Recent comments

  • Ask the Readers: What Is Your Dream Retirement?   13 years 3 weeks ago

    My dream retirement is becoming a frequent cruiser - and traveling around the world.

  • Ask the Readers: What Is Your Dream Retirement?   13 years 3 weeks ago

    I am trying to Retire my way right now! I am working 2 days a week and using the other time to go to Estate Sales/Auctions/yard sales for collectables to re-sell and I design Wire Sculpted Jewelry and Art Glass,starting my Etsy site to sell both.And I sell things I find in the Consignment store that I also work in..Lots more fun and better money for my time!Selling on Ebay and Etsy is challanging but I have always loved finding great thiings at great prices so it is a good fit!

  • From Dumpster Diving to Garage Sales, Turning Trash Into Cash   13 years 3 weeks ago

    I picked a Little Tikes basketball hoop and picnic table for my kids. I used to dumpster dive the thrift store's dumpster and found great stuff- the Ball Blue Book of canning, Legos, art supplies... then they put a 12' chain link fence around it.

  • Ask the Readers: What Is Your Dream Retirement?   13 years 3 weeks ago

    Living in a "green home" in a beautiful area and spending time reading, walking, gardening, cooking, camping, traveling, and developing relationships. Being financially secure, independent, and free from having to work.

  • Best Money Tips: Tips for Parents to Save Money   13 years 3 weeks ago

    I love the image that you used with this post. Love love love!!! :)

  • Ask the Readers: What Is Your Dream Retirement?   13 years 3 weeks ago

    My dream retirement would be a paid for house at the beach, my friends and family close. I'd hope to be busy enough with fun things that I wouldn't miss having a job, but who knows.

  • Ask the Readers: What Is Your Dream Retirement?   13 years 3 weeks ago

    My dream retirement would be to have a house on the beach and be able to take walks on the sand everyday.

  • Ask the Readers: What Is Your Dream Retirement?   13 years 3 weeks ago

    I want to travel! Both truly fun traveling and to help out worthy causes.

  • The Cheapest Place to Buy Generic Drugs   13 years 3 weeks ago

    For some of the very cheapest generics, the price with insurance can be more expensive at discount locations than the price without!

    Also, there are medication savings cards that aren't insurance but offer some of the benefits of negotiated savings that insurance companies get. A quick hunt online can score you a few numbers to try to see if the card will save you anything.

  • 12 Ways to Improve Your Performance at Work   13 years 3 weeks ago

    Nice tips! Well, through learning you can improve your performance at work because performing any work without any experience is always a tough task. So in that situation you can learn and apply it practically.

  • The Five Stages of Not Shopping   13 years 3 weeks ago

    Nice use of the gift cards! :) Those things are super-handy, no matter what.

  • Ask the Readers: What Are Your Spring Cleaning Tips?   13 years 3 weeks ago

    I think I'm late for the contest. However, I couldn't agree more with the folks who said that they do a bit of cleaning each day. This eliminates the whole problem! I find that once I build a habit of cleaning after myself every day, it really does become second nature. Of course a good sweeping or vacuuming each spring is still necessary, but this takes 30 minutes at most.

  • Eating Vegan on the Cheap   13 years 3 weeks ago

    Is liquid smoke really a wholesome ingredient? Smoke itself is a carcinogen. I'm dubious that the smoky flavor we love so much can be either imitated without harmful lab-produced chemicals or isolated from smoke without including the carcinogens. I'll have to read more on this subject.

  • 101 Useful Things You Can Do in 15 Minutes or Less   13 years 3 weeks ago

    What a great, massive list! I like the idea to encourage your spouse, that's important. Sometimes they can get stressed out, and you can do so much to encourage them and lower their stress level. And the tip about an extra PayPal account . . . I think I have one I'll need to close, thanks!

  • 7 Essential Truths for a Successful Retirement   13 years 3 weeks ago

    I like that you mentioned the future is unpredictable. I think some of us forget this when we're contributing to our retirement accounts. Why not contribute more than we think is necessary? Because when we retire, we might find that our excessive contributions truly were necessary to support living.

    Thanks for the article!

  • 6 Valid Reasons Not to Contribute to Your 401(k)   13 years 3 weeks ago

    These are some pretty good reasons to not contribute to a 401(k). I wish more people knew about these, too many people blindly contribute without considering the big financial picture. And, like you mentioned, not all 401(k)s are created equal.

  • 12 Ways to Improve Your Performance at Work   13 years 3 weeks ago

    Talking with your customers is probably one of the best ways you can improve your work. Always be open to feedback, and show your customers you care!

    Many business owners, managers, and leaders can forget how their customers use the products they are selling, and talking directly with customers is a great way to improve products and service.

  • 7 Strategies for Controlling Toy Clutter   13 years 3 weeks ago

    With six years between my middle and my last child we didn't have any baby/toddler toys around. Our community centre and library have toy lending sections. The toys were borrowed for 2 weeks. The staff sanitize the toys when they are returned.

    For twenty dollars a year I found this an excellent option. My little one got to pick out 2 toys every 2 weeks. By the end of the 2 weeks she was excited to trade them in. For her it was like having a birthday or Christmas every couple of weeks.

  • Retirement Planning If You’re Under 30   13 years 3 weeks ago

    Good reminder! Thanks!

  • Buying Your First Home: What to Do and When to Do It   13 years 3 weeks ago

    Great break down into the step-by-step. But I'd add one at the top: take a home buyer education class from a local nonprofit organization.

    Students I've taught have become eligible for down payment help, PMI discounts, and have even saved money just from knowing smart questions to ask.

    I wish everyone would take a class before making the biggest investment of their lives.

  • Ask the Readers: How Do You Save on Transportation?   13 years 3 weeks ago

    I sold my car. I ride my bike all year around in upstate NY.

  • 12 Ways to Improve Your Performance at Work   13 years 3 weeks ago

    Thank you so much for these great tips! Number 9 is my favorite, but I think all of them will help me.

  • You Shouldn’t Buy a Home If…   13 years 3 weeks ago

    Great point. I'd also argue that people need to realistic about what's "ideal." Personally, I have dreams that far exceed my budget:-)

  • You Shouldn’t Buy a Home If…   13 years 3 weeks ago

    Good luck:-) Buying a house is a great thing to get to look forward to.

  • 5 Frugal Lessons I Learned From Aldi   13 years 3 weeks ago

    i shopped at aldi when they were nothing but a store for ur staples, i.e. baking, breads, milk, cereals, etc. now they have a frozen section that is awesome, i think their produce is just fine, dairy is great (coffee creamers for 1/2 of walmart/grocery stores), good selection of munchies.. everything u need. i too am way too overwhelmed in giant stores and end up more frustrated and leave without stuff i needed. aldi is small and laid out to let u get what u need without choosing over 50 types of cereals. our kids ate aldi cereal their entire lives and now as adults they will tell u that they cannot tell the diff between honey nut cheerios and aldi brand. at the holidays they have all kinds of specials of food - great specialty cheeses, breads, desserts.
    we are now in tx and have not had a aldi, they are opening them up all around the houston area this week, i have literally counted the days till this thurs. also, those that said it will cut ur grocery bill by at least a 1/3rd are correct. u wont believe it!