Recent comments

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    Hi Ashley.

    I usually buy gift vouchers for my friends and family.
    I think there is nothing better than gift vouchers - your friends can use them for whatever they need/want and you save yourself hassle of running around shops.
    I usually buy Groupon vouchers and shopping center vouchers (some of them have their own).

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    I don't actually buy them .....I like looking and thinking what if, but then I also think they are acting desperate and wonder how long I have to use them before they go under........Also when reading fine print there are too many limitations on the card to make it viable for my uses.

  • 10 Ways to Shave $10 (or More) Off Your Grocery Bill   13 years 2 days ago

    I think an important point is to eat the proper portion sizes. Not only will it help you lose weight, but you will save more money. No one needs to eat a 16oz steak in one setting. I normally divide one into 2-4 meals with veggie sides and maybe a whole grain starch. Then you can afford the more expensive meats because they are stretching further.

  • 10 Things You Didn’t Learn in College (but You Should Have)   13 years 2 days ago

    Nate,

    Yes, more likely than not you will be successful by doing something you enjoy. Remember, there has to be a need for that "something," or you could create that need. Most importantly, attain the total experience from college, here are a few tips: make friends and connections--many of your college friends will be with you for life, try something different and new, work on your people skills--join social groups and volunteer, increase your communication skills--read, it helps, work on critical thinking and your ability to research and come to conclusions--read many topics and different viewpoints about topics. What's more, I've seen many studies revealing that it doesn't really matter what college degree a person earn ... he will be successful if he's smart enough, if he has strong work ethic, if he has determination and desire to succeed, and if he enjoys what he's doing. Also, remember this!, when people offer you advice, for the most part, they are trying to help you. At least listen--great leaders will follow others at times!

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    I buy vouchers if it's for something I really like!

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    I buy vouchers for services and restaurants that I want to try or that I already use. The deals are great.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    My wife recently bought a Groupon for half price for our son to go to a kids' gym for a week to break up multiple weeks of regular summer camp. He said he really enjoyed it. We sometimes purchase vouchers for restaurants that we like, but they are more and more going to coupon deals. I get quite a few coupon offers on Google Offers. I have read many horror stories from vendors who ran into costly trouble with Groupon or Living Social.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    I actually never use vouchers, I am afraid they will expire before I use them \!

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    I don't buy them often anymore. Many were difficult to redeem, caused confusion at check out or I just forgot to use them.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    Yes! I buy use both Groupon and LivingSocial. We bought a one night stay at a hotel for a great price and really enjoyed the discounted stay and it included a fifty dollar food credit, it was to celebrate my birthday. You do have to be mindful of the details listed.

  • Homemade and Store Bought Mouse Trap Designs That Work   13 years 2 days ago

    Note that urban rats can tread water for DAYS. And if released will have one wicked case of PTSD. (as if anyone cares) Use vegitable oil instead.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    I've never bought a voucher, but I've thought about it. However, once I read through all the fine print {and there's quite a bit}, I realize it's not always such a great deal after all.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    Yes, I have purchased Groupon, LivingSocial, and Restaurant.com vouchers, but I have cut down on these significantly within the past year.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    I've bought vouchers for a few items and I'm sure I'll do so again when a deal appeals to me. I've purchase vouchers for xbox 360 Live for my sons, for massages, and for restaurants so far. I only buy a voucher if I'm certain it is something I will use soon and if it is a good discount.

  • Secret Lawn Tonic Recipe From Golf Course Groundskeeper   13 years 2 days ago

    Can someone please tell me how much lawn ( sq. Feet ) can be treated with this 32 oz mixture and how often should it be applied. Many Thanks Happy Gardening

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    I buy Groupons every now and then. I like to buy them though ebates to get the 3% rebate.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    I'm not a voucher buyer.

