Archive for March, 2008
Potential First-Time Homeowners Should Take Advantage of our Current Housing Market
Our current housing market, which is giving homeowners around the country financial headaches, is providing a grand opportunity to a certain class of potential buyers – first time homeowners. One man’s trash is another mans treasure is a saying that accurately reflects our current housing mess. Aside from those with a substantial amount of cash [...]
Emergency Funds are NOT Investments
At this time last year; we were all enjoying money market returns nearing 5 percent. Many were not only parking their money in these liquid funds for emergency cash, but using them as active investments. Unfortunately, one of the downsides of the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate cuts is the declining returns [...]
Our Fun Friday Post
Both Frank and I have been incredibly busy this week with our other full time job, and are going present a hilarious video we found on YouTube. It’s the Money Song from Monty Python…enjoy your weekend. Remember to subscribe to catch all the latest from us!
The Analysis of Location, Location, Location
Real estate experts say that when you are shopping for a house, the three most important things to consider before buying is location, location, location. I recognize the truthiness of this, but working with the legal department at work has wore off on me, (on some unrelated IT matters) I feel the need to challenge [...]
Don’t Pay Interest on Items that Lose Value
Our desire to want and consume can cloud our ability to think logically when it comes to making wise financial purchases. Don’t pay interest on items that lose value – something we can all agree makes sense, but most likely many of us are currently engaging in. Store credits, no interest credit card offers, and [...]
It’s OK to Indulge, Especially in Bargains
Yesterday, my wife and I grabbed the Monday special at Jerry’s Pizza’s and Subs, which is a large Pizza for $4.99. It’s very rare that we ever eat out on a weekday, which makes the occasion feel like a treat. While we were enjoying our grease ball pizza, we realized that we look forward to [...]
DVD Movie Rentals – Blockbuster vs. Netflix, Are They Worth the Cost?
Do you remember when renting movies involved leaving your house and browsing the isles? For the majority of movie watchers, renting DVD’s has turned into a monthly bill. Depending on the pricing plan chosen, you can now spend anywhere from $9.99/month to $47.99/month for the most expensive of plans offered through Netflix and Blockbuster. Are [...]
Ways to Save on Groceries
The following was a guest post submitted to beingfrugal.net on March 5, 2008.
Food, you have to buy it, you have to eat it, but you don’t have to spend a fortune on it. It’s estimated that an average family of four with two kids and two parents, will spend around $800/month on groceries. How does your family fit [...]
Should We Worry About Inflation?
Today, the Washington Post reported that, “prices have risen 9.2 percent since 2006 for the groceries, gasoline, health care and other basics that a middle-income American family has little choice but to consume.” Usually I would be happy with a 9.2% raise, but apparently, Americans need this just to keep pace with purchasing everyday essentials. [...]
Why Living Paycheck to Paycheck is a Good Thing
You’ve heard the story – living paycheck-to-paycheck is bad thing that only prevents you from getting ahead. I beg to differ; paycheck-to-paycheck living in many ways, is a good thing that can encourage proper budgeting, saving and conservative spending. Let’s be realistic, the majority of us do anticipate and need our next paycheck to make [...]
Five Common Money Mistakes to Avoid
Anyone reading this article is probably already ahead of the financial game. Just by showing an interest and initiative tells us that you put more thought into your financial decisions compared to your peers. However, are you making money mistakes without realizing it? We are willing to be that many of you are guilty of one [...]
Your Economic Stimulus Rebate Check is Scheduled for Departure
The wait for what some view as a Federal slap in the face and others as relief – the economic stimulus packages are now scheduled for delivery. The IRS has released an on-line calculator to help tax payers determine how much they can expect to receive from their stimulus rebates. In addition, a schedule of [...]
My Dumbest Purchase Ever
Today I would like to reflect on one of my most infamous purchases. This was a long time ago and has since drilled some nice principles into my spending habits and the way I spend money. I still make mistakes now and again but this was one of the first that really hit home that [...]
What Was Once Lost, Has Returned
For entertainment purposes, I will use today’s post to update everyone on my stolen car situation. If you haven’t heard, you can get caught up on the story by reading our Thursday post titled, “Car Insurance – Is Liability Only Coverage like Living on the Edge?”
My wife and I share one car and commute into [...]
The Power of Sweat Equity
Take a moment at the end of this article to watch the following video…it will be worth it.
As a general rule, when it comes to your own house, the notion of working on it seems a bit of a chore and we just seem to say, “Oh I will get to that next weekend”, or [...]
