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Bible Money Matters
Closing My Account With Bank Of America: Low Interest And Bad Customer Service
When we took the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class a year or two ago we started saving up our 3-6 months of expenses as is recommended in baby step 3 of the 7 baby steps. Over time we got our emergency fund fully funded up to...
Open A SEP IRA: Rules And Contribution Limits
If you’re a self employed person or are looking at taking the plunge and becoming an entrepreneur, one thing you have to consider is how you will save for retirement. Since you won’t have the option of a 401k, there are several other retirement account type options that you will...
Do I Need A Long Term Disability Income Insurance Policy? What Do I Need To Know?
Long term disability insurance is a type of coverage that not many people take advantage of even though stats say they will probably need it at some point. Here's a rundown of the different types of disability coverage....
Unautomate Your Finances: A New E-book To Help You Find Your Financial Focus
Over the past year I’ve watched as Baker over at ManVsDebt.com has had a meteoric launch to become one of the premier voices in the blogosphere in several different niches. He is a recognized personal finance writer, landing a staff writer position at one of the premier personal finance...
In Debt And Cannot Repay? Tips To Work With Debt Collectors
If you’ve missed credit card payments, or other loan payments consistently, your account may have been sent to a collection agency. Collection agencies contact debtors all the time and try to get payment, or to pay off on the loan. Some of them are fair in their practices and others are...
Ways To Make Extra Money Series: 20 More Income Generating Ideas From Our Readers
Over this past week we’ve looked at a variety of ways that you can create extra income for your family. Here’s a link recap of the posts in the series thus far: Ways To Make Extra Money Series: Guide To Diversifying Your Sources Of Income Ways To Make Extra Money Series:...
Fool.com Headlines
A Natural Gas Company Leaving Investors in the Dark
This is some seriously poor disclosure. ...
Every Shareholder Should Read This Now
Your financial future might depend on it ... ...
The Easiest Money You'll Ever Make
How to bank $410,000 doing next to nothing. ...
One Stock That's Better Than Gold
Where's the best place to invest as the dollar weakens? ...
Here’s why one investor doesn't think so ... ...
The Motley Fool's Weekly Editors' Picks
Three of the week's most educational, amusing, and enriching articles. ...
Intelligent Speculator
Tough and busy week on my end but it is finally the weekend and today I had an opportunity to get a lot of reading done around the Blogosphere finding a few good articles. The stock picks continue to do well and I will probably be doing a new pick...
Microsoft’s(MSFT) sold 422,000 Xbox units in February, beating Nintendo’s Wii & Son’y Playstation in a record month China says it is up to Google(GOOG) to settle the dispute with the government () Apple(AAPL) has started taking orders for its Ipad, buyers will receive it on April 3rd, 20000 being sold per hour Netflix(NFLX)...
New derivatives launching very shortly… bet on Avatar & others
Chances are that you are one of those that contributed to Avatar grossing over $2 billions at the box office, the most ever for any movie. One of the reasons that such high profile productions are rare is that since they are so expensive, they represent a risky bet for...
Quick summary of toda’s action for the names we follow Baidu initiated as Hold by Mirae Asset Securities Yahoo downgraded to hold by Clayton Moran Motorola to replace Google by Bing for its phones in China Microsoft Bing will sponsor the Simpsons Research in Motion will enter the Brazil market Eyeblaster ready for an IPO...
Top stock Picks: Currency ETF’s
We’ve discussed the current crisis in Greece and that has had a very powerful impact on the FX markets. There is an increasing amount of options available for FX investors that wish to use ETF’s. No surprise in the fact that a double short Euro ETF has the best return...
Some quick news from today for the stocks that we follow here: -Search market shares are out for February Google 65,5% (+0,1%) Yahoo 16.8% (-0.2%) Bing 11.5% (+0.2%) AOL 2.5% (0%) -Google opens app store (competition to Apple’s Itunes store?) -Google expects results in China negotations soon -Netflix(NFLX) rated as “BUY” by Cannacord Adams analyst Jeff Rath...
brip blap
linklings, small business energy edition
I’m jumping the gun on something I’ll write about more next week, but I attended a very interesting function this week. It was a launch party for a magazine in which I was a contributing writer, and most of the attendees were entrepreneurs, small business owners or reps of banks...
