Recent comments

  • 50 Fun, Free Ways to Have a Great Time With Friends   12 years 18 weeks ago

    During my college days, my friends usually slept over at my place. We used to play cards and board games, sing our heart out, food trip and we did a movie marathon. Oh, how I wish I could turn back the time, it was really fun, but now I prefer to play with my seven-year old daughter.

  • 10 of America's Awesomest Cheap Cities   12 years 18 weeks ago

    I live in Waco and have for the last ten years. I agree the housing costs are much better than where I moved from (Dallas), however, you definitely have to do without a lot if amenities that a larger city might provide (such as shopping, dining, theater, museums, etc). Should I be able to actually choose where to live, I would absolutely choose a larger, more progressive city that had more going for it than the football record of the local college (Baylor). Old Wacoans are very opinionated and do not hesitate to share their opinions. I find good and bad in Waco, as in any city. But for me, the good outweighs the bad and I choose to stay. Your home is what you make of it, and I choose to make it mine!

  • 10 Things You Should Never Buy at the Dollar Store (and 10 You Should)   12 years 18 weeks ago

    I have had some good luck with headphones. The kids broke my really expensive ones in no time flat so I bought a set for everyone and if they get lost or broken --- no problem. Some of their kitchen gadgets can be ok and household cleaners.
    A friend of mine bought some candles that almost caused a house fire at the dollar store ---so buyer beware.

  • 4 Ways Credit Cards Manipulate You Into More Debt   12 years 18 weeks ago

    Actually, rewards cut into overall profit, but because banks earn interchange fees from the merchant during a purchase (*most) credit cards remain profitable to the bank even with rewards.

  • Borrowing from Friends: The Friendship Killer   12 years 18 weeks ago

    I simply tell anyone asking, that it's my policy not to lend money.

  • How to Set Up an IRA to Build Wealth   12 years 18 weeks ago

    You should note more clearly that there are annual contribution limits and, depending on your retirement plan coverage at work and income, traditional IRA contributions may not be tax deductible. In that instance, high earners are better off contributing to a 401(k) instead.

  • Free and Cheap Things to Do in Seattle   12 years 18 weeks ago

    Can anyone tell me where the better record shops and coffee shops that have live music playing would be? Never been to Seattle until next month and have always dreamed of going from coffee shop to coffee shop listening to great acoustic sounds...Any pointers would be great!!

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Make Money From Your Hobbies?   12 years 18 weeks ago

    My money-making hobby is playing poker.

  • How to Stop Being Afraid and Live Your Dreams   12 years 18 weeks ago

    As a mental health advocate, I will tell you that fear is the one thing that holds people back but also can inspire change.
    Here's a trick that I learned a long time ago:
    When "what-if" thoughts come into your mind, consider the worst case scenario. It's often not as bad as you think.
    Life is much easier when you don't let fear consume your mind.

  • 10 of America's Awesomest Cheap Cities   12 years 18 weeks ago

    I used to live about an hour from Richmond. I have not met anyone from Richmond who considers it "awesome."
    The city has a major crime issue.

  • How to Stop Being Afraid and Live Your Dreams   12 years 18 weeks ago

    The realization that I could create my own success was so empowering. It brought so much renewed energy and confidence to every aspect of my life.

  • 8 Surprising Life and Money Lessons from Will Ferrell Movies   12 years 18 weeks ago

    Don't forget about the important tax lesson from Stranger Than Fiction: take all your deductions! Will Ferrell's character tells Maggie Gyllenhal's baker that she will not owe the IRS any money if she actually itemizes the food she gives away to the homeless.

    LOVE this piece, by the way. Just give me a minute, and I'm sure I can come up with more of Mr. Ferrell's money wisdom.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Make Money From Your Hobbies?   12 years 18 weeks ago

    Absolutely! From car repairs, home repairs, to computer repair - what I thought was just a skill and hobby has turned into a fairly good side gig.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Make Money From Your Hobbies?   12 years 18 weeks ago

    Sadly I don't have any money making hobbies but I think its a great idea for those who do!

