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How we saved 75% off our vacation this year

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This February I took off for what we called a bit of a sabbatical rather than a vacation. But either way it was great. We rented a condo on the beach and it was SO much cheaper than our hotel-hopping vacation that we took last year. So if you have a few minutes I will explain what [...]

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Do I Need a Living Trust, a Will or Both?

Many people do not really enjoy thinking about their impending passing from this earth, which means that questions about wills, trusts, and estate distribution can be disconcerting.  Still, it’s smart to consider what will happen to your estate and your sentimental belongings at your passing.  Keep in mind that the more you prepare for that [...]

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Lessons From a Thanksgiving Miracle

The Pilgrims’ first winter after arriving at Plymouth was a tragic one – about half of the original 102 adventurers died from exposure, scurvy and outbreaks of contagious disease.  When spring came, the survivors, weakened by illness and malnutrition, experienced an astonishing miracle: a visit from an Abenaki Indian who greeted them in English. Several [...]

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Two Years Old!

Yes, Personal Finance by the Book is now two years old.  Like many bloggers, I entered into this adventure with little concept of what I was getting into.  I knew it would be a “lot of work”, but that phrase carries little meaning until it is experienced.   My biggest surprise, however,  has been all I [...]

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Spending Money You Do Not Have

Consumer debt in America has skyrocketed. According to the U.S. Treasury, consumer debt has jumped from $355 billion in 1980 to a staggering $2.4 trillion in 2010.  With credit cards as one of the biggest culprits of America’s spending spree, it’s easy to see how we’ve fostered a society that thinks it’s OK to spend [...]

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I’m Back From My Mexico Mission Trip

Ten of us left Southern Illinois at 6 AM on Saturday, February 19, headed for Reynosa, Mexico in an untested 14 passenger bus we purchased so we could give it away.  We arrived at San Antonio, TX around 9:30 PM with tired backsides and thankful hearts…our untested bus had passed with flying colors!  The next [...]

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6 Negotiating Tips to Put You On Top

Have you ever felt trapped during a negotiation?  You shouldn’t feel that way at all.  If you’re trying to find the best deal, you need to be prepared to negotiate like a pro – and I’m confident you can if you remember these tips.

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Should Christians Use Faith Based Mutual Funds?

According to the Social Investment Forum, socially responsible investing (SRI) makes up over 12% of all U.S. invested funds. SRI mutual funds screen out investments in companies that are harmful to individuals, the community or the environment. With over 250 SRI mutual funds available, it’s easy to see how popular of a choice it is [...]

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Our Identity Theft Experience

“Well, it is time to go eat a frog”, my wife bemoaned recently as she was cleaning up the breakfast dishes.  She was, of course, referring to the old adage,  “If you eat a frog the first thing in the morning, the rest of your day will be better.” What was her frog? Going to [...]

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