Without much effort, most of us can think of two or three large-scale tragic events that occurred in the last decade that shook us. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, that killed over 200,000 people, springs to mind, or the recent earthquake in Haiti that may kill many more when...
Late in Bubelah’s first pregnancy, we stopped in at a bar after a visit to the doctor for a routine checkup. I had a beer and she had a seltzer. It was a mild winter day, mid-afternoon and we were savoring some quiet time together before the main event,...
linklings, sneezing leads to a CAT scan edition
I’m a bit late with this week’s link roundup (surprise) but I have an excuse. As I was driving to work for an early morning meeting on Tuesday, a heavy, driving rain broke out. The pitch black, heavy rain and early hour (about 6:30) would have been bad enough...
Here’s a financial lesson for anyone who participates in online social media of any sort. It’s a cautionary tale about online privacy; not the stalker-type issues that most people are worried about; instead, it’s about how you have to be careful to reveal too much online about business dealings. ...
Once you have an understanding of your own mortality, you either try to ignore it or you think about ways to avoid it. Ignoring it is easy for most people; the drone of American Idol or the smell of another Big Mac are probably all defense mechanisms against awareness of...
Money Relationship
Packing Lunch For Work Just Got Easier
Over the past two years of reading personal finance blogs, I’ve seen plenty of articles on packing lunches to save money. As much as I love the idea, I just couldn’t make it work. I absolutely HATED packing my lunch. Every time lunch rolled around, my sandwich was the soggiest...
Debt Update: February 28, 2010
February was a short month in terms of days but a big month for debt repayment. We managed to eliminate $2,532.86, our biggest month ever! This was in addition to replenishing our emergency fund (about $800) that was depleted from paying some estimated taxes in January. We feel great about...
Hey everyone, I just wanted to let you know that I’m alive and well. Over the past few weeks, not much has happened in our financial lives so I figured I wouldn’t bore you with random posts. I typically just sit here in my home away from home and talk...
January was a fairly good month for us. Even after depleting our emergency fund and them pumping it back up to $1,000, we were still able to pay off over $1,400 in debt. Also, keep in mind that the $1,400 we paid off is only the reduction of principal and...
Friday Feed Frenzy – The Debtor’s Mind
Well, it’s been a little while since I had a roundup so I thought I would get back in the mix. It’s tough for me to read as many blogs as I used to. I can’t read blogs at work like many other bloggers can. Frankly, it stinks. I feel...
Why We Use Mvelopes and How You Can Save 25%
I haven’t really talked about our budgeting system yet. I guess I’ve held back because we have a different situation than most (in not all) of you. Since I live in another state during the week, we need to be extra careful about our budget. Being away from each other...
Moolanomy Personal Finance
Does Investment Portfolio Diversification Still Work?
A common lesson from a children’s story book has become one of the guiding principles for investing: “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” But lately, I’ve come across a few articles where people are questioning the wisdom of diversification. Today, we are going to ask the question...
How to File a Federal Tax Extension
April 15 looms on the horizon. There may be any number of reasons that you are not prepared to file a tax return, from not having your dividend statements back, to waiting to get a home buyer tax credit, to straightforward procrastination. No matter your reasons, you can actually file...
11 Money Saving Tips for Parents with Babies
When it comes to money saving ideas, some people go way out of their way to save a dime while others casually use products that cost hundreds of dollars. For example, is it worth drying a piece of Saran wrap? Some folks (mostly from a previous generation) would put the...
File a Tax Extension Instead of an Amended Return
As April 15 inches closer, many are beginning to get their tax documents together and prepare to file their tax returns. However, there are many who don’t have all their tax documents by the requisite time, or who want a little extra time to make some savvy tax moves for...
How to Get In Shape and Save Money
Tired of spending money on things you don’t use or get very little results out of? I’m referring to your gym membership. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of gyms and love going to them, but when they cost an average of $33 per person per month, it...
How to Make Money Short Selling Stocks
Short selling is a strategy used to profit from stocks that are overvalued. As a short seller, you would borrow — remember, borrow, and not buy — the stock of a company that you think is overvalued and will fall in the near future. You then sell the borrowed stock...
