that "the rushed and arbitrary deadline insisted on by Congressional Republicans prevented a full assessment of the pipeline's impact, especially the health and safety of the American people, as well as our environment."[1]But the story about the controversial Canadian project that aims to transport toxic crude oil from tar sands…

  • World's Carbon Concentration Highest in Last 800,000 Years

    Reynard Loki
    21 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    "For the first time we have made no improvement in our rate of decarbonization. We have in fact increased the carbon intensity of growth." -- State of Green Business Report 2012[1]Last month, the Global Carbon Project released their 2010 Carbon Budget report, which found that fossil fuel CO2 emissions increased by 5.9 percent in 2010, representing not only a 49 percent jump from levels in 1990, the Kyoto reference year, but the highest emissions in human history. The report grimly notes, "The present concentration is the highest during at least the last 800,000 years." That was right around…
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    Smart On Money

  • Do You Save Your Pocket Change? For One Indiana Man It Adds Up To A New Car Every 10-15 Years.

    Mr. Money
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:11 pm
    Whenever I take out cash and pay for things at the store inevitably I end up with a pocket full of change at the end of the day.  Quite often I’ll just spend the change in the vending machine at work, or leave it in my car for times when i need 25 cents here or a nickel there.   More often, however, I’ll take the change home with me and put it in the change bowl on my dresser, and every few months I’ll take it in and have it deposited in my bank account.  Usually it adds up to a hundred dollars or more, which goes directly into my savings. The question,…

  • Should You Itemize Your Tax Deductions?

    Miranda Marquit
    24 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    For years, my husband and I just took the standard tax deduction, and were happy with it. After all, that deduction is fairly hefty. Then, my home business started making money (and our contributions to our church rose correspondingly), and we bought a home. Now, suddenly, we had a higher amount that we could deduct — and it was more than the standard deduction. We started itemizing our tax deductions. Do Your Deductions Amount to More than the Standard Deduction? It may seem like a pain to add up all of your deductions, but it can pay off in the end. If your itemized deductions add up…

  • Should You Move For A Better Paying Job?

    Miranda Marquit
    18 Jan 2012 | 1:59 pm
    Recently, Kiplinger released a list of cities with the best paying job opportunities. There is also an interactive map that shows where the best paying jobs are — and the worst. I’m not surprised that the major cities in my state of residence, Utah, are among the worst paying in the nation. I’ve seen first hand how much people can expect to make here. Some of the cities with the better paying jobs include Washington, D.C. and Manchester, New Hampshire. The rankings were based on the number of job openings available that pay more than $50,000 a year. The idea is that you can…

  • American Express Bank Personal Savings Review: High Yield Savings Accounts

    Mr. Money
    12 Jan 2012 | 4:25 pm
    On this site we’ve reviewed quite a few online banks from Ally to ING Direct to Perkstreet. In general we’ve talked about how people view their customer service, what kind of rates they have, the histories of the companies and so forth. One bank that I missed that has apparently had an online bank for quite a while now is also the company that I had one of my very first credit cards through, American Express.   I’m not sure how I missed this offering, but it recently came to my attention.  They’re currently one of the higher (albeit low) rates right now, so I…

  • The Cost Of Resolutions

    Guest Contributor
    11 Jan 2012 | 8:50 am
    The New Year is here and we are all striving to get ourselves off on the right foot by committing to the right resolutions. However, not all resolutions are created equal. While most will improve your health or your mental well-being, there are a few in particular that will save you thousands of dollars over the course of your life in addition to improving your mental and physical well-being. A few of the most cost-effective New Year’s resolutions include: Losing Extra Pounds – $10,000 in Lifetime Medical Costs Being obese is no joke. There are higher food bills, higher insurance…
 
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    Financially Poor

  • Why You Should Check All Of Your Credit Scores

    Kevin
    20 Jan 2012 | 7:25 am
    FreeScore.com is releasing 2 new commercials in  the coming days. You can check them out early on their YouTube channel or right here. The biggest point in their commercials is how you need to know all 3 credit scores instead of just 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzU-HHtYWJg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amcfGDPx3Jg Different places check different scores so it’s always good to know what to expect. Only knowing one score can get you denied or even a higher interest rate. If you’re in the market for a loan be sure to check all 3 scores. And also check your credit report for…

  • Happy Valentines Day But Are You In Love?

    Kevin
    10 Jan 2012 | 9:32 pm
    It’s that time of year where we show the one we love with flowers, candy, and if they’re lucky, jewelry. But I’m going to talk about loving a state of mind today. Do you love your life? Does it treat you good and do you smile whenever you think about it? I do, because for the first time in my life, I’m truly happy with everything. I have a beautiful, supporting, loving fiancé and I love what I do. I’m doing something that feels right. I help people, spread dreams and knowledge, and I love every minute of it. I can’t imagine doing anything else. This is my calling and I’m not…

  • Payday Loans Help People

    Kevin
    10 Jan 2012 | 9:32 pm
    Payday loan companies are banks for poor people. They cash your checks, make money orders; you can even pay your bills there. Some of these places will help you with your taxes and even set you up with a prepaid visa card. The downside is that all of these things cost money. But that’s the point of business, to make money. You can’t really fault them for that. They do charge a high interest rate, if you change their fees to an APR. But apparently it’s not too high, because people are using them and their business is growing. The point of these companies is to cover you in case something…

  • Property Investments in a Down Market

    Kevin
    10 Jan 2012 | 9:32 pm
    Ask investment experts on their take regarding investment properties for sale and they would tell you that a down market like the one we currently have is the perfect time to expand your portfolio particularly in real estate investment. There are plenty of below market value homes mostly due to foreclosure that will sell for much higher in a stronger market. Taking advantage of this BMV homes and similar low-priced properties opens up great opportunities to grow your investment assets especially when the market picks up and real estate prices return to pre-economic crisis levels.        …

  • Reducing Your Credit Card Debt with Balance Transfers

    Kevin
    21 Dec 2011 | 12:41 pm
    Credit card debt is easy to rack up and difficult to pay down. One reason that it can be so hard to pay off credit card debt are the high interest rates that many cards carry. If you are only able to make the minimum payment you might find that every dime you are paying toward your credit card is only covering the monthly interest. It might seem like a lost cause and like you will never be able to get out of debt, but there is hope. Learning to use balance transfer offers to your advantage can help you to reduce your credit card debt and pay down your balances much more quickly. If you…
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    Couple Money

  • Saving Up for The 2012 Financial Blogger Conference

    Elle
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:56 am
    Registration just opened up this week for the 2012 Financial Blogger Conference and I ordered 2 tickets for the event. Last year’s conference was fantastic – not only did I get to meet some of my online colleagues in person, but there was an incredible amount of information I gathered. This year looks to be a bigger event and the location chosen, Denver, makes this a ‘must attend’ conference for us. Investing in Yourself and Learning from Others It’s not just about taking notes at sessions and creating a to do list to use at some point in the future. To me,…

  • What’s Taxable Income?

    Elle
    26 Jan 2012 | 7:54 am
    You’ll see many sites advising you to lower your taxable income. What exactly does that mean? Which part of your income is taxable? Taxable Income and You Quite simply how much you owe on taxes is based on your taxable income and your filing status. When you dig deeper your taxable income also affected by how you earned it. Income earned from your job or business is taxed differently than your investments. Wages and Salary Most people are familiar with income earned through their employment. At the beginning of every year you should receive a W-2 form from your employer recording all…

  • Refinancing Our House- An Update

    Elle
    25 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    It’s been a bit since I mentioned refinancing our mortgage. We hadn’t dropped the idea – it’s just that there hasn’t been much changed. We haven’t heard anything from the mortgage specialist. Earlier this month we decided to see if the streamlined refinance option our current lender offers would be a good deal for us. Currently their advertised rates for a 15 year loan is 3.250% (3.565% APR) and they’re advertising that the fees are less if we stay with them. Curious to how much we could save, we sent in a request for a quote. We were told that it…

  • Military Student Loan Forgiveness and Discharge Programs

    Elle
    24 Jan 2012 | 5:29 pm
    More and more at GetOutOfDebt.org we are getting questions about how to get your student loans eliminated, forgiven, or discharged if you are in or served in the military. It is absurdly ironic that members of the military can go into harms way, fight in combat and yet return back home only to struggle trying to escape the invisible bondage of penetrating student loan debt. We almost need a secondary definition for PTSD. How About Prepare to Suffer Debt? There are some real options that can help you do this but like the military there are rules to follow and hoops to jump through. Public…

  • What Debt Will You Conquer in 2012?

    Elle
    23 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Our Debt to Conquer in 2012 There’s been a slight change for one of our 2012 financial goals. I know it’s only the first month, but I feel like I should adjust it to reflect a new opportunity. As regular readers know, we have one student loan between us and its our only non-mortgage debt left. Right now we’re paying around $150/month. Per our 2012 goals, I’d like to pay down the student loan principal by at least $2,000 this year (in addition to our regular monthly payments). We’re focusing on setting aside a percentage of any windfalls (tax refunds and work…
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    Beating Broke

  • Starting a Business? Read This Guide!

    B.B.
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:05 am
    Starting a Business? Read This Guide! is a post from: Beating Broke, if you enjoy it, please visit us and subscribe to the Feed.One of the best ways to break out of the daily grind, and do something that you really enjoy, is to start a business.  You’ll likely work twice as hard, but because it’s something that you love, you’ll enjoy every minute of it.  When my wife quit her job, she could have used a lot of the advice that is contained in the guide I’m about to share with you.  There were lots of questions about the structure and methods that are necessary to…

  • Is Recycling Bullshit?

    B.B.
    25 Jan 2012 | 7:05 am
    Is Recycling Bullshit? is a post from: Beating Broke, if you enjoy it, please visit us and subscribe to the Feed.Show of hands.  How many of you actively participate in recycling endeavors in your community?  You schlep around your empty cans, jugs, and bottles.  You pile them up with your used papers, then sort them all into bins so some poor schmoe down at the recycling center doesn’t have to.  All so your city can save a few dimes on an already expensive endeavor.Let’s think about this honestly for a minute.  Because, I think we’ve got our terms confused.  What,…

  • Are Personal Loans a Scam?

    B.B.
    23 Jan 2012 | 7:47 am
    Are Personal Loans a Scam? is a post from: Beating Broke, if you enjoy it, please visit us and subscribe to the Feed.Consideration provided by Compare the MarketOne of the reasons that I dislike payday loans so very much is because of the terribly high interest rates that the payday loan companies get away with charging.  Couple that with the high fees, and it doesn’t take a genius to see why most people who know anything about personal finance will agree with the “parasitic lending” tag that I throw at them.  By comparison, a personal loan isn’t much better.  Or is…

  • Carnival Round Up, January 21, 2012

    MelissaB
    21 Jan 2012 | 7:27 am
    Carnival Round Up, January 21, 2012 is a post from: Beating Broke, if you enjoy it, please visit us and subscribe to the Feed.Beating Broke was included in five carnivals this week:Carnival of Personal Finance hosted by Diva in DebtCarnival of Personal Finance hosted by My Wealth BuilderYakezie Carnival hosted by Prairie Eco ThrifterCanadian Finance Carnival #71 hosted by Canadian Finance BlogandCarnival of Financial Camaraderie #16 hosted by My University MoneyThanks to all hosts for including my posts.

  • Sharebuilder Returns Update

    B.B.
    20 Jan 2012 | 6:42 am
    Sharebuilder Returns Update is a post from: Beating Broke, if you enjoy it, please visit us and subscribe to the Feed.As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve been taking 10% of my income from my online ventures and splitting it between my Lending Club account and my Sharebuilder account.  It’s been a bit of an experiment.  Nothing scientific, but a test to see if I drop the same amount of money into each account, what the returns and stability would look like.  My returns on Lending Club have been very good, and the stability has been good so far.  Let’s take a look at the…
 
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    Denise Richardson

  • Beware of Phone Scams: 3-Digit Security Code Ruse, Computer Tech Support

    Denise Richardson
    25 Jan 2012 | 3:15 pm
    Criminals use the phone to commit many different types of fraud. They often use publicly available data, phone directories or data they obtained in a data breach --so they might know your name and other personal information when they call...

  • IRS Overwhelmed with Identity Theft

    Denise Richardson
    20 Jan 2012 | 7:50 pm
    Now that the New Year is here, it's time to start thinking about W-2's and 1099's to get ready for tax season.  Though many people don't start thinking about their taxes until closer to April, the IRS actually begins processing...

  • How Stolen Data is Bought & Sold Online

    Denise Richardson
    16 Jan 2012 | 12:07 pm
    Have you ever wondered how identity thieves use the Internet to buy and sell your stolen information? When most people think of identity theft they imagine people stealing credit card applications from their trash or stealing their credit card numbers...

  • Got a Plan for Your Unwanted Holiday Gift Cards?

    Denise Richardson
    12 Jan 2012 | 8:58 am
    You might think that the holiday shopping season concludes once the mad dashes for last-minute presents have been run and the carefully wrapped paper has been torn away and discarded, but that's certainly not true in the modern gift card...

  • FL ID Theft Bust: Part of Massive Identity Fraud Conspiracy

    Denise Richardson
    11 Jan 2012 | 8:50 pm
    A major identity theft ring bust thought to be centered in Apopka FL --appears to stretch far beyond the state of Florida ---and the United States. According to law enforcement authorities, the Florida arrests are part of a massive conspiracy...
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    Ex-Consumer

  • Personal Finance in Personal Relationships

    Jenny
    25 Jan 2012 | 8:53 am
    Sometimes I have to stop and realize that not all people feel comfortable discussing personal finances. I’ve always enjoyed discussing money matters, but this may be because I feel that money management is separate from a person’s character. Unless someone is intentionally being dishonest, learning to properly manage money is typically just about learning how. Personal Finance Gets Personal I recently learned that a young man I’m close to is planning to move out on his own soon. His mom called to tell me about his plans to leave the family nest. She said that she asked him…

  • DIY Household Cleaners

    Jenny
    16 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Over the past year I’ve derived great pleasure from learning how to make many everyday cleaning solutions myself. In the past, the overwhelming scents and fumes of commercially sold cleaners burned my lungs and eyes and irritated my skin if contact was made. Honestly, I’m surprised it took me so long to find a safer and less expensive way to keep my house clean. There are many reasons to make your own cleaners at home, but the following are a few of my reasons: To avoid harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients. To save money. To be gentler to the Earth. To become more…

  • For Peace of Mind, Pad Your Accounts

    Jenny
    6 Jan 2012 | 7:51 am
    Happy New Year! As I look back over the little things we did last year to enable us to pay off all of our consumer debts, I realized one of the most important things we did  – and have always done — is pad our checking accounts. This little tip I picked up from my dad when he was teaching me how to manage my first checking account. It has served me so well, I’ve made it a permanent habit. Kirk and I have two different checking accounts. One we call our “spending account” and use for things like groceries, gas and entertainment — basically any variable…

  • Looking Back, and Forward to 2012

    Jenny
    29 Dec 2011 | 9:20 am
    As 2011 comes to a close, I’m left reflecting over what the past year has brought. I’m feeling overwhelmingly grateful as I stop to remember all that has been accomplished this year. Paid off almost $27,000 in consumer debt. Built an emergency fund of over $13,000. Shaved hundreds off of our living expenses. Created this blog and connected with all of you! Things weren’t always this rosy for us. When our oldest son was one, Kirk and I embarked on a journey to change our circumstances. Kirk wanted to get out of the roofing industry, and I had just closed an ice-cream shop.

