unless you're old and its for your grandpa, I don't think thats a good gift at all. He would probably like neww fishing supplies or gear from his favorite sports team (not an interview)! :)
Yes, I have an emergency fund. It's come in handy on several occasions. Until I reformed my bad financial habits, things like emergency room copays went on a credit card and took at least 3-4 months to pay off. Now it's not an issue. Phew!
For saving money I am sick of being told to get a bicycle and take public transportation. This isn't because it's bad advice. However, I live in a small rural town 30 min from everywhere (including work). Where is the advice for people who CAN'T take public transportation?
Currently no - everytime I've managed to accure a decent savings it has been wiped out (minor accident, change in insurance to "high deductible", etc.).
I have an emergency fund! My bank account requires a minimum balance to avoid any charges - I try to forget about that money but I know that it's there in case of an emergency!!!
Not really. I have an account where I keep all of my available capital. It is flush right now, but when we buy a rental it drops significantly. We always try to keep maybe $5000 minimum on hand, in case something were to need replaced at a house exactly at the time of purchase on a new property.
I don't understand why you people balk at giving your information to a BANK, but then cry about identity theft...When you walked into your Brick and Mortar bank, what information did they ask you for? I know that if I have a question about my account these are the things they ask for to make sure I am the cardholder once there is money on the account..A financial institution is a financial institution and MUST ply by FDIC rules. Especially when they are backed by them. 20 Million Americans used Netspend in 2009 alone, 2 years later I'm sure there are more then that, thanks to their referal program, none the less would I put my money where any Tom, dick or harry could get to it? HECK NO!!!! And my SSN is not something that can be keylogged since I NEVER use it online!
it's 2 years after this blog was posted not sure if anyone reads it anymore or not, but I wanted to add some insight as a customer since the year Netspend opened.
In the very beginning we used this card as a prepay, to keep our regular account separate from our online purchases. in 2006 I did experience 1 time of my card being blocked because of a possible fraudulent deposit, which WAS my fault as I didn't set up my pay pal the right way, I had to send a copy of my DL to them and I was up and going in an hour. 5 years later, netspend has really evolved, they offer regular banking services at a very low fee, 9.95 a month, with all the tools I need to budget my expenses and even start to develop a nice padding for my family. We use ACH, their keep the change program and money tracker to see what we are spending and where and on tight months we can cut the areas we are frivolous in. Netspend has REALLY helped MY family get on our feet.
When I first signed up I was in a slum lord rental, barely able to pay my bills, Now, I bought a home as a direct result of all the budgeting items they offer.
As for the solicitations, I have had other companies do the push card, before, so long as you don't deposit money and activate the card your fine...Activating a card with netspend is not just an auto line the first time you activate (at least now) It is with a representative just like at a bank. only on the phone. You must show your true identity as well. Don't know if it's because this post is old, but Netspend has really grown up over the years and as a 8 year customer I can say I am satisfied.
Probably 1% of all students who begin piano lessons at a young age will continue studying music through college (not even necessarily as their major emphasis). Parents who look at music lessons with the expectation of their child becoming a "musician" will probably be disappointed. That being said, I think music lessons are absolutely worth it. I think one of the biggest benefits of music lessons, actually, is discipline--and sticking with something that is HARD and that requires hard work to become proficient. For kids who already do well in school, piano lessons can be a bit of a shock when they realize regular practice is a requirement, not a suggestion. For kids who are struggling in school, they can take the practice and attention techniques they have learned in piano and apply them to their school study.
Pattern recognition is also a big part of it...I believe learning to read music is a lot like learning another language. Notes are letters, intervals are words, phrases are sentences, a song is a story with an overarching structure. It is as much literary as it is mathematical. Children also learn how to learn, how to deal with mistakes, and how to perform under pressure.
And finally, ensemble music (school choirs, bands, or orchestras) gives children a place. A kid might look kinda funny or say all the wrong things, but music gives them a place to be expressive, to be excellent, and to interact with their peers in a very successful way. Children are so used to being performed at, that the opportunity and skills to create one's own musical experiences are very special.
unless you're old and its for your grandpa, I don't think thats a good gift at all. He would probably like neww fishing supplies or gear from his favorite sports team (not an interview)! :)
tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/oshkoshbgosh123/status/80649046024396801
i like wisebread on facebook
yes i do! it makes life so much more stress-free (financially)
Yes I do have an emergency fund. With having one income it is easier that way when emergencies come up. I feel more secure that way too.
I can't see the article...just the one picture!
Yes, I have an emergency fund. It's come in handy on several occasions. Until I reformed my bad financial habits, things like emergency room copays went on a credit card and took at least 3-4 months to pay off. Now it's not an issue. Phew!
