Recent comments

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Prefer Getting Gift Cards or Cash?   13 years 51 weeks ago

    I prefer getting cash. My parents gave us a Mastercard gift card this past Christmas and I had nothing but trouble with it. I used it at pay-at-the-pump and it put a hold on the full amount until they got the receipt several days later. Had a similar problem at Target a few weeks later.

  • SpringCoin to Pay Off $500 Debt for One Lucky Wise Bread Reader   13 years 51 weeks ago

    Didn't pull all of my debts but site is very user-friendly.

  • SpringCoin to Pay Off $500 Debt for One Lucky Wise Bread Reader   13 years 52 weeks ago

    I've been waiting for a site like this to help me manage my debt and finances! I have the bad habit of "compartmentalizing" my various debts instead of facing them realistically as a group, and now I feel like I'm on the path to getting things under control. I really need SpringCoin's monthly payment suggestions and financial IQ boosters, and the extra savings tips and coupons are a big additional help. So far the site seems secure and user-friendly, and I plan to use it regularly going forward. Thanks!

  • How to Answer 23 of the Most Common Interview Questions   13 years 52 weeks ago

    I have an interview in the morning, and I am hoping it goes much better than my last interview. I have been lucky in the past and didn't have these typical questions. Most of my interviews have basically been them telling I'm hired. I have always stunk at the questions. I can admit that I never prepared for interviews either. When HR called me Friday, she told me I was going to be asked about the company, so read their website.

    My last interview was started with " tell me about yourself " and for some reason I drew a blank. Aside from that it well until he asked me about conflict resolution. I gave my answer and he kept asking, and finally told me what he was trying to get me to say. Told me it was a trick question and that my answer would have gotten me fired for insubordination. Said I would have given my supervisor too many chances. Then he told me that he would have said no to the supervisor from jumpstreet. I don't see how my answer was insubordinate, but saying no when told to do something wasn't. I was confused, and didn't get the job.

  • 50 Best Deals and Coupon Sites   13 years 52 weeks ago

    I like http://www.couponsdealspromos.com/ for saving money via coupon codes and deals.

  • 7 Money Moves to Make When You Get a New Job   13 years 52 weeks ago

    Great Post David! Great rules to live by! Rule #3 got me one time when I was a lot younger and didn't understand all the penalties. I think a lot of employers fail to explain the the 401K benefit package in a manner that many younger employees understand it.

    Cheers
    Felicia

  • Frugal Ways to Help Your Child Get the Best Education   13 years 52 weeks ago

    Great idea. Here's a few to add to them.

    1. Get them a library card from your local library AND your local college and university. The love of reading and learning with get them to go far.

    2. Get them to think about finding WORK, never a JOB. How does it sound when I come to you and say "I'm looking for a job" versus "i'm looking for work." Big difference in how you think about making money.

    3. Teach them to learn entrepreneurship. Nothing better than having your own destiny in your own hands.

    Kevin

  • The 9 Secrets of Highly Successful Craigslist Sellers   13 years 52 weeks ago

    This is a great read - agree with Andrea, getting ads taken down seems too difficult for many. Reposting should be a for sale service at CL. When I read the part on quick responses ("Eager Beaver") if forced me to point out that moredeets.com does provide this now for me - it was in beta I think, but it is quite easy and allows me to get off mail and reply without giving buyers my info (which is the part I really love since many fail Andrea's test:))

  • Stay Off the Frugal Path to Disaster   13 years 52 weeks ago

    Phillip, are you talking about a point where the returns on frugality start to diminish? I found myself confused by the article, too, but reading through this discussion in the comments has led me to think perhaps that's what you're getting at.

    I'm hitting such a wall myself. My old car, much repaired, may soon begin to hurt my chances at improving my life because I've accepted a promotion that will require some travel, and that car will, inevitably, die on some long trip. Probably one that's mission-critical because that's just how these things tend to go.

    I can keep repairing the car. Did this weekend, in fact. But the time for frugality is coming to an end even though I could continue to get by for a while yet. I am fast approaching the point where I need a more reliable car as insurance against a future loss.

    So, soon, I must choose the less frugal path of buying another vehicle. This makes me uncomfortable. But this particular least acceptable standard is not acceptable for the higher standard of longer trips at highway speeds.

