Here are some good articles from around the personal finance community : Five Cent Nickel shares his story about doing the right thing with found money. It is always encouraging to see others live right. Debt Beater shares his top five immediate benefits for starting a budget. I totally agree with budgeting starting good communication and exposing problem areas, even though it takes time to find your budgeting groove. Consumerism Commentary shares a cool link that lets us know how many earths we would need if everyone in the world lived like us. My score was 2.2 earths. It was [...]
Read MoreSeptember 2007
The Happy Rockette and I got our first cell phone a little under two years ago. We held out for a long time, because we didn’t want a monthly bill for something that wasn’t a necessity. Yes, I did say it wasn’t a necessity, and it still isn’t for most people. We all survived without cell phones ten years ago, but that is another story. We got only one phone and the cheapest plan, 300 minutes for $33 a month through Verizon. Recently our battery died on our phone and that got me looking over our usage and contract. I [...]
Read MoreGot an old car that is giving you problems? Scared that your junker is going to leave you stranded? Well, then you might be struggling with the question of when to let go of the old car and get a new one. It is a question I often see people struggle with, and one that people seem to make decision based on emotion or to justify their desire for a newer car. Deciding that your current set of wheels is more hassle than it is worth isn’t an easy decision. I am not even sure that there is a correct [...]
Read MoreIn case you missed the emails and the news like I did, ING Direct lowered there interest rates effective 9/19. ING Savings accounts went from 4.5% to 4.3%. Electric Orange Checking rates took and even bigger hit from 4.0% to 3.5% $0-49,999.99 earns a 3.50% APY $50,000.00-$99,999.99 earns a 4.90% APY $100,000.00 or more earns a 5.00% APY Finally, Business Savings rate went from 5% to 4.75%. For the $12,000 we have in emergency fund and our average checking account balance, the loss will be about $50 a year. Not a huge loss in the scheme of things. I don’t [...]
Read MorePreviously I shared how we paid off our $15,000 car loan and were able to pay cash for two more cars in the following years. As I thought back through our story, I was left asking myself “Was it worth it?”. We got a lemon of a car in the Ford Focus, so yes it was extra hassle dealing with that. The fact of the matter is that bad breaks happen sometimes, even if my research said the Focus should have been pretty reliable. I don’t think making choices based on a fear of low percentage what-ifs isn’t going to [...]
Read MoreHere are couple links that I thought were worth some attention over the last week or two : Giving changes us! Millionaire Mommy Next Door writes a nice article about the addictive nature of giving. How we dress often portrays how we feel about ourself, and can shape others opinion of us. Clever Dude walks us through some clothing choices that make us look unprofessional. Two nice tips for adding some romance. 5 outdoor dates(with some local New Jersey flair) and some free ways to increase romance. jeanjeanie discusses the cost of overcoming her fears. I like the open discussion, [...]
Read MoreLast post we talked about changing the way we talk about car loan debt, now let’s talk about avoiding the debt in the first place. The picture to the right is the car we own today. Ok, ours is just a normal bronze Murano, but you get the picture. In this post I wanted to outline the strategy we followed after going $15,000 for a 1999 black on black Toyota Celica. First off, I didn’t realize it until years later, but buying the Celica was a mistake. My wife liked the car so much that she may disagree, but going [...]
Read MoreWe usually talk like we own the car, but this is just a delusion. If you secure financing for an automobile, the bank or financing company probably owns your car. The person with the auto loan is most likely granted non-possessory security interest in the vehicle. Basically, the bank owns the car and you are not able to sell the car without the loan being paid in full. The reason I mention it, is to clear up what I think is a major reason it is so easy to be in debt. The lending industry wants debt to sound rosy [...]
Read MoreThe long awaited site redesign is finally done. It did the design and upgrade myself, and I am pleased with the results. It was a very good learning experience, although with all the new found knowledge by the time you finish something like this you are ready to do it again. I want to thank all the readers and friends that voted a few weeks back. Number 3 was the overwhelming favorite, although it wasn’t my favorite. The first column color doesn’t look right on my home computer, but looks good everywhere else. But this site is for the readers, [...]
Read MoreJust recently I received an extra $250 in my paycheck, because my application for my health club reimbursement finally came through. I am still waiting on one for my wife, but I will continue to pursue that. This excellent little benefit that many employers are offering will save us $500 this year. Many more employers and medical insurance policies are offering preventative medicine programs that help you and them save money. If you pay dues at a gym or health club, you may be eligible. My company offers a straight $250 reimbursement on gym fees in a given 12 month [...]
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