Sure, email is great, but there's something uniquely heartwarming about the kind of card that comes in the actual mail — especially for folks who don't hear from us as often as they should, simply because they aren't online. So we've made it as … [Read the rest]
Fidelity Cuts 529 Plan Fees, Changes Age-Based Asset Allocations
Posted on December 3, 2009 // 10 Comments
On December 1st, Fidelity Investments made significant reductions to the management fees on the 529 college savings plans that they manage. From this AP article: Fees on indexed plans will be cut in half, while fees on actively managed and … [Read the rest]
Monthly Net Worth & Goals Update – December 2009
Posted on December 2, 2009 // 17 Comments
Wow, December already... Credit Card Debt Up until now, I have taken money from credit cards at 0% APR and placed it into online savings accounts, bank CDs, or savings bonds that earn up to 4-5% interest (less recently), and keeping the … [Read the rest]
David Swensen’s Updated Model Asset Allocation
Posted on December 2, 2009 // 7 Comments
If you don't know the name David Swensen, he is an investment manager who is best know for managing Yale Universities huge endowment. What makes him interesting is that even though he does invest in some hedge funds and private equity, he doesn't … [Read the rest]
Ask The Readers: Favorite Personal Finance Apps for iPhone & iPod Touch?
Posted on December 1, 2009 // 37 Comments
No, I didn't get an iPhone. But I did get an iPod Touch over Thanksgiving weekend. (Hurray for Amazon matching Apple Store Black Friday prices!) I know, I know, as a financial blogger I'm supposed to shun such trendy toys, but it was a gift! My … [Read the rest]
What is the FDIC Transaction Account Guarantee Program?
Posted on December 1, 2009 // 11 Comments
You may have gotten a notice from your bank recently stating something like "Effective January 1, 2010 Your Bank will no longer be participating in the FDIC Transaction Account Guarantee Program." Citibank is opting out, along with over 1,000 other … [Read the rest]
80% off Restaurant.com: $25 Certificates for $2
Posted on November 30, 2009 // 11 Comments
Restaurant.com is offering a 80% off with the coupon code SAVE, resulting in a $25 "certificate" for just $2. Offer good until end of today, November 30th. I just checked it and it still works: Despite my initial skepticism about these things, … [Read the rest]
$10 Off $100 in Gift Cards at Kroger Stores
Posted on November 30, 2009 // 2 Comments
Kroger and affiliated stores are offering $10 off for every $100 in selected gift cards bought until December 13, 2009. Limit five $10 rewards per household, need to have shopper's card. Participating stores include City Market, Dillons, Jay C, … [Read the rest]
Taleb’s Thanksgiving Turkey
Posted on November 28, 2009 // 9 Comments
[image credit] I'm still in a tryptophan coma, but here's a timely mention of the story of the turkey from Nassim Taleb's book The Black Swan which I am (supposed to be) reading. The following excerpt is taken from the transcript of a Charlie … [Read the rest]
Free $3 in Amazon MP3 Downloads
Posted on November 24, 2009 // 10 Comments
Amazon.com is offering $3 in free MP3 downloads with the code MP34FREE. No purchase required. See directions and details at this link. It should increase your gift card balance by $3, but the may be restricted to music purchases only. You must … [Read the rest]
Ditch Cable Experiment #1: Over-The-Air (OTA) HDTV Antenna
Posted on November 24, 2009 // 54 Comments
I've decided to go without cable TV for at least 6 months from January 1st, 2010. I actually don't mind paying for cable that much, it is simply an entertainment expense and given the overall convenience, not that expensive in my mind (especially if … [Read the rest]
Worth A Try: 1 Free Month of Amazon Prime
Posted on November 22, 2009 // 18 Comments
Amazon Prime, in case you don't know, is a premium service where you get free 2nd-day shipping on most items with no minimum order amount, even if you're just spending $5. Very convenient, especially since not all items qualify for the "Free Super … [Read the rest]
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