  • Advertising Messages and You

    Jenny
    21 Dec 2011 | 8:27 am
    Think back to the last time you picked up a magazine or catalog and walked away from it feeling better about yourself. If you’re having a hard time remembering such a time, you’re not alone. The only way you would likely feel better about yourself is if you purchased a product you “discovered” by reading said magazine or catalog. What if you made the conscious decision to stop browsing magazines? Is it possible that you would miss out on the lastest and greatest thing you never knew you always needed? Would you walk around in the “wrong” color eyeshadow or…
 
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    First Generation White Collar

  • The best way to predict the future is to invent it

    L. Marie Joseph
    25 Jan 2012 | 9:56 am
    The advice I would give young people “Quit your job, don’t work for anybody. You really can’t make any money working for someone else” - Phil Ruffin, Billionaire Wow. Is it that easy? Most rich people that give advice do not go into much detail of they became successful. You not only want to quit your job but it’s more or less quitting your job at the right time. Not all entrepreneurs are rich and not all working people are broke. There are a lot of ordinary people that have a six figure income and great wealth. It’s all about you and how you use your…

  • What Do You Do When You Are Bored?

    L. Marie Joseph
    24 Jan 2012 | 9:52 am
    “TV is the path of least resistance from complete boredom.” -Aaron Spelling Most of us love our TV’s even when our favorite shows are not on we still have to have it on scanning hoping we find something that catch our attention. What I do when I’m bored? I spend time in bookstores because one idea from a book or magazine can make me money. I read the Wall Street Journal and Barron’s when I visit the library with my daughter. I read financial blogs. I read business books. Bottom line…I READ when I’m bored. As Mark Cuban said a single idea in a book can make…

  • Spend Money or Expand Money

    L. Marie Joseph
    20 Jan 2012 | 7:40 pm
    Shane Robinson celebrated his Merrill Lynch job offer over lunch and cocktails at a trendy Manhattan restaurant. His bosses toasted him and asked what he planned to do with the $10,000 end-of-internship bonus. Robinson, then 24, in late 2007, said he would probably save it. “Why?” he recalls them asking. “Just go spend it — you’re going to make a lot more.” As the economy started to spiral downward less than six months later, bonuses dried up, layoffs ensued and the young banker was told by his superiors that he might want to begin looking for other…

  • Keeping Your Credit Card Balanced

    L. Marie Joseph
    18 Jan 2012 | 7:44 am
    When you own a credit card, one of the most important things is to keep it balanced. This means that you should use your credit wisely so that you do not end up in debt, which can become overwhelming, especially when you owe large amounts of money. Poor credit can also prevent you from being accepted for a loan, for buying a vehicle or home and even from getting a job, so it is absolutely mandatory to keep everything balanced by maintaining a good credit history.One of the best ways to stay balanced with your credit is to only have one credit card at a time, especially if you are a new user.

  • An Interview with Wealth Coach Anita R. Johnson

    L. Marie Joseph
    16 Jan 2012 | 10:00 am
    I had the pleasure of interviewing Wealth Coach Anita R Johnson about Money and Women. Here is a transcript of the interview………..   Why don’t Americans save money?   America is the most powerful country in the world, yet we forget the lessons of the past. The great depression of 1929 and Black October were lessons for us to learn to save for a rainy day. We forget money is a tool that should be used   What are the biggest obstacles and challenges that women face with money today?   Not having enough. Women earn .77 to a man’s $1.00. Learning how to…
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    Greene Consulting Associates Blog

  • How Can Financial Planners Help Retirees file for Social Security and Medicare Insurance for the First Time?

    Rick Tyler
    25 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Getting old isn’t easy.  Neither is entering retirement.   Many clients between the ages of 62 and 70 will be filing for the first time for Social Security benefits and those reaching age 65 this year will be filing for Medicare Insurance.  As a financial advisor or financial planner, you need to be versed on both the benefits, required filings, and when to file; but keeping up with all that is something of a maze. Why not make life simple for yourself?  Here is a link to a checklist on Social Security and Medicare. Review it a few times to become familiar with its content; then file…

  • Why You Should Beware of Analysts and Politicians Bearing Gifts…I Mean Predictions!

    Ross Greene
    23 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Everywhere we turn, we are faced with predictions.  Many encounter these predictions from: Newspapers Periodicals TV talking heads Stock analysts and …yes, the barber and hairdresser All of the sources above think they have insight into the economic future and have no fear of expressing it. Some are outlandish and others seem logical. Some are general and others specific. You can almost always find some prediction to align with one you hold and others that refute it. It is maddening…but pervasively a fact of life. The investment business, however, thrives on predictions. The purveyors of…

  • Greene Consulting CFP® Certification Education Has Gone Mobile!

    Dan Madden, CFP®
    20 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Greene Consulting, along with our university partners, is proud to announce that our Certified Financial Planner Program has gone fully mobile! Our partners include: North Carolina State University (NCSU) Ohio State University (OSU) University of Georgia | Terry College of Business (UGA) University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) We have just launched the availability of our entire online CFP program on Tablet devices. In addition to all lessons and study guides being available for printing, they are now also available in ePub and PDF mobile format. This means our program is truly accessible at…

  • How Negative Interest Rates Help Financial Services Professionals

    Ross Greene
    13 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    For what inane reason would someone loan money to another…and PAY THEM A FEE FOR THEIR KINDNESS IN BORROWING?  No, this is not an editorial mistake…the fee is actually paid to the borrower, not the lender.  The lenders would rather loan money to the government and knowingly get back less than they lend rather than keep it “under the mattress.”  Sounds crazy doesn’t it?  Well it is actually happening in Germany as we speak. Yesterday, the German government issued the equivalent of T-Bills at a negative yield, underscoring the extreme nervousness over the European debt crisis and…

  • Estate Planning for the Rest of Us

    Rick Tyler
    30 Dec 2011 | 5:00 am
    Now that couples can exclude up to $10 million ($5 million for singles) from estate taxes, most of us have no need to worry about estate planning. Right? Well, not exactly. Clients still have estate-planning needs that need to be addressed. Here are just a few that financial planners and advisors should keep on their radar for all clients, no matter the size of their estates: Legal documents – Virtually everyone who owns property needs to have a will. A durable power of attorney and a living will or health care proxy are also advisable. Minor children – Trusts should be considered…
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    Stack The Chips

  • New Year’s Resolutions That Save You Money

    ipadedwin
    11 Jan 2012 | 2:32 pm
    Every year you come up with a New Years resolution and inevitably every year it’s already broken by the end of the month. Perhaps you would have a better success rate if you realized that your new years resolution had a dual purpose. Namely, you’ll achieve your goal and save money while doing it. Let me give you a few examples on how changing a few of your bad habits can translate into big savings. Smoking. It seems like every year there’s a new tax added to cigarettes. You can pay up to 10 bucks per pack nowadays. How’s that for a cash incentive to stop smoking.

  • Tax Savings For Business Owners

    ipadedwin
    25 Dec 2011 | 4:52 am
    Tax time isn’t until April the 15th 2012, but you can begin planning for that date right now. There’s only a few days left to take advantage of these end of the year tax savings. So let’s get right to these tax saving tips for business owners. Freelance Payments If you work as an independent contractor / freelancer and bill people for your services, you can choose to send out invoices and get paid after the new year. Otherwise, if you get paid by the end of the year, it’s considered income in 2011 and you’ll have to pay taxes on that income in just a few months.

  • How To Reduce Your Holiday Spending

    ipadedwin
    15 Dec 2011 | 11:12 pm
    Every year around this time we have to dig into our savings or put holiday gifts on credit cards. It’s as if the holiday music puts us into a money spending mood. If you’re tight on cash this holiday season you can still buy presents without breaking the bank. Here’s how. Plan a gift exchange. Instead of buying 3-4 co-workers presents and 5-10 relatives presents, set up a gift exchange. Each person in the group draws a name from a jar and you have to buy a present for that person. In this system, everybody buys 1 present and receives 1 present. The benefits of this system…

  • The Best Ways To Negotiate A Discount

    ipadedwin
    13 Nov 2011 | 8:46 pm
    Asking for a discount isn’t tacky, it’s being financially savvy. You really have nothing to lose by asking for a discount. But in order to increase the chances of walking away with a better-than-advertised deal, follow these tips on how to negotiate a discount. Big ticket items. When buying big ticket items your odds of getting a discount are great. You can almost always negotiate the price of a house, a car, HDTV or a wedding dress. But you won’t get anywhere asking for a $2 discount on $8 sunglasses. So target the larger items to get big savings. Small stores. The smaller…

  • Is Your Job Costing You?

    ipadedwin
    11 Nov 2011 | 4:31 pm
    Can you afford to take that job? Can you afford to keep the one you have? What are your alternatives? Few people look at the cost of going to work, instead looking only at the paycheck at the end of the week. Evaluating your current or new job should be part of the decision making process when preparing to accept a position. Letting your excitement about a new job interfere with logical thinking can cost you more than you think. Reviewing your employment costs is a crucial first step. Travel Travel costs can be the single largest cost of employment. The cost goes beyond gas. Travel costs…
 
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    Savvy Saving Bytes

  • No, I Won’t Answer Your Survey!

    SSB
    22 Jan 2012 | 9:18 pm
    I’m halfway into the first paragraph when IT slides across the screen aiming straight for the spot where I’m reading. Then zip – it’s there! Another freaking online survey covering up and obliterating the article I’m trying to read.  NO, for the millionth time! I will NOT take a “few minutes” to answer a “few [...]

  • Luscious, Light, Lickety Split Chocolate Desserts

    SSB
    16 Jan 2012 | 8:23 pm
    Is there anything more dreamily delicious than a gorgeous chocolate dessert? For me, no! It would also be nice if my chocolate treat didn’t have enough calories to sink a tanker and I could whip it together one-two-three. With that in mind I did some research and voila — here are a few chocolate dessert [...]

  • Is Your Employer Underpaying You?

    SSB
    9 Jan 2012 | 10:21 am
    While working on staff at two different companies, I was startled when documents listing employee’s salaries somehow suddenly crossed my desk. Wow! Here I’d been wondering how much money coworkers were making and shazam – there were the numbers in crisp black and white. Twice! Both financial documents were enlightening, but the larger company’s payroll [...]

  • How I Saved 64% on My Renters Insurance

    SSB
    2 Jan 2012 | 1:21 pm
    For the past few years my renters insurance premiums have seen pretty steep increases, but this year’s 2012 bill catapulted my blood pressure to the top of the charts. The insurance company I’ve been with for years upped my annual bill by 20%! The reason? Not a single one on my end. Last year not [...]

  • Good Fortune Quotes for 2012!

    SSB
    26 Dec 2011 | 1:37 pm
    Here are some good fortune quotes for our coming New Year: “Through our great good fortune, in our youth our hearts were touched with fire. It was given to us to learn at the outset that life is a profound and passionate thing.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes “Labor is the fabled magician’s wand, the philosophers [...]
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    Wealth Management Solutions

  • Having Kids – Jen Grant Comedian

    admin
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:33 pm
    Funny jokes about how I don’t want kids, in the delivery room when my sister had her baby, my sister is still embarassed to change in front of me, My sister’s privates aren’t so private anymore, Child labour, babies, Jen Grant comedian, vagina robbing a bankVideo Rating: 4 / 5

  • 2012 FORECAST: Year of Consequences

    admin
    25 Jan 2012 | 7:33 pm
    My predictions and forecast about the world economy, political environment, weather and technology in the year 2012. The world won’t end on December 21, 2012 Housing Market Continues Depression New Wave of Layoffs in Private Sector Euro Suffers, then US Dollar Challenged City and State Governments Contract Home Prices Continue to Drop Oil Will Hit 9 Food prices jump more…

  • Gambit

    admin
    24 Jan 2012 | 3:54 pm
    WealthExpert by Gambit Financial Solutions is an Investment Advisory solution that uses questionnaires, guided dialogue and mathematical methods to support investors risk profiling, portfolio management and wealth management services for various segments of financial institutions private clients. www.gambit-finance.com

  • Марина Тадић – Ниси био ту

    admin
    23 Jan 2012 | 4:02 pm
    Marina Tadic Nisi bio tu (c) (p) City records (2008)

  • Upstream Investment Partners.mp4

    admin
    22 Jan 2012 | 7:38 am
    Presentation segment from August 24, 2011 CEO Lunch and Learn Event at Perryville Business Centers. Chad Henry, Upstream Investment Partners, LLC. Chad serves as Vice President and Branch Director for the Rockford private wealth management office, located at A Perryville Place.Video Rating: 0 / 5
 
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    Money Spruce

  • The Cheap DIY Standing Desk

    Jeffrey
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:18 am
    Think you’re productive sitting at your desk? Try standing at it and see what you get done. You don’t need to go out and spend a lot to make it happen. Setting up a DIY standing desk is quick and easy. Why The Standing Desk? Some standing desk users point to the health risks of sitting to much. The research is pretty scary, especially when they mention that exercise won’t save you from sitting, either. Personally, I’ve always felt like I sit to much. My job requires sitting just about all day. I have a comfy office chair, but my butt still gets sore. When I come home…

  • 37 Must-Read Posts for Tax Savings

    Jeffrey
    24 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    In a quest to understand taxes to the best of my ability, I’ve compiled a list of the best posts to help you maximize refunds and minimize stress in the tax season! To do this, I looked at bookmarked posts, asked friends on Yakezie, and scoured even more of my favorite blogs and  Google. The result – 37 awesome posts (plus this one, which clocks in at ~1,900 words). Posts cover a wide range of topics. Not all of them are “how-to” in nature, but they’re all helpful in making tax decisions both when you’re filing your return this season and making decisions…

  • Spruced Up: Superbowl Bound, Baby Edition

    Jeffrey
    22 Jan 2012 | 10:34 pm
    WE’RE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!! Already looking forward to a rematch between the Pats and the Giants. Go Pats! Here’s a few posts to celebrate with: Tom at Leaving Work Behind wrote about progress on his authority site. If you’re building niche sites (or want to be), check out Tom’s site and his Keyword Research Guide, too. Hunter at Financially Consumed polled about the price of gas in 2012. I think we’re in for a big price increase. Newlyweds on a Budget posted about how to make money with a blog (and I followed some of the advice!) Caleb at Pocked Changed had a…

  • Making Space For Roommates: Are the Savings Worth the Hassles?

