Recent comments

  • Top 7 Reasons Why I Use My Credit Card for Everything   14 years 41 weeks ago

    I agree. Why should I use my money when I can have it sit in the bank until the actual due date of the bill and earn interest?! Plus, debit transactions may have a charge per instance.

  • Top 7 Reasons Why I Use My Credit Card for Everything   14 years 41 weeks ago

    LOL...horse radish! I have never kept a balance on my card for over 35 years and my credit rating is the highest. I even paid the $35,000 as cash for my car. None of that have hurt me. I was given an un-secured line of credit of $200,000 with no fuss! My $500,000 mortgage was approved in days.

  • Top 7 Reasons Why I Use My Credit Card for Everything   14 years 41 weeks ago

    You are doing EXACTLY what I have been doing for years for EXACTLY the same reasons. What better way to use someone else's money for up to 40 days and get my bookkeeping done free by someone else?!! Of course, I have NEVER carried a balance since 1982! My last bill was $17,000 paid in full. I go even farther, in fact. I use my cards for even items less than $1. As well, my pockets are light - no spare change! I carry only $5 with me at any time! If I lose my wallet, all I have lost is some plastic!

  • HP Giving Away $500 to a Lucky Wise Bread Reader   14 years 41 weeks ago

    The smartest investment I made was actually to pay off our car when I got a surprise windfall. In this economy that decision has helped us in the long run.

  • HP Giving Away $500 to a Lucky Wise Bread Reader   14 years 41 weeks ago

    My smartest investment has been in my education, both the time and the money. I went back to school late in life to become a celebrant-I perform services and rituals for funerals and weddings etc. It provided a rewarding second career and was my best investment in me.

  • Gluten-Free, Carb-Free Noodles   14 years 41 weeks ago

    It's ridiculous how many people have gone out of their way to comment on how inaccurate you are about the Atkins diet. Why is it that diets suddenly have as many blind zealots as religious radicals? People, it's a diet. Get over it.

  • HP Giving Away $500 to a Lucky Wise Bread Reader   14 years 41 weeks ago

    Twelve little diamonds, set in white gold, size 4 3/4. As a grad student with basically no money, I balked a little when I saw the price tag. But, my, was it ever worth it to see the sparkle in my fiance's eyes when I slipped that sparkling band on her finger. Better yet, I catch her every now and then fingering the ring, holding her hand at different angles to catch the light glinting of the the diamonds. It's definitely not the biggest bling, but it's certainly and investment that we'll both agree was a smart one...for the rest of our lives.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy or Pack Your Lunch?   14 years 41 weeks ago

    I usually bring leftovers to work from my previous night's dinner. Occasionally the people that that I work with go out for a group lunch and I will usually join them.

  • Actually, the Rich Don’t Create Jobs. Demand Does   14 years 41 weeks ago

    Great article! Totally true, the rich people always cut jobs in order to make more profit. Therefore they should share a part of their profit so the people without jobs can afford to buy the products/services the rich people are creating (through their companies).
    However there is one important aspect: The demand already exists: people need food, water, shelter, clothes - to name just the essentials. People need jobs because they need resources, not for the jobs themselves. If there is no demand, that means people don't need things, therefore they don't need money and they don't need any jobs

    Best regards

  • Can You Afford to Follow Your Dreams? Can You Afford NOT to?   14 years 41 weeks ago

    And here I am 4 years later after you wrote this in the same boat. Scary, running out of money and I just stopped working at a job I did well, because I DIDN'T feel the passion.

    "When I looked at it that way, I couldn't bear to walk the safe road just for the sake of safety any longer."

    EXACTLY - We get to live this lifetime once. I have been writing about this same thing. Maybe someone will find more words of inspiration there. Thanks for writing this article.

    http://librachronicles.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/what-to-write-about/

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy or Pack Your Lunch?   14 years 41 weeks ago

    "Liked" on Facebook!

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy or Pack Your Lunch?   14 years 41 weeks ago

    I try to pack leftovers at least three times a week, then try to grab a bite with my co-workers 1-2 times a week. I feel like it's a good compromise, and it gives me something to look forward to during the week.

  • Five "Jobs" for Children   14 years 41 weeks ago

    We love all the ideas, but especially agree with household chores. In our house everyone has to pitch in, but we do pay the kids for doing more than the normal amount of work.

