On the way up to my parents’ house recently, we took some time in the trip to review and discuss our personal finance plan. It wasn’t too complicated: Build up an emergency fund of $5,000. Further accelerate paying down our van loan. Build up savings for the next vehicle, and further accelerate paying down the … Read more
Want to know what something is really worth? Check out this post to see how to determine fair market value on eBay … The web has created enormous price competition for pretty much anyone who sells anything. No longer are people stuck with the price of a local store. People can get great pricing information … Read more
(You’ll see why …) A couple of weeks ago, my bride received a one-star review on Amazon for both of her historical fantasy books and her short story. This wasn’t the end of the world for a couple of reasons: first, she had far more four- and five-star reviews, and secondly, it means that the … Read more
On the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, I have a Toastmasters meeting. Toastmasters is an international organization that helps people to improve their public speaking and leadership skills in a supportive, nurturing environment. Recently, Financial Money Spot mentioned that joining an organization as an investment in yourself is inexpensive and effective. He mentions … Read more
There are some ways to spend less money that are so easy, and so hassle-free, that it’s almost a no-brainer to use. This is true of rebate websites: websites that give you cash back simply for clicking through their site on the way to the place you want to shop. This free money comes from … Read more
A few weeks ago I posted on why habitually returning things to the store isn’t a bargain. I gave two main reasons why: It’s a poor use of time. Returning stuff takes time — sometimes a lot of time. Time isn’t free. You get on the store’s naughty list and could be refused business in … Read more
There are times that I really wish there were a course in how to make one-time purchases. The first time I bought a house I was incredibly naive and did just about everything in the book wrong. Since I bought in 2001, I didn’t get caught buying at the top of the market, but I … Read more
Lots of homeowners are behind on their mortgages. The recent melee began a few years ago, as the follow-up to a period of high house prices and the issuance of many back-loaded loans with questionable underwriting to people who had marginal means to repay. The percentage of mortgage holders in the US who are at … Read more