Recent comments

  • The Psychology of Money: How a T-Shirt Equals a Taco   13 years 12 weeks ago

    Sadly, I too connect it to something I'd buy to wear like a shirt or pair of shoes. Not the best thing to do because wasting money on those things is much worse than a tank (or couple of gallons) of gas, or even a bag of groceries. Interesting article though, I think everyone does this whether they realize it or not!

  • 17 Things Car Salesmen Don't Want You to Know   13 years 12 weeks ago

    Why go through this mess?They have much more sales experience than you do.You can't win this fight.I and my cheapskate relatives have found the BEST way to buy a car cheap.You,first,figure out what car you want.Then you watch the ads in the newspaper for the loss leader,one only, deals.You get to the dealer early and buy that car.You may not get the exact color or features,but you get a great deal,without all the hassles.You don't do finance,pay cash.You don't trade in a vehicle,sell it elsewhere.You don't buy any extras or warranties.You keep it real simple and no opportunity for the dealer to add anything.

  • How to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and Try Something New   13 years 12 weeks ago

    This post was very reassuring and comforting because trying new things is scary at times. It is easy to just stick to your ordinary routine and do what you are comfortable doing but sometimes, stepping outside of your comfort zone will take you places you would've never imagined. This summer I am traveling to Italy where I will be studying abroad and this is definitely a new adventure waiting for me. I am nervous and this will take me outside of my comfort zone by experiencing life in another country for 3 months. I will find my inspiration and take it day by day and see where it takes me! :-)

  • 5 Things to Never Keep in Your Wallet   13 years 12 weeks ago

    We have a bank that requires you to show you social security card at the time of the transaction......

  • The game of Haggling: How to Get a Great Deal on a Used Car   13 years 12 weeks ago

    So, the dealer reduced your trade in value by $1000 and they reward you with a half price extended warranty? You're now out an additional $2500. I consider myself an intense haggler (my wife refuses to car buy with me). I would've insisted on keeping the original trade in value and told the dealer to keep his extended warranty.

    Getting up to leave works. As the salesman and I were appeared to be at an impasse over a small difference on a price on a new Toyota Avalon, I calmly stood up, thanked him for his time and turned to leave. He asked, "Are you willing to walk away over $150?"
    I answered, "Yes, I am. Are you?"
    I got my price.

  • Armor Etch can be a cheap fix for your scratched eyeglasses   13 years 12 weeks ago

    * Do not rub the Armour Etch, it will scratch.
    * Use a Q-Tip to gently place small amounts of Amour Etch over the lens until it is thickly covered.
    * Do one side and one lens at a time.
    * Once applied wait 5 minutes and repeat if the coating is not dissolved.
    * Rise with running hot water. Gently use a Q-Tip to wipe off any that sticks.

    I have a bad left eye so I did that lens first. I over did the Etch in my first small spot and I rubbed it in which scratched that area. Once I had the technique down the lens for the good eye was cleaned perfectly.

    This is not the best solution ... that has to be new glasses. But I don't squint anymore and things are definitely clearer.

    Thanks to everyone. I'm cash strapped and this saved me hundreds.

  • Ask the Readers: What Are Your Green Habits?   13 years 12 weeks ago

    1. Turn shower on
    2. Get wet
    3. Turn shower off
    4. Lather with soap and shampoo
    5. Rinse and turn shower off

    Showering in this way only uses about 2 minutes of water. A 2-minute shower! This reduces electricity consumption, GHG emissions, helps conserve the freshwater supply, and saves money. Win-win-win-win.

  • Ask the Readers: What Are Your Green Habits?   13 years 12 weeks ago

    We try and stay green by NOT buying items - no plastic water bottles, we make a lot of our own staples and food items so less packaging.

  • How to recognize and answer illegal interview questions   13 years 12 weeks ago

    The closest to an illegal question was one that I was asked after I was offered a job. The interviewer asked if I had children, but it was in the context of "would you like to here about our great dependent benefits?" She immediately back-pedaled. And no, she wasn't HR, just a VP for a small company.

