I'm trying to build a coherent series on the home-buying process, so to help me organize here is an index of posts that I've already written so far. Those with no links are outlines for future posts. If you think something is missing or want me to … [Read the rest]
March 2008 Financial Status / Net Worth Update
Posted on March 3, 2008 // 60 Comments
"Good" Credit Card Debt If you're a new reader, you may have some concerns about my high levels of 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 … [Read the rest]
GrandCentral Phone Service: No Invitation Code Needed
Posted on March 1, 2008 // 212 Comments
The virtual phone service GrandCentral has been invite-only beta for several months. But now the blog service Blogger (also owned by Google) is offering users free memberships. But hey, the special sign-up link works for everyone! :) Not really … [Read the rest]
FISN Bank CDs Paying Over 8% Interest: Being FDIC-Insured Isn’t Enough
Posted on March 1, 2008 // 21 Comments
I've already written about Millennium Bank - the offshore bank offering 8% certificates of deposit that are not FDIC-Insured, let alone highly regulated. More recently, a group called the Federally Insured Savings Network (FISN) has been advertising … [Read the rest]
Nine Traits Of The Middle-Class Millionaire
Posted on February 29, 2008 // 61 Comments
Russ Alan Prince, author of The Middle-Class Millionaire, has been trying to understand a new sub-class of Americans called the "working rich". Prince defines them as those with net worths between $1 million and $10 million, but who still work for … [Read the rest]
Free Credit Score Report Card and Analysis
Posted on February 28, 2008 // 23 Comments
In case the last 5 free ways to get your credit score weren't enough, there's also the free Credit.com Report Card. It is actually a pretty comprehensive analysis, providing: Credit Score Range: This provides a hint of your credit score based on … [Read the rest]
Remove Your Information From Junk Mail Lists For Free
Posted on February 27, 2008 // 22 Comments
My 5-year-old shredder is dying from all the junk mail I've fed it over the years. I'm totally hyped about buying a jumbo 12-sheet shredding beast. Coincidentally, I just ran across a free service called ProQuo.com that supposedly helps you remove … [Read the rest]
Finding Cheap or Discounted Ski Lift Tickets
Posted on February 26, 2008 // 8 Comments
This is a bit late in the season, but if you like to ski or snowboard be sure to sign up for the e-mail newsletter by SlidingOnTheCheap.com. They send out a free weekly newsletter that summarizes all of the specials and discounts offered by each … [Read the rest]
Subprime Loan Crisis Explained By Cartoon Stick Figures
Posted on February 22, 2008 // 36 Comments
Here's a funny yet educational slide show (alternate link) explaining how the subprime mortgage mess was created through some complex financial trickery and well... simple and stupid assumptions. You know, like (1) housing prices always go up and … [Read the rest]
Stanford Offers Free Tuition To Low and Middle-Income Families
Posted on February 22, 2008 // 21 Comments
You may have heard that Stanford University is waiving tuition for students with families making less than $100,000 annually. If your family makes less than $60,000, room and board is waived as well. This is not chump change: Annual tuition for … [Read the rest]
Random Travel Tip: Nabbing Free Luggage Carts
Posted on February 22, 2008 // 29 Comments
I've already shared my habit of trying to get bumped off of airline flights on purpose for the free tickets. I haven't been bumped recently, but here's another frugal travel quirk that most people don't seem to do... Sometimes even those us who … [Read the rest]
Mortgages: Monthly Payments vs. Loan Term Length
Posted on February 21, 2008 // 27 Comments
Here's a quick graph that I didn't include in my previous post on choosing between 15, 30, or 40-year mortgages... I've always felt that loan lengths were a bit arbitrary. Why did 15-year and 30-year loans become the industry standard? It'd be … [Read the rest]
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