Recent comments

  • Financial Freedom and Using Passion to Budget   16 years 3 weeks ago

    @Curious - Thanks! I think if we took some serious time to truly define happiness, we wouldn't buy as much stuff. Then again, who knows - this is coming from a person whose worldly belongings all fit into one bag! (smiles)

  • Why ETFs Suck   16 years 3 weeks ago

    Wow, most undereducated article I have read in a long time! There are many Mutual Funds that have associated trading costs and many ETF's that don't. ETF's also on average have lower expense ratio's and greater tax efficiency for buy and hold investors. They are certainly exceptions (Leveraged ETF's come to mind). Just because everyone is doing it doesn't make it bad (think owning a checking account). And avoiding buying things that traders buy will lead to a very short list of investment options (those mutual funds own stocks and traders buy those). Wisebread should filter out junk like this it is an article that will likely do more to hurt those that read it than help. Spreading misinformation is never a good thing and in this case I would call it morally objectionable. Please have someone who knows what their talking about edit this article before you do damage.

  • How to Avoid Getting Your Credit Card Canceled   16 years 3 weeks ago

    @Accurise - Great tips. Thanks!

  • Why ETFs Suck   16 years 3 weeks ago

    This article really misses the point: the Fees can be far -LESS- with ETFs than with mutual funds. Lots of places allow $0 trades on certain ETFs (as mentioned, Vanguard, as well as Fidelity).

    Since the expense ratio on ETFs is almost always less than the comparable mutual fund, buy-and-hold investors get a better deal over the long run.

  • Why ETFs Suck   16 years 3 weeks ago

    Overall, a good post. That said, just because traders use something doesn't make it bad.

    Also, mutual funds are the work of the devil:

    http://www.sanfranmag.com/story/best-investment-advice-youll-never-get

    That article is a good read, but it's a bit lengthy. The summary: shift out of mutual funds today, and into index funds with Vanguard (in the US) or TD Bank (in Canada).

    Which index funds? That's where the next two links come in.

    http://www.moneysense.ca/2006/04/05/couch-potato-portfolio-introduction/
    http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/tax-optimizing-the-couch-potato-port...
    With these two pages, you can set up a tax-efficient portfolio that beats 80% of the mutual funds out there. Higher return, less risk, lower fees, and it only takes fifteen minutes.

    Seriously folks, do this.

  • Why ETFs Suck   16 years 3 weeks ago

    With Vanguard i can buy ETFs with no trading fee. As a dedicated index investing devotee (Boglehead!), they are now very attractive to me because (at least the vanguard ones) they duplicate Vanguard index funds at half the fund cost. I have no desire to trade my account.

  • 3 Easy Steps to Take for a Better 401k   16 years 3 weeks ago

    I love stories about these 401(k) meetings...it's amazing how ignorant so many of us are about this stuff. And how the companies running the 401(k)s can get so defensive about what they do. I got yelled at when I started asking questions!

  • Think the iPad Will Save You Money on Magazines? Think Again!   16 years 3 weeks ago

    Why i would want to pay more for e-zine , i rather purchase magazine with real papers

  • Lose Your Job Without Losing Your Identity   16 years 3 weeks ago

    great topic..wow! just like me, I finished BS marketing but I worked as as SEO team leader..the mean reason why is that there is a lot of new graduates and the competition seems to be very heavy like the traffic on the internet. Rather than no job and money at all, well we try our flexibility on how to do other jobs and try to used our instincts, our capability;)

  • Buy-and-Hold Investing: 4 Ways to Make It More Effective   16 years 3 weeks ago

    Check out more of WC at The Writer's Coin, where he strives to become the Michael Lewis of personal finance.

  • 19 Things to Take Off Mom’s To-Do List   16 years 3 weeks ago

    my mom?well busy taking care of us, our living....I can't remember when was the last time we go out, chill as family..Single mom sometimes forgot themselves just to cater our needs ...happy mothers day mom nita:)I love you

  • Magazines for Free or Cheap   16 years 3 weeks ago

    oh really??Thanks for your post..It gives me a very good idea..maybe I'm too late but I'll try this tips..

