In my initial review of new brokerage firm Motif Investing, I wanted to use this new brokerage structure to create cheap, custom ETFs - specifically, baskets of dividend-oriented stocks that for example match the S&P Dividend Aristocrat or Dividend … [Read the rest]
Motif Investing and Dividend Stocks: Questions and Answers + $150 Bonus
Posted on September 26, 2012 // 21 Comments
Last updated: February 13, 2013
Schwab vs. Vanguard ETF Expense Ratio Comparison
Posted on September 25, 2012 // 5 Comments
Schwab recently announced lowered expenses on all of their 15 Schwab-branded ETFs, undercutting everyone else's comparable ETFs in every category, including Vanguard. Quite a bold move! Here is a limited comparison of comparable Vanguard and Schwab … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 9, 2018
COBRA and Retroactive Health Insurance Coverage
Posted on September 24, 2012 // 18 Comments
Health insurance can be a complicated subject. This article is about the specific situation where you recently ended a job and haven't yet started either a new job with benefits or alternative health coverage. Should you take the COBRA coverage, … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 9, 2018
Price Comparison: Selling My Old iPod Touch Online and In-Store
Posted on September 21, 2012 // 19 Comments
My parents gave me a very generous present of an iPod Touch for Christmas 2009. It came in very handy while traveling and at the gym, but then I got an iPhone (business expense!) and stopped using the iPod. It felt tacky to sell, so I waited. … [Read the rest]
Last updated: April 25, 2019
Citi Forward Card Netflix Promo
Posted on September 20, 2012 // 27 Comments
The Citi Forward® Card is running a limited-time promotion with Netflix for new cardmembers where they will pay for your Netflix streaming for an entire year if you use the card for payment. At currently prices, that's $7.99 x 12 = $95.88 + taxes. … [Read the rest]
Last updated: April 25, 2019
Career History: List of Every Job I’ve Ever Had
Posted on September 20, 2012 // 28 Comments
I've been thinking about all the various jobs I've held during my life. I remembered that even as a 10-year old child, I dreamed about being financially independent in the way that I worked for money and could live on my own - I wanted to be like … [Read the rest]
Last updated: March 25, 2023
Crazy Idea: Double Your Savings Rate With Credit Card Bonuses
Posted on September 18, 2012 // 42 Comments
Every so often, I receive e-mails very similar to the one below regarding credit card bonuses. It's a valid question, so I wanted to make a thoughtful reply. Do you ever total up the amount that you actually save on your credit cards via bonus … [Read the rest]
Last updated: November 17, 2015
Caine’s Arcade: Creative Kid Entrepreneur + Follow-Up
Posted on September 17, 2012 // 5 Comments
If you haven't seen this film about 9-year-old Caine and how he turned loneliness and boredom into his own cardboard video game arcade and an inspirational phenomenon, you must watch it now: (youtube link) There's also now a follow-up clip … [Read the rest]
Last updated: September 17, 2012
AT&T Promotions – $25 AutoPay, $10 Paperless Bonus
Posted on September 17, 2012 // 10 Comments
If you are an AT&T Wireless, U-verse, Home Phone, or Internet customer, here are some promotions that are currently available. $25 for AutoPay Sign up for automatic payment of your bill via credit card or bank account and get a $25 prepaid Visa … [Read the rest]
Last updated: September 27, 2012
Meet America’s Youngest Landlord
Posted on September 13, 2012 // 17 Comments
Here's a nice feel-good story about a financially-savvy teenager. 14-year-old Willow Tufano may be America's youngest landlord. She bought a house in a short sale in Port Charlotte, Florida for $12,000. The 3-bedroom house is now rented out for … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 9, 2018
How to Pay Zero Income Taxes in Retirement With Mixed IRAs
Posted on September 12, 2012 // 28 Comments
How about another mental exercise on taxes? I usually enjoy Christine Benz's articles on Morningstar, and When Taxes Collide With Your Asset Allocation was no exception. She presents the following scenario: Let's say a 65-year-old woman is … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 9, 2018
Save More vs. Earn More: A Dollar Saved Is Two Dollars Earned
Posted on September 11, 2012 // 76 Comments
Earn more. Save more. Those are the two ways to get out of debt and build wealth. I'm a big proponent of doing both, but for many people it may be easier to cut back on some luxuries rather than land a higher-paying job, start a side business, … [Read the rest]
Last updated: September 11, 2012
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