My wife picked up a cookbook at the library--one of those beautiful cookbooks with a gorgeous pictures of each dish. It had an above-average number of dishes that appealed to me.
I recommend carrying some actual cash money. When I do that, a lot of people say, "Why? Everyplace I go takes credit and debit cards." In fact, I know people who brag about spen
Around springtime last year, as my niece’s university graduation date loomed, I picked out (but waited to buy) what I thought would be an ideal gift: a watch with her alma mater’s
I tend to believe that American consumers are savvier than advertisers and marketers give us credit for. That's why I don't understand why marketers waste so much time trying to se
There are risks in any investment. The market might go down--or the market might go up, but your investment might go down anyway. The company that issued your stock or bond might
This is really a non-issue, if you work a regular job: Your employer withholds taxes. It's also not much of an issue if you're self-employed and your income is reasonably
Talk about investments and most people think stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, plus maybe real estate and commodities like precious metals. Let's call those "financial inve
Is there a limit to how much Americans can spend? Clearly there is: All they earn, minus savings and service on their existing debt, plus new borrowing. Since the Bureau of Econ
You hate your job, but what can you do about it? Learn how to survive at a job you hate, how to get out without hurting your career, and what you can do to not hate your next one.
Dear Secretary Paulson: I've looked over the fact sheet on the proposal to give the Treasury the authority to purchase "troubled assets," and although I have some doubts about th
With all the credit card offers out there, it can be hard to figure out which ones are worth it. Help decide what card is right for you with this list.
With prices up, price statistics that look preposterous to anyone who shops, and the Fed trying to thread the needle of preventing a recession without letting inflation run out of
The Coverdell Education Savings Account (also known as the Coverdell ESA) is a college savings option that allows you to save money towards your child's college expenses with tax a
Buying a new computer is exciting, but paying for it is not. I'll walk you through five easy steps that'll have your PC cruising like it was fresh out of the box.
When people talk about voluntary simplicity (or living a frugal lifestyle under any of its many names), they often do so in terms of deprivation. The descriptions are all about doing without stuff. To me, that's completely wrong. [more]
Wise Bread articles that are hot today.
Frugalize any recipe
My wife picked up a cookbook at the library--one of those beautiful cookbooks with a gorgeous pictures of each dish. It had an above-average number of dishes that appealed to me.
Why Inflation?
We know how inflation happens—excess growth in the money supply. But why does inflation happen?
Carry some cash
I recommend carrying some actual cash money. When I do that, a lot of people say, "Why? Everyplace I go takes credit and debit cards." In fact, I know people who brag about spen
Gifts For Grads
Around springtime last year, as my niece’s university graduation date loomed, I picked out (but waited to buy) what I thought would be an ideal gift: a watch with her alma mater’s
Avoid Bank Fees
How do you avoid bank fees? Read the stuff from your bank and understand what services are free and what services aren't.
Cheat Sheet: Retail Markup on Common Items
Stores make money by price markups. Learn the rationale behind retail pricing and what the product you're buying actually costs.
Link it real good
Wise Bread loves the following blogs for their linky love. [more]
Dumbest packaging ever?
I tend to believe that American consumers are savvier than advertisers and marketers give us credit for. That's why I don't understand why marketers waste so much time trying to se
5 Money Moves to Make Before You Turn 40
Before you hit the big 4-0, make sure you've made these money moves.
TIPS and I-Bonds
There are risks in any investment. The market might go down--or the market might go up, but your investment might go down anyway. The company that issued your stock or bond might
Taxes on irregular income
This is really a non-issue, if you work a regular job: Your employer withholds taxes. It's also not much of an issue if you're self-employed and your income is reasonably
Non-financial investments
Talk about investments and most people think stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, plus maybe real estate and commodities like precious metals. Let's call those "financial inve
Peak Debt
Is there a limit to how much Americans can spend? Clearly there is: All they earn, minus savings and service on their existing debt, plus new borrowing. Since the Bureau of Econ
I Hate My Job! Now What?
You hate your job, but what can you do about it? Learn how to survive at a job you hate, how to get out without hurting your career, and what you can do to not hate your next one.
Me too, Secretary Paulson!
Dear Secretary Paulson: I've looked over the fact sheet on the proposal to give the Treasury the authority to purchase "troubled assets," and although I have some doubts about th
How to Choose a Credit Card
With all the credit card offers out there, it can be hard to figure out which ones are worth it. Help decide what card is right for you with this list.
More than just inflation
With prices up, price statistics that look preposterous to anyone who shops, and the Fed trying to thread the needle of preventing a recession without letting inflation run out of
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts
The Coverdell Education Savings Account (also known as the Coverdell ESA) is a college savings option that allows you to save money towards your child's college expenses with tax a
Make Your Computer Faster Instead of Buying a New One
Buying a new computer is exciting, but paying for it is not. I'll walk you through five easy steps that'll have your PC cruising like it was fresh out of the box.
Voluntary simplicity as hedonism
When people talk about voluntary simplicity (or living a frugal lifestyle under any of its many names), they often do so in terms of deprivation. The descriptions are all about doing without stuff. To me, that's completely wrong. [more]