    Jeffrey
    20 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Please enjoy this post, originally published in January 2011. Currently, as I have since my freshman year of college, I am living with roommates.  I just moved out of a place where I had 3 roommates (plus one pesky dog) in a small, four bedroom apartment in downtown New Haven.  It was a cramped little place, with only 4 small bedrooms, a mini-kitchen, and 1.5 baths, all on one floor.  I now live in a slightly larger place, but it’s definitely not my dream apartment, either. Despite this, my rent is less expensive than anybody I’ve talked to in New Haven and I’m located…

  • The “Spruce Up Your Life” Blogiversary $100 Cash (+ more) Giveaway

    Jeffrey
    17 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Welcome, friends, to the Spruce Up Your Life Giveaway! I’m celebrating one year of blogging on Money Spruce by giving away $150 cash plus another $50 to charity. The Prizes First Prize: $100 cash to you + $25 to a charity of your choice* Second Prize: $50 cash to you + $25 to a charity of your choice* Third Prize: One copy each of I Will Teach You To Be Rich and Total Money Makeover IMPORTANT: Don’t forget to add all your entries in the Raffle Copter form below! Only those entered properly can be counted. a Rafflecopter giveaway You need javascript enabled to see this…
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    Personal Finance News

  • The Change In Paying The Minimum Payment On Credit Cards

    MarketProSecure
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:52 am
    In a recent survey it was found that although the rules on minimum payments on credit cards have not changed, the way people pay their debt off has.

  • eBay & Payment Complaint Ruling Issued

    MarketProSecure
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:44 am
    A number of eBay sellers formed a group in the past year so that they could take the online auction site to court with a class-action lawsuit.

  • Tips On Rebuilding Your Credit Score

    MarketProSecure
    25 Jan 2012 | 11:39 am
    If you have a very poor credit rating due to the fact that you have had financial difficulties in the past then you will have a few things to think about before you try looking to obtain credit in the future.

  • NCUA Bail Out Of Credit Unions Comes Under Fire

    MarketProSecure
    24 Jan 2012 | 11:34 am
    Early action of enforcement by federal bureaucrats may have stopped the collapse of five corporate credit unions, so says a brand new study by the Government Accountability Office.

  • Consumer Debt Jumped To Its Highest In The Decade

    MarketProSecure
    23 Jan 2012 | 11:53 am
    According to the latest data from the Federal Reverse, the consumer debt jumped to its highest in the decade in November near the start of holiday season.
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    Credit Cards Blog

  • No Need to “Chase” Credit Card Offers – “Discover” These

    CreditCardsCo
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:54 pm
    Chase and Discover are known for their great credit card offers, including impressive 0% APR offers and no annual fees.

  • Public Credit Card Complaint Database

    Carolyn
    25 Jan 2012 | 4:17 pm
    The Consumer Protection Agency, which was founded as part of the Dodd-Frank Act, is considering a public credit card complaint database. Good idea or maybe not?

  • Data Privacy Day 2012

    CreditCardsCo
    23 Jan 2012 | 4:34 pm
    January is Data Privacy month. This is the ideal time to change passwords and double check to ensure you're as safe as possible with your credit cards and bank accounts.

  • Simmons First Visa Platinum Rewards Card

    Carolyn
    20 Jan 2012 | 10:20 am
    Have excellent credit? You might want to explore the possibilities with this Visa credit card. Here are the details and reasons to consider the Simmons Visa.

  • How Are Prepaid Debit Cards Faring?

    CreditCardsCo
    18 Jan 2012 | 5:33 pm
    Prepaid debit cards are still a popular choice. Take a look at a few of those offers, including the Wal Mart MoneyCard and the Modern Cash prepaid MasterCard.
 
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    Good Financial Cents -Jeff Rose Certified Financial Planner and Investment Advisor, Carbondale, Illinois

  • Fee Only Vs. Fee Based Financial Advisor – What the heck is the difference?

    Jeff Rose
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:51 am
    Potato, potahto. Tomato, tomahto. Fee Only Vs. Fee Based. The same difference, right?Not quite.If you’ve ever interviewed or hired a financial advisor, chances are you you have no idea how you are paying them. Advisors can get paid way in many different ways.Mainstream media loves the “fee only” advisor. No conflict of interest, no commissions, certainty of what you are paying.But then you have the “fee-based” advisor. The fee-based advisor earns a fee, but then can also earn a commission. Say what? Yes, it’s all together confusing and that’s why I…

  • How an Email From Credit Sesame Saved Me Over $70,000 and I Love Them For It

    Jeff Rose
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:52 am
    Each day my inbox gets flooded with hundreds of emails.Offer this, buy this, accept my guest post this. Ugh!I’ve been working more diligently to check my email only a few times per day, but there’s one email in particular that I’m glad that I noticed.About a year or so ago, I signed up for a free service called Credit Sesame.  Credit Sesame is an online site that specializes in informing their customers of their credit score changes or any possibilities that they can maybe save money on refinancing a home or any of their debt.Since it was free, I thought what the heck, I’ll try it…

  • American Express Blue Cash – An Everyday Spending Cash Back Card We Can All Appreciate

    Kevin Mulligan
    24 Jan 2012 | 1:00 pm
    Who doesn’t like the idea of getting cash back on your normal every day spending?No special miles that need to be redeemed on the 15 non-blackout dates on the airline. No special branded points that can only be used in a special credit card company online “mall”.Just straight cash back — essentially a pure discount on your spending — in categories that you use every single month. That sounds like a win to me.If it sound like winning to you, go ahead and apply now for the American Express Blue Cash credit card.(Otherwise, keep reading…)Why I Love My AMEX…

  • Why I Hate Target Date Mutual Funds and You Should, Too

    Jeff Rose
    23 Jan 2012 | 6:22 am
    You’ve been investing in your 401k for quite some time and are probably still clueless in where your money is going.  (Don’t worry…you’re not alone)But you’re thankful that they offer these “target date” or “life cycle” funds that make investing in your 401k so easy.What are target date funds? You know… the funds where all you have to do is choose the year you plan on retiring and voila – you’re all set.Winner, winner, chicken dinner…..how easy is that?Here’s the BIG problem.  Target date funds, although easy, can…

  • Financial Rant: Turning Change Into Millions with Some Magical Bunnies on the Side

    Jeff Rose
    18 Jan 2012 | 11:11 am
    Think you’ll be able to retire early with gobs and gobs and money?   Well, you might……if you actually save.In case you missed that…..YOU HAVE TO SAVE!For some reason, people tend to miss that.    The couple in this video missed it completely.Hence, my Financial Rant…..
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    Wallet Blog

  • Medical Tourism: Will you be paying in cash, credit or airline miles?

    John Kiernan
    18 Jan 2012 | 6:26 pm
    Posted by: John KiernanWhile renting the Hangover II is probably the closest most of us have come to visiting Thailand recently, thousands of people from the United States visit the country each year for a variety of reasons, which, interestingly enough, include the increasingly popular trend of medical tourism. The fact that people are willing to travel clear across the world for anything from cosmetic surgery to dental services is surprising enough in its own right, but that’s nothing compared to the fact that one may be able to use airline miles to not only book travel, but also to pay…

  • 5 Reasons To Consider Creditor Insurance

    Guest
    12 Jan 2012 | 8:13 am
    Posted by: GuestIf you have a mortgage, loan, line of credit, or a credit card, it may be in your best interest to accept the creditor life and disability insurance that goes along with it. Although it will cost you extra money out of pocket, it may just be worth your while. 1. It can give you peace of mind. If something were to happen that drastically changed your ability to earn income, you want to know that you and your family would be protected. Without insurance, you would still be expected to make payments to your credit products. But, with insurance, you would know that it would be…

  • Helpful Tips for Tax Season 2012

    John Kiernan
    3 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    Posted by: John KiernanWith the holiday season in the rearview mirror, we are all getting back into our normal routines. Unfortunately, that means starting to think about tax season 2012. April is right around the corner, after all, and if you foresee an inability to pay your full tax bill in full, this can be quite disconcerting. To help ease concerns, the California Society of CPAs recently announced some important strategies for dealing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) if you cannot cover your total tax toll. Before we get to them, however, there are a few things that you need to…

  • U.S. Sanctions on Iran Underscore Need for New International Banking Regulations

    John Kiernan
    27 Dec 2011 | 8:00 am
    Posted by: John KiernanIn a recent article about the negative effect Swiss banking secrecy and hypocrisy have on the rest of the world, we suggested the creation of a revamped banking community, in which member nations would share information about bank accounts held by foreign nationals with their respective governments and member banks would require that identifiable individuals be behind every account (even corporate accounts). These rules – defiance of which would result in economic ostracism – would help prevent tax evasion, money laundering, drug trafficking, and other criminal…

  • Think Miles & More is Bad? Check Out What British Airways Has to Offer

    Odysseas Papadimitriou
    20 Dec 2011 | 8:00 am
    Posted by: Odysseas PapadimitriouA few months back, I wrote an article about how glaring flaws in Lufthansa’s rewards program were causing me to question my long-time relationship with the Star Alliance member. With these doubts in mind, the 100,000 initial bonus miles being offered at the time by the British Airways Credit Card proved too much to resist. What’s the worst that could come of shifting my airline loyalty program allegiances and opening the British Airways Card, I thought? Sure, BA’s network of partner airlines doesn’t even come close to matching Star Alliance’s,…
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    One Family's Blog

  • Short Selling Strategy for Value Investors

    ks
    25 Jan 2012 | 10:34 pm
    <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Carnival of Road to Financial Independence #39

    ks
    25 Jan 2012 | 4:12 am
    Welcome to the January 25, 2012 edition of road to financial independence.   Frugal Living Jon Elder presents Start Thinking Like a Millionaire in 2012 posted at Free Money Wisdom, saying, "2012 is the year you start getting serious about your finances and achieving your goal of becoming a millionaire." Tim @ Faith and Finance presents 25 Simple Ways to Save Money posted at Faith and [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Stock Portfolio and Watch List Updates for January 2012

    ks
    23 Jan 2012 | 10:19 pm
    <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Tracking Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Holdings

    ks
    19 Jan 2012 | 10:40 pm
    Bill Ackman, a New York hedge fund manager, is the founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management LP. Currently, he operates three funds: The Pershing Square, Pershing Square II, and Pershing Square International. The inception date of the flagship fund Pershing Square is Jan. 1, 2004, while that of the latter two funds are a year later at Jan. 1, 2005. Cumulative returns for the [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Munnar Trip Report

    ks
    18 Jan 2012 | 11:26 pm
    Munnar, a hill-station in the Western Ghats, ranked high in our list of must-visit places for our first summer vacation back in Kerala. Located at 1600 meters above sea level, it is considered among the most beautiful hill-resort towns in Southern India. Munnar is less than 120 km east of Kakkanad but the trip can take upwards of three hours – it will be lot longer for first timers, as [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
 
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    Cash The Checks

  • Basics Of A 529 College Savings Plan

    ipadedwin
    21 Jan 2012 | 5:18 pm
    State budgets are being slashed left and right. One of the things states tend to cut are funds intended for state universities. The school then has no recourse but to increase tuition rates. Across the nation we are seeing tuition rates on the rise, thus it is never too early to start saving for your kids college education. This article will discuss the benefits of the 529 College Savings Plan and how it can make saving for college a bit easier. Tax Benefits The federal tax benefits you will receive is the first thing you will want to know about. This plan is known to offer some of the best…

  • Save Money at the Grocery Store

    ipadedwin
    17 Jan 2012 | 5:26 pm
    Many of us who are in debt and on tight budgets likely made a basic resolution for the coming year: we resolved to save money and reduce the size of our budgets. This is naturally easier said than done. Certainly, we can go shopping less frequently, eat out less often, and avoid taking any lavish vacations. All of these more frivolous expenses add up quickly and can be easy, with some self-resolve, to minimize and avoid. But what about those more routine costs? Specifically, how can we reduce our core expenses in the coming year? Doing so can be more difficult and less rewarding on a per-item…

  • Does Money Buy You Happiness?

    ipadedwin
    10 Jan 2012 | 4:25 am
    Every day we live our lives chasing the almighty dollar. Every day we work hard to make money and we strive to have more of it. It is this endless pursuit of money that I want to write about today. I want to ask you a question, would you be happier if you had more money? In order to answer this question, one must ask what happiness is. In my opinion, true happiness comes from love – and as the Beatles said, money can’t buy you love. Think about presents given to you on your previous birthdays. Do you value the expensive presents more than the cheaper yet thoughtful ones? Think…

  • When To Pay Off Your Credit Card

    ipadedwin
    5 Jan 2012 | 7:15 pm
    Should you pay off your credit card now or wait until you’ve saved up more money? This is a question many people face. Perhaps unemployment and other poor financial circumstances may have caused you to accrue credit card debt. But now you’re back on your feet with a new job and a little bit of disposable income. But yet you still have that pesky credit card balance which isn’t going anywhere. Do you pay off your debt now or wait until you have even more money? Let me break down the three different options available to you: Pay It Now You can choose to pay off your debt now…

  • End Of The Year Tax Savings Tips

    ipadedwin
    25 Dec 2011 | 5:04 am
    While tax time isn’t until April 15th 2012 but there are several actions you can take over the next several days that will either reduce what you pay Uncle Sam or increase your tax return come April. Here are some end of the year tax savings tips to do before you ring in the new year. End Of The Year Bonus Are you expecting an end of the year bonus? Well you’ll have to pay taxes on that bonus. If you don’t want your taxes to be too high this year, ask your employer defer the payment until the first of January. Sure, you’ll still have to pay taxes on that income, but…
 
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    World of Finance

  • What is personal finance?

