I just noticed that perhaps my most "Liked" post is one comparing how rising cost of college tuition crushes the housing bubble and even the rising cost of healthcare: The current rate of tuition hikes is clearly unsustainable, and I believe … [Read the rest]
Stretch Your Cell Phone Plan With Vonage Mobile App (Review)
Posted on August 7, 2012 // 16 Comments
Vonage Mobile is an Android/iPhone app that now allows you to make free outgoing phone calls over WiFi/3G/4G to landline and mobile telephone numbers in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Limited time offer with no stated end date, up to 3,000 … [Read the rest]
Retirement: Saving More vs. Higher Investment Returns
Posted on August 6, 2012 // 10 Comments
Vanguard's research department released another study [pdf] comparing ways to increase retirement savings for individuals. Here's one illustrative example; take the following baseline scenario: Investor begins working at 25, but starts saving … [Read the rest]
American Express Twitter #hashtags Promotion
Posted on August 6, 2012 // 12 Comments
Update: There is now a $10 off $50 gift card at participating malls, $5 off $25+ at Shell Gas, $25 off $75 at Ticketmaster.com, and $50 off $250 at Travelocity. If you have more than one American Express card, you can link one per unique Twitter … [Read the rest]
Lists of Companies That Consistently Raise Dividends
Posted on August 2, 2012 // 8 Comments
I'm about halfway into a review copy of the book Get Rich with Dividends by Marc Lichtenfeld. Although there is more hype than I usually like - "easy 12% returns!" - I am learning things about dividend stock investing. There is a handy chart … [Read the rest]
Free Chapter: New Edition of The Undercover Economist
Posted on August 1, 2012 // Leave a Comment
Writer Tim Harford recently published a newly revised edition of his book The Undercover Economist. I read the first edition in 2009 and definitely enjoyed how it explained economics using everyday occurrences. I wrote about two memorable … [Read the rest]
Babies R Us + Amazon.com Baby Registry Experience
Posted on July 31, 2012 // 4 Comments
The baby shower is over and we're on the home stretch. As a follow-up to my baby registry comparison, here's our experience using both the Babies R Us and Amazon.com baby registries at the same time. We are blessed with lots of generous friends … [Read the rest]
Stable Value Funds Safe In Rising Rate Environment?
Posted on July 30, 2012 // 2 Comments
If you have a 401(k) or other tax-sheltered retirement plan, one of the investment options may be a stable value (SV) fund. In today's low interest rate environment, stable value funds have been popular as they offer the stable price of a money … [Read the rest]
Best Broker for Coverdell ESA / Education IRA
Posted on July 27, 2012 // 19 Comments
As a follow-up to my Coverdell ESA vs. 529 Plan comparison, I was looking for the best discount brokerage to open up a Coverdell Education Savings Account. Although you could also open an ESA at a bank for slow but steady growth, many people prefer … [Read the rest]
Coverdell ESA vs. 529 Plan Comparison Chart
Posted on July 26, 2012 // 26 Comments
I've been doing some research into college savings plans, and here is a side-by-side comparison of the Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) and the 529 College Savings Plan. The Coverdell used to be known as an "Education IRA" and still … [Read the rest]
Credit Sesame Promotions – Free Android App
Posted on July 25, 2012 // 1 Comment
Credit Sesame offers free credit scores and feedback based on your Experian credit report. No credit card required, no trial required, and you can check once a month. You can now track your credit score with their newly-released free Android app … [Read the rest]
Chase Total Checking Account Promotion – $150 Bonus
Posted on July 24, 2012 // 12 Comments
Chase Bank is offering a $150 bonus for new customers when you open a Chase Total Checking account plus deposit $100 and set up direct deposit within 60 days of account opening. You can avoid monthly service fees if you make a $500+ direct deposit … [Read the rest]
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