My Money Blog

How To Hedge Against Rising Gas and Oil Prices?

Posted on May 11, 2008 // 25 Comments

Everybody's talking about gas prices... they've reached another high, everybody wants a hybrid... so why not explore how an individual can try to limit their exposure to gas prices? How much more are you really paying? Yes, $50 for a fill-up hits … [Read the rest]

Women and Money by Suze Orman: One Man’s Review

Posted on May 9, 2008 // 24 Comments

Initially, I had intended this to be review of Suze Orman's newest book Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny to be done by my wife. However, she expresses no interest in doing so. So I read it myself, and found out that her … [Read the rest]

Can Your Spouse/Partner Manage The Family Finances Without You?

Posted on May 8, 2008 // 40 Comments

My wife got to ride in a single-engine Piper airplane for the first time a couple of days ago, which was exciting for her and scary for me. She even got to fly a little bit. I was surprised she agreed to go since usually I am banned from such … [Read the rest]

Frugal Brown Bag Lunch Ideas + Cost Breakdown: Sandwiches Edition

Posted on May 6, 2008 // 64 Comments

I am trying to gain more control over my diet, while also compiling more easy (preferably really easy) yet tasty recipes. First up is making my own lunch. I think it's important when brown-bagging to make it tasty and attractive, so you don't … [Read the rest]

Make Your Own Best 529 Plan Using Partial Rollovers

Posted on May 6, 2008 // 10 Comments

529 plans have become a very popular tool for saving for college for those that choose to help out their kids (or simply funding some continuing education for yourself). Most states have their own 529 plans, sometimes even multiple choices within … [Read the rest]

May 2008 Financial Status / Net Worth Update

Posted on May 5, 2008 // 26 Comments

Credit Card Debt If you're a new reader, let me start out as usual by explaining the credit card debt. I'm actually taking money from 0% APR balance transfer offers and instead of spending it, I am placing it in high-yield savings accounts that … [Read the rest]

Spring Cleaning: “One Year Rule” For Reducing Clutter

Posted on May 4, 2008 // 32 Comments

photo: sindesign I spent most of today going through all our stuff to see what would go in the house. The one negative of having your employer pay for relocation costs is that you are less motivated to fully purge all of your belongings... As … [Read the rest]

The Coming Collapse of the Middle Class?

Posted on May 2, 2008 // 61 Comments

Sound a bit bleak, but this lecture by Professor Elizabeth Warren explores how a middle class family in 1970 differs financially from one in 2005. The full title is The Coming Collapse of the Middle Class: Higher Risks, Lower Rewards, and a … [Read the rest]

New Series I Bonds Fixed Rate is… ZERO

Posted on May 1, 2008 // 34 Comments

Wow, harsh. No wonder they finally started to enforce the buying limits recently. Hope people bought what they could in April. … [Read the rest]

Good Credit Can’t Protect You From Ignorance

Posted on May 1, 2008 // 48 Comments

Maybe I just didn't get enough sleep last night, but the media really has to do a better job to find people with problems that I can sympathize with. The title of this Fortune article is Good credit can't protect borrowers from bad loans - "More … [Read the rest]

Zecco Switches To Electronic Statements and Trade Confirmations

Posted on May 1, 2008 // 13 Comments

For those of you who have been using Zecco and their free stock trades, no longer will you have to endure a paper trade confirmation being mailed to your home for every single trade. Here's how to switch: How do I sign up for Paperless? Just sign … [Read the rest]

Wise Investing Made Simple by Larry Swedroe

Posted on April 30, 2008 // 11 Comments

I've been getting back into reading financial books, but am really behind in writing reviews for them. One book I finished last month was Wise Investing Made Simple by Larry Swedroe, which promises "Tales to Enrich Your Future". The key word is … [Read the rest]