  • 35 Slow Cooker Recipes for Busy (or Lazy) Vegetarians   12 years 18 weeks ago

    Manwich sauce contains anchovies, thus it's not vegeterian.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Make Money From Your Hobbies?   12 years 18 weeks ago

    Yes, since personal finance and couponing ARE my hobbies.

  • This Is How Donald Trump Builds Wealth (and You Can Too)   12 years 18 weeks ago

    Hard to deny that his father's financial resources gave him a huge advantage right out of the gate. What's most interesting to me is that all the wealth that accumulated from that initial advantage was so close to being lost until the cash flow piece of the equation fell into place.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Make Money From Your Hobbies?   12 years 18 weeks ago

    I managed to make < $10 on my patterns at the end of last year, but then again, I just started

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Make Money From Your Hobbies?   12 years 18 weeks ago

    I've been asked by a few people to do my hobbies for them for cash. Photography and sewing.

  • How to Rebuild Your Credit in 8 Simple Steps   12 years 18 weeks ago

    Thank you for this info.. I am trying to rebuild my credit so I can be a first time home owners I was told I needed to get a secured credit card but I had so many doubts because I have not haad a credit card since I was 20years old now ia m 30 and my credit was ruined very yung Iam now ffixing to pay my debts and trying to see wish secure credit I need to get! But I wasn't sure how this would work,so Iwill do the same deposit $300 & just sspent $60 and pay it right back thanks! :-)

  • Horizon Organic Milk: Is it All Just Lies?   12 years 19 weeks ago

    what the cow is fed or exposed to does not affect the milk ? Hello?!! So if I am breast feeding a baby I can still eat what I want and take medicine without worrying about it being passed to my baby ? come on, guys .

  • 13 Natural and Easy Ways to Lower Your Blood Sugar   12 years 19 weeks ago

    Thanks very very much for the GREAT ideas. Love that you have the timelines for each listed.

  • Why Going to the Gym Is a Waste of Money, Time, and Resources   12 years 19 weeks ago

    @JustAGuy

    Problem is the study is flawed and shows something we already know: that exercise alone is generally not a solution to weight loss. The study looked at people working out without changing their eating habits. Changing diet is widely regarded as the most important aspect of weight loss and exercise is only supplemental to that. This is also true of the increased calorie consumption part. You are generally meant to eat back a portion of the calories that you have burned during exercise, but the goal is to make low calorie, nutritional choices rather than processed junk food. If you exercise without changing eating habits, you'll still see some health benefits, but substantial weight loss will probably not be one of them.

    What the author has done is twist this study to claim that going to the gym is worthless and exercise does nothing for weight loss, neither of those things are true.

  • 25 Secrets From the World's Most Frugal Frequent Travelers   12 years 19 weeks ago

    I traveled to Hawaii for a week and stayed in a basement apartment for less than $800, which included the plane ticket, food, and a car. I found a place that only allowed women (I was traveling alone). They even let me use their car for free. And the apartment had a kitchen, so I cooked all of my food. They were also a great resource when it came to what to do on the island. I think I found them through an online forum.

    I've had friends who found a cheap place to stay at a convent. Again, it was women only.

  • Protecting Yourself from Medical Billing Mistakes   12 years 19 weeks ago

    My medical billing code information is a nightmare now. I do not think there is a number I can put on the time and hours I have spent suffering when medical code was not declared an emergency when my gynecologist sent me to he Kent General Hospital and BCBS Highmark is denying for incorrect code. I am at my wits end trying to fix this and am literally getting sicker over this debacle. It is a solid nightmare and I reach out for last two months with the total runaround and no help. I would like some direction to fix this absolute nightmare which even caused me to drive home at 3:15 a.m. on January 24, 2014 pumped full of morphine. I am so disillusioned with our medical system and angry at doctor who sent me there as an emergency. I have no idea how this has become such a nightmare that I have battled for two months. It is a nightmare and I say either pray you die or never listen to your doctor about going to the emergency room. I now am looking at mounds of bills that I was assured and told was emergency and no worries well now I am in full fledged nightmare with office telling me there is nothing I can do. Well, I am doing something and am so done with our corrupt medical system.