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Are Online Savings Accounts Becoming A Commodity?

As online savings accounts get more and more popular, I get the feeling that they are becoming a mature product, almost a commodity. Sure, there will still be the occasional promotions, but for the most part all of the banks now are hovering around … [Read the rest]

Starting Your Own Portfolio Out With Limited Funds

All of these suggested portfolios were developed by smart people who did their homework. But none of them are the same! This is because every single one also made compromises based on their interpretation of current research, simplicity, … [Read the rest]

Model Portfolio #6: Merriman’s FundAdvice Ultimate Buy and Hold

(This is the sixth in my series of Model Portfolio Comparisons.) Paul Merriman also runs his own money management firm. He also writes at FundAdvice.com, which has a lot of interesting articles about investing in no-load mutual funds, with and … [Read the rest]

IRS Calculator To Help Determine Sales Tax Deduction

If you itemize deductions and live in a state with sales tax, give the IRS Sales Tax Deduction Calculator a spin. Taxpayers who itemize deductions on Schedule A of the Form 1040 in 2006 have the option of deducting the amount of state and local … [Read the rest]

Model Portfolio #5: A Random Walk Down Wall Street

(This is the fifth in my series of Model Portfolio Comparisons.) First written in 1973, Burton Malkiel's A Random Walk Down Wall Street (my review) has become an investing classic, pioneering the controversial idea that stock prices are random and … [Read the rest]

Reminder: Track Your Expenses For A Month

Just a quick reminder that I'm tracking my expenses in February, and everyone with a similar inclination should join in the fun. Here are the categories I assigned myself in PearBudget: Regular Expenses - Housing, Phone, Cable, Internet, … [Read the rest]

This Week in the Carnivals

If you can't get your fill of financial talk, mosey on over to the Carnival of Investing (Monopoly Edition!), Carnival of Debt Reduction, and the Carnival of Personal Finance. Here are a few that stood out: Looking to learn from someone who's had … [Read the rest]

Wachovia Bank $50 Bonus For Free Checking Account

Wachovia Bank is offering a $50 sign-up bonus for opening one of their Free Checking accounts. The account looks pretty good, with no monthly service fee, no minimum balance, and no direct deposit requirement. However you will get a hard credit … [Read the rest]

All About Our Failed Online Business Idea

It's failure time! I've talked a little bit about an online business idea that my wife and I had about a year ago. I've even showed a few prototypes. But we've finally laid all hope or desire to pursue this business to rest. Here's the … [Read the rest]

Should I Do My Own Taxes Or Hire An Accountant?

I mentioned earlier that I am forgoing all the free federal and state tax filing software options and paying an accountant this year. A reader asked why. That's a good question, here's what I (as a non-tax pro) think the decision process should look … [Read the rest]

Our 2007 Financial Goals, By Quarter

Where are my annual goals? Right now our lives are in a state of limbo, with several pieces that need to fall into place. First and foremost, we are both working towards getting jobs in a new city. After that, we'll have a better idea of what our … [Read the rest]

AGLOCO: Get Paid To Surf The Internet

I've been getting a steady stream of e-mails for months now about a company called AGLOCO. Apparently, they are starting an application that shows ads on the bottom of your computer screen (screenshot). They make money off the ads, so they pay you … [Read the rest]