Recent comments

  • Used Toyotas Are Being Discounted. Would You Buy One?   16 years 11 weeks ago

    I would buy one. I currently own a 2009 Toyota Corolla. I have not had any issues with braking or the pedal sticking. Love the car and don't regret buying it.

  • Used Toyotas Are Being Discounted. Would You Buy One?   16 years 11 weeks ago

    ...I would buy one. I replaced my 1993 Camry last year with a 1997 Camry.

    I get 35-39 mph (although 85% is highway driving and I hypermile a bit).

    The reaction of Toyota to this problem and how they handle it will be more important than the problem I think.

    Of course, the US gov't is hyping the problem with its incompetent officals making silly statements. At this point I don't trust the US govt not to be trying to tank Toyota to help out its state-owned car makers.

  • Used Toyotas Are Being Discounted. Would You Buy One?   16 years 11 weeks ago

    No, but only because our nex car will be a minivan. I don't think any of those are their vans.

    If we were in the market for a car, I it would be in the running.

  • 10 Budget-Friendly Ways to Get it Right This Valentine's Day and Beyond   16 years 11 weeks ago

    I love the music video idea! Thanks!!

  • 10 Budget-Friendly Ways to Get it Right This Valentine's Day and Beyond   16 years 11 weeks ago

    It simple. Do a homemade gift kind of thing, whether it is a poem or a love note or whatever. Combine it with a "coupon", "offer" or whatever you want to call it, for a month of dishes, or cooking, or vacuuming, etc.

    With me, it goes over like gangbusters

  • Ask the Readers: Trash or Cash? (Chance to Win $20!)   16 years 11 weeks ago

    We typically donate all of our unwanted items. Most of them we give to AMVETS, but we do occasionally Freecycle them also. I try not to throw too much away, but if the item is extremely worn or in pretty bad shape, then we'll just toss it. I usually find it's not worth the effort to try to sell our unwanted atuff.

  • The 10-Step Staircase to a Comfortable Retirement   16 years 11 weeks ago

    It's like they say. It's all about starting as early as you can. If you haven't started, adopt the habit to day no matter how absolutely small.

  • The 10-Step Staircase to a Comfortable Retirement   16 years 11 weeks ago

    It's like they say. It's all about starting as early as you can. If you haven't started, adopt the habit to day no matter how absolutely small.

  • Is Just Leaving Some Slack Better Than a Plan?   16 years 11 weeks ago

    I disagree on this one. A plan always works, it's just got to be flexible.

  • 10 Budget-Friendly Ways to Get it Right This Valentine's Day and Beyond   16 years 11 weeks ago

    I think something personalized of creative always comes across that you care and have tried more.

  • FREE 18" Cultured Freshwater Pearl Necklace   16 years 11 weeks ago

    I just saw another neclkace offer at a new company called SarahsUniverse (http://www.sarahsuniverse.com). Not sure how long they are running it but looks similar to the Overstock deal.

  • How Employee Benefits Provide Better ROI Than Cash   16 years 11 weeks ago

    I thought this was going to advocate for reducing nominal wages and increasing contributions toward a 401k or even a traditional pension.

    In my experience as a worker, the things that people need the most are a health plan that works (whatever cheeseball scheme the insurance companies happen to have), a retirement plan that they are encouraged to save into, and reasonable working hours so people don't feel abused.

    Sodas - cheap but not good for the health; water is better. Same with snacks. Fruit is good. Making your workers fatter isn't good.

    I agree about providing food at work, but, it's pretty difficult to operate a cafeteria. I think a good compromise is to provide a fridge, and a full kitchen with a dishwasher and plates. People can bring leftovers for lunch. It's nice to change up from restaurant food.

  • The cost of a free ride - why not to use a buyer's agent   16 years 11 weeks ago

    You have so many errors and assumptions in your story, it is insane. First, you assume that all agents are charging 6%, which is untrue about 50% of the time. You fail to see the VALUE of an established relationship with somebody who works JUST for you.

    And...Zillow is off base.

  • netSpend: The Story of the Visa Debit Card We Did Not Apply For   16 years 11 weeks ago

    I recieved a Netspend card today in the mail. And just like you I never applied for it. I was very confused why I recieved this card. After some research online I found complaints about netspend taking more money than what the purchase amount was and when the customer called to complain even more money was withdrawn by Netspend. I will be cutting up this card and throwing it away. Thank you for putting your experience online so that others will know to lookout for these scam artists.

  • 10 Budget-Friendly Ways to Get it Right This Valentine's Day and Beyond   16 years 11 weeks ago

    These are great ideas - to customize your Valentine's gift. Just reading about how to customize your own chocolate bar makes me hungry! One year, I made my husband (then boyfriend) a giant heart shaped chocolate chip cookie. He loved it! This was before Mrs. Field's starting making them.

