Recent comments

  • Portfolio Ailing? Take a Peek at Asian Markets.   15 years 39 weeks ago

    That's a legit question. But I would also point to some interesting numbers that came out toward the end of October in Bloomberg reporting. Financial firms have raised about $171 billion in Asia outside of Japan in the last four years. In the last year, the region has witnessed the five largest IPOs by financial companies.

    It isn't all sunshine and unicorns, no doubt. But there's a combo of minimal debt and solid growth that's worth exploring further.

  • The Food Strainer: My New, Old-Fashioned Gadget   15 years 39 weeks ago

    I'm going to go check out that strainer. Had been wanting one, and you always do such good research on your product.

    Thanks for another informative posting!

  • How to Never Pay for Another Book   15 years 39 weeks ago

    Libraries have ebooks, audiobooks, and sometimes music to download too, and they have hot bestsellers not just books by authors looking to make it. Ask your librarian if they use Overdrive or another similar service.

  • How to Never Pay for Another Book   15 years 39 weeks ago

    While I love having this kind of technology, at the end of the day there's nothing better than curling up in a blanket with a hot cup of coffee and flipping through the pages of a good book. :-)

  • Bar Stool Economics   15 years 39 weeks ago

    If you think that article is right wing propaganda, I'm sure you probably do need financial advice.

  • Are Outlet Malls Worth Your Time?   15 years 39 weeks ago

    Something else to consider are warranties — or rather, the lack thereof. You might save big on that discounted jacket, but if you have to replace it in a year instead of sending it to the manufacturer for a free warranty repair, those savings are sunk.

  • Bar Stool Economics   15 years 39 weeks ago

    Yes, my wealth doesn't have anything to do with all of the hard work I put into getting where I am, I just inherited it from the poor and middle class. Give me a break from the bs guilt trip. I came from a very poor beginning, decided I didn't want to live like that, worked my ass off, and now live a very comfortable life, while others in my family that decided to "coast" through life, live off of government programs paid by my taxes. Is that fair?

  • 7 Frugal Lessons from Great-Grandmother   15 years 39 weeks ago

    Awesome post! We could learn a lot from the way that our great-grandparents lived. If only we could get back to those solid, proven principles, we could be much better off financially.

  • Why This Isn't Your Grandparents' Economy   15 years 39 weeks ago

    Insightful post---except I think the title is inaccurate.

    It's not the "economy" that has changed since Grandma's time---it's people. As you describe, many people want and expect more now without having to sacrifice or save or work hard.

    You say this change is because of cultural factors such as advertising, but it's still totally under control of the individual person, and there are many people today who resist our marketing and consumer culture and do very well financially as a result.

    Perhaps you should have titled your post instead, "Why you expect more than your grandparents and why it's sinking your financial ship".

  • Website 101: How to Build a Site and Get It Online   15 years 39 weeks ago

    Using a website builder is definitely the way to go these days. Builders allow anyone to create a good looking site by starting with a template and dragging and dropping elements into place. No programming is required. There's lots of great website builders listed at http://www.easywebsitebuilders.net

  • DIY - Silk Flower Brooch   15 years 39 weeks ago

    OMG I am an idoit...I can't believe how easy this is and I simply love flower lapel pins. I wear one everyday. I will not waste another $ at some jewelry/high end store...I am going to make my own! Thanks so much for showing how to do this!

  • Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, By the Month   15 years 39 weeks ago

    NOT SMART to shop without a list unless you have time & money to burn. Especially when you have kids with you. I found this list very informative and a time saver.

    Thanks

  • Change Your Life with Storytelling   15 years 39 weeks ago

    Very nice piece of writing. I like the part about dissecting the stories advertisers are creating to sell stuff. Once people learn to do that and can see advertising as the big flim-flam baloney it is, they'll be a lot happier and a lot less in debt.

  • The Food Strainer: My New, Old-Fashioned Gadget   15 years 39 weeks ago

    Hi, Guest! They are similar products. Maybe a good way to state the difference is that the strainer is helpful for canning prep, and a mill processes cooked foods expeditiously. But BOTH can do things like make mashed potatos or applesauce.