    World of Finance
    23 Jan 2012 | 3:19 am
    Personal finance effects many aspects of our daily lives.  Typically, you need a car to get to work. Well, that takes money. And the gas to make the car go, that also requires money.  You feel hungry.  Yup, it also requires money to buy food. These are only a few examples of personal finance.  Personal [...] [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Diversify Your Income in the New Year

    World of Finance
    18 Jan 2012 | 3:21 am
    It is common to hear of diversifying your investments, as this helps take out some of the risk involved.  Why not apply the same strategy to your income stream?  How many income streams do you have?  A common answer to this question is: one.  Having one income can be very stressful, especially with all the [...] [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • How I Invested $50 in my Health

    World of Finance
    14 Jan 2012 | 9:24 pm
    Last time the topic of discussion was Starting the New Year Off Right.  Today is a follow-up to that article as one of many key aspects to your life is your health.  This is why I decided to invest $50 in my health.  I used the word invest and I’m not even talking about the [...] [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Starting the New Year Off Right

    World of Finance
    8 Jan 2012 | 6:19 pm
    Living a happy, healthy life is all about balance.  When you have the various aspects of your life in check, you tend to be much happier as a person as you feel more productive and on-track.  Personally, I always make it a point to keep my personal finances, health, and house in check and also [...] [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Create a Gift Giving Budget

    World of Finance
    4 Jan 2012 | 3:19 am
    Did you spend too much on Christmas gifts this year?  So many people get caught up in the excitement of the holidays and wanting to please their spouses, children and extended family with gifts that they really cannot afford to buy without exhausting their bank accounts or credit lines.  It’s only after that they realize [...] [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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    Mango Blog

  • Make Money doing what you LOVE: Shopping – Part Two

    Natalie
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Last week we told you guys how some people are making money doing what they love, playing video games. And while this might be a great option for those of you who happen to be World of Warcraft experts or Starcraft superstars, what about the people that aren’t so game savvy? What about the people who just love to shop? Well, there is hope for you too! Like we said last week, you can make money doing what you love in almost any situation; sometimes you just might have to find a way to do it. I think that point is pretty well proven with shopping. If people can find a way to make money by…

  • The Anatomy of a Film’s Budget

    Natalie
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    This year’s Academy Awards will air on February 26th, and I know what you’re thinking: a month is a long time to wait. Or maybe that’s just me—I’m a big movie geek. But for my fellow movie, eh, connoisseurs out there, there is good news: the nominees were announced! Some of the names on this list got me thinking: If big budget movies like Super 8—filled with explosions and special effects are up against a measly $15 million movie like Drive, just how important are those dollars? Where do they go? Well you can sleep soundly tonight, because in today’s post we’ll answer those…

  • From Homeless to Successful

    Natalie
    24 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Celebrity “rags to riches” stories are certainly inspiring, but there are thousands more out there with equally, and in some cases even more motivational tales of triumph. They’re just never heard. So today we thought we would share some of those lesser-known stories from the regular Joes; the little guys; you know, people like you and me. The only difference between these folks and most of the rest of the population is that at one time or another, they were homeless. And they’ve come a long way. These three people are the epitome of accomplishment. They have literally come from…

  • Tim Tebow: The Financial Facts

    Natalie
    23 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    To say that “Tim Tebow” has become a household name, I think would be an understatement. This quarterback for the Denver Bronco’s has become so popular since the start of this NFL season, he has even become a verb (not to mention an action figure, a comic strip, and a videogame star.) That’s right; people all over the country have taken to “tebowing,” mimicking the signature prayer position he often assumes before plays, and uploading these “tebowing” photos to social media sites. That even includes the Pittsburg Mayor who lost a bet last week when his city’s team played the…

  • Extended Warranties: When and Why to Buy

    Natalie
    20 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    The extended warranty: It’s Mount Everest for a salesman, and usually every customer’s least favorite way to end a purchase. Or maybe that’s just me. Here is a little anecdote for you. Now I won’t name names, but let’s just say, a couple of years ago I went to a certain store to pick up a certain iSomething or other and reached the checkout line. It was the same old shtick: Would you like to buy an extended warranty with that? It will cover you for three years in case of… No. Are you sure? Because right now we have a deal going on… No. Really? Because your standard warranty…
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    Financial Highway

  • How to Choose the Right Credit Card for You

    Miranda
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Credit cards can be great financial tools. However, as with all things financial, if you want your decisions to be successful, you need to do what’s best for you. When choosing a credit card, you want one that offers you the best combination of perks for your individual financial situation. The right credit card can help you find financial freedom — as long as you pay off the balance each month and follow good spending habits. Your credit card should match your spending plan and priorities, and help you reach your long-term financial goals. What Do You Want the Credit Card For?

  • Dollar Matters: Credit Concerns

    Miranda
    25 Jan 2012 | 11:31 am
    Your credit is an important part of your financial life. Making sure your credit is in tip-top shape should be one of your priorities. As you ponder the importance of credit, and how you can improve your situation, here are some posts from the past week to help you along: How an Email from Credit Sesame Saved Me Over $70,000 and I Love Them For It At Good Financial Cents, Jeff shares how Credit Sesame helped him save a great deal of money. The services offers information about your credit situation — and how it can be leveraged into better deals. Is Credit Karma a Scam? It seems too…

  • Why You Should Buy Your New Car in 2012

    Guest
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    New vehicle sales are expected to go up by as much as 6 to 7 percent in 2012 according to Automotive News. This is largely due to a more stable economy and consumer demand that has been pent-up over several years. There are several good reasons to purchase a new vehicle in 2012. One of the best reasons is that the interest rates on car finance are currently enjoying record lows. This is expected to continue throughout 2012. The Federal Open Market Committee has restated that federal funds would be kept at a rate of between 0 and 0.25 percent. This means affordable credit for most individuals.

  • Five RIsks of Contrarian Investing

    Rob Bennett
    24 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    It would be fair to describe me as a contrarian investor. I advocate Valuation-Informed Indexing. Valuation-Informed Indexers go with high stock allocations when prices are low (which means most investors are not happy with stocks) and with low stock allocations when prices are high (which means that most investors love stocks). Still, I am not a pure contrarian. I see five potential dangers. 1) The Momentum Going Against You Might Be More Powerful Than You Realize The logic of Contrarian Investing is that, when prices get too high, they sooner or later must come down, and when prices get too…

  • Extreme Penny-Pinching Tips for Tight Times

    Myscha Theriault
    23 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    When times are tight, we all look for ways to pinch a few extra pennies. When all of the basic areas have been considered, here are a few extreme penny-pinching tips to help get you over a difficult financial hump. Use them permanently, and you’ll have additional funds for things besides bills. Like that family ski getaway. Get serious about controlling the costs of your cleaning supplies. Nobody wants to live in an unsanitary environment, but spending big bucks on unnecessary cleaning supplies isn’t exactly the best penny pinching strategy. My favorite cheap cleaning tips include using…
 
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    Credit.com News + Advice

  • Credit.com in the News: Credit Trends, Cards for the Unbanked, Rebuilding Credit

    Tim Langevin
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:18 pm
    What went on in the week of consumer credit? So glad you asked. In addition to their regular contributions to the Credit.com blog, Credit.com’s credit and debt experts regularly offer their advice and commentary on the state of consumer finance to other media outlets.  For even more great advice and insight, we present to you the highlights from this week’s media appearances: RECOMMENDED: FREE CREDIT CHECK TOOL Credit Report Card Check your credit for free with this great tool from Credit.com. It offers expert advice on how to manage your credit. And you can return every 30…

  • Talk Credit Radio: Truth (and Myths) About Negotiating Debts

    Credit.com
    27 Jan 2012 | 12:03 pm
    This week on Talk Credit Radio: Friday January 27, 2012 Tune in to Talk Credit Radio this week with Credit.com’s personal finance expert Gerri Detweiler, live from 4-5 ET/1-2 PT. Ways to listen are listed below. Here’s a quick quiz: • True or False: There is a government program created by President Obama that requires credit card companies to work with you to pay off your debts. • True or False: Debt settlement companies can no longer charge upfront fees and must wait to get paid until they settle debt. • True or False: Creditors only negotiate with attorneys.

  • How Credit Card Balances Impact Your Score

    Tom Quinn
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    A reader, Dylan, recently wrote in with a question for us. He has three credit cards and wants to know if it is better (results in higher points) to carry similar balances across all three cards or to carry a large balance on one of his cards and zero or very low balance on the other two cards.  The exact answer depends on the balance and ratios dynamics on Dylan’s credit cards, as well as his overall credit profile. [Related Article: 8 Credit Score Myths Debunked] How you manage your overall level of credit debt is a very important component of your credit score—and how you…

  • BofA Tests Credit Card-Tied Social Couponing

    Credit.com
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    A new social couponing plan is being launched by the nation’s largest lender as a means of incentivizing more use of both debit and credit cards. Bank of America is currently testing a new program called BankAmeriDeals with its employees in North Carolina, South Carolina and Nevada, according to a report from The Associated Press. Currently, the bank has no timetable for rolling the plan out to consumers, but will soon extend it to its more than 275,000 employees nationwide to test it further. FREE TOOL: CHECK YOUR CREDIT Credit.com’s Credit Report Card Check your credit bureau…

  • Military Student Loan Forgiveness and Discharge Programs

    Steve Rhode
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:12 pm
    More and more at GetOutOfDebt.org we are getting questions about how to get your student loans eliminated, forgiven, or discharged if you are in or served in the military. It is absurdly ironic that members of the military can go into harm’s way, fight in combat and yet return home only to struggle to escape the invisible bondage of student loan debt. However, there are some real options that can help you do this, but like the military, there are rules to follow and hoops to jump through. [Article: Feds: Mortgage Companies Still Violating Military Families' Rights] Public Service Loan…
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    CCCS | MoneyAware

  • “Can I switch my DMP?”

    Pavan
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:16 am
    Switch on and don't pay for your DMPAs we’ve mentioned many times, we offer debt management plans completely free of charge. We do hear from a lot of people that use other companies for their DMP, who realise that their full surplus could be going towards reducing their debts rather than paying a percentage as a fee.As debt management plans aren’t legally binding in any way you are free to cancel at any time. So if you choose to switch provider you should be able to do this easily.What’s the best solution for you?It’s not as simple as just transferring all your information across.

  • On a DMP? Make 2012 an easier year on your wallet

    Matthew
    17 Jan 2012 | 9:17 am
    Ways to fill your wallet?A debt management plan isn’t easy. After all, most people on DMPs have found themselves in this position after a life shock – redundancy, job loss, relationship breakdown or bereavement.Prior to this many people on a DMP often had no reason to put together a budget and stick to it. Budgeting can often by tough at first and some people struggle to adjust to this new (and necessary) mindset.Here’s our tips to help anyone on a DMP – and in fact anyone looking to save money – make the best of their money during 2012. The following guidelines…

  • How to survive the January money pinch

    Matthew
    16 Jan 2012 | 10:20 am
    January is a long month for moneyJanuary is always a hard month: we’ve just had the Christmas expenditure and possibly we got paid earlier in December. It just makes the month seem endless, especially where money is concerned.So if you’re feeling the post-Christmas pinch the good news is January is nearly over, and in the meantime here are our top tips for surviving that last week or so before payday…1. It’s sarnie time…Sandwiches? Peanut butter? Marmite? Cheese and pickle? If you’re working and you normally pop out at lunch for bite to eat now could be the time to stop the lunch…

  • How to deal with a county court judgment (CCJ)

    Pavan
    13 Jan 2012 | 10:49 am
    Don't panic if you receive CCJ formsNow that we’ve all settled back into our work routines and Christmas and New Year is a distant memory, our thoughts turn to boring but necessary duties such as maintaining our finances.If you were super-organised and sensible your budget will have been planned and sustained over the holiday period. But we all know how easy it is to let it slip with all the extra expenditure, especially if you were paid early in December. It makes January feel like the longest month of the year.Now that the break is well and truly over, our phone lines are getting…

  • Make 2012 the year you get to know your credit report

    James Jones
    9 Jan 2012 | 5:49 am
    James Jones is Head of Consumer Affairs at Experian and works on a range of initiatives to help promote public understanding of credit report-related issues.Sample credit report from ExperianI know that for many people the checks that take place when we apply for credit are a bit of a mystery.Indeed, for some the process is intimidating enough to set pulses racing. Myths and misconceptions abound. Am I on a blacklist? Will checking my information lower my credit rating? Will my record show a recent credit refusal?Thankfully, the answer to all of these questions is a resounding ‘no’ and…
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    freemoneywisdom.com

  • Why a Young Conservative Supports Ron Paul

    TJ
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Ever since Congressman Ron Paul has risen in the polls among the Republican presidential candidates – culminating in a third place finish in the Iowa Caucus and second place in the New Hampshire Caucus – there has been a lot written about him and his political stances. Even among those whom I speak to about it, I’ve noticed a consistent pattern of bemusement over the reason for Ron Paul’s popularity, specifically with young conservatives. I don’t expect to convert many peoples’ political beliefs, but I would like to attempt to explain why young conservatives…

  • The Consumerist Treadmill

    Hannah
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    I am in the beginning stages of packing up my childhood trinkets in the room where I grew up. I am moving. My new adventure will begin once our honeymoon ends. We will make the 24 hour journey out west by car and hopefully stop to sightsee on the way. However, in order to begin this exciting, yet kind of scary, adventure, I have to eliminate some “stuff” that I have held onto (or one could say “hoarded”) over the years. Isn’t it amazing how much “stuff” one can accumulate? I was brushing my teeth the other night while going over my check-list of things to do in my room and I…

  • The Legend of the Three Magic Spells for an Inexpensive Date

    TJ
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Once upon a time, in a land far, far away from here, there was a young man who lived an ordinary life. Although this young man worked long and hard hours and was noted for his unusual degree of productivity, his wages were considerably low, and every single payday he was forced to watch with great melancholy as all of his earnings were diverted to cover his meager living expenses, leaving him with not even so much as a single shilling that he might enjoy the decency of a night’s festivities at the local pub. Yet this did not trouble the young man as it might have in other circumstances,…