Twitter / MoneyMatters
MoneyMatters: By 2020, total U.S. public debt will be $20.3 trillion -- an increase of 171% in just 10 years. http://bit.ly/8YKJnS...
MoneyMatters: In 2009 U.S. public debt totaled $7.5 trillion a sum equal to all the indebtedness accumulated from our 225 years in existence as a nation....
MoneyMatters: Just watched the new Star Trek movie. Not too bad.
MoneyMatters: Just watched the new Star Trek movie. Not too bad....
MoneyMatters: I just noticed that i got double charged at the restaurant last night when balancing my account. Ugh. I just shredded the receipt...
MoneyMatters: @FourPillars Thanks. We hope they are seeing things. If not, we'll cross that bridge then....
MoneyMatters: RT: @MattJabs: I'm just admiring how great @BudgetsAreSexy looks on Wordpress. Check it - http://www.budgetsaresexy.com/ <--looking good!...
Personal Finance Blog by Money Ning
Sorry for such a quick note the other day, but it’s been pretty busy times lately. Many wondered, and many more asked about them, so here are baby Sara’s pictures! Say Cheese! Baby Sara can’t wait to write to you. (Hmm, maybe a little early, but it never hurts to plan...
Budgeting to Save Money on Bills
They turn up in the mailbox every month, demanding your attention and your money. If you want to save money on bills you need to approach the problem in two ways. The first thing is to cut services you don’t need and the second is to find ways to get...
What is the Ideal Investment Mix? – Money Mailbox
A few weeks ago, I started asking readers to submit their money questions in case they wanted a second opinion on their dilemma. If you have a question you would like answered, you can just contact me. My name is Ken and I am turning 23, single. This year, I felt...
Change Your Vacation Style to Save Money
Vacations provide an escape from reality. They give us the opportunity to step outside our daily routine and relax in a new environment. One week a year we book the fanciest hotel, go to the big name restaurants, and splurge on the ultimate activities. Then, in 2009, came the staycation....
How to Use a 529 Plan to Improve College Savings
It used to be that saving for college was a relatively simple process: if you wanted to save for your child’s college education, you put money away wherever it was convenient. Now, though, there are several types of specific savings plans that offer you benefits that your old coffee can’t...
Should You Cash in an Annuity or Monthly Settlement Payment for a Lump Sum?
In these financial times, many people are looking for ways to get a little more cash — usually in lump sum form. The thinking is that a lump sum could pay off debt, or cover medical bills. For those receiving some sort of settlement payment, or receiving annuity payments, it...
Don't Mess With Taxes
Census follows costly rebate mailing route
Thank you very much Census Bureau for the letter that arrived in our snail mail box last week alerting us that in another week or so, we'll be getting more mail from you. This next delivery will be a 2010 Census form which, encourages the announcement letter, the hubby and...
Mississippi tax tidbit: casino tax
Mississippi added a new revenue source in 1990 when the state passed the Gaming Control Act legalizing dockside casino gaming. The counties that border the Mississippi River or the Gulf Coast can legalize gambling. Currently, the state is home to 30 dockside casinos and an inland casino on a Choctaw...
The hubby and I itemize our tax deductions. We are in the tax-filing minority. Most taxpayers claim the standard deduction. The good news for these folks is that there are several possible tax write-offs right on Form 1040 and a few on the 1040A, too. Plus, over the last few...
That was IRS Commissioner Shulman's assessment in January, when as part of a wide-ranging interview on C-SPAN he revealed that he hires someone to file his returns. The admission came during a discussion of the IRS' oversight of tax preparers. In response to the question (at 10:27 of the overall...
Minnesota tax tidbit: federal add-backs
One of the challenges of filing state income tax returns is figuring out how your state deals with federal law changes. This filing season, Minnesotans need to pay close attention to such differences as they file their state taxes. Several widely publicized federal tax breaks that are sure to be...
More, and more well-off, tax filers are not paying any taxes
As millions of us are staring down April 15, the big question we have is how do we pay Uncle Sam as little as possible? Some folks have that answer totally figured out. One-third of individuals who last filing season submitted a 2008 return paid no tax whatsoever, according to...
