Starting a new job means signing up for benefits. In terms of health insurance, this has usually boiled down to choosing either an HMO or PPO plan for us. I still have never been offered the option of a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a … [Read the rest]
Health Insurance Benefits: Should I Choose the HMO or PPO Plan?
Posted on August 8, 2007 // 47 Comments
Running On A Gilded Hamster Wheel
Posted on August 7, 2007 // 40 Comments
The New York Time recently published an article In Silicon Valley, Millionaires Who Don?t Feel Rich about people who have big savings and big salaries, but still keep working crazy hours: Mr. Kremen estimated his net worth at $10 million. That … [Read the rest]
Free Samples of Schick and Gillette Razors
Posted on August 6, 2007 // 16 Comments
I'm running low, but hopefully with these offers below, my streak of at over 5 years of not having to pay for razors can continue... Credit goes to Bargainshare. In my opinion, all razors are uni-sex. :) Free Schick Quattro Razor (don't forget to … [Read the rest]
August 2007 Financial Status / Net Worth Update
Posted on August 6, 2007 // 25 Comments
About My Credit Card Debt Newer readers may be alarmed by my high levels of credit card debt. In short, I'm borrowing money for free and keeping it in safe investments while earning me 5-6% interest. Along with other things, this helps me earn … [Read the rest]
TradeKing Review: $4.95 Online Stock Broker
Posted on August 5, 2007 // 36 Comments
By request, I'm posting a review of my opinions experiences with online discount broker TradeKing. I've actually had an account with them for over a year now. This will be done from the perspective of a buy-and-hold investor in stocks and ETFs, not … [Read the rest]
4 Ways To Tell If You’re On Track For Retirement
Posted on August 4, 2007 // 24 Comments
August's issue of Money Magazine asks: Are You Doing The Right Things (For Retirement)? Although a bit mundane, it's offers a quick gut check. Here are the questions and my answers: 1) Are you maxing out your 401(k)? I think I put in $10,000 … [Read the rest]
2007 Back-To-School Sales Tax Holidays
Posted on August 4, 2007 // Leave a Comment
Summer's winding down, which means that certain states (though not mine) are having sales tax holidays for the back-to-school crowd. If you're in need of stuff like clothes, school supplies, computers, and electronics, TaxAdmin.org has a nice table … [Read the rest]
Reader Poll: How Large Is Your Emergency Fund?
Posted on August 3, 2007 // 35 Comments
Unless you have unlimited ATM access to the Bank of Mom and Dad, most of us keep some money around for the unexpected. I haven't been worrying about this much, as we have over $80,000 in cash split between our savings accounts at Washington Mutual … [Read the rest]
$100 Signup Bonus For Chase Checking Account
Posted on August 2, 2007 //
Chase Bank is offering a $75 $100 bonus for opening a "Free Checking" account with direct deposit. Thanks to SoonToBeKSGrad, who found it from the post office when moving. Chase will likely perform a hard credit check, they did for me. Selected … [Read the rest]
Saving For A Home On Your Own: Learning From Those Who Did It Successfuly
Posted on August 2, 2007 // 20 Comments
How about some helpful investigative reporting from the media this time? The New York Times article Every Penny Counts profiles six New-Yorks who managed to buy their home without the benefit of rich relatives or Wall Street bonuses. While the … [Read the rest]
TheStreet.com Gives Horrible Financial Advice To Young People
Posted on August 1, 2007 // 55 Comments
I know there is plenty of bad advice out there, but this one just caused me physical pain. Mr. Cliff Mason impressively gained the status of Staff Reporter at TheStreet.com fresh out of college (did I mention his uncle is Jim "Mad Money" Cramer?). … [Read the rest]
Weekly Money Carnivals
Posted on August 1, 2007 // 1 Comment
Now that I'm getting a bit more settled, I'm making an effort to get back to being more active in the blogging community. Carnivals are a place where blogs get together and share posts pertaining to a specific topic. Here are a few that I … [Read the rest]
The Best Credit Card Bonus Offers – 2025
Big List of Free Stocks from Brokerage Apps
Best Interest Rates on Cash - 2025
Free Credit Scores x 3 + Free Credit Monitoring
Best No Fee 0% APR Balance Transfer Offers
Little-Known Cellular Data Plans That Can Save Big Money
How To Haggle Your Cable or Direct TV Bill
Big List of Free Consumer Data Reports (Credit, Rent, Work)