  • How to Raise Kids to be Wise with Money

    Jon the Saver
    23 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Throughout history, older folk have been worried that the younger generation will bring about the downfall of society. It never really happened. But that doesn’t mean that differences between different generations don’t exist. For example, Millenials have been more aggressive in cutting credit card debt than other generations since the Depression started, even though they have substantially lower incomes and bleaker job prospects which should make paying off debt harder. Today’s children still need to be taught good financial habits so that they end up more like Millennials…

  • Renter’s Insurance Basics

    Jon the Saver
    20 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Many people are forced to rent an apartment until they are in a position to purchase a home of their own.  Since the property doesn’t belong to them, there’s nothing to worry about.  After all, the landlord is responsible for everything, right?  Wrong!  This is when renter’s insurance comes in handy.  But what is renter’s insurance and is it worth it?  Actually, it is. When you rent an apartment, the owner of the building is required to carry insurance on the structure only- not it’s contents.  That means your contents.  In order for your possessions to…
 
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    Help Me To Save

  • European Breakdown Cover for only £59

    Karen Bryan
    27 Jan 2012 | 1:03 am
    I always have UK breakdown cover to give me peace of mind when I’m travelling by car. Fortunately I haven’t had to use it very often. The last time was a couple of years ago when I had a tyre blowout on a dual carriageway in central Scotland. Normally it costs quite a bit to upgrade from UK to European breakdown cover, but with QuoteLineDirect you get UK & European cover for only £59 a year (for cars under 16 years old). So, if you are taking the car abroad this is looking like a great deal. What’s included: Full UK and European breakdown cover for any insured driver…

  • Meals on a Budget: My Morrisons M Savers Recipe Challenge

    Karen Bryan
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:26 am
    I’m taking part in the Morrisons M Savers Recipe Challenge next week. I’ll be using ingredients from the M Saver range, ideal for cooking meals on a budget, to make my own recipe Chicken Tikka Massala demonstrating how you can prepare tasty low cost meals. We’re all looking for ways to save on food; cooking at home using good value ingredients is one of my money saving tips. Follow the Morrisons M Savers Recipe Challenge on Twitter Meals on a Budget: My Morrisons M Savers Recipe ChallengeTips on saving money. Copyrighted content published on the Help Me To Save lifestyle…

  • Money Saver Newsletter

    Karen Bryan
    25 Jan 2012 | 1:01 am
    If you’d like to get even more money saving tips and information on great deals, you can sign up for our free monthly MON£Y SAV£R newsletter. While we aim to help you save more, we also believe you should enjoy life while using your money to work towards creating the life you want. The January 2012 edition included how to get 10% off hotel bookings made on the otel.com site, the market leading fixed interest accounts from Shawbrook Bank and a 25% off deal on a Skoda Fabia SE 1.4 MPI. So subscribe now to make sure you receive the next edition of MON£Y SAV£R. Money Saver…

  • Using Cashback Sites – My Money Podcast #4

    Karen Bryan
    24 Jan 2012 | 4:55 pm
    My Money Podcast #4 offers money saving tips on using cashback sites. My golden rule is to do some research before making any purchases to check that I am paying the lowest possible price for the product or service. Then I see if I can get cashback on the lowest price.  As cashback is never 100% guaranteed, I know I won’t lose out if, for some reason, I don’t receive the cashback payment. I generally find the highest cashbacks on TopCashBack.co.uk Subscribe to the Money Podcast from Help Me To Save in iTunes. My Recent Use of Casback Sites 3% cashback on Samsung Wave 2 S8530…

  • Samsung Wave 2 S8530 Review

    Karen Bryan
    24 Jan 2012 | 1:08 am
    Summary The Samsung Wave 2 S8530, priced at £130 on the Debenhams website, has a large 3.7″ touchscreen and is a good buy for those who aren’t bothered about downloading lots of apps. I’m a big Samsung fan. I’ve had a Samsung Jet phone for over two years. I tried an HTC Wildfire S and just didn’t like it. I did quite a bit of research and deduced that the best phone to replace my increasingly outdated Jet was a Samsung Wave 2 S8530. The Jet was becoming troublesome during photo and video uploading and I fancied having the larger screen of the Wave. I purchased a…
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    NerdWallet Credit Card Blog

  • NerdWallet’s Top Credit Union Savings Accounts

    Laura
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:53 pm
    Look at any big-bank savings account, and you’ll see savings rates at an all-time low. But even though Ben Bernanke has his foot on interest rates’ throat like a vengeful Greek god of old, you don’t have to settle for 0.01% interest rates – just look to your credit union. These not-for-profit institutions are offering some of the best yields in the nation, often 5 to 10 times the national average. And opening a savings account at a good credit union isn’t just about the money. You’ll be joining as a member/owner, and your money will be invested back into your local community. Of…

  • NerdWallet Study: Average Prepaid Debit Card can Cost Over $300 a Year

    Anisha
    25 Jan 2012 | 2:23 pm
    In a study of 40 popular prepaid debit cards, NerdWallet found that the average card cost nearly $300 a year in basic fees – before considering activation, cancellation, paper statement and other costs. The single greatest charge tended to be the monthly fee, ranging up to $14.95, but $1-2 charges for transactions and ATM use could easily accumulate to over $20 a month. NerdWallet used conservative estimates to calculate the cards’ monthly cost, and excluded other fees, both avoidable and inescapable. Based on our analysis, the average ongoing cost of a prepaid debit card is: $297.51 a…

  • Revamped BP Credit Card Rewards Program Gives You the Finger

    Anisha
    23 Jan 2012 | 7:22 pm
    Just as it was recovering (sort of) from its PR nightmare, BP decided to slash rewards on its branded credit card, the BP Visa. The card, once considered among the best gas cards available, is now mediocre-bordering-on-sucks. Originally, it gave 5% back on BP gas, plus 2% on travel and dining and 1% elsewhere. The best part? It gave double rewards – that’s 10%, 4% and 2% – for the first 60 days. Now, well, not so much. It’s a veritable minefield of terms and conditions gotchas, and for all its nice looks, it’s a disaster of a rewards program (too soon?). How far the…

  • The Easiest Way to Raise Your Credit Score

    Stephen
    20 Jan 2012 | 7:04 pm
    Raising your credit score requires diligence, but we have a neat credit-building trick that requires little time and no upkeep. While it’s important to make punctual payments and stay below your limit, establishing credit doesn’t have to consume your life. Here’s a cost-free, time-efficient technique for increasing your FICO score. Why your credit score is lower than it should be First, you’ll need to understand two of the most influential factors impacting your credit score: amounts owed and length of credit history. Simply enough, amounts owed means debt. High credit card debt has a…

  • Building a Credit Score from Scratch: 6 Easy Steps

    Stephen
    18 Jan 2012 | 2:00 pm
    Building credit is something of a Catch-22. Without a credit card, it’s hard to build a credit history. Without a credit history, it’s hard to qualify for a credit card. So how does someone start from scratch to build a credit score? Honest answer: By starting at the bottom and beginning the long upward climb. Fortunately, it’s really not that tough once you get your bearings. After you’ve mapped a route, you need only follow a few basic guidelines to stay the course and actualize the end goal. We’ve put together a step-by-step plan for building a credit history, including the…
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    Card Hub

  • How Quickly Will My Credit Card Company Remove Fraudulent Charges From My Account?

    John Kiernan
    17 Jan 2012 | 7:04 pm
    Posted by: John KiernanHaving fraudulent charges on your credit card account can be nerve-racking, so it’s understandable why you’d want them removed as quickly as possible. Before we get into the timetables – both legal and practical – for this to occur, it’s important to note that The Fair Credit Billing Act limits your liability for unauthorized credit card charges to $50 and all major credit card companies have voluntarily extended $0 liability guarantees. This means that you will not be held responsible for purchases that you did not make if you report them promptly. In most…

  • 5 Ways to Put Unused Gift Cards to Use

    John Kiernan
    17 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Posted by: John KiernanA record $27.8 billion in gift cards were sold this past holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation, and given TowerResearch’s estimate that $41 billion in gift cards have gone unredeemed since 2005, consumers will undoubtedly be looking for alternative ways to put unused gift cards to use this year. In order to help people get the most out of their money, Card Hub – the only marketplace that allows you to sell ANY gift card, regardless of denomination or store affiliation – today released its list of 5 ways to use unwanted gift cards, which is…

  • Suze Orman Prepaid Card Evaluation

    John Kiernan
    9 Jan 2012 | 3:34 pm
    Posted by: John KiernanThe best way to evaluate this card is to compare it to the best prepaid card offers on the market. As you know, prepaid cards have two different applications: 1) replacement checking account; 2) financial literacy teaching tool. A recent Card Hub Prepaid Card Study identified the Green Dot Prepaid Card and the American Express Prepaid Card as being the best for these two purposes, respectively. Using the same methodology, we can determine how the Approved Card from Suze Orman stacks up. The evaluation of the Approved Card below is also accompanied by quotes from Card…

  • Q4 2011 Credit Card Landscape Report

    Kimberly Cole
    9 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am
    Posted by: Kimberly ColeKey Findings: Regular APRs rose across the board relative to Q4 2010 – Relative increases between 3.5% and 9.5% were observed among credit cards for excellent, good, and fair credit as well as secured credit cards, whereas interest rates for student and business credit cards rose less than 1% in relative terms. 0% introductory terms are over 27% longer than in Q4 2010 – 0% intro terms now range from 6 to 21 months, a development that most likely explains the aforementioned rise in regular APRs.  It appears that issuers are willing to sacrifice interest revenue in…

  • Discover Axes Foreign Transaction Fees

    John Kiernan
    8 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    Posted by: John KiernanIn an important, yet widely underpublicized move, Discover recently announced the elimination of foreign transaction fees for all of its credit cards effective Nov. 6, 2011. Discover thereby joins Capital One as the only two major U.S. credit card issuers to offer only credit cards without foreign transaction fees, making them appealing choices for overseas travelers as well as small business owners who transact with foreign-based merchants. “Discover is always seeking and evaluating new ways to offer more clear value to our cardmembers,” Discover…
 
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    Forex Research Blog | FXTechstrategy

  • GBPUSD: Maintains Its Bullish Momentum.

    27 Jan 2012 | 11:37 am
    GBPUSD: The pair continues to strengthen but the major break that the market and traders are looking to occur is the 1.5770 level, its Dec 21’2011 high. That level is very significant to GBP’s continued recovery which was initiated from the 1.5235 level. An eventual clearance of there will set the stage for further upside price extension towards the 1.5885 level, its Nov 18’2011 high. Above here will aim at the 1.6074 level, its Nov’2011 high. Its daily RSI is bullish and pointing higher suggesting further strength. On the downside, support lies at the 1.5666 level followed by the…

  • USDJPY: Bears Take Control, Risk Seen Towards The 76.54 Level.

    27 Jan 2012 | 5:20 am
    USDJPY: The pair is now on a second day of sell off following its failure to continue its recovery strength started from the 76.54 level. It looks like USDJPY could be building up downside momentum with the possibility of returning to the mentioned support at 76.54 level, its Jan 17’2012 low. If that level is taken out, further declines should shape up towards its 2011 low at 75.57 where a violation will aim at the 74.00 level ahead of the 73.00 level, all representing its psycho levels. Its daily RSI is bearish and pointing lower supporting this view. Alternatively, in order for the pair…

  • USDCHF – Under Pressure, Weakens Through The 0.9240 Level.

    26 Jan 2012 | 3:35 pm
    USDCHF: The pair continues to weaken and remain vulnerable to the downside. This coming on the back of a break below the 0.9240 level, leaving USDCHF targeting further declines towards the 0.9175 level, its Dec 08’2011 low. A halt may occur here and turn the pair back up but if that level breaks, lower level prices could shape up towards the 0.9063 level, its Nov 30’2011 low. Its daily and weekly RSI are bearish and pointing higher supporting this view. Alternatively, on any recovery, the pair will aim at the 0.9504 level, its Jan 13’2012 low with a loss of there turning risk towards…

  • AUDUSD: Builds On Its Bullish Offensive, Targets Medium Term Resistance.

    26 Jan 2012 | 9:29 am
    AUDUSD: Having rallied and reversed its Tuesday losses on Wednesday, the pair continues to strengthen further in early trading. This suggests that AUDUSD is likely headed towards the 1.0749 level, its Oct 27’2011 high. Further out, the pair the 1.0800 comes in as the next upside target followed by the 1.0900 level, all representing psycho levels. Its daily RSI is bullish and pointing higher suggesting further strength. On the other hand, on any pullbacks, the 1.0569 level, its Oct 31 high will be aimed at where a violation will open the door for a run at 1.0444 level. A reversal of roles as…

  • GBPUSD: Sees Further Bullish Momentum, Set To Return Above Its Key Support.

