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This informative group blog was honored by Kiplinger as a “must-read” blog and named as one of Yahoo!’s “Ten Money Blogs Everyone Should Read.”

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Latest Posts from Consumerism Commentary (page 4)

Damage Control: Taking an Unwarranted Vacation (From My Finances)

Published Friday, March 29, 2013 - 08:00 by Consumerism Commentary

This week should have been a vacation. It has been, for the most part, but not entirely. While I’ve traveled occasionally over the past few years, and even chosen destinations meant for relaxation and time alone with loved ones, I haven’t had one of those fabled true vacations. My cell phone was still near by. I still took business-related calls. […]

Check Your 401(k) Fees: Invest in Index Mutual Funds

Published Thursday, March 28, 2013 - 08:00 by Consumerism Commentary

A few years ago, new regulations mandated that 401(k) retirement plan administrators change quarterly statements to include more information about expenses about each fund in which the employee is invested. This was a good move. I have mixed feelings about 401(k) plans. Today’s world of employment is different than that from a generation ago. […]

Time-Barred Debts: Statute of Limitations

Published Wednesday, March 27, 2013 - 08:00 by Consumerism Commentary

When you take on a credit obligation, or liability, you normally sign an agreement or promissory note requiring pay back of the debt. What you’ve just done is incurred what’s referred to as “contract debt.” If you default on a contract debt, such as a credit card, the creditor can and likely will vigorously pursue you for payment. […]

Calvin February 2013 Net Worth

Published Tuesday, March 26, 2013 - 12:00 by Consumerism Commentary

Naked With Cash is the year-long series on Consumerism Commentary where seven readers’ households share their financial progress on a monthly basis. I’ve partnered with financial planners who will offer some guidance along the way. Read this introduction to learn more about the series. Calvin is in his early 40s, earning a salary of $120,000 plus bonus as an IT project manager in New Jersey. […]

The Psychology Behind Financial Wellness

Published Tuesday, March 26, 2013 - 08:00 by Consumerism Commentary

As far as I’ve come with my ability to manage my own finances, I often fall back into the comfort of unmanaged chaos. The comfort comes from the lack of work and the lack of worry, which often win the day over meticulous planning and consideration. I’m cushioned at the moment; I know that I can stop budgeting down to every penny because I’m in a different situation than I was ten years ago. […]

Anonymous S February 2013 Net Worth

Published Monday, March 25, 2013 - 12:00 by Consumerism Commentary

Naked With Cash is the year-long series on Consumerism Commentary where seven readers’ households share their financial progress on a monthly basis. I’ve partnered with financial planners who will offer some guidance along the way. Read this introduction to learn more about the series. Anonymous S is a 24-year-old engineer earning $67,000 a year plus bonus. […]

How Credit Card Issuers Pay Rewards Without Going Broke

Published Monday, March 25, 2013 - 08:00 by Consumerism Commentary

This is a guest article by Lance, the founder of the blog Money Life and More. Earning rewards from credit card companies like cash back and sign-up bonuses, astute credit card users may be wondering how issuers afford to pay these bonuses for people who don’t pay interest or late fees. Lance takes a look at this feat. […]

LastDollar February 2013 Net Worth

Published Saturday, March 23, 2013 - 08:00 by Consumerism Commentary

Naked With Cash is the year-long series on Consumerism Commentary where seven readers’ households share their financial progress on a monthly basis, and February is “insurance month.” I’ve partnered with financial planners who will offer some guidance along the way. Read this introduction to learn more about the series. […]

The Government Wants to Regulate Bitcoin and Other Virtual Currencies

Published Friday, March 22, 2013 - 11:40 by Consumerism Commentary

Currencies work as a means of storing and trading value because the people who use them have faith in their value. Faith involves putting trust in an entity more powerful than oneself, whether that entity is a market or a government. Even when the value of money was based on a commodity like gold, its value required faith that everyone would value the commodity similarly. […]

SteveDH February 2013 Net Worth

Published Friday, March 22, 2013 - 08:00 by Consumerism Commentary

Naked With Cash is the year-long series on Consumerism Commentary where seven readers’ households share their financial progress on a monthly basis. I’ve partnered with financial planners who will offer some guidance along the way. Read this introduction to learn more about the series. SteveDH is retired, and he and his wife have two grown kids. […]