  • netSpend: The Story of the Visa Debit Card We Did Not Apply For   13 years 2 days ago

    It's a little too late for this info...but I want to suggest a few things. NEVER OPEN A CARD YOU RECEIVED IN THE MAIL YOU HAVEN'T ORDERED. NEVER CALL THE NUMBER ON THE STICKER OF THE CARD IF IT'S DIFFERENT FROM THE NUMBER ON THE BACK OF THE CARD. NEVER ORDER A CARD ONLINE AT ANY WEBSITE WITH NETSPEND NAME, MAKE SURE IT'S THEIR OFFICIAL WEBSITE. NETSPEND IS NOT THE BAD PPL. THERE ARE OTHER COMPANIES AND OR PPL WHO ARE MAKING MONEY REFFERING CUSTOMERS TO NETSPEND AND ALSO OUR NAMES ARE ON A SOLICITATION FILE LIST IN SOME ONLINE COMPANY DATA BASE...IT COULD BE APPS YOU DOWNLOAD OR EMAIL SHOPPING YOU'VE DONE. MAKE SURE YOU DEAL WITH ONLINE SHOPPING NETWORKS THAT DON'T AND WON'T GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESSES. IT IS CROOKS GIVING NETSPEND A BAD NAME AND IT'S NOTHING NETSPEND CAN DO TO RELIEVE YOU OF YOUR SITUATION. THEY ARE NOT A BANK. THEY META BANK ONLY SUPPLY ACCT NUMBERS. YOU OR WE ARE OUR OWN BANK. PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY AND MONITOR YOUR CASH. NEVER EVER PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON A PREPAID CARD THAT HAS NO FEDERAL RESERVE BACKING. A PREPAID CARD IS ONLY A PURSE OR WALLET...NOT A BANK CHECKING OR SAVINGS ACCT.

  • The Basics of Asset Allocation   13 years 2 days ago

    As I mentioned in the article, there are two schools of thought in regard to proper asset allocation: 1) this approach delivers highest possible return given a certain risk level; and 2) you may need to forgo better results (returns) in order to control risk. So, if 2 is true then you may be able to get better results with less diversification but your risk level may be higher (the downside would be greater).

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    I bought vouchers twice. Once was a gift I gave to my brother. He finally used it but he acted as if it were a burden instead of a pleasure even though it was to a place he frequented. The other voucher expired before I used it. I gave up on vouchers after that.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    I just reciently discovered Groupon. I told myself I wouldn't buy into the "crap" but I've found some awesome deals. Unlike most, I'm not interested in spa deals and most of the resturants don't excite me. But their learning deals make me drool. Things I've wanted to learn for cheap, you bet! I wanted to take a TESOL class because I would like, at some point to travel and teach overseas. I was looking at the exact same course for the exact same program but the fees were way different. I paid $69 verses over $700. I call THAT a deal. Maybe I'll check out other deals as well.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    I use Groupon and 365deals for things I plan to do anyway. I also used them to try new fitness boot camps but ended up forfeiting the deal because I couldn't find time in my schedule.

    Very important! -- Read the fine print for restrictions! Many of the special deals are for specific days or circumstances only. A local attraction sold many tickets on Living Social and people traveled to attend it only to find when they got their that their ticket was not valid for that day. They either had to pay full price or come back on the correct day. Lots of mad customers!

  • Trader Joes vs. Costco: What's a Better Place to Shop?   13 years 2 days ago

    Honestly, I would find your article much more useful if you had stayed away from the exaggerations you threw in there here and there. I was hoping for a more informative piece, I guess, instead of one with comedic flair. Kind of disappointed.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy Vouchers?   13 years 2 days ago

    Yes, I still buy vouchers through Groupon and other services. But I would say I purchase them about 75% less than I did a year or two ago.

  • How to Raise Your Kids to Be Financially Independent   13 years 2 days ago

    Glad you found it helpful, Derek.

    Stock picking was a learning experience for us (the parents), too. We tried to diversify our picks a bit by not having any two stocks in the same industry.

    Good luck!

    - Keith