Recent comments

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use an Online Bank?   11 years 36 weeks ago

    I did, until Cap One bought it out. But there are no brick and mortar Cap One banks in my area, so all my banking is online still.

  • 10 Important Signs That Your Job Sucks   11 years 36 weeks ago

    Help, I hate insurance and need to escape! I wake up with a feeling of suffocation every morning. I feel as if my mind is turning into a pile of sea salt. From the monotony of the work to the stale pale coloring of my cubicle, there seems to be no purpose to my existence within this industry. I NEED A CHANGE! First step, after 10 years and several lateral moves, time to QUIT. Second step, take some of my savings and travel abroad for about a month. Both fresh air and some cultural perspective should be able to shore up some passion in my life.

    Adios Insurance!

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use an Online Bank?   11 years 36 weeks ago

    I use Capital One 360 (been a member since 2004 when it was ING Direct), and I LOVE the online format. It's super easy to transfer money between my online and credit union checking accounts when I need it, and it's a great "remote" savings account. I house my vacation and house-buying funds in Capital One 360.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use an Online Bank?   11 years 36 weeks ago

    Yep use multiple online banks for higher rates. They refund ATM fees too so no need to worry about getting cash.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use an Online Bank?   11 years 36 weeks ago

    I started using USAA when I graduated from college because it was easier to manage my payments for student loans in MA once I moved to CA.

    I'm glad I did - I don't have any fees, my savings account yield is fairly high, and I get reimbursed for up to $15 of ATM fees per month,

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use an Online Bank?   11 years 36 weeks ago

    I do online banking, but don't use an online bank. I like having my little local bank to go to.

  • 7 Financial Lessons From Breaking Bad   11 years 36 weeks ago

    As I recall, WW also got cheated out of his share of the original business he was in with friends, so I would add to make sure you have good IP/business protection contracted even (or especially) with friends.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use an Online Bank?   11 years 36 weeks ago

    At the time I signed up with ING Direct (now Capital One 360) the interest rate was relatively high -- much higher than what I was getting in a brick-and-mortar bank. Over time the rate dropped but it's still higher than an ordinary bank, so a bunch of my money is still there.
    I continue to have a local credit union but I like having the money in an online bank as well.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use an Online Bank?   11 years 36 weeks ago

    I use a local credit union with brick and mortar buildings, but rarely visit the bank, as I use the online features and now my Android phone has an app, even for deposits!
    I love the convenience of it all!
    Kelly K

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use an Online Bank?   11 years 36 weeks ago

    I don't currently use an online bank, but was looking into it the other day. I was actually looking at a Money Market account with Ally. It would get .85%, but would also come with a debit card allowing 6 withdraws per month for somewhat easier access than most online banks.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use an Online Bank?   11 years 36 weeks ago

    I use Ally and love it. I got fed up with bank fees and have no need for a brick-and-mortar bank.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Use an Online Bank?   11 years 36 weeks ago

    We use an out of state credit union with online banking. We never visit a physical branch office because we can do everything online or at the credit union network ATMs.

  • How to Look Rich Without Having Much Money   11 years 36 weeks ago

    You are kidding, right?

  • How to Enjoy the 12 Foods People Love to Hate   11 years 36 weeks ago

    Succotash. Yum.

  • 12 Grammar Mistakes That Are Making You Look Stupid   11 years 36 weeks ago

    I have to add "using basically the right word, but in the wrong way" as a general peeve. Example: Comprise.

    Most people like to say, "...is comprised of..." - which is wrong. Because 'comprise' means basically 'to be made of,' you have to remember the whole comprises the parts. The parts, rather, *compose* the whole.

    Following your lead from the article...
    Incorrect: The wall is comprised of a thousand bricks.
    Correct: The wall comprises a thousand bricks.
    Correct: The wall is composed of a thousand bricks.

    Cheers!

  • 12 Grammar Mistakes That Are Making You Look Stupid   11 years 36 weeks ago

    I would add one more to the pronoun category--using the nominative case pronoun incorrectly. The most common form of the error is substituting "I" when "me" is correct. Wrong: "The reporter interviewed my brother and I about the accident. Correct: "The reporter interviewed my brother and me about the accident."
    Wrong: "This is a secret between you and I." Correct: "This is a secret between you and me."

  • Ask the Readers: What Is Your Favorite Productivity Tool?   11 years 37 weeks ago

    I like Evernote

  • 109 Random Acts of Kindness You Can Start Doing Today   11 years 37 weeks ago

    I will try your advice, we tend that no one can be growing through life any worse than yourself. I will wake up and thank God for sparing me another day with my family no matter how my body aches and taking chemo 24/7 on a trial drug.:-)

  • Ask the Readers: What Is Your Favorite Productivity Tool?   11 years 37 weeks ago

    My smartphone - it has my contacts, my calendar(s) and a couple email accounts. Plus I have apps that keep me motivated to lose weight.

  • How to Enjoy the 12 Foods People Love to Hate   11 years 37 weeks ago

    Oh, man, Nick, I definitely should have included (blech) lima beans and/or butter beans. I like how you threw down the gauntlet, here.

    As promised in my post, here is a recipe using both of the aforementioned beans. My mother used to make this and it's pretty good. Naturally, it's all about the bacon.

    1 lb. bacon, cut into pieces
    1 lb. lean ground beef or turkeyburger
    1 c. chopped onion, partially cooked
    2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
    1 tsp. salt
    1 tsp. dry mustard
    2 tsp. vinegar
    1/2 c. ketchup
    3/4 c. brown sugar
    15 oz. can kidney beans, drained
    15 oz. can butter beans, drained
    15 oz. can lima beans, drained
    Partially fry and drain bacon. Remove from pan. Brown ground beef and add onion. Drain excess moisture.
    Add salt, mustard, vinegar, ketchup, and brown sugar to beef and onion mixture. Return bacon to pan. Mix well. Combine beans with other mixture.

    Bake 1 hour at 350°F.

  • How to Look Rich Without Having Much Money   11 years 37 weeks ago

    funny advice and topic. the other commentators surely didn't read the disclaimer at the top or are truly out of touch with the reality of America -- that is, there are plenty among us who truly want to appear wealthy though they are not, and for a variety of reasons too.

    note about the art: the writer says "there are online outlets that will turn a photograph into a painting for very reasonable prices..." true, but gotta admit though that those sort of "paintings" are usually cheap photoshop digital outputs, not actually handpainted.

  • 11 Time Saving Hacks From the World's Busiest People   11 years 37 weeks ago

    I wish we were provided nap rooms. I think I would be more productive if I could catch a ten minute cat nap.

  • 10 Signs You Ought to Get Another Credit Card   11 years 37 weeks ago

    Costco only accepts American Express credit cards, which can be inconvenient if you're looking to maximize points from certain reward programs.

    Regarding your other card, have you looked into increasing your limit? It sounds so inconvenient that you have a hold every time that you buy your e-books. A credit line increase might solve the problem. What do you think?

  • 10 Signs You Ought to Get Another Credit Card   11 years 37 weeks ago

    Sorry to hear that Joan. There are some cards that charge an annual fee and others that don't. I have found that most that don't are the ones offered by credit unions. However, to become eligible for one, you have to first become a member of the credit union.

  • Ask the Readers: What Is Your Favorite Productivity Tool?   11 years 37 weeks ago

    I use my calendar which is synced between computer and phone