  • Social Security Is Not a Ponzi Scheme   14 years 41 weeks ago

    As I said first I think education is really the best way out of the current situation we find ourselves in. If everyone knew more about how to generate income there wouldn't be a need for government assistance programs like SS.

    I don't think we should just dump it, or throw those on it out in the street. As for it leading to socialism and when.. who knows. What I do know is that each step towards it seems to justify or give people the idea that its "alright for just one more program".

    As for a solution to retirement options I think that's done with permanent life insurance policies. They would be purchased on an individual basis, not given out by companies or corporations. Guaranteed increases, no taxes on distribution, keep money that you earn and still leverage its use- pay yourself back and you earn interest on it too. Bank on Yourself is a good book to read all about it.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy or Pack Your Lunch?   14 years 41 weeks ago

    I pack a lunch every day. Whether it's leftovers or sandwiches my New Orleans Saints lunchbag is what I'm known for at work!

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy or Pack Your Lunch?   14 years 41 weeks ago

    About 80% of the time I bring my lunch - sandwiches, Smart Ones, leftovers, frozen burritos. The other 20% of the time that I eat out, I try to eat cheap. $1 menus are my friend. If I do eat at a nice restaurant with coworkers, I order water to save $2-3.

  • HP Giving Away $500 to a Lucky Wise Bread Reader   14 years 41 weeks ago

    My smartest investment was buying my used kia sportage. I took a loan out of my 401k so I'd be paying interest to myself rather than the bank. It's so good in the winter and I know I will be able to make it to work every day.

    Abbi
    kidpack05 at yahoo dt com

  • HP Giving Away $500 to a Lucky Wise Bread Reader   14 years 41 weeks ago

    The best investement was in my husband going to truck driving school. It was a long year with him on the road as I was home, working and handling our small children-but years later I have become ill and cannot work. He is able to support us all with his current income. For this I am very greatful as well.

  • Social Security Is Not a Ponzi Scheme   14 years 41 weeks ago

    What's the alternative to Social Security?

    I'm not trying to be facetious. Those people calling for the abolishment of Social Security, what's their proposed solution? Or are they saying no social safety net needs to exist?

    Yes, Social Security is forced insurance (ie., "socialism"), but having some old people die penniless on the streets is not cool in the most advanced civilization in history. I'd like to think we aren't that coldhearted.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy or Pack Your Lunch?   14 years 41 weeks ago

    I usually take the leftovers from the previous nights dinner.

  • HP Giving Away $500 to a Lucky Wise Bread Reader   14 years 41 weeks ago

    The smartest investment I've ever made is spending six years in junior high and high school learning to play the violin. I have a talent that will stay with me the rest of my life. I can play by ear, so jamming with friends or playing for church even witout music is possible. I have built many great relationships through music over the last twenty years.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Buy or Pack Your Lunch?   14 years 41 weeks ago

    I work from home, so neither. I very rarely go out to lunch or get takeout for it. My husband brown bags it every day.

  • 10 Outdated Job-Search Techniques to Avoid   14 years 41 weeks ago

    this is an EXCELLENT comment. im having the same experience. my husband has been unemployed for 19 months now and benefits are running out in two weeks. we went from making 180K to nothing, and have burned through all our savings in order to keep a roof over our head and our two little kiddos fed. its INFURIATING that employers are allowed to discriminate against the long term unemployed, and its INFURIATING that you cant get past the HR firewall to speak to a human being. the job search process has been made completely dehumanizing, insulting, and depressing. HR doesnt return calls, offer feedback and cant even be bothered to send a personal email thanking someone for submitting their resume, and that it was received. im so sorry to hear that our experience has been so universal. its just sinful the way my husband has been treated by the HR departments in some of the largest and wealthiest companies in the country.

  • Tips for Shopping at Estate Sales   14 years 41 weeks ago

    What about hauling things away... is it presumptuous to bring a U-haul with you to an estate sale?

  • How to Stay Warm This Winter Without Turning Up the Heat   14 years 41 weeks ago

    Big blanket, 1 big slipper and a hot cup of CoCo. You could also try an infrared heater, they're perfect if you live in a small place.