Getting a grip on all of the financial statements, bills, receipts — all of the paper, actually — has always been a challenge for me. Here’s the cycle: The financial statements, bills, and receipts pile up. The piles wear down my psyche like coarse-grit sandpaper. The papers get filed slowly because I need to relearn … Read more
Got this question a couple of days ago from a reader: How much is 15.4 grams of gold filled worth to a gold and silver place? Here’s what I can tell you. A gold and silver place will likely give you less than melt value for your chain. If they’re not going to resell your … Read more
It really disheartens me to see people go from some of the best kind of debt to have to some of the worst kind, at the worst possible time. Someone over at Basically Money was planning to do a mortgage refinance from a 30-year fixed-rate at 5% to a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage at 2.7%. … Read more
J Money is one of the liveliest personal finance writers I know, and an awfully hard worker. In between this and his other blogs, he’s got LoveDrop.org going on, a new idea in paying it forward to individuals who’ve come upon hard times. Ahh … to have a third of his energy and a tenth … Read more
I was fortunate to receive an evaluation copy of Tony Steuer’s Questions and Answers on Life Insurance: The Life Insurance Toolbook. This 368-page book contains just what it says it contains: 134 common questions on the topic of life insurance, along with answers in plain English. Mr. Steuer’s goal was “to use [his] experience to … Read more
Halloween is coming up, and you don’t have a costume yet? Fear not! Here are nine quick and easy Halloween costumes that won’t break the bank, and will at least give you a few groans from incredulous passersby. To make it a little more fun, I’ll post the answers in the comments so that you … Read more
I really hope the Financial Samurai is kidding with his latest post on debt reduction and weight loss. I really hope that he’s just being wacky and looking for link bait or something to further Yakeziefy his web presence. 😉 Here’s his premise: Buying the plasma, leasing the convertible, and living way beyond your means … Read more
This year we started our daughter on an allowance. It’s probably a generous-ish allowance for a five-year-old: $2.50 per week. For “spending money” this actually amounts to $1.50 per week because we have her tithe 10% and save 30%. I’ve gotten into giving this to her each week for the past couple of months. When … Read more