  • 10 Budget-Friendly Ways to Get it Right This Valentine's Day and Beyond   16 years 11 weeks ago

    You have suggested some really thoughtful gift ideas. I really like the treasure hunt idea as well as the personalized music video. You've motivated me to be more creative this Valentine's Day. Thanks!

  • 10 Budget-Friendly Ways to Get it Right This Valentine's Day and Beyond   16 years 11 weeks ago

    The site you mentioned, chocri, actually just launched in the United States as "Chocomize"...prices are cheaper and I am sure shipping is too. I have ordered from them and actually am doing a giveaway on my blog for a $25 gift certificate!

  • Laid Off? You May Have to Fight for Unemployment Benefits   16 years 11 weeks ago

    Well, that really sucks, doesn't it? Honestly, I think sending a thank-you note is always a good move, as long as you can do it without saying something like "Thanks for sucking so much, I HATE YOU."

    Burning bridges is never a good idea. Sending thank-yous is so rare these days that it might not be necessary, but if you can do it without complete resentment, then why not?

    Otherwise, just go ahead and keep looking for something else. I am really sorry to hear about your situation - that must have really stung.

  • Ask the Readers: Trash or Cash? (Chance to Win $20!)   16 years 11 weeks ago

    I either sell my unwanted items on Craigslist, or donate them to the Am. Council for the Blind. I try hard not to throw anything away.

  • The 10-Step Staircase to a Comfortable Retirement   16 years 11 weeks ago

    As a 31 year old, I know I've missed my best savings window but that shouldn't deter anyone to begin saving RIGHT NOW.

    If you are older, you are going to have to kick it up a notch. It really is true that time is your best asset but it's never too late to start.

    For most of us, time is all we have going for us. Time is the way we working stiffs can get ahead in the world. Saving over a 40 year career with good interest rates will allow you to live comfortable into retirement. It's just a fact that the more time you have the better returns you will get on your money.

    I'll admit it's a little bit of a guilt trip to hear it all the time when you have missed out saving in your 20's but the advice should get you motivated to start NOW, however old you are.

  • 10 Budget-Friendly Ways to Get it Right This Valentine's Day and Beyond   16 years 11 weeks ago

    Some of these ideas are really cute. Fortunately for my wife, Valentine's Day comes everytime we have friends over. That's when she makes me clean the bathroom. :)

    This is a good time to reflect on the impact that money has on relationships. One of our community members shared an amazing story about how she has been lying to her husband about their debt for years. Worth a read:

    http://www.lifetuner.org/topics/19-credit-cards/discussions/380-i_have_b...

  • What Would It Take For You to Relocate for a Job?   16 years 11 weeks ago

    My husband was a long time employee of the Federal Reserve, Bank of Chicago, Detroit Branch. Right there you get the clue of the economy we moved from. We relocated to Des Moines in 2006 so he could stay employed a few more years. We were counting on at least 5 years. His job and the entire Des Moines branch met their end in January 2009. I took a job at a local county hospital when I arrived (clerical). He has been unemployed for a year now and is trying to finish college (You try it at 47!) According to MSNBC and all sorts of sources, we are living in one of the best places to relocate for work or for a fresh start or what ever you want to call up ending your life. All I know is that we have used up nearly all of his severence pay keeping a very inexpensive roof over our heads, we have missed the passing of relatives we were very close to, we have had to spend what little vacation time and money we have running back to Michigan to care for aging parents, trying to sell our house in the Suburban Detroit market, and trying to attend to all those other parts of family life that are your responsibility as an adult. Relocating is not easy. It can be lonely, disorientating, and disconcerting. Making friends at this age in as small a city as Des Moines teaches you the real meaning of the term "clannish". But the saddest thing of all kids is this... we would have been immeasurably worse off had we stayed in Michigan. That is the horrifying truth. God be with anyone else who is contemplating such a change.

  • Ask the Readers: Trash or Cash? (Chance to Win $20!)   16 years 11 weeks ago

    When I do manage to break out of my packrat mental attitude, I find that Goodwill and Craigslist are the best friends that I could have. I've sold lots of stuff on Craigslist and met some of the nicest people doing it. Whatever is left is sent to Goodwill. I get the tax right off for it and someone else gets a great bargain.

  • Why there's no reason NOT to buy store brand baby formula.   16 years 11 weeks ago

    "Basing your decision on price alone is STUPID!"

    I couldn't agree more. And yet there you are basing your decision on price and name brand. That is exactly what these "name brand" companies are banking on, that there are people out there who believe that just because a product costs $$$$, is therefore the best.

    Hope that works out for you.

  • Online Tax Payment and Filing for Small Businesses   16 years 11 weeks ago

    Never mess with the IRS. Sure, you may get away with it once in a while but the anxiety will kill you. On my personal finance blog I cover my path to eliminating ALL debt.