Recent comments

  • A Guide to Online Brokers for Investing Newbies (and Beyond)   13 years 26 weeks ago

    Thanks, Julie!

    The fund companies are beginning to pay more attention to minor IRA accounts, so it's worth checking one final time with those mentioned in my post.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have Financial Resolutions for 2013?   13 years 26 weeks ago

    Here's my blog post about my 2013 financial goals! http://faketillyoumake.typepad.com/fake_it_till_you_make_it/2013/01/2013...

  • An Organized Year: A Month-by-Month Guide   13 years 26 weeks ago

    This is handy, well done. I especially appreciate the furnace inspection & smoke detector tips - should add in a chimney inspection to my scribbles too.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have Financial Resolutions for 2013?   13 years 26 weeks ago

    Absolutely. I've resolved to pay off my car, and pay down my credit card. I've already paid off the car, and believe I can get rid of the credit card in about eight months flat.

  • 5 Dreams You Won't Achieve Unless You Live Below Your Means   13 years 26 weeks ago

    After reading an article similar to this one from MoneyNing, I was able to cut back on unnecessary purchases and saved up to 1200+ to cover up the months in the future that I knew I wasn't going to make enough. Granted that I have to start over again, at least I know now that I have the power to do such a thing. It took willpower, a strong desire to change and a fierce notion that trying something new will help me in the long-run. Am forever grateful for articles that tout "living below your means". Now I will find a way to be able to live "beyond" my means, to save up money in a way I never thought I could - to have a big fat savings that is always boundful!

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have Financial Resolutions for 2013?   13 years 26 weeks ago

    To do more comparison shopping, waiting for sales, and not getting tricked by those buy-one-get-one-half-off-sales.

  • Money Resolutions: 6 Ways to Take Control in 2013   13 years 26 weeks ago

    I set much firmer goals this year. Instead of saying I want to reduce debt I set a goal of $6000.00 and I set a budget to help me reach it.

    My first goal for 2013 is to save $1000.00 in my chequing account to avoid bank fees.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have Financial Resolutions for 2013?   13 years 26 weeks ago

    Stay the course.
    Just keep doing what I am doing because it is working.

  • Get Organized for Next December Now: Holiday Take-Down Tips   13 years 26 weeks ago

    Inventory is a big thing in our household. We use ikeepm.com, it's free and very easy to use.

  • No Money for a Week? Here’s What to Do.   13 years 26 weeks ago

    Beverly, well done!

    My parents are currently floating my two older (mid 30's) brothers and they're both retired. It's rather silly and they don't seem to see the cycle (and the enabling) they're creating.

    If my brothers suck my parents dry...... guess who's problem THAT becomes??

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have Financial Resolutions for 2013?   13 years 26 weeks ago

    My goal is to make more money this year to pay off debt--the rest of our "new" 13 year old car, our house and our student loans.

  • Tasty, Healthy Breakfast Cookies With Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans   13 years 26 weeks ago

    I made these yesterday as I am gluten free and I figuered my 15 month old would eat them as well... The flavor is good, but the texture takes some getting used to, because of the way the bananas cook I assume..? I also made them with coconut milk, not sure that changes anything. Also added a tiny bit of brown sugar as the taste wasn't as sweet as i like. Glad I made them though, easy to grab for me and the kiddo when Im racing out the door!

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have Financial Resolutions for 2013?   13 years 26 weeks ago

    I just paid off my husband's personal loan and my own so my 2013 financial goal is to pay off our credit cards. I'm using the snow ball technique to use the savings from each paid off debt to pay the next one.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have Financial Resolutions for 2013?   13 years 26 weeks ago

    I have a handful of financial goals for 2013, but my main goal is to save 6 months worth of expenses. I'm accomplishing this by adding 10% of every paycheck into my savings account, along with any additional cash that comes my way, such as Christmas gift money and cash back rewards money from my credit card. I also set up my accounts so an additional $20 is automatically transferred into my savings account every week. As a result, I'm planning to reach my goal by April 2013!

  • An Organized Year: A Month-by-Month Guide   13 years 26 weeks ago

    I love this. Sometimes it's nice to have someone else choose what you should do. I love all thing organization.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have Financial Resolutions for 2013?   13 years 26 weeks ago

    I resolve to continue paying down old debt. Also, I'm on board for the 'compact'...buy nothing new in 2013 (with a few exceptions like food).