    26 Jan 2012 | 4:12 am
    GBPUSD: The pair continues to strengthen following through higher on Wednesday and opening the door for further upside momentum. With the 1.5666 level, its Jan 03’2012 high now violated, the threat is for a full recapture of the 1.5691 level, its .50 Fib Ret. That level was being tested as at the time of this analysis. Above there will call for a run at 1.5770 level, its Dec 21’2011 high where we may see a price hesitation. However, if that level breaks, expect GBP to strengthen further towards the 1.5885 level, its Nov 18’2011 high. Its daily RSI is bullish and pointing higher…
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    Senior Money Memos

  • Easier Tax Return Tips For Seniors

    Barry Welford
    23 Jan 2012 | 9:23 pm
    ‘Nothing is certain but death and taxes’, according to Benjamin Franklin, but in saying that he was perhaps too pessimistic, particularly for seniors.  Although taxes can be a major burden for the young, seniors often benefit from the breaks that society wants to give them.  However to so benefit it is important to complete a tax return. Even for that, help is often available to elders. In the US, you can do this online and the IRS has begun now to accept 2011 tax returns. IRS officials encourage the use of e-filing.  More than 1 billion returns have been e-filed, an electronic…

  • This Blog Is For Sale

    Barry Welford
    21 Jan 2012 | 12:19 am
    If you are a frequent visitor to this blog, you may have noticed the small panel in the left sidebar that indicates this blog is for sale.  I thought you deserved a few words of explanation. Why Does Anyone Sell Their Blog Some may find it surprising that anyone would sell a blog they have created.  Isn’t a blog a kind of personal journal of information and thoughts on a topic of interest?  That probably is true for 99% of blogs, but clearly not so for the biggies like the Huffington Post or TechCrunch, which are akin to online newspapers. Thinking of the other 99%, what is going on…

  • Best Cities to Retire In

    Barry Welford
    10 Jan 2012 | 1:32 pm
    This is a guest post by James Lander. If you’re like most people, you’re probably dreaming of relocating to a new place for your retirement. We all want to take off to some warmer, quieter place when we finally get freedom from jobs that tie us down to one place. It can be hard choosing a place to retire so you really need to give it careful thought and planning before you make a decision. People have different wants and needs in a retirement place: affordable housing, pleasant weather, or just abundant recreational activities. However, there are certain key aspects that most…

  • Avoid Fraud In Your Power Mobility Purchase

    Barry Welford
    21 Dec 2011 | 5:00 pm
    This is a guest post by Sam Peters If you have been watching any daytime television over the past fifteen years, you know there is strong competition for your mobility dollar. Your government sponsored healthcare is willing to spend big money on your increased mobility and companies are in a marketing war to receive those benefits. Gone are the days of walkers and manual wheelchairs and in are the days of power scooters and wheelchairs. It is easier than ever to keep an active lifestyle. Medicare Fraud While there are many options in the electric powered mobility market, there is even more…

  • 30 Money Saving Tips for Senior Citizens

    Barry Welford
    15 Dec 2011 | 10:07 pm
    This is a guest post by Teena Celis.  Although it applies to US citizens, citizens in most other countries will find the ideas useful. The rising costs of everyday commodities are causing people all over the world to cut back on their expenses. Disposable incomes are getting limited; it’s getting tougher for people to make ends meet. 59% of available senior income is going towards housing and health care. This means there’s not much left over for food, transportation and other needs. How does a senior person save money in this kind of scenario? Look For Senior Discounts…
 
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    California Bankruptcy Blog

  • How Long Do I Have to Respond to the Lawsuit from My Credit Card?

    Norma Duenas
    23 Jan 2012 | 9:30 am
    Failure to make payments on your credit cards or personal loans can result in a creditor filing a lawsuit to collect on the money owed. After the creditor files the case in court, he will serve you with a copy of the summons and complain. In California, the summons provides you information on the time [...]

  • Can Bankruptcy Stop An Eviction?

    Norma Duenas
    20 Nov 2011 | 3:38 am
    Can Filing f or Bankruptcy Help You Stop An Eviction? If you are facing a possible eviction from your home or apartment then filing for bankruptcy can stop the eviction process in most circumstances and provide you with some additional time.  When you file for bankruptcy the automatic stay begins which stops most judicial proceedings [...]

  • Does My Husband/Wife Have to File Bankruptcy with Me?

    Norma Duenas
    31 Oct 2011 | 12:35 am
    Once of the biggest concerns for married couples is: Does my spouse have to file bankruptcy with me? Do we have to file bankruptcy together? The answer is: No there is no requirement that married couples file bankruptcy together. Your wife or husband can file bankruptcy individually. Whether it is advisable that you file for [...]

  • Can You Eliminate a Tax Lien in Bankruptcy?

    Norma Duenas
    23 Oct 2011 | 2:47 am
    Not being able to pay federal or state income taxes can lead the IRS or the state to place a tax lien on your real property and  personal property.  Filing for bankruptcy can help in many situations resolve the issues and consequences that can result from having a tax lien placed on your personal or [...]

  • Should I Modify My Home Loan Before or After Filing for Bankruptcy?

    Norma Duenas
    19 Oct 2011 | 2:45 am
    When filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, one of the common questions I run across with clients is whether they should complete a loan modification prior to filing for bankruptcy or after. The answer to this question depends on your particular factual situation and whether completing a loan modification prior to filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, [...]
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    The Penny Hoarder

  • How to Make Money Buying Virtual Real Estate

    The Penny Hoarder
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:27 pm
    Photo by iliveisl For Sale: Luxurious, seaside bungalow. We guarantee that the structure will never need re-shingling, re-siding, a new furnace, a new water heater or foundation repair. Appliances will never break; you’ll die before they do. Property’s unique arrangement makes it so that you will never need homeowner’s insurance, gas and electric, garbage pickup, property taxes or water. Best of all this real estate is so cheap, there’s no need to start Googling refinance rates and mortgage brokers. So, who’s ready to buy? This is not a deal that is too good to be true. Anyone…

  • FREE $5 Cash for Signing Up at Clover

    The Penny Hoarder
    25 Jan 2012 | 11:12 am
    Hi Penny Hoarders - If you’ve got a smartphone, this is an easy way to make a quick $5. The app “Clover” is paying iPhone & Android users five bucks to download their free application. Clover is a mobile app that allows you to transfer money to your friend’s accounts, making this deal very similar to the free $20 from American Express that we shared a few weeks ago. I’ve already gotten my $5 so I can confirm that this is the real thing. I’ve only been given 17 invites to give away, so only a few of you will be able to take advantage of this right now.

  • How to Make Money as an Event Planner

    The Penny Hoarder
    19 Jan 2012 | 10:39 am
    Photo by Don Bergquist It’s one of those jobs that sounds great in theory. I mean, who wouldn’t love a job planning parties? Truth be told, event planning is a stressful job suited only for the most organized and detail-oriented personalities. As an event planner, you are required to handle the details of the location, you’re the budget planner, and you’re in charge of all of the logistics; including the invitations, activities, lodging, entertainment, decorations, food and beverages, transportation and so on…. Still, if you’re up for the challenge,…

  • How People Buy Real Estate with “No Money Down”

    The Penny Hoarder
    18 Jan 2012 | 10:59 pm
    Photo by InAweofGod'sCreation I call it pre-coffee ergophobia. It’s that 30 minute window between the time the coffee begins brewing until the time when the coffee has fully stimulated all of the neurons in your brain. During that time, you’re awake but still fearful of doing any type of work which might require brainpower. It’s also the time that I find myself completely unable to fight off the calling of early morning infomercials. Now mind you, I’ve never actually bought anything off of the TV, but I seriously think I’ve seen all of them. The Showtime…

  • 5 Weird Ways to Make Extra Money in College

    The Penny Hoarder
    16 Jan 2012 | 10:23 pm
    Photo by PacGuy There’s nothing wrong with delivering pizzas or waiting tables to help pay your college tuition. But, if you’re looking for a way to ditch the uniform and the set hours, try one of these weird ways to make extra money in college… 1. Buy & Resell Textbooks You’re probably already selling back your textbooks at the end of the semester, but here’s a way to take it a step further… Bookmark a buyback price comparison site like RentScouter.com and then start hitting the garage sales, library sales, and campus book store sales in search of…
 
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    Financial Management Blog

  • Four Types of UITF

    Gil
    27 Jan 2012 | 7:34 am
    In my previous post, I talked about what is unit investment trust fund (UITF) and how you can invest in it. In order to give more information and help readers of this blog about investing in this kind of investment, I’ll be discussing in this post the different types of UITF. UITF works much the same as mutual funds. I think the only difference between the two is the company that manages the fund. In case of mutual fund, an investment company supervised by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) handles and manages all the transactions of the fund. On the other hand, in case of UITF,…

  • Why Use WordPress for Building a Blog

    Gil
    25 Jan 2012 | 3:06 am
    I have been blogging for almost two years now and I would say it is one of the greatest decisions and achievements I have made so far in my life. It gives me a way to discover my passion and make some extra income from it.  Blogging is not easy and also not difficult to do. Some people would ask which blogging platform to select for building a good blog. If you are considering to blog your passion or the things that interest you the most, I would recommend to start it now. It will give you more fulfillment and gives you the chance to help other people through the experiences you encountered.

  • How to Pay Debt Faster

    Gil
    22 Jan 2012 | 8:37 pm
    A famous quotation I read before said that “debt is the worst poverty.” In one side, it is true. Debt has been and can become a major problem of almost every person, companies and governments around the world. I don’t know your current situation but I assume you have debt now or in the past you have borrowed money from other people. Debt is an obligation that should be settled by the debtor to creditor. Some people say debt can be good or bad depending on its purpose but at the end it is still debt that needs to be paid. You should not forget what you owed especially if the…

  • The New, More Personal Credit Report

    Gil
    20 Jan 2012 | 9:06 pm
    The following article is a guest post from Suzan Bekiroglu about credit report. If you want to write a guest post in this blog, you can send me an email here. Taking care of your credit, protecting your credit scores and trying to maintain a good credit history has always been important. Now, however, there is a whole new list of things to worry about in regards to your credit history, and the new list is much more personal. FICO, Fair Issac Corp, scores are a standard way of determining the credit-worthiness of a potential borrower. Now FICO is developing a new set of standards using more…

  • Richest People in the Philippines for 2011

    Gil
    19 Jan 2012 | 6:35 am
    Most of us are dreaming to become rich someday that’s why we are working patiently and looking for ways on how to make more money. For students, the ultimate goal is to graduate in college and get a high paying and stable job. Have you heard a kid or a person who wants to become poor? I never heard such a person who is dreaming to become poor someday. By the way, how do you determine if a person is rich or not? The best indicator of wealth of a person is by determining his or her net worth. It is the sum of all the person’s properties, investments and all the things that he…
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    Bay Area Planners Blog

  • Time to file the FAFSA!

    admin
    2 Jan 2012 | 12:59 pm
    You are now able to file the FAFSA application to get financial aid for Seniors attending college this fall. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the key to all financial aid – not only from the Federal government, but also the State and the colleges themselves. It’s [...]

  • Financial Aid Reduced for Not-Quite-Low-Income Families

    admin
    20 Dec 2011 | 12:43 pm
    Though not yet entirely settled, the federal budget for 2012 currently preserves the maximum Pell Grant at $5,550. That’s the headline, but hidden in the fine print is the cost to families who are just above the lowest income levels. Preserving the Pell is the top priority of the Obama [...]

  • Inside Higher Ed reports

    admin
    17 Dec 2011 | 8:17 pm
    Inside Higher Ed reports that December 14th the University of California at Berkeley announced a new plan for middle class California families sending their children to the university. Under the plan, those with family incomes of $80,000 to $140,000 would have to pay only 15 percent of that income to [...]

  • What to do with student assets?

    admin
    9 Dec 2011 | 9:28 pm
    When it comes to financial aid, student assets are a big no-no. They increase the federal Expected Family Contribution (EFC) by 20% of the reported asset value. Even worse, colleges that use the Institutional Methodology of calculating aid, will count them at a 25% rate. So an UTMA or UGMA [...]

  • Senior Year Fall Semester: What you need to do this month

    admin
    5 Dec 2011 | 1:05 pm
    December Start collecting your family’s financial records, which you’ll need to complete the FAFSA and other financial aid forms in early January. Remind your parents to save their year-end payroll stubs that show earnings for the year. (Ref. Step 4 of ’7 Steps to College’) Apply for a federal PIN [...]
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    Consumer Help Central

  • Should You Be Putting Money Into The Bank After Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

    Jay S. Fleischman, Esq.
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    After Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you’re going to want to start building your financial world again. You’ve taken a body blow and likely aren’t in the best financial shape, and you’re looking for ways to get back on top. Then you see it, looming on the corner – the bank. Dare you approach it? It depends.  There are a few players in this massive chess game, and you need to be aware of them all. Let’s review them in turn and assess the landscape. If You Owed The Bank Money Before Your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy First, we’ve got to deal with the bank that was a…

  • Why A Short Sale After Bankruptcy Just Isn’t Worth The Hassle

    Jay S. Fleischman, Esq.
    25 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    You filed for bankruptcy and now are contemplating a short sale. Maybe you got a phone call or a letter from some “workout consultant” who “specializes” in these sorts of things. Perhaps a real estate broker called to let you know someone wanted to buy your house but it would need to go through a short sale in order to make the deal happen. Before you agree to a short sale after bankruptcy, let’s take a step back and inject a little bit of reality into the situation. After Bankruptcy, You’re Not Liable On The Mortgage You went through bankruptcy and got…

  • Did Occupy Wall Street Steal A Brooklyn Home?

    Jay S. Fleischman, Esq.
    17 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    Last month the Occupy Wall Street movement took over a Brooklyn house in foreclosure, with the stated intent of rehabilitating the property for the use of a homeless family. The new family apparently hasn’t moved in yet, and the homeowner is claiming that he wants the property back.  Seems as if he abandoned the house and fell into foreclosure as a result of job loss, but Wise Ahadzi is looking to do what he needs to do in order to get back into the house. Unfortunately, the OWS folks aren’t so interested in letting his take back the property. A search of the Office of the City…

  • Those Pesky Long Island Homeowners Dare To Upset The Foreclosure Apple Cart

    Jay S. Fleischman, Esq.
    16 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    New York Newsday is reporting that foreclosures fell on Long Island in December 2011 as compared with a year earlier, but don’t break out the bubbly quite yet. As the article states: California-based RealtyTrac said foreclosure-related filings in Nassau and Suffolk fell by 34 percent in December, to 527, from a year earlier. For all of 2011, the number of Long Island homes that received some type of foreclosure-related notice fell by 40 percent from 2010, to 7,811. The decline was particularly dramatic in Suffolk: 53 percent. That sounds great, right? Not so fast. The decline is based…

  • Shocker – Jerry Maguire Sports Agent Is Just Like You!