Where's the article? There's a blank page.
I certainly do. Life's curve balls would bowl me under if I didn't.
For saving money I am sick of being told to get a bicycle and take public transportation. This isn't because it's bad advice. However, I live in a small rural town 30 min from everywhere (including work). Where is the advice for people who CAN'T take public transportation?
Yes, I maintain an emergency fund to cover at least 6 months of expenses.
Currently no - everytime I've managed to accure a decent savings it has been wiped out (minor accident, change in insurance to "high deductible", etc.).
gratefully, yes, but not quite as big as we'd like
just started one last month! (only 1% of my income, but at least it's something!)
Sure do.
6 months with no change in lifestyle, probably 8-11 if we start really squeezing.
I have an emergency fund! My bank account requires a minimum balance to avoid any charges - I try to forget about that money but I know that it's there in case of an emergency!!!
I have an emergency fund, prior to having one, if an emergency came up it went on a credit card. Don't do that anymore.
Yes, we have an emergency fund! I don't think I'd be able to sleep at night if we didn't.
Yes! I started my emergency fund about 7 years ago and it completely changed my finances because I never have to worry about them anymore.
Not really. I have an account where I keep all of my available capital. It is flush right now, but when we buy a rental it drops significantly. We always try to keep maybe $5000 minimum on hand, in case something were to need replaced at a house exactly at the time of purchase on a new property.
Yes! My wife and I have a small emergency fund and are working our way up to a 3-6 month funded plan. Can't wait to get there!
I don't understand why you people balk at giving your information to a BANK, but then cry about identity theft...When you walked into your Brick and Mortar bank, what information did they ask you for? I know that if I have a question about my account these are the things they ask for to make sure I am the cardholder once there is money on the account..A financial institution is a financial institution and MUST ply by FDIC rules. Especially when they are backed by them. 20 Million Americans used Netspend in 2009 alone, 2 years later I'm sure there are more then that, thanks to their referal program, none the less would I put my money where any Tom, dick or harry could get to it? HECK NO!!!! And my SSN is not something that can be keylogged since I NEVER use it online!
it's 2 years after this blog was posted not sure if anyone reads it anymore or not, but I wanted to add some insight as a customer since the year Netspend opened.
In the very beginning we used this card as a prepay, to keep our regular account separate from our online purchases. in 2006 I did experience 1 time of my card being blocked because of a possible fraudulent deposit, which WAS my fault as I didn't set up my pay pal the right way, I had to send a copy of my DL to them and I was up and going in an hour. 5 years later, netspend has really evolved, they offer regular banking services at a very low fee, 9.95 a month, with all the tools I need to budget my expenses and even start to develop a nice padding for my family. We use ACH, their keep the change program and money tracker to see what we are spending and where and on tight months we can cut the areas we are frivolous in. Netspend has REALLY helped MY family get on our feet.
When I first signed up I was in a slum lord rental, barely able to pay my bills, Now, I bought a home as a direct result of all the budgeting items they offer.
As for the solicitations, I have had other companies do the push card, before, so long as you don't deposit money and activate the card your fine...Activating a card with netspend is not just an auto line the first time you activate (at least now) It is with a representative just like at a bank. only on the phone. You must show your true identity as well. Don't know if it's because this post is old, but Netspend has really grown up over the years and as a 8 year customer I can say I am satisfied.
Probably 1% of all students who begin piano lessons at a young age will continue studying music through college (not even necessarily as their major emphasis). Parents who look at music lessons with the expectation of their child becoming a "musician" will probably be disappointed. That being said, I think music lessons are absolutely worth it. I think one of the biggest benefits of music lessons, actually, is discipline--and sticking with something that is HARD and that requires hard work to become proficient. For kids who already do well in school, piano lessons can be a bit of a shock when they realize regular practice is a requirement, not a suggestion. For kids who are struggling in school, they can take the practice and attention techniques they have learned in piano and apply them to their school study.
Pattern recognition is also a big part of it...I believe learning to read music is a lot like learning another language. Notes are letters, intervals are words, phrases are sentences, a song is a story with an overarching structure. It is as much literary as it is mathematical. Children also learn how to learn, how to deal with mistakes, and how to perform under pressure.
And finally, ensemble music (school choirs, bands, or orchestras) gives children a place. A kid might look kinda funny or say all the wrong things, but music gives them a place to be expressive, to be excellent, and to interact with their peers in a very successful way. Children are so used to being performed at, that the opportunity and skills to create one's own musical experiences are very special.
Hi Camilla,
My wife and I go to yard sales, garage sales and estate sales every weekend. We don't go just to buy stuff but rather things that we need.
It's amazing what kind of bargains that we can find at these places. Makes me not want to pay retail anymore.