Recent comments

  • Doubling Your Money with the Rule of 72   16 years 23 weeks ago

    Read it again. It says that 6% will double in 12 years and 8% will double in 9 years. Therefore, the lower rate does not double faster than the higher rate.

  • Start Stockpiling Now: Four Cheap Christmas Gifts to Make   16 years 23 weeks ago

    I love the Chex Mix but we call it Puppy Chow however its the same thing. Its great for x-mas gifts because it makes so much and fills up a basket or tin. We also do some different types of cookies as well in addition to chocolate covered pretzels, which are always a big hit.

    Cooking gifts for Christmas is a great frugal way of giving that doesn't cost you a lot of money.

  • Original Ways to Use Original Dawn   16 years 23 weeks ago

    Pouring Dawn dish soap and warm water on steps and sidewalks in temperatures below zero does work.
    We live North of 54 and have very cold temps. I've used
    it for a few years now and love it. No more salt eating
    at the concrete in your sidewalks

    Love it

  • America Is the No Vacation Nation   16 years 23 weeks ago

    From reading the post and comments, I believe more people are made to feel guilty if they don't live to work. I work to live. When I walk out the door every night, I leave work at work. Sadly, with technology, such as the internet and cell phones, its harder to separate the two.

    This year, I am going overseas for 2.5 weeks, which is not that much time. I have been accruing my time off for almost a year. About 6 months ago, the organization hired a new supervisor. I do like her. However, when I put in my request, which was back in early October, she said I would have to condense 4 weeks of work into two weeks, that is, before I go on vacation and when I return. When she made this announcement about future staff going on vacation, a couple of my coworkers were floored. She made a couple of snarky comments, ie: "If anyone takes time off from work for a month, you will be fired." She tried to play it off like she was joking, but she was not. I was perplexed by this, but I was told by friends and coworkers to take my vacation, since it was approved and I am legally entitled to my vacation. One of my coworkers, whom is a workaholic, aspiring supervisor, decided to forgo her vacation plans in November. She is falling into the management trap, wants to shine and look good. What gets me, is she complains about being overworked. Well, that is her own damn fault. If one chooses to be a workaholic, its their choice, but don't be a martyr!

    I am rambling, but the whole point is managers like to use fear tactics. My bf, whom worked as a supervisor for years, pointed that out. His former supervisor is a capitalist, over work employees, get irritated if they want vacation. Yet, he would go on vacation whenever he pleased. Reap all the rewards. I wish I could compare this with my supervisor, but we work in a non-profit setting. So she does not make too much for what her duties and responsibilities entail. See, I am already complaining about work!:)

    Anyway, just wanted to share my perspective. We need more vacation time, I agree. Need to work to live, not live to work.

  • How to Sell Your Hair for Cash   16 years 23 weeks ago

    I have 34 inches of dark blond hair to sell. I don't do drugs, have never put chemicals on my hair, and do not use curling irons or hair dryers. Could you please let me know how much I could expect to receive for my hair. I need the money to pay for school.

  • How Foreclosure, Deed in Lieu, and Short Sale Affect Credit Scores   16 years 23 weeks ago

    Interesting article especially after reading about Nicolas Cage who has lost two of his houses due to foreclosures. Maybe he should have read this page first before he over extended himself.

  • Stock a Natural Food Pantry for Less   16 years 23 weeks ago

    Not sure if it's exactly a money saver, but I'd personally put quinoa on the list of amazing, multifaceted bulk nutrients.

  • Dream Job or Day Job?   16 years 23 weeks ago

    I love your attitude towards having a "day job". This is the option I chose. My passions have been channeled into my blog about personal growth and a small business, but I'm not hoping to make money from them soon. So I work at a stress-free "day job" rather than in accounting/finance. Thank you for pointing out that someone who's trying to make a living from their passion shouldn't feel guilty about taking a "day job" rather than pursuing a traditional "career".

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have the Tools? (Chance to win MS Office!)   16 years 23 weeks ago

    I do not have a favorite financial tool...maybe that is why I spend too much. ;)

  • Do generous unemployment benefits prolong the length of unemployment?   16 years 23 weeks ago

    I made $75,000 last year. $475 a week is nothing compared to my salary. My rent is $2000 and I have a college degree. Everyone's situation is different,

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have the Tools? (Chance to win MS Office!)   16 years 23 weeks ago

    We use Excel... '97! Out of date, much?