  • 11 Simple Rules of Excellent Houseguest Etiquette   13 years 26 weeks ago

    We are currently hosting my wfe's brother's family (5 people) from overseas. They have been here now for almost three weeks and I am going spare. They have completely taken over the house to the point where I and the children feel like the guests. And we pay for EVERYTHING. I should have guessed what was going to happen when I saw a charge of $600 on my credit card for theme park tickets. My wife has taken them out for dinner multiple times, always her (or rather me) paying. They have not bought any groceries or petrol. They have taken over the kitchen and only cook (with our food) what they want to eat. They treat us as taxis and want to be taken here and there. My children were originally excited to see their cousins but were disappointed to find that they had evolved into moody teenagers who ignore my children and spend all their time on their iphones and my computer. They never express any gratitude but are instead critical of everything. When we picked them up at the airport - 2 cars, 100 km roundtrip, my brother-in-law's only comment was that my wife's car could have been cleaner - and to prove his point he did clean it, making her feel guilty. They stayed in our new house and my brother-in-law went around and pointed out every "defect" to my wife, again making her feel guilty. I was doing some concreting work and he proceeded to take it over because he believed I did not know what I was doing. He then stuffed it up badly, blaming the cement because it is different overseas. We are getting our old house ready to be rented out and he took great pains to point out what a lousy job I had done with the painting. Over Christmas, my elderly mother hosted a party. They did not interact with any members of my family but instead spent time commenting on the condition of my mother's house. I arced up and now he completely ignores me. They leave tomorrow. I have refused to take them out anymore. My wife is caught in the middle as she said that in her culture, the hosts always pay for everything. However, I have made it clear that I do not want them back in my house.

  • Financial Lessons From "It's A Wonderful Life"   13 years 26 weeks ago

    Ha -- thanks M. I thought that was what the housekeeper said but it was such an odd statement that I didn't really retain it. Thanks for bringing new meaning to that single line.

  • Financial Lessons From "It's A Wonderful Life"   13 years 26 weeks ago

    Great additions JL -- #2 is essential to financial systems today and #3 is the lesson that we all need to remember when investing.

  • An Organized Year: A Month-by-Month Guide   13 years 26 weeks ago

    I took a financial course online and it really helped me get perspective on our finances. I appreciate this schedule and it will assist me as I try to get our money matters back on track. We had strayed far off the path for awhile.

  • 16 Cheap, Low-Cal Condiments to Brighten Up Boring Food   13 years 26 weeks ago

    I want to go to an Indian grocery right now. Mmm.

    I'm also a big fan of the concentrated tamarind blocks. As far as I can tell, they last forever, and it's easy to make an awesome tamarind sauce whenever I'm craving Thai or Indian.

  • How to Travel Full-Time for $17,000 a Year (or Less!)   13 years 26 weeks ago

    Well, with 17 000 $ I can travel about 6 years! I've been travelling no stop for the last 3 years, spending an average of 200€ per month. How can you spend so much money using couchsurfing and not paying for flights?
    This year we hitchhiked from Romania, to Portugal to over the Artic Circle and back, about 20 000 km by land, and we spent as much as you do for 1-2 months

    http://www.nomadtravellers.com/blog/120-12-000-km-by-land-in-7-months

    And there are plenty of people travelling without money, just google and you'll see

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have Financial Resolutions for 2013?   13 years 26 weeks ago

    My goals are at least somewhat financial since they relate to my blog:

    500 subscribers
    50 unique visitors per post day
    Payout from AdSense

    I just published new posts yesterday and today, so feel free to come read, comment, and perhaps subscribe. :) Happy New Year!

  • Making a Relationship Work When One Partner Earns More   13 years 26 weeks ago

    How about just marrying a grown up without self worth issues? My husband and I have alternately been primary bread winners, and it's not once been a problem for either of us. I can't really imagine being married to someone who would be so petty.

  • Should You Repair a Dripping Faucet?   13 years 26 weeks ago

    I did this on my own recently, (just a few hours ago actually), and found I could fill 1/4 cup in almost exactly 20 minutes. So, a full cup every hour and 20 minutes, bringing the total to 18 cups in a day, (or a gallon and 2 cups). Water in my area costs about a penny per gallon per day, so in a year, this drip costs me $4.11. With the cost of a low-end plumber being $40, .... yeah ... 9 years isn't worth it. This is a really old faucet also, (not very do-it-yourself friendly), plus, I rent and the landlord doesn't give a crap.