    I took the job.

  • Canada and U.S. Retirement Showdown: Which Offers More for Retirees?   13 years 12 weeks ago

    Since I'm a dual US-Canadian citizen, let me weigh in here. I've been living in Canada for 13 years, after being born and raised in the US. Some points I must clarify a for the Canadian side:1. We have TWO savings vehicles for retirement; RRSP and TFSA. TFSAs resemble Roth-IRAs. The limit on the TFSA is 5500/yr and that amount carries forward forever so you can accumulate a lot of room quickly. 2. Sale of the primary home is tax-free so many folks use their home as a long-term investment (although the return is only, on average, 3%). 3. The wait-times in hospitals are WAY overblown in the US media. Many wait-times in ERs here are just a few hours and some hospitals in metro areas have apps that post wait-times so you can "shop" for faster service. MRIs can be scheduled in a matter of days, and hours if it's an emergency. NOTE: My family doc still performs house calls. 4. The individual deduction for taxes is almost $10,000 per person so a couple could have $20,000 in income TAX FREE before other deductions. 4. Granted, it's cold in some places but BC is quite warm year round. And that cold reduces respiratory problems for many elderly here.
    What do I miss most about the US? The friendly irreverence, the unbiased pride. Canadians, gotta love them, but they're sooo polite/reserved that it borders on stuffy sometimes. But that certainly all changes at a hockey game. Outdoors. In -40 C weather :)

  • Ask the Readers: What Are Your Green Habits?   13 years 12 weeks ago

    Gardening, thrift shopping, recycling, buying local and in season, reusable shopping bags, creative projects.

  • Ask the Readers: What Are Your Green Habits?   13 years 12 weeks ago

    Green : Since we moved 2 the 'country' we have a vegetable garden. We have planted fruit trees... Apple, Cherry, Peach, Plum & pear. We have a well, so we don't deal with Chlorine & FLUORIDE in our water... We buy "GRASS FED beef". I also just got into making my own bread. I bought a wheat grinder and buy NON-GMO wheat berries 4 the bread...! We added a Solar array to our roof - we buy from the electric co & at the same time we SELL to the same company - sometimes having a credit 4 an electric bill, sometimes just a few $$! Heat 4 the house : wood burning 'Country' (brand) Fireplace. The ash from the fireplace goes into the garden 2 add minerals to the soil. AND a friend of mine is raising chicks, so we will also grow Chickens 2 have eggs & meat. Livestock - not yet, although have thought of milking goats, as I get raw cows milk locally.

  • Kitchen Hacks: I Can Make This in That?   13 years 12 weeks ago

    A better and faster idea for perfect round scrambled eggs... spray a little non-stick cooking spray inside a coffee mug (microwave safe), crack egg into it, and scramble with a fork. Microwave for 90 seconds to 2 minutes (depends on your microwave power) and pop out onto plate. It fits perfectly on english muffins, and you can add a bit of shredded cheese as well and you don't have to wash up a pan.

  • 15 Wonderful Uses for Witch Hazel   13 years 12 weeks ago

    now that i read what you posted about not using it excessively as it contains marginal quantities of safrol, it makes me think not to use it at all. I was using it at night after cleansing face and I am well satisfied with it and was going to use it everyday. What to do.....I have acne breakouts often and i am over 60 and it has helped me alot so far.

  • Can't Get A Bank Loan? 8 Other Ways To Finance Your Business   13 years 12 weeks ago

    A lender is a great way to find funding if a bank turns you down. Actually the guy I work for, all you need to do is fill out a free 1 page application, last years tax return, and you will have had to be in business for 1yr. That's it!

    No personal guarantees, credit checks (so it wont show up on your credit), or commitments. If you are approved (normally 5-7 business days) you can take it or leave it. No pressure. I beg that anyone that is lucky enough to read this to try this lender! just click my name!

