Recent comments

  • Ask the Readers: Have You Ever Loaned Money to Family?   7 years 10 weeks ago

    Yes, I have loaned money to one of my children on several occasions - not all of which has been paid back.

  • Fight Your Speeding Ticket, Save Yourself Some Dough   7 years 10 weeks ago

    As the article mentions, beware simply trying to "please bargain," with the prosecutor. If you plead guilty, the deal you think you're getting may turn out to be a huge mistake if you receive future convictions. Always fight your ticket with a licenced paralegal who can represent you effectively in court. Sometimes, procedural errors can be cause to have your ticket thrown out.

    Pointts.com
    Licenced Paralegals.

  • How Low Can You Go? Taking the No Heat Challenge   7 years 10 weeks ago

    I live in a 3 season camper in the mountains of Utah. Outside temps during the winter range from -24 to 40 degrees. Inside my camper the temp averages 45 degrees... it sucks. If I had the money to own a warm home, I would. Sometimes, how I live feels like survival. I walk through home improvement stores and fantasize about what it must feel like to be warm and comfortable. I started this lifestyle 3 years ago to save money and reduce my carbon footprint... now I just want to be warm, comfortable and happy.

  • A Simple Plan for Saving Up a $2000 Fun Fund   7 years 10 weeks ago

    That would go toward my small business

  • 25 Great Movies About Money   7 years 10 weeks ago

    Mad Money with Diane Keaton, Queen Latifa, and Katies Holmes is definitely worth a watch, or 2, or 10.

  • Build Your Own Furniture: 9 Helpful Tips For Non-Carpenters   7 years 10 weeks ago

    All very good tips!
    Another important thing to consider is the time and space you'll need to complete the project. Here is where being on the same page with your spouse is vital. Even if you agree together you want a bedframe made, it might not be so appealing of an idea if the garage or basement will be occupied for several months (or a year for those with limited time and skills). Also sometimes overlooked is dust and toxic fumes from projects finished in adjoining portions of the house. Safety for the entire family is paramount.

  • 13 Natural and Easy Ways to Lower Your Blood Sugar   7 years 10 weeks ago

    so much conflicting info on the web....very confusing.....good post Save.....I do suspect the genetic effect is the real deal...but with work we hope to get a handle on it.....

  • Why I (Heart) My High Deductible Health Insurance Plan   7 years 10 weeks ago

    This works great as long as nothing unexpected happens. I was forced to change my plan Feb 1 when my premiums became unaffordable (over 10% of my GROSS income). All deductibles are high now, but the one I picked was even higher, but affordable based on my past history.

    I went to the doctor for an unusual issue in January. I was told it was nothing. 2 weeks later I was back and ended up in the hospital surgery room. Unfortunately it was after my insurance changed and it was billed as an ER visit. I am now out over $7000.

    Had the first doctor diagnosed me correctly in January, my costs would have been under $1000, or even less if I'd been able to schedule surgery. Yes, I have them investigating this.

    Insurance is a huge gamble and it's only going to get worse.

  • 3 Real Costs of Self-Publishing a Kids' Book   7 years 10 weeks ago

    If you want to self-publish a book, I would recommend checking out Booklocker.

  • netSpend: The Story of the Visa Debit Card We Did Not Apply For   7 years 10 weeks ago

    Ask your credit union for a credit card backed by a collateral account. While it ties up some cash (usually a few hundred dollars, if you can spare it), it will help to establish credit. This is important for some of us who are trying to re-emerge financially after the economic mess we've been trudging through for the last 2 decades.

  • Ask the Readers: Have You Ever Loaned Money to Family?   7 years 10 weeks ago

    No, I have not loaned money to family.

  • The 5 Best Laundry Detergents   7 years 10 weeks ago

    I'm doing a science project on Tide and Arm and Hammer to see which is the best detergent.

  • Ask the Readers: Have You Ever Loaned Money to Family?   7 years 10 weeks ago

    No, I have never loaned money to family. I would consider helping a family member out, but probably not through money. For example, I might let them stay in our home for a while or help them find a job.

  • A Simple Plan for Saving Up a $2000 Fun Fund   7 years 10 weeks ago

    With the gig economy, you could easily have $2,000 saved mid year if you had the time to dedicate to it. These are great ways to obtain a savings goal.