Earn What You Spend
Learning, leverage, and the coming change in education
Institutions of learning are going to be dramatically changed in the coming years. Rolfe Winkler is an astute blogger, and he (along with many others) sees a parallel in the markets for housing and higher education. We have students (homeowners) purchasing an education (housing) at ever increasing prices using vast amounts...
Once you think about any topic for long enough, you begin to develop a personal philosophy about how it works. This could be your perspective of how to best throw a baseball, how to make the perfect souffle, or how to best tackle a sudoku puzzle. I happen to think about...
Weekend Reading, 8/16: Education & Health Care
There were too many good articles to post only to Twitter. The WSJ examines why renting is the new American dream. I agree. Homeownership, while certainly a nice thing, is not necessarily better than renting, and there is not a strong case for promoting one method of consuming shelter over the...
View from my recession: Brooklyn car service
As you may know if you read this blog, I live in Brooklyn, New York. Although the subway is my primary means of transportation, I occasionally indulge in using a car service to get to the airport or during exceptionally rainy days. This is not, as those who live in...
A collapsed economy has many implications, one of which is a rather drastic uptick in the personal savings rate of most Americans. This is entirely logical: unemployment is up, wages are down, virtually every asset we own has lost value, so Americans are spending less than they used to. We...
I recently bought TIPS - Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities - for the first time. All the talk about looming hyperinflation was beginning to alarm me, and given a recent conversation with a friend who professionally manages money, it seemed justified. Alan Blinder’s article in the NYTimes was all the more interesting: inflation,...
7million7years
This guy actually talks a lot of sense … the subtext being that – in historical and/or Third World Country terms – we are already wealthy … … so, don’t make your life about making money, make ‘making money’ about supporting your Life. No more, no less...
Risk is in the eye of the beholder …
Our Philip Brewer Confest is almost over, and it’s time to thank him for his articles and inspiration for a series of posts exploring the concepts of safe withdrawal rates [AJC: which has more to do with financial planning than family planning ], however I did want to wind...
The Ideal Perpetual Money Machine …
So, it seems that creating a mix of bonds and stocks and then picking some magic withdrawal rate (e.g. 4%) is not the ideal way to plan our retirement (a.k.a. life after work) after all … … instead, it seems that we need to create our own Perpetual Money Machine: a...
All this talk of ’safe withdrawal rates’ begs the question: can you build a perpetual money machine from stocks and bonds? I’m going to go out on a limb, here, and say NO. To help us find out why, let’s try and answer Rick’s question: I agree if you can live on what...
The fundamental rule of money?
Here’s the difference between conventional personal financial advice and 7m7y thinking in one slide; according to Brian Taylor the fundamental rule of money is to: Either earn more than you spend or spend less than you earn. Simple … and, much better than the alternative (spending more than you earn) … … but,...
Fitting a square peg into a round hole …
The real problem with any of the so-called ’safe withrawal rates’ that we explored yesterday – with 4% currently being perhaps the most popular amount advocated - is that they all assume a fixed annual spending amount, but are actually generated by a totally volatile (some would say random) portfolio. We’re trying to fit...
Mighty Bargain Hunter
Four budgets you absolutely have to make
A couple of days ago I went to a one-day financial planning class. I got a few nuggets out of the class and I’ll share one with you here. The instructor spent a few minutes on creating a working budget. This part was pretty standard. If you don’t have Quicken fired...
Money Hacks Carnival: Middle Name Pride Day Edition
Happy Middle Name Pride Day, everyone! There seems to be a bit of inconsistency as to what the proper day to celebrate MNPD is – Holiday Insights says that it’s “always March 10th” whereas the Wikipedia article says it’s on the Friday of the first full week of March as...
Friday Fiscals: Flush valve edition
We’re in our new home (albeit with boxes and such). Tonight I started tackling one of the toilets in an attempt to replace a shot flush valve. It won for tonight until I can get a bigger wrench. Squawkfox explains how to make a budget in an “unboring” way. Wise Bread reveals...
He really is. I’m not talking about his blog. He’s not a slacker there. The guy is a finalist for no less than seven Plutus Awards, one of which is for his PF Blogger Showdown series. (By the way, it looks like PT Money has a comfortable lead in our...