    Jay S. Fleischman, Esq.
    15 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am
    Leigh Steinberg, the sports agent (and lawyer) who was the inspiration for Tom Cruise’s Jerry Maguire, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It’s created a field day for sport journalists and pundits alike, but it shows that we’re all just a few missteps from the bankruptcy court door. In an article written for The Post Score, Steinberg reveals that he struggled with filing for bankruptcy for years. His financial situation was apparently made worse by his struggles with alcoholism, which hindered his judgment as well as his oversight of his financial affairs. Steinberg…
 
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    Musings of a Money Manager

  • My 2012 Outlook – 3 Big Themes

    john
    20 Jan 2012 | 12:45 pm
    In last week’s Musings of a Money Manager newsletter I spoke about my outlook for 2012. Here are a few of the important highlights for non-subscribers (you can subscribe for free on the right hand side of this page):For 2012, I am closely following three big themes:1) A golden cross pattern 2) The price of copper 3) The presidential cycleThe Golden Cross First off, let’s take a look at what happened last year — well, nothing happened, which is rare. Eighty percent of the time, markets stay in a well-formed trend (either up or down). Last year, the US stock market stayed in a…

  • Why I Put My Money In A Spoke Fund — And Why You Should Too

    john
    10 Jan 2012 | 1:31 pm
    After 15 years in the industry, both at big firms (Morgan Stanley and Oppenheimer) and at my own independent firm, I have come to loathe the mutual fund marketing machine. I truly believe it has misguided and done an incredible disservice to investors, especially those hoping to retire in the next 20 years or so. The concept of “buy and hold” that has been shoved down our throats really only works in late stage bull markets (such as in the late 1990s) and is a concept that exists nowhere else in the world. Global institutional investors don’t “buy and hold”…

  • Everything You May (Or May Not) Have Wanted To Know About Christmas Trees

    john
    20 Dec 2011 | 1:40 pm
    As expected, the Christmas rally in the stock market is in full effect. (See – Christmas Rally Update…). So, to keep everyone in the Christmas spirit – The Visual History of Christmas Trees:Some facts I found interesting:Sears offered the first artificial tree with 55 limbs for $1.00.1958: The first Aluminum tree (who thought this was a good idea? – Sorry metal tree lovers).1965: A Charlie Brown Christmas caused a dip in artificial tree sales.(Source: Christmas Tree Market) 

  • Christmas Rally Update…

    john
    16 Dec 2011 | 10:10 am
    Traders seem to be getting a bit more enthusiastic as we approach the end of the year. While I am not looking for much of a rally in the traditional sense (we are really just reversing last week’s loses), it is still nice to see.Yesterday I spoke about the 50/200 Golden Cross, which is where the 50 day and 200 day moving averages (DMA) cross over:  US Equity Markets: Half Empty, Or Half Full? I failed to mention that the S&P 500 has already had a 50/100 day cross:The 50/100 day cross is a short term buy signal, with numerous false signals, but it is still a buy signal regardless.

  • US Equity Markets: Half Empty, Or Half Full?

    john
    15 Dec 2011 | 10:57 am
    Are you “the glass is half full” or “the glass is half empty” kind of person? This is the question investors looking at the current pattern in the US stock market should be asking.Clearly the markets have been stuck in a trading range since late summer. However, the market can be looked at as either falling apart or rebounding:Declining TrendRising TrendSo what should an investor do?One tool that I find works well in situations like this is the Golden Cross. As defined by Investopedia:Definition of ‘Golden Cross’A crossover involving a security’s…
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    Credit Card Wisdom

  • The CARD Act’s Limitations On Extending Credit To Young Adults

    Jason Steele
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:27 am
    Anyone who attended college in the 80s and 90s has almost certainly been the target of credit card marketing on campus. Banks would frequently erect booths near dormitories and at major sporting events. Students would be invited to fill out credit card applications in exchange for t-shirts, duffel bags, or even a chance to win [...]

  • The Advantage of Using Cash Back Credit Cards with Fixed Reward Rates

    Jason Steele
    23 Jan 2012 | 11:21 am
    Earning cash back on your regular spending is a fantastic benefit. When credit cardholders try to maximize the amount of money they receive, they have a nearly endless choice of credit cards to apply for. Among these cash back reward credit cards are those that offer fixed reward rates on all spending, as opposed to [...]

  • How To Encourage Responsible Credit Card Among Use College Students

    Jason Steele
    19 Jan 2012 | 6:13 am
    Busy college students spend their school years learning all manner of subjects, but unfortunately, responsible credit card use is rarely one of them. Too often, Americans who struggle with credit card debt are merely continuing a habit that they began as college students. Therefore, it is vital that college students learn to use credit cards [...]

  • How Banks Calculate Credit Card Interest

    Jason Steele
    15 Jan 2012 | 5:08 am
    Credit card users love the convenience and security that these products offer, but they hate paying interest. When cardholders are unable to pay their entire balance in full, interest will inevitably be accrued. While most credit card users will pay interest on the credit cards at some point, few are aware of exactly how that [...]

  • Using Credit Cards for International Travel

    Jason Steele
    11 Jan 2012 | 5:54 am
    We all take for granted the convenience and security of using our credit cards within the United States. What is less certain is our ability to use our cards when traveling outside the country or overseas. While some novice travelers may have been under the impression that they can use their credit cards in foreign [...]
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    Simple Debt-Free Finance

  • Want to Build Wealth, and be Secure? Focus on Learning Instead of Earning!

    Joe
    18 Jan 2012 | 11:33 am
    I just finished reading Robert Kiyosaki’s book, Rich Dad’s Increase Your Financial I.Q.: Get Smarter with Your Money and the one major takeaway is that too many people never realize their true financial potential because the get in their own way! Many people focus on earning more money when they should be focuses their time and energy on learning and increasing their money I.Q.. * Note: Kiyosaki discusses 5 aspects of Financial I.Q. in his book, but I’m just going to focus on this one, general concept here. The learning discussed in the book is not a formal education. In…

  • Robert Kiyosaki Plays Loose With His Math.

    Joe
    16 Jan 2012 | 12:23 pm
    I’ve been reading Rich Dad’s Increase Your Financial IQ: Get Smarter with Your Money, by Robert Kiyosaki and while I like the general gist of the book (especially the first half), he rubs me wrong way in several places. One of these is in his use of math to support his opinions on real estate. Much of the second half of the book focuses on real estate as a means to grow wealth, but he does make an important distinction between speculating for growth or flipping a house, and buying property as an investment. In other words, he espouses buying real estate for the purpose of renting…

  • 8 Tips to Reduce Your Debt This Holiday Season.

    Joe
    21 Dec 2011 | 8:32 pm
    The Holiday Season is the busiest time of year, full of family and friends, good food – and spending. Between the parties, travel to be with family, and gift-giving, it’s practically inevitable you’ll be dishing out a lot of dough. But you don’t have to go into debt during the Holidays that leaves you financially hungover in January and behind for the rest of next year. Plan ahead to minimize your debt, or better yet, not rack up any at all! Avoid the debt collectors by following these 8 simple tips to keep your Holiday spending on track: Get on a Budget – Start the season out right…

  • 5 Bad Habits About Money Kids Learn From Their Parents.

    Joe
    15 Dec 2011 | 11:52 am
    Children learn many things from their parents, and most of it is subliminal. We indirectly learn habits and behaviors by watching our parents, and when we become adults and have children of our own we pass many of those habits, behaviors and beliefs on to them whether we know it or not. Here are the top 5 bad habits about money children learn from their parents. #1. Arguing about money. This is easily the most common habit picked up from parents, since money is often at the center of any disagreement between parents, and many people – parents included – do not know how to have…

  • Are You Prepared to Pay $3,598 More in Income Tax for 2012?

    Joe
    7 Dec 2011 | 11:47 am
    Many people are not aware of the extent to which the U.S. income tax laws will change next year if Congress does not move to make them permanent. This goes well beyond the much hyped payroll tax break. In fact, the $3,598 doesn’t even factor in the increase if that provision fails to win extension! To make the situation clear, a recent Yahoo! news story (Why Your Tax Bill Might Surge Next Year) profiles a fictional married couple, meant to portray the average tax paying family. Meet Bill and Joan. Bill and Joan Smith are 26 years old, married and have two young children. Bill works in…
 
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    Thirty Six Months

  • Think You Can’t Afford To Budget?

    Marissa
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:02 pm
    Often, people find themselves in financial trouble due to overspending. There are several things that can be done to get back on track and avoid future problems. One of the best ways to get rid of high interest credit card payments is to switch to balance transfer credit cards. These cards allow you to switch your entire balance from the high interest card to a much lower interest rate card. Quite often, the credit card company will use balance transfer credit cards to entice people to transfer their balance from another card by offering 0% interest rates for the first few months. Just make…

  • What is an entrepreneur?

    Marissa
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
    The last few weeks I have been extremely hectic. I’m sure it’s been the same for everyone else as well. One of the biggest reasons why I have been busier than usual is because I was helping launch a friends new business. He recently decided that the corporate world is not for him and we wants to be his own boss and be an entrepreneur.  This is one of the best decisions of his life since he hated his job. He is an extremely passionate and motivated individual and I have a feeling that this will go over well.   What is an Entrepreneur, and How Do You Become One? An…

  • Independence, baby.

    Marissa
    23 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
    The following is a post from my friend, Anita. She will be joining me and writing about how to do all the right things when it comes to money. I’d like to start by pointing out that this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Remember? Adulthood. Independence. You can now eat candy for breakfast, stay out all night, rent a car or get on an airplane (unchaperoned) and go anywhere in the world you want to go; AND (in most cases, if you fancy) drink alcohol there. Congratulations. You’ve made it; and you can’t go back. Don’t worry, no one warned me either.  Oh by the way, all those…

  • Link Love- Extra Large Pancake Edition

    Marissa
    21 Jan 2012 | 12:52 pm
    As the title suggests, its Pancake day! My godson and I have a bi-weekly date to make pancakes. He come up with something new every week. This week we made really large pancakes. I will hitting the treadmill as soon as I done typing this.   Here are some of my favorite links from this week: Derek, from Life and My Finances, talks about why Young people pay more for their car insurance. This is a great read if you are thinking about your first car. Free Money Finance mentions 7 ways to make the most out of gift cards. I love gift cards, but I am horrible at remembering to use them.

  • 5 Ways to Raise Entrepreneurial Kids

    Marissa
    20 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
      The following is part of a post swap with Hank Coleman who writes about personal finance on Money Q&A. Have your children been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug? Do they ever ask you about having yard sales or selling things on eBay? The entrepreneurial spirit is in all of us, and it is every easy to see that spark in our children’s eyes. There are so many entrepreneurial teaching points that parents have available every day, and you can turn their questions into an opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and how businesses operate. Now is the time when they are young and…
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    Thirty Six Months

  • What is an entrepreneur?

    Marissa
    26 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
    The last few weeks I have been extremely hectic. I’m sure it’s been the same for everyone else as well. One of the biggest reasons why I have been busier than usual is because I was helping launch a friends new business. He recently decided that the corporate world is not for him and we wants to be his own boss and be an entrepreneur.  This is one of the best decisions of his life since he hated his job. He is an extremely passionate and motivated individual and I have a feeling that this will go over well.   What is an Entrepreneur, and How Do You Become One? An…

  • Independence, baby.

    Marissa
    23 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
    The following is a post from my friend, Anita. She will be joining me and writing about how to do all the right things when it comes to money. I’d like to start by pointing out that this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Remember? Adulthood. Independence. You can now eat candy for breakfast, stay out all night, rent a car or get on an airplane (unchaperoned) and go anywhere in the world you want to go; AND (in most cases, if you fancy) drink alcohol there. Congratulations. You’ve made it; and you can’t go back. Don’t worry, no one warned me either.  Oh by the way, all those…

  • Link Love- Extra Large Pancake Edition

    Marissa
    21 Jan 2012 | 12:52 pm
    As the title suggests, its Pancake day! My godson and I have a bi-weekly date to make pancakes. He come up with something new every week. This week we made really large pancakes. I will hitting the treadmill as soon as I done typing this.   Here are some of my favorite links from this week: Derek, from Life and My Finances, talks about why Young people pay more for their car insurance. This is a great read if you are thinking about your first car. Free Money Finance mentions 7 ways to make the most out of gift cards. I love gift cards, but I am horrible at remembering to use them.

  • 5 Ways to Raise Entrepreneurial Kids

    Marissa
    20 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
      The following is part of a post swap with Hank Coleman who writes about personal finance on Money Q&A. Have your children been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug? Do they ever ask you about having yard sales or selling things on eBay? The entrepreneurial spirit is in all of us, and it is every easy to see that spark in our children’s eyes. There are so many entrepreneurial teaching points that parents have available every day, and you can turn their questions into an opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and how businesses operate. Now is the time when they are young and…

  • The Importance of Investing in the New Year

    Marissa
    19 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am
    The following is a post from Bettement’s Blogging for a Better New Year Carnival.  New Year’s resolutions are amusing to me, as they mostly consist of things such as losing weight, or traveling- or any other goal you can easily renege on come February. I have been part of that group for the past 11 years. I make goals such as “make an extra $10,000” or “lose 15 pounds,”, or “buy an Ipad 2″ or my favorite resolution from my childhood- “grow 3 inches in height.” These goals are fantastic, however, they are useless for me as I never had a concerted plan on how to…
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    Charge Responsibly

  • 2011 Credit Cards in Review

    Chris
    31 Dec 2011 | 9:55 am
    For the first time in three long years, the credit card market seemed to thrive.  2011 was just a fantastic year to be a credit card holder, or a potential credit card holder as some credit card issuers went above and beyond the usual to offer big bonuses and awesome promotions even I had never seen before. Four credit cards in particular offered up front bonuses of $500 or more (one of which could be worth thousands of dollars depending on what you use it for). Chase British Airways Signature Visa – This card only survived a few months, but the 100,000 bonus points one could earn was…

  • The Best Credit Cards of 2012

    Chris
    21 Dec 2011 | 12:15 am
      Every year, credit card issuers change their method of advertising to focus on what’s hot in the eyes of the consumer.  This year is no different as the best credit cards of 2012 include everything an American is looking for in a quality credit card.  Whether it’s cashback, travel rewards or a low interest rate (or 0% interest rate for balance transfers) there should be a card perfect for what you need. Unfortunately, credit cards do come with a bevy of risks and when used improperly, they can be deadly.  The best way to use them is as often as possible, making sure to…

  • Which credit card is best for fair credit?

    Chris
    8 Dec 2011 | 2:01 pm
    Top Answer: Submitted by Robyn Cooper It’s no wonder you may not have a high credit score. Many people have seen their credit scores drop within the last few years due to the economic conditions. According to USAToday.com, credit scores have fallen, on average, six points from third quarter of 2008 through the second quarter of 2009. That’s only a few months and a significant drop. With the loss of jobs, harder to obtain credit and limited resources, many Americans are seeing their “good” credit scores become “fair.” When that’s the case, it can…

  • Which Credit Cards are Best for International Use?