  • Ask the Readers: Have You Ever Loaned Money to Family?   7 years 10 weeks ago

    I've never loaned money to family, although my younger sister did ask once if she could borrow a couple thousand dollars. I turned her down because I know how that sort of thing can ruin relationships. She was mad about it at the time, but I believe it was for the best.

  • 8 Common Car Repair Mistakes That Can Cost You   7 years 10 weeks ago

    This is a very common fact that most of the car owners do not give much importance when it is about their car maintenance. Most of the time we prefer temporary solution. For example: If car demands air filter replacement, then some time we replace it by a second hand air filter rather purchasing new one only to save some money. Honestly, this should not be done. We also don't go for any regular check up like: checking tire pressure, breaks etc. before going for a long drive. Most of the people have a thought that all engine oils are nearly same. So, they choose such a engine oil which costs less. From my personal experience I can share that I have a BMW. I used to drive 35-40 kilometers per day. I have never spent too much time to clean interior as well as exterior parts. After a year, my BMW demanded some heavy maintenance. Then I prefered a poor mechanic to save some money which was costing more in future. So, always try take proper care of car to increase its longevity.
    fix car issues

  • Ask the Readers: Have You Ever Loaned Money to Family?   7 years 10 weeks ago

    I've loaned money a few times--most of the time it's been repaid. I don't usually lend unless I'm prepared to lose it, so it's not a large sum.

    I like Gererdene Gibbons' rule, it's one my own father-in-law used to quote: don't lend a second time unless the first debt has been paid.

  • Ask the Readers: Have You Ever Loaned Money to Family?   7 years 10 weeks ago

    I have loaned small amounts to family members, but never a large amount. Everyone always paid it back in a reasonable time frame, so I never had problems with it.

  • Ask the Readers: Have You Ever Loaned Money to Family?   7 years 10 weeks ago

    I've never loaned money to family, but I did to a friend, and only got $200 of the $750 back. Never loaning again, only giving, if I can afford to do it.

  • Ask the Readers: Have You Ever Loaned Money to Family?   7 years 10 weeks ago

    One good reason to practice 'stealth wealth'. In other words, don't flaunt your well-off situation. Don't talk about your investment accounts and great profits made in real estate. Some people will justify not paying you back on the grounds that you don't really need it. You should be spreading your wealth around. (some people think like that)

  • Life After Bankruptcy: What's Next?   7 years 10 weeks ago

    You are absolutely right. Filing for bankruptcy is our golden key to be debt free. And as we've been in this situation we should never go back to this path. I am glad to hear that keeping some mortgage could possibly save our credit score, as that's what I did. I wanted to share here my personal experience to those who are looking to file for one. Bankruptcy sounds scary but keep in mind this is not the end of the world. It is more scary to live everyday knowing nothing is left in your pocket. Bankruptcy will help us again work on our debts and get debt free. For some here who is looking to file for one however CANNOT AFFORD THE ATTORNEY'S FEE well you have another option file for yourself (which is not advisable) or get a professional a bankruptcy preparer and save 90%. That is what I did, I opted to 247 Bankruptcy, you may wanna go head and find someone else, but for me I have tried this company and they offer a low fees, and explained everything to me clearly, the law process and that helps me win this battle.

  • Ask the Readers: Have You Ever Loaned Money to Family?   7 years 10 weeks ago

    I have never loaned money to family, because I don't have much!

  • Ask the Readers: Have You Ever Loaned Money to Family?   7 years 10 weeks ago

    No but my husband has given my MIL thousands of dollars over the years. I think something important to remember is that it is never a loan. No matter what the other person says, no matter how they promise to repay you...they won't. It's a gift. If you aren't able to give it as a gift, either for financial or personal reasons, say no because you will never see that money again.

  • Ask the Readers: Have You Ever Loaned Money to Family?   7 years 10 weeks ago

    I never have; I believe in giving money away, if necessary.

  • Should You Pay Your Bills With a Credit Card?   7 years 10 weeks ago

    Good insights. Personally I love putting bills on my credit cards so I can earn rewards, but I also pay off my balance each month. I completely agree with that you shouldn't take on debt to earn rewards and, for that matter, shouldn't put anything on a card you can't pay off the next month (save a few rare circumstances).