For those that like their coffee and caffeine, check out the advertisment on Dunkin Donuts. Free Iced Coffee on May 15th from 10am – 10pm.
Read MoreMay 2008
As I discussed whether it’s our patriotic duty to consume our rebate checks, I started thinking that I didn’t fully understand what the ‘rebate’ check is anymore. Everyone calls it a tax rebate check, but it seems to have morphed into a handout or something else along the lines. Originally, it seemed like it would be rebate on our 2008 taxes based on our 2007 returns. It doesn’t seem to be that clear cut anymore. Even the language of the media and the IRS website don’t seem to mention rebate anymore, just payment. Is it a handout? Is it a [...]
Read MoreThe Happy Rockette mentioned something about our stimulus check that got me thinking. We already have a plan to spend the money on some improvements to the condo. We can enjoy then for the next year our and they will help our house sell when the time comes. I mentioned that the $1500 would look pretty nice in our down payment account, and she hinted that we should use the money for its designed purpose….to stimulate. She was being somewhat tongue and cheek to counter act my subverting of the plan, but until that moment I hadn’t considered that people [...]
Read MoreI am not sure many other finance terms inspire more fear than the word ‘BUDGET’. Ok, well maybe bankruptcy, foreclosure, and a few others, but you get the point. Some people even will physically squirm when they think about having to adhere to a budget. I am here to squelch some of those fears and I am not even a fervent budgeter. A budget is nothing more than a plan for your money. That’s it! There isn’t anything magical, nothing scary, no straight jacket, just a plan. Here is the formal definition : Budget : a scheme or method of [...]
Read MoreJust got back from getting another round of books for The Pebble, but I had to pay $16.95 in back fines/fees just to checkout. Being a couple days late when you have 2-3 books out isn’t too bad, but ever since The Pebble hit reading age we have been getting out 10 books at a time. Leave for one vacation without returning books, and be a couple days late a few times and you are paying $17 to rent books rather than utilizing a free public service. We still probably got great value despite the fees, but it could have [...]
Read MoreThe Rock Garden went vacationing this past weekend to Pocono Mountains of Pensylvania just outside of Jim Thorpe, PA. We got a great a good deal on a modern three bedroom house with a scenic view that I will post about later. Despite a wash out on Saturday and some allergies, it was a great vacation. I am not here to talk directly about the vacation though, but rather something peculiar that I noticed. The Satelitte TV wasn’t working in the house and there was no internet. The amazing thing was that after the 36-48 hour withdrawal period, I began [...]
Read MoreFirst was an article on Life Hack called Personal Development, Canine-Style. It is a long read, but well worth the time. It is written from the perspective of a man’s dog while the owner’s life and finances grow over the years. It shares some of the potential dangers that come with chasing our dreams and getting on top of our finances. Great life perspective with an funny amusing edge. Second, I wanted to highlight one of the best Personal Finance blogs on the net, The Simple Dollar. This story is quite inspirational. Just about two years ago he hit financial [...]
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