Recently I read that I should be saving 4.5% of the purchase price of my house for home maintenance and repairs. Since I live in California, that’s a fairly high number. But as my recent adventures in home ownership have revealed, it might not be that far from the truth. Hurray for the Warranty First off, let …
True Adventures in Homeownership – The First Six Weeks Read More »
Last Christmas I received several gift cards. It took me a few months to use up the coffee cards, 11 months to use the iTunes cards, and I’m still holding onto my Best Buy cards. So far I haven’t received any additional cards, but I’ve got a different tactic in mind in case I do: …
Each day, we hear the dire reports that people have closed their wallets, retail sales are down, and stores are closing. Could it be that the problem isn’t negative retail sales growth, but excessive store growth? I tackle that topic in today’s That Makes Me Stabby. Happy Times at Some Malls? This Sunday I went …
That Makes Me Stabby: Over-Reliance on Retail Sales Growth Read More »
Judging by the light traffic this week, a lot of people have gone on vacation already, but if you’re one of the people staying home this Labor Day, here are a seven frugal activities to keep your family entertained and your wallet full. Attend a Friend’s Barbecue The barbecue is one of the most popular …
If you own a Chrysler or GM car, you may be wondering how the GM bankruptcy and Chrysler collapse affect you. Rest easy – your car is still covered by the warranty. If you’re in the market for a car, you’re probably seeing great deals on the American brands. The question is how comfortable you …
If you’ve recently determined that you need to create a budget so you can better control your money flow, or you’ve been forced to create a budget due to credit reductions, then this may be one of the most important bits of advice you read. Budget Standards Most people look at one or two months of spending …
Don’t Bust Your Budget: Remember Key Budget Items Read More »
Even if you have insurance, health expenses can surprise you. Last year I used my vision insurance to visit the eye doctor for new contacts and glasses. I went in accustomed to paying around $200 a year for those expenses. I left with a $900 charge on my credit card (partly due to error and …
I drive a Toyota with over 100,000 miles on it and it still runs great, but obviously a car with that many miles has also needed a lot of routine maintenance over the years. I’ve had to replace the tires, brakes, struts, belts, starter, and a few valves and sensors. Nothing major or unusual, but …
NPR’s Marketplace has been running a series called “Small Town Hall” where they talk to kids about money and financial issues. After watching several clips, I have to say, these are some really smart kids and I started to wonder who taught them these things. Then I wondered who should be responsible for teaching our …
Since I hosted the Carnival of Personal Finance this week, I’ve only got two additional carnivals to share. First up, Money Hacks Carnival #31 hosted by Moolanomy. In addition to my post about saving money with Walgreens coupons, you might also like The Smarter Wallet’s tips for saving money with generic drugs. Next, the Festival of Frugality #144 hosted by My Two Dollars. …