  • Cure it with Garlic!   13 years 52 weeks ago

    garlic has done tremendous wonders inside my body. I take a clove chewed up daily now for 1 year. I take it to lower cholesterol, but i noticed i dont get colds and flu anymore. My intestines seem to act better, and my cholesterol levels have gone down according to doctors tests. The only thing i dont like is the bloating in my stomach/intestines ...i have not found out how to fix that.

  • Your budget: envelopes or a plan?   13 years 52 weeks ago

    I have experimented with different systems and I find that the actual envelope system works for me. They are much more tangible and felt so I really do make an effort to push through with my budget.

  • 6 Awesome Reasons to Shop at Aldi   13 years 52 weeks ago

    Quality has definitely improved at the Aldi in the past 10 years - now I shop there weekly. My Aldi has very good produce, so I guess I'm lucky. The Milleville cereal is really good! One thing that I typically do not buy at Aldi is the canned good. The canned goods at the Aldi seem to have a lot more sodium than the canned goods at my local Big Name grocery store. When I shop, I go to the Aldi first and then fill in the gaps at the other store.

  • How to Split Food Expenses With a Significant Other   13 years 52 weeks ago

    Nice post! I'm keeping this in mind when I decide to move in with my SO. I love the idea of keeping a food money box. I do this too but individually.

  • Zen and the Art of Hiding Money   13 years 52 weeks ago

    I usually hide money under my bed for emergency haha!

  • 8 Little Luxuries That Go a Long Way   13 years 52 weeks ago

    The date night with your significant other is definitely worth a splurge! Bonding time with your partner is important. We usually eat at Bodato Burgers - it's not that expensive and we get to enjoy each other's company.

    Another thing I splurge on - high quality tea!

  • 4 Quirky Ways to Spend Less and Kick-Start Saving   13 years 52 weeks ago

    I do the first suggestion all the time - I never spend the 5 dollar bills ever! I save them up and then put them towards my emergency fund. It's painless and hassle-free!

  • 13 Natural and Easy Ways to Lower Your Blood Sugar   13 years 52 weeks ago

    Being active and staying away from all the bad habits that take a toll on your health would certainly help you to lower your sugar levels. Another important point to keep in mind is do not overdo or overdose yourself, always try to strike a balance in what ever you do, be it exercise, eating or any other activity.

  • Best Money Tips: Tips for Yard Sale Success   13 years 52 weeks ago

    Great roundup for Yard Sale success Ashley!

  • netSpend: The Story of the Visa Debit Card We Did Not Apply For   13 years 52 weeks ago

    I recieved a prepaid Netspend debit card in the mail too; that I didn't apply for. And I don't know how they get your info. It's a little odd and scary. I'm going to cut mine up. If you read all of the paper work that comes with it; it will tell you that you get carged $1.00 every time you use the card as credit. And $2.00 every time you use it as debit. That's a scam. I alredy have a bank and bank card. And they don't caharge those fees like Netspend does. Sincerely, Korrina

  • America Is the No Vacation Nation   13 years 52 weeks ago

    LOL and a lot of myths in this article.

    If you work less, you are poorer. Period.

    The US works more and has the highest productivity in the world. Please ignore all the phony data. Want proof? Buy a shirt, a beer, a house, a car, a DVD in Switzerland, Sweden and the US. The US always comes out on top.

    Your standard of living is your productivity period.

  • How to Answer 23 of the Most Common Interview Questions   13 years 52 weeks ago

    You dodged a major bullet with that company..I agree with one of the other comments, if the interviewer got upset over a small issue imaging working for him..Good Luck to you

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Prefer Getting Gift Cards or Cash?   13 years 52 weeks ago

    I prefer the ubiquity of cash to the limitation of a gift card -- but gift cards DO provide surprise & show thoughtfulness; where cash does neither (reduces gifts to a financial exchange).

  • How to Travel Full-Time for $17,000 a Year (or Less!)   13 years 52 weeks ago

    Great tips! Living in China has provided us with lots of cheap travel opportunities around Asia.

  • 47 Cheap, Fun Things to Do This Weekend   13 years 52 weeks ago

    It's good how this list includes lots of indoor ideas. And you touch on creative projects which is great - but I bet you could come up with a whole blog post of these!

  • How to Buy Like a Pro at Country Auctions   13 years 52 weeks ago

    I'd have to point out that driving up prices on auctions you don't want is a legitimate and often-used tactic. Remember, the more money you make everyone else spend on the lots you don't want, the less they have to spend on the ones you want.