You beat me to it, my best purchase was my ruby pro specialized road bike. I got it in November and I've already ridden it 4000 miles! It makes me want to ride and be a better rider. I've gone from doing a century bike ride in 9.5 hours to 7.5 hours and I'm now training for the deathride in 3 weeks time. I think you'll be impressed at wisebread that I was able to get it at a 40% discount!
How weird to see another "cow" topic in my reader. I'll be having a "cow patty bingo" contest where folks can win $50 over at Bloggrrl in a few days. I'm still looking for someone to be the cow, though, so if anyone wants to be a virtual cow and get some link love, hit me up!
I'll not be going to Chick-Fil-A. They use peanut oil and I'm allergic. :-(
...my second monitor. For the last couple of years, I made fun of friends who used two monitors, thoroughly convinced there was no way it could be of any use. For the longest time, I didn't even have an external monitor or keyboard for my laptop (and I burned out the screen of one from overuse). Finally, I gave in and bought a 17" LCD and an external keyboard, and fell in love. Now, when I have to use my laptop outside the office, it's torture. These days, I have three identical LCD's (two for my Windows box, one for my Ubuntu box), and I'm contemplating a fourth to give each system 2. I only wish I had enough ports to have 4 monitors on each system!
Earlier this year, I was living in London while working as an assistant for a businessman. London's not a cheap place, and it's horribly expensive to ride horses there ($60+ dollars at the cheapest place!).
One day, while looking at all the cheap airlines, I found a $80 round trip ticket from London to Malta on RyanAir. The year before, I had gone to university in Malta and had learned to ride horses at a polo stable there.
So, I booked the ticket, and headed to Malta for a week. I stayed with the stable owner for free, rode everyday for two hours on amazing horses, escaped the rainy London winter for the Mediterranean and visited a bunch of friends.
I don't know if this counts or not...I also don't know if this makes me less manly or not...but my best purchase was the engagement ring I used to propose to my now wife.
I agree with needing to see it in a spreadsheet to get a feel for the flow of it. The presentations are way too confusing and do not give enough detail, only generalizations, which has most people skeptical about the process. What are they hiding? Are they afraid that the calculation is really quite simple and people will not spend money to buy their software once they know the "secret"?
It appears that once you spend $3500 on the software and get the first lump payment on the mortgage, you have to pay the HELOC down to some given point before they recommend that you submit another large lump sum payment (borrowed against the HELOC) to make an impact. If you are on a tight budget already with say $100 or so in extra income each month, it would be years before another lump payment went through. In the meantime you are incurring additional debt on your HELOC at a prime+ interest rate that is generally higher than your fixed rate mortgage.
It would seem that bi-weekly payments are the way to go since you truly are not paying out anything additional each month, only changing when you send in the payment.
Also, this program seems to force you to use anything additional regarding your income to pay on your mortgage. That is not realistic given vacations, emergencies, etc. I have not seen anything during the on-line presentation or the face-to-face presentation I was given by a rep that discusses any of these issues.
I really like the concept but need more clarity that no one can seem to give.
Your respect segment reminded me of how dependent respect is on position. When the bank that I worked for was bought out by the bank now known as Wachovia, many of my co-workers suddenly showed a great disrespect for our Sr. VP, whom they had formerly idolized (at least at the office). The guy had zero personality but he was a decent person -- that experience gave me insight into what-who-how people respect.
Note that the bigger the starting price, the greater the discounts. Its not uncommon for designer goods to have 90% off. Don't forget to take your sharpest elbows.
Nice piece, but I must take exception with the first item. The rest of it I would say is fairly well-known to real sushi lovers (not just sushi junkies, but the real snobs that take the whole thing seriously).
The white person that I consider the most well-versed in Jp. culture insists that the best place in the world to eat sushi is on the Tokyo docks, where the fish is served right off the boats. He says it's a popular destination, so I wonder if it's just a matter of taste (as in tastebuds), or if it really is superior when eaten at its most fresh.
Thanks for participating in a friendly, thoughtful discussion about MMAs and methods of paying off mortgage loans early. My article was based on the UFirst video presentation. I think readers would like to hear about your system and how they can pay off their mortgages early without making extra payments; please link to a spreadsheet or step-by-step guide showing us how it works.
I am not advocating paying a low-interest loan off early but rather exploring methods of early payoffs.
I am curious as to what you really know about the mortgage industry or even this money merge account? What makes you an expert to talk about this? I see your profile and I'm amused.
I see you using the term, 'I guess'; I find that to be a funny term in an industry that is not based upon upon 'guesses', but it is based upon factual evidence.
We believe that the money merge program/concept is is good one, just like every debt reduction program (that works) out there, but we do have a problem....
I am referencing the "Julie’s way" program. The money merge account is about ZERO EXTRA Payments to your budget every month AND yours is NOT. Your program is misrepresenting the facts and in the mortgage business that is called fraud.
I am a 10+ year mortgage professional and a writer for one of the largest and most respected mortgage industry publications and this is article is exactly what I am tired of. People that don't know what they are talking about.
