Personal Finance
Popular posts in Personal Finance
Posted 3 hours 18 min ago by Philip Brewer
Budgeting, Cars and Transportation
I don't know if energy costs will keep rising. Nobody does. Even with recent growth in China, India, and elsewhere, the US still consumes 25% of the oil produced world-wide, so a severe recession in the US could easily cut total demand enough to bring the price down. Recession or not, I think the medium-term trend in energy costs is up. Just in case I'm right, you ought to have plan for that.
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Posted 14 hours 47 min ago by Xin Lu
Personal Finance, Frugal Living, Freebies, Deals, Lifestyle
Yesterday my super cheap ex-boyfriend told me that I would be proud of him. I asked him why and he told me that he will be staying in Washington DC hotels for free for three nights. I asked him how he managed that and he told me about the Best Rate Guarantee from Wyndham hotels.
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Posted 1 day 1 hour ago by Linsey Knerl
Personal Finance, Career and Income, Consumer Affairs
You don’t have to be a complete idiot to need a little guidance in matters of finding and securing money for college. But just in case you are, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Financial Aid for College is the perfect roadmap to the financial aid process. (And it works pretty well for the rest of us, too!)
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Posted 2 days 17 hours ago by Xin Lu
Personal Finance, Frugal Living, Lifestyle, Green Living
For my entire life, I have never lived in a place bigger than 1400 square feet. The smallest dwelling I had was a studio less than 400 square feet which I shared with my parents. Because of my experience of living in small homes I think of anything over 2000 square feet as excessive for two to three residents. Today I want to highlight some of the reasons why I prefer smaller abodes.
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Posted 2 days 18 hours ago by Paul Michael
Consumer Affairs, Cars and Transportation
Both John McCain and Hillary Clinton are proposing a new Gas Tax Holiday that will run during the summer months, bringing “much needed relief” at the pumps. But will it? More than 200 economists, including four Nobel prize-winners, have already signed a letter rejecting the proposal.
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Posted 4 days 19 hours ago by Philip Brewer
Shopping, Food and Drink, Budgeting, Investment, Consumer Affairs
In the Philippines, they're threatening life sentences for people hoarding rice. In the United States, grocers need to put limits on rice purchases just to keep their shelves stocked. Philippine traders are now afraid to fill their warehouses, for fear of being called a hoarder. Even ordinary US shoppers are worrying that buying a big bag of rice might make them a hoarder. In this climate, it's worth thinking about what hoarding actually is.
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Posted 5 days 12 hours ago by Linsey Knerl
Personal Finance, Career and Income, Productivity
A cruise to the Bahamas or a trip to that luxury spa aren’t going to get you ahead financially. However, if you’re looking to sock away a couple hundred bucks or more, some time off from work just might be the way to get you there -- if you do it right.
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Posted 5 days 20 hours ago by Xin Lu
Personal Finance, Technology, Cars and Transportation
Here in San Mateo County, many gas stations are starting to sport prices above $4.00 per gallon. The trusty Gas and Shop down the street is still holding on to $3.93 per gallon but it seems inevitable that gas will cross that $4.00 mark. Funnily enough, some of the older gas pumps around the country in rural areas are experiencing a technical issue similar to the Y2K problem. Read on to see what it is.
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Posted 5 days 23 hours ago by Kate Luther
Personal Finance, Taxes, Investment
As America’s love affair with self-investing continues to grow, so does our fascination with tax-free accounts. Don’t believe me? See for yourself. The next time you’re in a conversation, try working the words “tax free” into your conversation and watch the ears perk up. Admit it. We despise taxes. We loathe them. So much so in fact, that Uncle Sam made not paying those taxes a crime. So the idea that we can legally earn a buck without sharing it with our dear old uncle is well, deliciously criminal.
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Posted 1 week 1 hour ago by Philip Brewer
Personal Finance
Since 1998, the US Treasury has had a pretty good deal for small savers who were worried about inflation--the Series I Savings Bond. The interest it paid was based on inflation plus an additional return that was set by the Treasury and fixed for the life of the bond. On May 1st the Treasury announced the value of that fixed return for the next six months: Zero.
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Posted 1 week 2 days ago by Paul Michael
Deals and Coupons, Consumer Affairs
It seems the retail giants are serious in their quest to get hold of your economic stimulus check. One of the biggest, Sears, is offering to multiply your check if you spend it there. And others are following suit.
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Posted 1 week 2 days ago by Carrie Kirby
Personal Finance
Play financial adviser and tell me how you would handle a deferred preschool tuition payment. Put it all on the credit card for a large cashback reward, or enjoy the opportunity to pay it slowly? Which do you value more, good karma or being able to get that bathroom remodeled before your ceiling caves in? And -- do you get mad if someone forgets to bill your credit card on a monthly basis? Or is that a lucky break?
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Posted 1 week 3 days ago by Linsey Knerl
Personal Finance, Frugal Living, Deals and Coupons, Shopping
A favorite retailer of households across the country since 1902, JCPenney can have some stellar deals for those in the know. Like most stores, JCPenney has a method to its markdown madness. Read our best tips for saving from around the country!
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Posted 1 week 3 days ago by Xin Lu
Personal Finance, General Tips
The United States Postal Office will be raising their postal rates once again on May 12th, 2008. Is it time to stock up on the Forever stamp? Is this stamp that retains its value a good investment? Read on for some specific information on the rate hike and other facts about this special postal product.
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Posted 1 week 4 days ago by Philip Brewer
Personal Finance
Do you need a kick in the pants to get you saving for retirement? Do you need someone to wave their arms and run around screaming that your whole future is at risk, in order to motivate you to put some serious money aside and take the time to learn how your 401(k) works? If so, this is the book for you.
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Posted 1 week 5 days ago by Will Chen
Personal Finance
Learn how to start your own eBay store, discover why annual budgets are better than monthly ones, and find $1,200 worth of crecit card bonus offers in this edition of "Best of the web" roundup.
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Posted 1 week 5 days ago by Paul Michael
Consumer Affairs
Wow. I guess pigs may just fly after all. Because, believe it or not, the goverment is actually paying out the economic stimulus checks ahead of schedule. And that means you could get your cold, hard cash as early as Monday, depending on your SSN.
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Posted 2 weeks 15 hours ago by Julie Rains
Personal Finance, Career and Income
Your company has announced a soon-to-come layoff or you’ve been escorted out of the door. What’s next? What should you do…before updating your résumé, tapping into your professional network, and looking for a job? (Those of you who are considering career changes may also find this guide useful).
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Posted 2 weeks 2 days ago by Philip Brewer
Personal Finance, General Tips, Budgeting
My very first experience running a household was in 1980, just as the last big inflation was spiking up over 10%. My carefully constructed budget was completely destroyed by prices that were rising by 1% every month. Since then, I've given considerable thought to how to deal with just that situation. Since history seems dangerously close to repeating itself, it's a timely topic.
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Posted 2 weeks 2 days ago by Xin Lu
Personal Finance, General Tips, Taxes, Investment
After the recent interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve many of my bank and money market interest rates plummeted. Now the best yield I have is on my Series I Savings Bonds issued by the United States Treasury. These bonds are also known as I-Bonds and their yields fluctuate according to inflation. Currently, the yield is 4.28% and that beats all of my other cash investments. Here is some information on the interest rate on I-Bonds and the advantages of owning these bonds.
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