  • Healthy Eating--It'll Cost You!   15 years 39 weeks ago

    I'm not buying it! Total crap! Organic isn't the only healthy. one does not need Whole Foods to eat healthy. It isn't Whole foods vs. McDonald's. Why not shop at ALDI for frozen vegetables (very healthy, not canned) and meals? You can feed your family healthy good meals from Walmart, ALDI, etc. if you are no giving into cravings. It's total crap. Bag of frozen veg are $1, feeds 5 people as a side compared to $1-$2 for fries PER PERSON. Why not get bulk frozen chicken, again healthy and nutritious. Is it "organic" or "fresh," no, but that means NOTHING when you are talking calories and nutrients. It's a psych out but the media and culture. You can have a GREAT healthy meal for under $10 for a family of 5 that is not only satisfying but healthy.

  • The Food Strainer: My New, Old-Fashioned Gadget   15 years 39 weeks ago

    are you talking about a food mill?

  • How to Never Pay for Another Book   15 years 39 weeks ago

    The library is always a great option for paper books. As far as "how free" it is, anyone with a computer has access to the Barnes and Noble and Kindle free books. You download their free software, and then download the free books. You don't need a credit card, or any sort of payment information.

  • How to Never Pay for Another Book   15 years 39 weeks ago

    I never pay for books. I visit the Library

  • How to Never Pay for Another Book   15 years 39 weeks ago

    How about the library? Or is that just too old-fashioned?

    Just how free is this stuff? Or did I miss the memo where iPhones, iPads, Kindles, and the monthly data service contracts were handed out for free?

  • The Food Strainer: My New, Old-Fashioned Gadget   15 years 39 weeks ago

    Hi, Lorenzo! This brand's tomato/apple screen sure worked well, but of course I don't have a lot of experience with different types of strainers. I also liked the berry screen, which worked on guava, another problematic fruit.

  • 6 Options if You're Underwater on Your Mortgage   15 years 39 weeks ago

    Yep....Still the same story and it's almost 2 years after this article was written. My house is now worth 77k from the 265k I paid in 2006. And, I hears we should expect at least another 10%-15% drop over the next 2-3 years.

    So now what? I can afford my payments...but like many others in my situation, I don't want to. So, why should I when all of my neighbors who walked 2 years ago are now enjoying positive equity in thier new homes?

    This is a train wreck. I just want a home with positive equity, as it should be. I'm not trying to make money or rip anyone off. Actually, looking through my bills for the past 4 years, I have already paid the bank approximately 100k. I still owe 258k in princlple. They've made thier money.

    I was going to stay, but I'm not so sure anymore.

  • 5 Ways to Minimize Baggage Fees When Flying   15 years 39 weeks ago

    Another tip is to use vacuum seal bags to compress some of your luggage.

  • Underpaid? Here’s How to Fix It.   15 years 39 weeks ago

    On the contrary, as Nora points out in her article, it says rather a lot more than "Gee, why am I underpaid?" The whole point of GetRaised is to help you construct an argument about why your compensation should be raised. It includes comparable job listings in your area that you could get that are paid more, a discussion of what you've done recently at the company, what you have planned going forward, and even a discussion of how, if a raise isn't appropriate right now, you'd like to know what you can do to earn one in the future.

    Let's assume you're right: that the information is already out there and in the right form for people to use it. If that is true, why are so many people underpaid, and why do so few people ask for raises, comparatively speaking? There are huge gender differences in the rate that people ask for raises, for example...are you suggesting that anyone that hasn't already figured out what they need to do or that needs some help is "silly"?

    Heck, if people don't get their raise, we give their money back - even for a skeptic, that seems hard to argue with. If you're so convinced it is a bad product, why don't you sign up, try asking for a raise with it, and if you don't get one within six months, simply ask for your $20 back? We'll be more than happy to refund it if it doesn't work. =]

  • The Food Strainer: My New, Old-Fashioned Gadget   15 years 39 weeks ago

    I grew up with one in the house. I have four, in my search for one that processes tomatoes quickly and effectively.

  • Underpaid? Here’s How to Fix It.   15 years 39 weeks ago

    Glad that you're please with your current pay - studies suggest that well-paid workers are generally happier and higher-performing, so we're always happy when people are satisfied with their pay.

    And your comment about age and experience is well-taken; we'll keep working to make the data better and better.