Would you out a friend’s spending patterns on Facebook?
A few weeks ago I received word of a Facebook application called Buddy Bailout. It’s a spin on the giant corporate bailouts that have happened recently, and in part it plays on people’s thinking: “Why can’t I get a bailout, too? I sure could use one.” Maybe one of that person’s...
Woe to the lender who guesses wrong
The standard Settlement Statement, the HUD-1, just got a makeover this December. The extra page is an extra burden on lenders to get the Good Faith Estimate right the first time. Last week at the closing for our new house, we got a small bonus courtesy of the new requirements. The...
Personal Finance Buzz - Published news
10 Posts on Various Aspects of Credit Cards and Credit
Some classic posts on managing credit cards and credit....
Open A SEP IRA: Rules And Contribution Limits
One option available to small business owners and self employed individuals to contribute to their retirement is a SEP IRA or Simplified Employee Pension plan....
Is a Savings Account Better Than Buying Shares?
Savings accounts and investments in shares are two very different financial products and to compare them and choose the option which is best for you, you need to first be clear about what you need from your finances....
Do I Need A Long Term Disability Income Insurance Policy? What Do I Need To Know?
Long term disability insurance is a type of coverage that not many people take advantage of even though stats say they should. Here's a rundown of the types....
A Quick QuickTax Online Review
QuickTax Online seems to be a good program for those that have simple returns without complicated deductions....
Should You Invest with Lending Club or is it too risky?
Looking for an investing alternative? Investing through Peer 2 Peer lender Lending Club might just be what the doctor ordered. But is it too risky?...
AllFinancialMatters
I was going through our stack of mail this morning and came across my wife’s copy of Ladies’ Home Journal. I picked it up and thumbed through it because I saw something about organization on the front cover, which went along with a post I did just a couple...
It’s Friday. How About a Couple of Music Videos?
It’s Friday and I’m going to take a break from finance on this post and share with you a couple of music videos. This first one is one of my favorites: This one I saw on Russ Thornton’s facebook page. I have never really listened to Radiohead but I really like...
Follow Up on My Berkshire Hathaway Post from Two Years Ago
A couple of bad years can really bring down your average annual rate of return. Check out this graphic I posted nearly two years ago: Now here’s that same graphic updated through 2009: What a difference two years can make. It is important to note that Berkshire is currently trading at 122,537...
Financial Stuff I Want My Kids to Know Before They Leave Home
1. Money’s not everything but it is important. A life WITH money is certainly easier than a life without money. 2. Money won’t bring you happiness but it will pay the bills. 3. The simpler your life, the better. 4. Save AS MUCH AS YOU CAN while you’re...
What Roth IRA Questions Do You Have for an IRA Expert?
I’m going to be conducting an email interview with John Bledsoe, the author I mentioned in my last post. I thought I would ask AFM readers if there are any questions regarding Roth IRAs that you would like me to ask Mr. Bledsoe. If so, send me an...
How Long Will It Take to Reach a $1,000,000 Savings Goal?
I’m in the process of reading John Bledsoe’s The Gospel of Roth: The Good News About Roth IRA Conversions and How They Can Make You Money *. So far it’s a great read. As you can probably imagine, Bledsoe is sold on the Roth IRA. Reading his book,...
Ranjan Varma
How to Get Yourself A Financial Plan
Background: I always believe that life unfolds itself, and with utter disregard to your plans to achieve this or that. But I guess, Dwight D Eisenhower is more articulate. Read on. Plans are worthless, but planning is everything. There is a very great distinction because when you are planning for an emergency...
Dozen Rules For An Economist To Remember
I receive a newsletter from Sundaram BNP Paribas Asset Management Company and it’s worth reading. I guess you need to invest in their funds to get that newsletter. I found the “Rosenberg Dozen” in that newsletter and I am sharing that with you. David Rosenberg, Chief Economist at Gluskin Sheff, has the...
How to Sell ULIPs to Unsuspecting Customers
Recently, I was an unannounced visitor to my Aunt’s place where a bunch of people were explaining a financial product. It turned out that the people were Branch Head and Advisor of a private insurance company and they were selling a ULIP. My Aunt is a successful Doctor and seeing me,...
