From the category archives:

Dollars and Sense

How to Ensure That You Will Never Be a Millionaire: Eight Great Tips

May 5, 2010

photo credit: HowardLake
I have a friend who told me, “Joe, I just don’t want to be a millionaire. I am happy like I am. Having lots of money just doesn’t appeal to me.” Although I don’t share my friend’s belief, I understand where he is coming from. Therefore, in respect [...]

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What is “Strategic Default” and Should You Consider It?

May 3, 2010

Strategic Default, according to Wikipedia, is “the decision by a borrower to stop making payments (i.e. default) on a debt despite having the financial ability to make the payments.”    This practice is particularly associated with residential and commercial mortgages in which, because of a substantial drop in the value of the [...]

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Change Your Mindset and Save a Fortune: 200,000 Miles is the New 100,000 Miles

April 28, 2010

photo credit: gwdexter
I grew up in an era when a car was considered junk if it ever made it to 100,000 miles. Even the manufacturers weren’t optimistic about their cars achieving the 100,000 mile plateau – the odometers maxed out at 99,999.

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Stretch the Life of Your Mower by Giving Him a Name

April 21, 2010

photo credit: gfpeck
I realize that the best way to stretch the life of your mower is to treat him right. But for those of us who are less than meticulous about equipment maintenance, naming him works pretty well. Read on for the story of Lazarus the Lawn Mower.

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Airstream Saga Continues: Jan and I Second Guess Our Decision

April 14, 2010

Many of you will remember reading about the Airstream camper my wife and I purchased last fall. Previous posts of this ongoing saga are Airstream and Irvin, a Nostalgic Adventure,  Airstream Update: Did We Create a Monster? , and Update on Airstream – Not Good News.

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The Fair Tax: Is It Too Good To Be True?

April 7, 2010

Close your eyes and dream for a moment. Ready? OK. The IRS was just dissolved. No more federal income taxes. No Social Security/Medicare taxes either. Or capital gains taxes or gift taxes or estate taxes or self-employment taxes or corporate taxes.
Could this ever become a dream come true? [...]

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With Apologies to Dave Ramsey, One Size Doesn’t Always Fit All

April 5, 2010

photo credit: rejon
Before you jump to the wrong conclusion, let me state that the purpose of this post is not to trash Dave Ramsey. Just check my “About” page to read how Dave, his teachings and his books have turned my life around. You will also read that I am a Dave [...]

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Five Reasons Why a Penny Saved is Better Than a Penny Earned

March 24, 2010

photo credit: robynejay
Memo to Benjamin Franklin: “Mr. Franklin, the wisdom of your classic adage is timeless. A penny saved is indeed a penny earned. However, at the risk of trampling on hallowed ground, I would suggest that ‘A penny saved is better than a penny earned.’ I realize that your original [...]

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A Letter From My Uncle Sam

March 22, 2010

Dear Nephew Joe,
I know that you have been doing this personal finance blog thingy for a while now, so I figured some tips from your uncle would be appreciated. I don’t want to come across as sanctimonious but you really need to understand that you are off track on much of what you purport.

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Is Buying a New Car For Zero Percent Interest Loan a Good Idea?

March 15, 2010

photo credit: jessicafm
My friend Larry recently asked me a good question that led to a challenging question: “Joe, isn’t it true that everyone needs to be putting aside money every month for a car fund?”
Joe, “Well, yes. Although some may be wealthy enough to have a nest egg generating vehicle purchase money, the [...]

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People Are Begging for Financial Help. Five Things You Can Do

March 1, 2010

photo credit: vtdainfo
The Recession is having some positive spin offs.
A report from Mintel Comperemedia revealed that, because of the current economic crises, three in four adults are trying to increase their financial know how.
Susan Menke, VP at Mintel Compermedia, comments: “The recession was a wake-up call for many Americans. They now feel [...]

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Reverse Mortgages Part One: Digging Beneath the Surface

February 24, 2010

photo credit: LordFerguson
A great financial principle is “Don’t buy anything you don’t understand.”
If everyone lived by that adage, I have a hunch that very few reverse mortgages would be sold.  Regular mortgages are confounding enough without being challenged to think in reverse.  Just the term “payment” in a reverse mortgage can mystify the most savvy among [...]

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