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have the Tools? (Chance to win MS Office!)   16 years 23 weeks ago

    I love excel. I use it at work. I use it at home and I love figuring out new things I can do such as merging different fields, different formulas, etc.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have the Tools? (Chance to win MS Office!)   16 years 23 weeks ago

    Please discount my earlier entry (number 76). For some reason my not entirely reliable brain read MS Office, which I don't need, as Windows 7, which I do.

  • Why Treasury Bills Are Always a Worthwhile Investment   16 years 23 weeks ago

    It is possible to make a profit selling a t-bill before maturity. In fact, it's likely--under normal conditions the yield curve is upward-sloping (meaning that shorter-term t-bills earn a lower yield), so your t-bill should grow in price slightly faster than straight-line appreciation.

    I'm afraid, though, that I can't help you with the tax question.  Because the tax laws and rules change all the time, I long ago gave up trying to figure stuff out in advance, and I've never sold a t-bill before maturity myself.  So I've never had to figure it out.  Anyway, each individual tax situation is unique, so one-size-fits-all advice is rarely useful.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have the Tools? (Chance to win MS Office!)   16 years 23 weeks ago

    I use Mint.com.

  • Why Treasury Bills Are Always a Worthwhile Investment   16 years 23 weeks ago

    Can I make a profit if I sell a T-Bill before its maturity date? If so could you include a full example to show how the profit is computed including the treatment of the remaining discount value?

    Regards,

    Kissun

  • Recession Journal VI: It's OVER!!!!!!!!!!!! Any Questions?   16 years 23 weeks ago

    recession over...lol..its growinG and will continue to grow coz asia is rising..look at china and india,thats where the money is..everyone has a job there and real estate is rising there like crazy...i think the only way america can get back to life is if they end all the wars immediately..cut there militiary budgets..and let other countries fight wit each other..which no country is doing right now..so the only way is to pray and wait for asia to collapse and than RECESSION will get over . MARK MY WORDS .

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have the Tools? (Chance to win MS Office!)   16 years 23 weeks ago

    Our favorite tool is Excel.

  • Start Stockpiling Now: Four Cheap Christmas Gifts to Make   16 years 23 weeks ago

    Actually, that tea does have Russian origins! I used to live in a large Russian expatriate community and they all used to drink something very similar, served hot, in the winter. I don't know that they used Tang, though.

  • Dream Job or Day Job?   16 years 23 weeks ago

    THanks for the mention Philip!

    The Writer's Coin  |  Follow me on Twitter

  • Eight Natural Ways to Make Water More Flavorful   16 years 23 weeks ago

    I have the water problem too, omg, I hate tap its so gross.
    Everyone says I'm crazy that I can taste water...wtf?
    I do sometimes drink bottled water its much better than tap, but boring. I like to use off brand raspberry crystal lite which I buy at walmart. That helps a little, but I'm totally addicted to soymilk. I don't know if it is as hydrating or whatever, but it is much healthier than sodas and tea I've heard dehydrates you worse... which is sad because sometimes that's the only way I want water, sweet tea, but adding sugar is probably just as bad as the soda. I sound like a teenage idiot, but I really do wanna be healthier and more hydrated mostly, because it seems I'm never ever thirsty and when I am water tastes horrible. I get kidney stones, they feel like u are dieing. Seriously and my doc says lay off the soda and I can't I want to find a way to actually like water enough to where I drink a healthy amount of it. I will try some of this stuff.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have the Tools? (Chance to win MS Office!)   16 years 23 weeks ago

    I love google docs!

  • The High Cost of Music   16 years 23 weeks ago

    I think your child's education should be more important than your haircut.

    And keep in mind that it's difficult to book a solid schedule for most teachers, so to assume a 40 hour work week is completely unreasonable.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have the Tools? (Chance to win MS Office!)   16 years 23 weeks ago

    The main way I keep up with checking is through online banking. Being able to download banking files directly into excel and tracking additional accounts really helps organize and keep on top of things.

  • Ask the Readers: Do You Have the Tools? (Chance to win MS Office!)   16 years 23 weeks ago

    We have used Microsoft Money for years. We couldnt live without it.