The Iceberg Theory of Money Management
I have seen smart people make stupid money mistakes. I see smart marketers of our financial institutions hiding more than they reveal. Ofcourse they have all the financial jargons to their support. I have also seen seemingly dumb guys making a pot of gold for themselves. I have wondered why people avoid...
Indibloggies Award: Vote Please
India’s first (established 2003) and very own desi blog awards, the Indibloggies are publicly-chosen awards conferred on bloggers from India. A jury sifts through the numerous blogs that are openly nominated by the fellow bloggers, to contend for the title of the Best Indiblog in each of the 17 categories....
Advantages of Investing Through SIP
A recent Economic Times report throws up some interesting trivia. India’s top equity diversified funds have returned 16% to 18% in the last 3 years. However, SIP (systematic investment plan) investors would have earned returns in the range of 25% to 28% during the same period. That too by investing...
My Money Blog
Free Equifax Credit Score Card
Don’t get too excited. Equifax is offering a free “Credit Score Card“, which in reality just gives you a range of what your credit score is. And the score is from their “Equifax Risk Score” system, not a FICO score. (You can still get...
New PineCone Research Application Link (Paid Surveys)
Here is an updated application link at Pinecone Research, which is again accepting new members. (May expire at any time, so apply now if you’re interested!) Looks open to all, but only one person per household can sign up. Link via Realm of Prosperity. PineCone...
PSA: Monoprice.com Possibly Hacked; Credit Card Data Stolen?
Although relatively new, Monoprice.com has quickly become a very popular place to buy cheap but high quality audio/video cables and adapters online. I recommended shopping there if you’re trying to connect your laptop to your TV (and maybe drop your cable subscription?). I’ve probably bought from...
E-File Your Federal Tax Return Extension For Free
April 15th is only a month away, and you haven’t started your taxes yet. Time to file an extension! The IRS automatically grants a 6-month extension to anyone who asks. Asking a search engine will often direct you towards websites like FileLater.com that...
Links: Free Online University Courses
A collection of links to free educational material online. The amount of information available online is expanding so fast, you can at least explore a new direction without leaving your house. University-Specific MIT OpenCourseware - Free lecture notes, exams, and videos from almost all the undergraduate and graduate subjects taught at...
SellBackYourBook.com Review: TextBook SellBack Scam?
The other site I used when selling back my old textbooks online was and SellBackYourBook.com. All the websites I used did indeed eventually pay me for my books. Reviews on the Web I did not spend more than couple minutes on this, but a quick search did not find...
Canadian Personal Finance Blog
Last night I watched a very interesting interview on the Daily Show with Harry Markopolos, one of the men who blew the whistle on Bernie Madoff (back in 2000). The interview with the Daily Show is astoundingly frank and entertainingly funny, and at the end of it, incredibly disturbing. The...
Random Thoughts:Spring has Sprung?
The Grass has Riz? In Ottawa, spring seems to be starting very early this year, with the second week of March looking more like the last week in April, but those of us who have lived here long enough know it is a little early to start thinking about taking off...
Parity Between US Buck and Loonie? That is what the CIBC and their analyst Zafar Bhatti thinks. Same reasons as previous Loonie flights but still worth noting: Commodity prices, and Canada being the Northern Resource Kingdom to the U.S. (and a lot of the world) Potential for higher interest rates in Canada, thus...
Time and Financial Goals Yesterday I celebrated my daughter’s 20th birthday, by reminiscing about the day she was born (she is out of town at school, so we won’t celebrate with her, but assume she celebrated with friends). Twenty Years Ago The decision to have kids was a hotly discussed topic between my...
Yes, it is Roll Up the Rim to Win (TM) time again at Tim Horton’s, a time as hallowed as Spring in Canada, causing normal folks to drink copious amounts of coffee to ensure they have a chance to win. What are these over-caffenated folks chances you ask? Just click...
The Budget: Not Much, but enough to worry…
The Budget announced on Thursday did one or two good things, announced some ominous things (for me) and didn’t do much else. Good: RRSP/RSP to RDSP The one good thing is that estates of deceased parents and grandparents can transfer money tax-free to a child or grandchild’s RDSP, which helps those with...