3 things:
1) Go back and listen in on the money merge presentation and get the facts correct
2) last I statistic I heard from the federal reserve is that only 12% of the loans taken out in our country are paid ahead - People need a system
3) know your facts before you publish them
I discovered Freecycle (usually it's a local Yahoo group) and I love it. People are looking for things other people don't need anymore, and I've used it to get rid of things I don't use anymore but can't bear to throw out because they're still in good condition, like kid's outgrown bikes, joggers, toys, etc. The rules for Freecycle are that the recipient can't throw away the item and can't turn around and sell it. It makes me happy to see these once-loved things go to a good home where they'll be enjoyed again.
I'm not as convinced as to the quality of the LaCie drives as others here, or at least the Porsche version of the drive.
I have 1.5 TBs of storage, all using Acomdata drives. Acomdata was the first external drive I bought, and I figured all else being the same it can't hurt to have the drives from the same manufacturer (superstitious, I know). I tend to pick up new drives when they fill up by looking at what's for sale. I saw an amazing price for the Porsche LaCie drive (350GB?) for something ridiculously low like $65, and picked it up even though it wasn't an Acomdata drive.
So far it's the only external drive I've bought which failed, and it failed right out of the box. I bought it from MicroCenter online (I can't say enough about their house brand of desktop computer) and they were very good about returning the drive for credit. And while it probably isn't important, I am planning to stick with Acomdata.
I wish the slip would come back just because I think it's one of the sexiest pieces of lingerie a woman can wear, whether it's a fullslip or a halfslip. I'm here to tell you, it's a turn on like you wouldn't believe and I'm not that old! WOW!
Since I am a huge fan of women that wear slips, I sell them on Ebay.
So for all you lovely ladies out there who still wear slips, please visit my Ebay store "The Slip Shop" and maybe you can find that special slip you've been looking for.
I will be listing several more each week as inventory is depleated.
All of the slips I sell are in Excellent Condition if not Mint Condition.
I have a wide selection of Vintage slips for those collectors out there too.
Remember to always let your slips show!
You beat me to it, my best purchase was my ruby pro specialized road bike. I got it in November and I've already ridden it 4000 miles! It makes me want to ride and be a better rider. I've gone from doing a century bike ride in 9.5 hours to 7.5 hours and I'm now training for the deathride in 3 weeks time. I think you'll be impressed at wisebread that I was able to get it at a 40% discount!
How weird to see another "cow" topic in my reader. I'll be having a "cow patty bingo" contest where folks can win $50 over at Bloggrrl in a few days. I'm still looking for someone to be the cow, though, so if anyone wants to be a virtual cow and get some link love, hit me up!
I'll not be going to Chick-Fil-A. They use peanut oil and I'm allergic. :-(
...my second monitor. For the last couple of years, I made fun of friends who used two monitors, thoroughly convinced there was no way it could be of any use. For the longest time, I didn't even have an external monitor or keyboard for my laptop (and I burned out the screen of one from overuse). Finally, I gave in and bought a 17" LCD and an external keyboard, and fell in love. Now, when I have to use my laptop outside the office, it's torture. These days, I have three identical LCD's (two for my Windows box, one for my Ubuntu box), and I'm contemplating a fourth to give each system 2. I only wish I had enough ports to have 4 monitors on each system!
Earlier this year, I was living in London while working as an assistant for a businessman. London's not a cheap place, and it's horribly expensive to ride horses there ($60+ dollars at the cheapest place!).
One day, while looking at all the cheap airlines, I found a $80 round trip ticket from London to Malta on RyanAir. The year before, I had gone to university in Malta and had learned to ride horses at a polo stable there.
So, I booked the ticket, and headed to Malta for a week. I stayed with the stable owner for free, rode everyday for two hours on amazing horses, escaped the rainy London winter for the Mediterranean and visited a bunch of friends.
Definitely the best money I spent this year!
I don't know if this counts or not...I also don't know if this makes me less manly or not...but my best purchase was the engagement ring I used to propose to my now wife.
Although...I got a DVR too...and that is awesome.
My best buy this year was my gym membership. It will improve my health and my looks.
I wasn't aware that no trades we allowed. Will correct.
I agree with needing to see it in a spreadsheet to get a feel for the flow of it. The presentations are way too confusing and do not give enough detail, only generalizations, which has most people skeptical about the process. What are they hiding? Are they afraid that the calculation is really quite simple and people will not spend money to buy their software once they know the "secret"?
It appears that once you spend $3500 on the software and get the first lump payment on the mortgage, you have to pay the HELOC down to some given point before they recommend that you submit another large lump sum payment (borrowed against the HELOC) to make an impact. If you are on a tight budget already with say $100 or so in extra income each month, it would be years before another lump payment went through. In the meantime you are incurring additional debt on your HELOC at a prime+ interest rate that is generally higher than your fixed rate mortgage.
It would seem that bi-weekly payments are the way to go since you truly are not paying out anything additional each month, only changing when you send in the payment.
