Most homeowners know that they have the option to pay more than their required monthly mortgage note, which will directly reduce the principal. Assuming there is no prepayment penalty, due to the power of compound interest (backwards?) this can … [Read the rest]
Biweekly Mortgage Payment Plan: BiSaver vs. Do It Yourself
Posted on September 4, 2008 // 99 Comments
Last updated: February 9, 2017
For Sale: 250 sq. ft. Condo for $279,000
Posted on September 3, 2008 // 40 Comments
Heard some buzz today about some tiny new condos: Via SFGate: Home, small home: 250 square feet in SoMa New condo development targets young first-time buyers without too much stuff It's about the size of seven ping-pong tables - and all … [Read the rest]
Last updated: September 3, 2008
Motivational Mental Accounting: Work More, Play More?
Posted on September 2, 2008 // 17 Comments
After a busy long weekend*, I am now a PADI Open Water "certified diver". It was nice to check off a "To-Do Before You Die" item, although it did cost nearly $500 if you include all the related costs. The cool thing was that while talking with … [Read the rest]
Last updated: March 12, 2014
Archives: Useful Homebrew Financial Calculators
Posted on August 28, 2008 // 7 Comments
If have to repeatedly have to make a calculation and I can't find it elsewhere to my liking, I usually try and make my own calculator to save time in the future. Below are links to ones that I still use regularly, I wanted to point them out because … [Read the rest]
Last updated: February 11, 2018
Helping Mom Transfer Old 401(k) To Vanguard IRA
Posted on August 27, 2008 // 20 Comments
My mom is trying to organize and simplify her financial accounts, which I applaud. A major part of this is to finally move her orphaned 401(k)s and IRAs into one location. I recommended Vanguard, since that's where all my IRAs are. She was okay … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 27, 2008
5% APY 12-Month CD From Washington Mutual
Posted on August 23, 2008 // 49 Comments
WaMu has rolled out a new 5% APY 12-month CD, which is a very high yield for that term length. Yes, WaMu has had some issues like other banks, but I've already explained why I am sticking with them as long as I'm under the FDIC insurance … [Read the rest]
Last updated: March 14, 2014
Trying To Learn From Millionaires In The Making
Posted on August 22, 2008 // 39 Comments
CNN Money has recently put up a new profile in their series on Millionaires in the Making. This one about the caught my eye because of they share similarities to us. They are married and under 30, with no kids. A relatively high combined … [Read the rest]
Last updated: September 27, 2015
Assorted Links: Eating Doritos While Doing The ChaCha
Posted on August 21, 2008 // 17 Comments
Lots of links to share, so I thought I'd do the shotgun approach to blogging tonight. What The World Eats, Part 1. This is a cool piece that shows what 12 different families from around the world eat in a week, and how much it costs. In Time … [Read the rest]
Last updated: February 9, 2017
Most Useless Financial Tip Ever: Nominee #1
Posted on August 21, 2008 // 31 Comments
I was flipping through last month's Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine when I came across an article about How to Beat High Prices on food, gas, and so on. Okay, timely topic, probably sold a ton of issues. Then the following sidebar "tip" … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 21, 2008
Utilizing The Public Library To Complete Some Goals
Posted on August 20, 2008 // 35 Comments
Have you heard of the Olympics Hangover? It's when you stay up way too late watching "just one more event" and end up being red-eyed and unproductive the next day. So to counteract this, I used the public library for the first time in a long … [Read the rest]
Last updated: July 29, 2014
Cost vs. Benefit Analysis: Extra Chest Freezer In The Garage?
Posted on August 18, 2008 // 72 Comments
Now that we have a home that we plan to stay in for a while, we are considering buying a chest freezer to place in the garage. Growing up, a lot of my friends with larger families had either a chest freezer or a second refrigerator in the house, … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 9, 2018
25% Cashback on Anything* Bought at eBay
Posted on August 15, 2008 // 29 Comments
An extension of the new Live.com Search Engine cashback system mentioned previously, it has been discussed ad nauseam here, here, and here. At first glance, I thought it would be a short-lived misprint/typo kind of deal, so I didn't bother. It did … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 19, 2015
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