A lot of states are struggling these days, including the Golden State. Even though California already had the top marginal personal income tax rate and highest base sales tax rate in the country, they are getting even higher. According to a … [Read the rest]
Hilarious: The Daily Show Makes Fun of CNBC
Posted on March 6, 2009 // 40 Comments
Who's that annoying co-worker a few cubes down who keeps giggling at some stupid video on Friday afternoon? Just go home already, ya jerk! Yeah, that was me, watching this Daily Show clip making fun of financial pr0n channel CNBC. The first … [Read the rest]
The Permanent Portfolio Asset Allocation: Fail-Safe Investing by Harry Browne
Posted on March 6, 2009 // 36 Comments
Another non-mainstream book that I've been reading is Fail-Safe Investing by the late Harry Browne. His conservative investing philosophies appear to have initially been in vogue during the 1980s, a period of high inflation. These days, with … [Read the rest]
March 2009 Financial Status / Net Worth Update
Posted on March 5, 2009 // 30 Comments
Time for another super-happy-fun net worth update... Credit Card Debt For newer readers, don't worry. In the past, I have been taking money from credit cards at 0% APR and immediately placing it into high-yield savings accounts or similar safe … [Read the rest]
Redbox and DVDPlay Promo Coupon Codes
Posted on March 4, 2009 // 8 Comments
If you aren't familiar with them, Redbox and DVDPlay are little DVD rental kiosks that only cost $1 per day to rent. Redbox can be found in many McDonald's, and DVDPlay's tend to be in Safeway grocery stores. Limited selection, but not bad for … [Read the rest]
2008/2009 NonDeductible IRA Contribution Decisions
Posted on March 4, 2009 // 20 Comments
With the market in another funk this week, I was reminded that I had until April 15th to make my IRA contributions for 2008. It could get worse before then, or it might bounce up again, I have no predictive powers either way. I don't like to be … [Read the rest]
Simple Prosperity on Enjoying The Present
Posted on March 3, 2009 // 31 Comments
Another quote I like from the book Simple Prosperity: "The modern mind," writes Wendell Berry, "longs for the Future as the medieval mind longed for Heaven." Berry argues that we've been conned into believing that the present is something we need … [Read the rest]
Links Roundup: Food and More Edition
Posted on March 2, 2009 // 15 Comments
Maybe I was just hungry this week, but a lot of my financially related links happened to be about food! CNN reporter lives on food stamps for a month What's it like to eat with a food budget of $176 a month? Some frugal families may find that … [Read the rest]
Brown Bag Lunch Idea: Make Your Own Hot, Melty Sandwiches
Posted on March 1, 2009 // 32 Comments
Some foodies may turn up their noses, but say hello to my new lunch buddy! It's a sandwich maker, which apparently have been around for decades. My wife introduced me to them originally in college, but we had to throw it away a few years ago … [Read the rest]
Setting Long-Term Financial Goals: Looking Back 5 Years
Posted on February 27, 2009 // 36 Comments
Some readers have noticed that I am no longer tracking the progress towards my long-term financial goal. That's because I don't have one! It used to be a million dollars by age 45, but I have dropped it since it doesn't motivate me on a daily or … [Read the rest]
$8000 Housing Stimulus Tax Credit: Requirements and Common Questions
Posted on February 26, 2009 // 232 Comments
Still lots of questions about the $8,000 First-Time Home buyer Tax Credit. Here are some answers: What is the definition of a first-time home buyer? You are considered a first-time homebuyer if: - You purchased your main home located in the … [Read the rest]
Book Review: Pilgrimage to Warren Buffett’s Omaha (Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting)
Posted on February 25, 2009 // 18 Comments
There are hundreds of books about how to invest like Warren Buffett. For whatever reason, I haven't read any of them (yet). For one, if really wanted to invest like him, why not just invest with him and buy a share of Berkshire Hathaway? A Class … [Read the rest]
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