  • Shopping at Whole Foods: 12 Smart Ways to Save   16 years 3 weeks ago

    thats good to know that we can buy organic and healthy foods too now, but i have heard that organic vegetables are a lot more expensive than normal vegetables that are grown by using fertilizers, is it true?? because affordability is the main problem these days as you know

  • How We Are Our Own Saboteurs   16 years 3 weeks ago

    Great article, Jen! Making the mistake of marrying a financially irresponsible person may be THE biggest financial mistake anybody can ever make. Trying to stay happily married in such a scenario is often futile. People that find themselves unable to turn their spouse around really need to "cut bait," as the old saying goes, as soon as possible.

    (And, no, I'm not a licensed marriage counselor in real life, but I like to occasionally play one on the Internet - when I'm not blogging about personal finance, that is! LOL)

    Best,

    Len
    Len Penzo dot Com

  • 7 Great Jobs that Offer College Loan Forgiveness   16 years 3 weeks ago

    Great Jobs that Offer College Loan Forgiveness! it really help!

  • 5 Strategies To Wipe Out Your Credit Card Balance   16 years 3 weeks ago

    I appreciate the concern which is been rose. The things need to be sorted out because it is about the individual but it can be with everyone.
    ======================

  • 5 Strategies To Wipe Out Your Credit Card Balance   16 years 3 weeks ago

    Excellent site, keep up the good work. I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks
    =============

  • Free 12-month supply of contact lens cases & coupons   16 years 3 weeks ago

    Hey i use Baush and Lomb contact lens and i would like to go for this offer.Can we go online for booking this offer online??Till when is it vallidated??
    www.contactlensesmall.com

  • You’re Fired! 20 Signs That a Pink Slip is Coming   16 years 3 weeks ago

    Paul,
    Your writing can improve; but, your points are terrific. Your work contained many errors as I sifted through it. Primarily, it is is unclear--though it also grammatically incorrect in several areas, and lacks concision. Chief to all persuasive writing is relevant content--and this is your strongest attribute; but, you will benefit from improved clarity and proper English. -Ted

  • Book Review: Hot (Broke) Messes - How to Have Your Latte and Drink it Too   16 years 3 weeks ago

    I should to check this stuff out!

  • Kick that Cell Phone Contract: Save with a Prepaid Plan   16 years 3 weeks ago

    When me and my husband got married last May we decided to cut our phone plans-- our Verizon plans were basic but costing us 59.00 each a month. We experimented with a few prepaid phones and we settled on the amount that would be awesome for us. I'm with Virgin mobile-- they just came out with a plan that has unlimited data and text and 300 anytime minutes a month for 25 bucks; my husband is with Straight Talk with 1000 minutes, 1000 texts and 30mb of mobile web access for 30 bucks. The minutes also roll over-- he's been on it for a few months now and has a little over 58 hours of talk he can use anytime. Virgin uses the Sprint network-- Straight Talk uses Verizon. I honestly don't know why people go the contract.

  • Conversation Killers: What’s Holding You Back From Negotiating?   16 years 3 weeks ago

    It generally doesn't hurt to ask. I suspect that some folks will probably wish they themselves had the guts to negotiate. As long as one isn't sacrificing self-respect, and it isn't in a clearly inappropriate situation, it can be worthwhile to ask. Is it that hard to hear someone say no?

  • You're Going to Get a Traffic Ticket Soon   16 years 3 weeks ago

    WRONG. It is a violation of Federally protected free speech. To anyone reading this who may have received a ticket in Florida for warning other drivers, please contact me.

    Most states have several cases where tickets like this are successfully challenged - mine is among them. Warning drivers to 'pay attention' is one of the last remaining civilities we have as drivers. Being afraid that big brother will ticket you for trying to communicate is a poor excuse.

  • Tips to Prepare for a Health Emergency   16 years 3 weeks ago

    Dealing with emergency situation really shakes our head that is why it is very essential to have a prepared details to assure a smooth control over the important details. Taking an utmost preparation lessen the stress and the possibility of misinformation. Communication may be the most needed factor that will cater to an accessible assistance.

  • Think the iPad Will Save You Money on Magazines? Think Again!   16 years 3 weeks ago

    I am a little confused here. Aren't digital subscriptions basically websites available to paying subscribers? Why would it matter if the accessing device is an iPad or something else?

    Regardless, it is not hard to imagine customers willing to pay for extra convenience and additional interactive features.