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
Perhaps you heard today about the mom in Washington state who was Facebook-shamed after being asked to leave a restaurant where her children, ages one and three, were being messy and loud. The restaurant owner, Lorraine MacDuff of Rainy Days Caffe, had pictures posted of the messy carpet on the restaurant’s Facebook page, with a … Read more