With all of the current government spending, future promised spending, and the huge trillion-dollar budget deficit, there is a lot of talk about impending inflation. Many people are convinced that there is going to be a tax increase as a result, … [Read the rest]
Net Worth & Goals Update – July 2010
July 12, 2010 By 19 Comments
Time for another net worth update... last one was back in April. Credit Card Debt I used to take money from credit cards at 0% APR and place it into online savings accounts, bank CDs, or savings bonds that earned 4-5% interest (much less … [Read the rest]
Last updated: May 10, 2013
New Credit Card Trend: Rotating Rewards, Swiss Army Style
July 8, 2010 By 26 Comments
When you charge something on your credit card, the merchant usually pays about 2-3% in transaction fees for the convenience and benefit of accepting these cards (it makes it easier for people to spend money with them). In order to get their specific … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 19, 2015
Property Tax Assessment Appeals: Share Your Story
July 8, 2010 By 24 Comments
Another problem with escrows is by mixing it in with your mortgage payment, it can obscure what you're paying towards property taxes and homeowner's insurance premiums. Do you know how much you paid in property taxes this year versus the last? Or … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 9, 2018
Paying Homeowner’s Insurance Yourself, Even With Escrow
July 7, 2010 By 8 Comments
In response to my earlier post on Should You Manage Your Own Mortgage Escrow?, reader James e-mailed me a trick he found to save some money even if you are required to have an escrow account: Even if you've got an loan that requires an escrow … [Read the rest]
Last updated: July 7, 2010
Housing Prices Are Still Too High, Says These Charts
July 6, 2010 By 11 Comments
Housing prices. Are they still falling? Stable? Best time to buy ever? Barry Ritholtz of The Big Picture thinks that housing prices have much further to fall. Here's part of his analysis: Today, residential real estate confronts … [Read the rest]
Last updated: January 15, 2016
Should You Manage Your Own Mortgage Escrow?
July 5, 2010 By 39 Comments
I recently got a refund from my mortgage escrow servicer, as my property taxes decreased. This reminded me about how I always used to read that you should manage your own escrow account. I don't think I have a choice about the matter right now, … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 9, 2018
Slow Down Your Hedonic Treadmill
July 2, 2010 By 8 Comments
You may be familiar with Predictably Irrational, a best-selling book by a professor in behavorial economics that challenges the idea that humans behave rationally. In fact, says author Dan Ariely, humans are predictably irrational in many ways that … [Read the rest]
Last updated: April 25, 2019
Capital One 360 Independence Day Offers
July 2, 2010 By 1 Comment
Online bank Capital One 360 has a few specials for Independence Day that (for some reason) are only good until midnight on Friday, July 2nd. In all cases, they are slightly better versions of offers that they regularly offer. Not a bad time to pounce … [Read the rest]
Last updated: February 27, 2013
Lessons From a Stock Newsletter Scandal
June 29, 2010 By 19 Comments
I ran across another cautionary tale highlighting the world of paid stock newsletters, where people pay hundreds of dollars for "exclusive" stock picks. In this one, former professional baseball player Lenny Dykstra somehow become a … [Read the rest]
Last updated: December 29, 2014
Blippy.com: Are You What You Buy?
June 29, 2010 By 11 Comments
While flipping through old magazines at the Doc's office, I read about a site called Blippy.com in a Time article. It's yet another social media site, except this time you link up your credit card data so it can automatically share all your … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 19, 2012
Perkstreet Checking with 2%/5% Cashback Debit Card
June 25, 2010 By 11 Comments
Perkstreet Financial is relatively new, but they've already tried a bunch of different ways to make their online checking account attractive, from sign-up bonuses to coffee awards. However, I think they've stumbled onto something with their new … [Read the rest]
Last updated: October 1, 2012
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