  • The Psychology of Money: How a T-Shirt Equals a Taco   13 years 12 weeks ago

    I use this mindset as well, but because everything I own is thrifted it's pretty skewed. As in "Why spend $3.50 on a coffee when I can buy a great painting for $1?"

    See:

    http://thenonconsumeradvocate.com/2011/08/fabulous-frugal-finds-priceles...

    It makes it hard to spend any money.

    Thanks for the though provoking article!

  • Invest Your Rewards With the Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature Card   13 years 12 weeks ago

    This is an interesting credit card that kind of helps putting money in your brokerage account on auto pilot. I have a Fidelity account and will check this out as an option.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Shop at Thrift Stores?   13 years 12 weeks ago

    My stepfather used to say: I do not wear second hand clothes, there are may be 10 guys died in them...though I do shop at thrift shops occasionally, the picture of that dead guy is often in my head :o)

  • 17 Things Car Salesmen Don't Want You to Know   13 years 12 weeks ago

    Bought my first (and last) new car in 2002 - last because I'm still driving it. Loved the salesperson, paid $100 more than my target price (which I had figured out ahead of time) and have had a very happy 11 years with my car. But my husband will NOT buy a car or truck without the extended warranty. Finally decided it was worth it to keep him happy, and we ended up getting almost exactly our $ out of it when the air conditioning blew up around 95,000 miles.

    Last time I went looking for a car while my husband was very ill. Darn salesperson wouldn't even talk to me because I was there without my husband. Gave him and his manager, and later the owner an earful on that.

  • 9 Ways to Earn Extra Cash When Money Is Tight   13 years 12 weeks ago

    this method makes money over and over again..

  • 10 DIY Dog Toys You Can Make for Pennies   13 years 12 weeks ago

    Having worked for a veterinarian and having seen the misery dogs and cats that eat inappropriate items go through (as well as the massive vet bills), I would caution pet owners against teaching their pets that textiles such as socks and towels are OK to chew. Your dog cannot tell the difference between a sock meant to be a toy, and a sock that you wear on your foot. If you're going to provide these toys for you pets, do not leave them unattended with said toys.

  • Best Money Tips: How to Avoid Costly Travel Mistakes   13 years 12 weeks ago

    Thanks for mentioning our AGI article!

  • Canada and U.S. Retirement Showdown: Which Offers More for Retirees?   13 years 13 weeks ago

    I'm a Canadian living in the US and have been for 20 yrs now. I moved here when I was 21. I have been paying into Social Security for all of this time. I am married to an American and have two boys. I loved this article. I constantly run this through my head. which would be better? As far as salaries I can tell you I have a friend who is an RN like I am. She makes 20% more than I do. I'm conflicted because to me the quality of healthcare is similar. (Different but similar). The US wins for climate, hands down. I think we will probably end up where our boys are. Such a close call.... Thanks for this great article!!!

  • 6 Ways to Get Paid for Saving Money   13 years 13 weeks ago

    Savings accounts provide little incentive with rates being so poor. Whilst investing directly in equities can be risky, investment funds can provide a measured approach to risk.

    A number of absolute return funds offer very little downside whilst aiming to produce 4-6% on top of cash rates per year, a great alternative to cash in my opinion and fairly accessible to the retail investor.

  • Keep Your Credit Card Safe While Shopping Online   13 years 13 weeks ago

    Last week i went outside of my town for some official work and while travelling i visited some cafe's and restaurants and i have used their public wifi's hotspots. In general i do lot of official meetings and you know internet access is must. Thus, for anonymous access to protect my sensitive data i always prefer "Hotspot Shield" free VPN.

    It is very convenient to use and reliable. Really worth's giving it a try. I would conclude by saying that it is the best VPN i have ever used. Check it out here - http://www.hotspotshield.com