Also, this program seems to force you to use anything additional regarding your income to pay on your mortgage. That is not realistic given vacations, emergencies, etc. I have not seen anything during the on-line presentation or the face-to-face presentation I was given by a rep that discusses any of these issues.
I really like the concept but need more clarity that no one can seem to give.
I think a little magic is a lot more fun. Slight of hand is all you need. Lots of that going on in Shanghai.
Luke
www.chou.cn
www.ddsclub.com
Your respect segment reminded me of how dependent respect is on position. When the bank that I worked for was bought out by the bank now known as Wachovia, many of my co-workers suddenly showed a great disrespect for our Sr. VP, whom they had formerly idolized (at least at the office). The guy had zero personality but he was a decent person -- that experience gave me insight into what-who-how people respect.
Reminds me of the CEO's waiter rule.
I believe the rules for Freecycle specifically include 'no trading'. Freecycle should be in the 'give it away' part of you list.
Otherwise, excellent article.
Note that the bigger the starting price, the greater the discounts. Its not uncommon for designer goods to have 90% off. Don't forget to take your sharpest elbows.
Thought your article was of value, so I posted a link to it. Thank you.
Lovely post, I couldn't agree more.
Great post. Like John and Paul said: I don't care too much for money/Money can't buy me love.
Nice piece, but I must take exception with the first item. The rest of it I would say is fairly well-known to real sushi lovers (not just sushi junkies, but the real snobs that take the whole thing seriously).
The white person that I consider the most well-versed in Jp. culture insists that the best place in the world to eat sushi is on the Tokyo docks, where the fish is served right off the boats. He says it's a popular destination, so I wonder if it's just a matter of taste (as in tastebuds), or if it really is superior when eaten at its most fresh.
Naw, no criticism.
I agree with all of them!
Thanks for participating in a friendly, thoughtful discussion about MMAs and methods of paying off mortgage loans early. My article was based on the UFirst video presentation. I think readers would like to hear about your system and how they can pay off their mortgages early without making extra payments; please link to a spreadsheet or step-by-step guide showing us how it works.
I am not advocating paying a low-interest loan off early but rather exploring methods of early payoffs.
Hi Julie,
I am curious as to what you really know about the mortgage industry or even this money merge account? What makes you an expert to talk about this? I see your profile and I'm amused.
I see you using the term, 'I guess'; I find that to be a funny term in an industry that is not based upon upon 'guesses', but it is based upon factual evidence.
We believe that the money merge program/concept is is good one, just like every debt reduction program (that works) out there, but we do have a problem....
I am referencing the "Julie’s way" program. The money merge account is about ZERO EXTRA Payments to your budget every month AND yours is NOT. Your program is misrepresenting the facts and in the mortgage business that is called fraud.
I am a 10+ year mortgage professional and a writer for one of the largest and most respected mortgage industry publications and this is article is exactly what I am tired of. People that don't know what they are talking about.
3 things:
1) Go back and listen in on the money merge presentation and get the facts correct
2) last I statistic I heard from the federal reserve is that only 12% of the loans taken out in our country are paid ahead - People need a system
3) know your facts before you publish them
Great chart, thanks for that!
I discovered Freecycle (usually it's a local Yahoo group) and I love it. People are looking for things other people don't need anymore, and I've used it to get rid of things I don't use anymore but can't bear to throw out because they're still in good condition, like kid's outgrown bikes, joggers, toys, etc. The rules for Freecycle are that the recipient can't throw away the item and can't turn around and sell it. It makes me happy to see these once-loved things go to a good home where they'll be enjoyed again.
heya, nice article, you might want to remove the phone number that is in the screenshot
I'm not as convinced as to the quality of the LaCie drives as others here, or at least the Porsche version of the drive.
I have 1.5 TBs of storage, all using Acomdata drives. Acomdata was the first external drive I bought, and I figured all else being the same it can't hurt to have the drives from the same manufacturer (superstitious, I know). I tend to pick up new drives when they fill up by looking at what's for sale. I saw an amazing price for the Porsche LaCie drive (350GB?) for something ridiculously low like $65, and picked it up even though it wasn't an Acomdata drive.
So far it's the only external drive I've bought which failed, and it failed right out of the box. I bought it from MicroCenter online (I can't say enough about their house brand of desktop computer) and they were very good about returning the drive for credit. And while it probably isn't important, I am planning to stick with Acomdata.
I wish the slip would come back just because I think it's one of the sexiest pieces of lingerie a woman can wear, whether it's a fullslip or a halfslip. I'm here to tell you, it's a turn on like you wouldn't believe and I'm not that old! WOW!
Since I am a huge fan of women that wear slips, I sell them on Ebay.
So for all you lovely ladies out there who still wear slips, please visit my Ebay store "The Slip Shop" and maybe you can find that special slip you've been looking for.
I will be listing several more each week as inventory is depleated.
All of the slips I sell are in Excellent Condition if not Mint Condition.
I have a wide selection of Vintage slips for those collectors out there too.
Remember to always let your slips show!
Oh, YUM, that cold melon soup sounds *fabulous*