Posted June 19, 2009 - 09:19 by Philip Brewer
Personal Finance, Frugal Living
I spent my whole adult life trying to figure out how to get by on a lot less money, because I wanted to be a full-time writer and knew that it wouldn't pay enough to support the lifestyle I was living. Now that I've made the transition, I can see that I was worrying needlessly--there are three sources of big savings that come along almost automatically when you start to get by on a lot less money.
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Posted June 15, 2009 - 09:24 by Linsey Knerl
Frugal Living, Lifestyle, Green Living
Energy increases are common this time of year, and with many families already struggling to pay the utility bills, it can seem more burdensome than ever. There’s no one-size-fits-all method to kicking your increase to the curb, but these four tips are sure to put a sizeable dent in next month’s “total amount due.”
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Posted June 11, 2009 - 06:39 by Philip Brewer
Personal Finance
When I went off to college in 1977, inflation was high and rising, but the maximum interest rate you could earn on a savings account was capped by the government at a fraction over 5%. The conventional wisdom was "It's dumb to hold cash when inflation is over the rate you can earn." I absorbed that conventional wisdom, and it led me to make some dumb decisions.
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Posted April 29, 2009 - 22:07 by Jabulani Leffall
Personal Finance, Consumer Affairs
In the black community and many other communities there is a sense that material possession and flair denotes character, accomplishment and power. It's a poor dad mentality and a “flash-now-but-time-will reveal” consumer ethos. What does a person's ethnic background, if anything say about spending and budgeting habits? And how does one correct this course?
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Posted April 20, 2009 - 12:16 by Linsey Knerl
Announcements
The Wall Street Journal recently reported on the savings that small businesses can realize by taking advantage of warehouse deals. Are the savings significant? What can “new membership drives” do for your bottom line? We look at one company’s efforts to save you money, and you can even win a chance to try it out and get your small business promoted on Wise Bread!
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Posted April 9, 2009 - 10:16 by Paul Michael
Frugal Living, General Tips, Budgeting, Credit Cards
You’re not seeing things. This is not an April Fool’s gag (although if I’d written this last year it would have been). No, this is Suze Orman’s latest advice and it is a complete 180 degrees from her usual advice. Why? Two words – the economy.
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Posted April 8, 2009 - 09:54 by Philip Brewer
Personal Finance
Everybody knows that retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs offer great tax advantages (and once upon a time--and maybe again someday--a corporate match). But people who have plans to spend the money before they reach retirement age worry about the restrictions on early withdrawals that come with the various retirement plans. Here's a cheat-sheet for working the angles.
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Posted April 7, 2009 - 05:54 by Linsey Knerl
Frugal Living, Life Hacks, General Tips, Shopping
You don’t have to browse the forums at hot savings sites very long to notice that super-shoppers have their own lingo. Before you let terms like “FAR” and “peelies” scare you away from that killer deal, read our official guide to the terms you need to know (compliments of ConsumerQueen.com’s Melissa Garcia.)
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Posted March 25, 2009 - 16:10 by WC Porter
Personal Finance, Making Extra Cash
When the going gets tough, the tough accumulate huge piles of cash. Great. But what do you do with it once you've piled it all up. There are lots of options out there, but which one is the "right" one? Buying a home? Traveling? Saving up for an upcoming baby? Keeping it as a cushion? Putting it all in a stock and doubling it? Help a cash king out...
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Posted March 2, 2009 - 17:01 by Jabulani Leffall
Personal Finance, Frugal Living, Food and Drink, Budgeting, Art and Leisure, Consumer Affairs
In an average week, an average chunky-blooded professional American could easily spend up to $140 on a combination of drinks that come with meals such as morning coffee, herbal tea, Jamba Juice or over-priced store-bought smoothies. This is to say nothing of the deceased potatoes, fermented wheat, tonics, spirits and dead grapes that some of us just must have in excess come Friday night through Sunday. Water anyone?
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