    Chris
    2 Dec 2011 | 8:32 am
    Top Answer: Submitted by Sunshine_Anne As you get ready to head off on the trip overseas, you may be thinking about passports and managing the costs of airline baggage. Have you thought about your credit cards? Many individuals use credit cards when they are traveling because of the protections in place against fraud. According to the FTC, consumers paid over $1.7 billion in fraud complaints in 2009. When traveling overseas, the risk of fraud is higher, but credit cards cut down that risk. Because credit cards have built in security features, they often are the go to choice. The problem is…

  • The Best Gas Rewards Credit Card

    Chris
    1 Dec 2011 | 2:24 pm
    Top Answer: Submitted by James Kane Let’s be honest. With gas prices reaching $4 a gallon or more, it’s hard to pull out the cash to pay for it. More people than ever are turning to gas credit cards, but not just because they can pay later. In fact, gas rewards credit cards are often the most sought after in rewards programs.  The thought of getting a discount or even free gas from a credit card can help to dampen the bad taste at the price on the pump. How Do They Work? Gas rewards credit cards help you to earn money on the purchases you make, including those expensive…
 
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    Eileen E Jacobs

  • Design of Everyday Workflow

    eileenejacobs
    26 Jan 2012 | 3:30 pm
    Design is a huge factor in determining how successful your workday is. It determines how much you are able to get done as well as how effective you are at reaching your goals. Working smart is obviously much better than working hard. In a world of information overload, we are always multi-tasking and have too many things that are considered a high priority. The problem with this is that we can only handle a couple of high priority things at any given time. If you have more than a couple of projects that are considered high priority, then you cannot be effective at successfully achieving all…

  • Lower Prices for Las Vegas Real Estate

    eileenejacobs
    17 Jan 2012 | 7:19 pm
    The real estate market in Las Vegas continues its extended slump. S & P has reported yet another 8.5% drop in prices, this time covering a period that spans form October 2010 to October 2011. The Vegas area also has an unemployment rate of 12.5% with tons of underwater mortgages. On a more positive note, those who have a mortgage owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac may be able to refinance even with an underwater mortgage. You may not get the principal reduced, but you may be able to reduce your monthly payments considerably. See our video below. Because the current market prices…

  • Tax Changes for 2011 Tax Returns

    eileenejacobs
    17 Jan 2012 | 11:32 am
    The maximum amount on earnings subject to Social Security taxes has increased to $110,000 for 2011. Mileage Rates For business use of your vehicle, your deduction is 51 cents per mile for driving done before July, 1, 2011. You deduction is 55.5 cents per file for the mileage driven from July 1 until the end of the year. For medical purposes and moving expenses, you mileage deduction is 19 cents per mile for miles driven before July 1, 2011. From July 1 until the end of the year, the standard mileage deduction is 23.5 cents per mile. For all mileage for charitable purposes, your deduction is…

  • HARP II Refinancing for Underwater Home Owners

    eileenejacobs
    12 Jan 2012 | 10:43 am
    If you are underwater with your mortgage (doesn’t matter how much), you may be able to qualify for a refi. This is for loans that are owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Even if you make a payment to your bank. The loan had to have been put in place before June 1, 2009. You must also be current on your payments. If your bank still services your loan, it may NOT own it. In fact, banks often collect the payments and service the loans long after they sell the loan to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or another investor. Don’t assume the company in which you make your payments to owns your…

  • Virtues of Contrary Thinking

    eileenejacobs
    31 Dec 2011 | 7:09 pm
    “When everyone thinks alike, everyone is likely to be wrong.” – Humphrey Neil Simply put, the best investors are contrary thinkers. It pays to be contrary. Investing with the trend only gets you caught up in financial manias and bubbles. Human nature is what causes us to replicate the thoughts and actions of others. Despite the achievements in technology, human psychology has remained constant. Because of this, we still have the boom and bust cycle which is no different today than what it has been throughout history. It makes little sense to copy what everyone else is doing…
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    ArgelTiburcio.com

  • How to Cope With the Fear of Losing Your Loved One

    Argel Tiburcio
    24 Jan 2012 | 10:40 pm
    Don't take life seriously, no one gets out alive anyway Grace woke up in a sweat, with the memories of last night's dream still fresh and surreal. She was having those blasted nightmares again. But those nightmares could not have been mere nightmares because they were haunting her even during her waking hours. This one was like all the other dreams where she was running after a familiar... ...this is just an excerpt, you can read the full article at http://www.ArgelTiburcio.com

  • 5 Surprising Characteristics of Someone Who Fears Rejection

    Argel Tiburcio
    23 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    It's not the end of the world... Susan, a marketing specialist of one of the largest malls in town, presented her hand to her client and then she stood up and walked out of the room with her head held high. She was feeling so triumphant after closing a million-dollar deal with a mall sponsor who agreed to shoulder the advertising expense for their new world campaign. She can already hear her... ...this is just an excerpt, you can read the full article at http://www.ArgelTiburcio.com

  • 5 Little-Known Factors That Could Affect Your Confidence

    Argel Tiburcio
    18 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    FEAR: The Arch Enemy of Confidence Self-Confidence is generally described as the ability of an individual to have faith and believe in his/her abilities. According to psychiatrists when one has self-confidence it normally results in having great self-esteem. Self-esteem is defined as the “worth” that one can place on himself. It is his measurement of his own value as a person, in agreement... ...this is just an excerpt, you can read the full article at http://www.ArgelTiburcio.com

  • The Shocking Truth About Self-Confidence

    Argel Tiburcio
    16 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am
    Believe in yourself How to gain self confidence  Today is one of those days when your group has to make a presentation to a client. This is an important occasion because it is an opportunity to get your boss' attention. It could mean a raise or a promotion if you could just muster the courage to stand there in front of these people and present your proposal. The problem is, your... ...this is just an excerpt, you can read the full article at http://www.ArgelTiburcio.com

  • It's More Fun In The Philippines: Viral Tourism Campaign

    Argel Tiburcio
    6 Jan 2012 | 8:03 am
    Scaling the Banaue Rice Terraces, more fun! Traveling by boat, more fun! Status updates after swimming with a Whale shark, more fun! It's More Fun In The Philippines! The latest Department of Tourism (DOT) campaign truly hit the jackpot in terms of being viral. Being guilty of spending too much time checking my Facebook wall and checking out trending topics at Twitter,  I... ...this is just an excerpt, you can read the full article at http://www.ArgelTiburcio.com
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    Money and Finance Blog

  • Bank Errors Too Tempting to Pass Up

    admin
    25 Jan 2012 | 9:55 am
    Image via Wikipedia Long before Survivor’s Richard Hatch, those who become accidental millionaires run the risk of ending up in jail. Not so for Parijat Saha who didn’t fall prey to the temptation to spend the $9.8 billion that suddenly appeared in his bank account. He simply notified the bank that made sure the funds would not be subject to withdrawal until they fixed the error. That may be the last time the $700/month teacher will ever see that amount of money come his way, but at the very least he didn’t end up taking the money and running with it like others before him. It brings up…

  • Deals of the Week: Jan. 23 – Jan. 30

    admin
    24 Jan 2012 | 9:25 am
    Image via Wikipedia January is almost done! Are you keeping your resolutions so far? Here’s some help for that resolution to be better with your money this year! Enjoy.         Wal-Mart Is currently running a special on electronics you might want to check out: V7 Vantage Webcam 300 with built-in microphone, 16 megapixel $9.88 Virgin Mobile LG Optimus V Prepaid Android Cell, 3G & Wi-Fi capable $99.87 All-New NOOK – The Simple Touch Reader $98.86 Black & Decker Slim 6-Sheet Crosscut Paper Shredder, 6 sheet capacity $37.00   Aldi Special buys starting on…

  • Weekly Deals for January 14 – January 23

    admin
    17 Jan 2012 | 11:34 am
    Image via Wikipedia The fuel prices are on the rise again, forcing us to stretch our budget even more. This means that we really have to make the time to organize and plan out every trip to make it as economical as possible.  We hope we can help by giving you our weekly deals: Aldi Happy Farms, Spreadable Cheese Wedges $1.49 Steak-Eze Angus Philly Beef Steak 15oz., 100% sirloin $4.99 Mama Cozzi’s Pizza Kitchen Lite Garlic Texas Toast, 8 slices $1,64 Mama Cozzi’s Pizza Kitchen spinach & Goat Cheese Pizza $3.49 Season’s Choice Whole Onion Rings $1.99   Save-A-Lot Raw Shell-On…

  • Payday Lenders Get Support

    admin
    12 Jan 2012 | 12:52 pm
    Image by PinkMoose via Flickr State Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello has been getting a lot of flack because of his pro payday loan viewpoint and commentary in The Sacramento Bee in November. His stance is that many happy customers of payday lenders could be hurt by the do-gooders should the industry be subject to a much stricter regulation or even banned. The industry has a bad rap.  Accusations abound of draining money from low-income communities, exploiting hardship for profit, aggressive collection practices, and lenders ignoring legal restrictions.  Yes, Payday lending is controversial…

  • Trade Extra Pounds for Extra Dollars

    admin
    11 Jan 2012 | 9:41 am
    Image via Wikipedia We’re not talking about currency conversion, here either. Unless you live under a rock, you know that being overweight is unhealthy; fact is also, that it also can be unhealthy for anyone’s wallet. There are several definite economic disadvantages to having extra pounds around your waist.  The economical impact includes direct and indirect costs. Now, that quick stop at some fast-food joint will not just affect your personal budget but has a trickle down effect on various other factors.  For one, loss of productivity at work.  They way you eat will reflect the…
 
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    Trend Following 101

  • Why do Market Pros Suspect the Natural Gas Trend is Nearly Over?

    Michael H. Sankowski
    27 Jan 2012 | 5:45 am
    Today, the Natural Gas lost 5%. The system is short Natural Gas, and the trend is strongly downward. We're trend followers, so this huge move down is good news for the short Natural Gas trade. It's a continuation of a long, downward trend. So why do I suspect the massive downtrend in the Natural Gas is over? Markets just don’t have 5% moves. Massive moves like this are rare - and tends and they tend to signify either the beginning or the end of moves. Since the natural Gas has been in a huge trend since the end of July, this definitely seems like more of the end of a move rather than the…

  • MoneyBall and Trend Trading

    Michael H. Sankowski
    25 Jan 2012 | 10:15 pm
    My son was jumping on the couch, yelling and screaming – and I was jumping with him! We were watching the movie MoneyBall, and part of the movie came up when the 2002 Oakland A’s won 20 games in a row. Nobody believed the A’s could do it, and they started the season with a horrible record. He and I were cheering at the huge win by the A's The General Manager of the A’s – Billy Beane – had a idea. His idea was simple – put statistics in your favor over and over again, and you’ll win ballgames. The A’s started off horribly, losing game after game, and Beane was in danger of…

  • As TF 101 Predicted: Natural Gas Spikes Higher

    Michael H. Sankowski
    24 Jan 2012 | 6:03 am
    I warned last week the Natural Gas might be oversold, and warned about a possible extreme move against the trend. Today, the Natural Gas rallied 10%. Yep, I'll take a quick victory lap here. :) The Natural Gas has been in a huge downward trend since July, and the TF101 system is catching it. The trade was huge a month ago - today it's a monster. We're staying with this downward trend, because the prices haven't moved that much against the longer term trend yet. Still, I suspect this trend might be over, or at least have a significant pause. The biggest Natural Gas company in the U.S.

  • Japanese Yen Intervention: How to Play It

    Michael H. Sankowski
    22 Jan 2012 | 4:45 am
    I am a big, big trend trader, and religiously watch and follow the trends.  But I am not blind to watching what’s going on in the markets either.  I also follow currency markets very closely. Right now, the Yen is flashing warning signs. The trend might be a stronger Yen, but the Yen is bumping up against a ceiling. Apparently it “wants” to go higher. Still, due to the ongoing threat of an intervention by the Bank of Japan, the yen isn’t going higher. If you are trading the Yen and holding positions overnight, be aware of the possible intervention that can happen at any time. In…
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    Money Q&A

  • Lending Club Waives Service Fees On Large Loans

    Hank
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:00 am
    Lending Club is waiving the service fees for investors who lend money on their loans of $20,000 or more for a limited amount of time. According to Lending Club, you could then expect to see an increase in your expected rates of return by half a percentage point or more, and the waving of the service fees will last as long as you own the loan as an investor in your Lending Club account. This is a great deal for investors who are always looking to find a little extra rate of return. Lending Club makes a great investment for that 10% or so of your portfolio where you are looking for alternate…

  • Review Of TradeKing Discount Stock Brokerage

    Hank
    27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Are you looking for a discount brokerage to help you begin buying, selling, and trading individual stocks and options? TradeKing may be the website that you are looking for. They offer an easy to use website, excellent resources for education, and one of the lowest commissions on the internet for stock and options trades. TradeKing Has Very Low Commissions TradeKing is an online stock and options broker that is known for having very low commissions. It highlights fair and simple pricing: just $4.95 for stock trades, and $4.95 + 65 cents per contract for options trades. If you trade more than…

  • Five Money Moves To Make Before You Pay Off Your Debt

    Hank
    26 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Getting out of debt is a long hard road, but there are several money moves that you can make before you even start to pay off your debt. Cleaning up your financial house a little bit before you start to pay off your debt will help to give you the greatest chance of success. It will not be easy, and it will definitely take some time. But, these money moves can help. Find Out How Much You Owe Exactly Believe it or not, many people do not even know exactly how much they are actually in debt and owe. I know that I was firmly in this camp when I graduated college. Collect all of your credit card…

  • How To Freeze Your Credit Report

    Hank
    25 Jan 2012 | 6:30 am
    Your credit score is one of the keys to your finances. Companies use it to determine what interest you will pay, if you are even qualified for a loan, use it to make hiring decisions, and even use it in determining how much your car insurance premium will be. Certain events could make you want to take action to freeze your credit score like being the victim of identity theft. Here is a step-by-step way to freeze your credit score to help you protect it. Why You Should Freeze Your Credit Report Freezing your credit score is not a decision you should take lightly. If you believe your identity…

  • When Is A Credit Card Not A Credit Card?

    Hank
    24 Jan 2012 | 6:59 pm
    The following is a guest post by Louise who writes for MoneySupermarket.com. Credit cards are one of the most common forms of payment, partially because they are so convenient to use. Carrying one of these little plastic cards in your wallet means you can make a purchase whenever you feel the urge to splurge. But when are credit cards not credit cards? The answer is when they are actually store cards, loyalty cards or prepaid credit cards. All of these different types of cards have their benefits and drawbacks. Credit Cards Credit cards allow you to purchase services and goods up to a set…
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