Jul
31
How Much Do You Spend On Gas Every Month?
July 31, 2008 | 1 Comment
With record high gasoline prices, many people are considering a more fuel efficient car. But how do you know a new car will save you money? First figure out how much you spend on gas every month, then determine if a new car will save you enough money to justify the cost.
You can figure out [...]
Jul
30
The Real Reason I Paid Off My Mortgage
July 30, 2008 | 3 Comments
I paid off my mortgage last year. Why did I do it? The time was right for me and it still might be the right time for you to do the same thing. I'll explain why.
I've been on a rampage against the mortgage lately. In my last article (more reasons to pay off your mortgage), [...]
Jul
29
More Reasons to Pay Off Your Mortgage
July 29, 2008 | 4 Comments
What is it about the mortgage that makes so many people rally to its defense? You would think it's a member of the family. I'd really like to chance my mind on the mortgage just to be a contrarian. However there is just too much evidence that paying off your mortgage is the best move [...]
Jul
28
I believe that you should pay of your mortgage early. I did it and I still consider it one of the best things I've done. However, there are a number of people claiming that paying off your mortgage is foolish. Let's debunk some more of these myths.
The blog 7million7Years has an article about why paying [...]
Jul
25
The Smartest Advice I Ever Got
July 25, 2008 | 12 Comments
What was the smartest financial advice you've ever received? Is there any one thing or one person that stands out in your mind?
Yahoo Finance put together a list of noteworthy people talking about the best advice they've received. There are a few good quotes in there.
A few of my favorites:
Elizabeth Gilbert:
My father is the most [...]
Jul
24
The Parable of Wealth
July 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
A parable is a fable or short moral story. I came across this parable from a source unknown. It's a great way to explain why some people who appear wealthy really aren't and why some who appear poor are just the opposite.
The Fishermen
Mark and John are both fishermen in a small village. Mark and John [...]
Jul
23
Car Leases have a poor reputation. But are vehicle leases always a bad deal? You may be surprised.
Why do leases have a bad reputation? There are two primary reasons. Many consumers didn't read the fine print and got stuck with bad terms. Also mileage limitations have limited the usefulness of the leased vehicle. My father [...]
Jul
22
When Is It Time To Get a New Car?
July 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Is your car costing you too much money? Do you see your mechanic more often than you'd like? When is it time to buy a new car?
I'm quite frugal. I don't purchase new vehicles. I buy used cars and I pay cash.
However, older cars do have drawbacks. I don't really care about body style or [...]
Jul
21
How Long Should I Keep Credit Card Statments?
July 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Have a pile of credit card statements? Find out how long you need to keep your old statements and why.
When deciding what financial records to keep and what to throw away, there are several important criteria. Do you use your credit card for business expenses? Do you have any tax deductible purchases? [...]
Jul
18
How Uninformed Investors Keep the Stock Market Moving
July 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I used to wonder how the stock market works. After all if everyone trading stocks is rational how can so much money be made and lost? However, so many diverse people and organizations own stock that they are always buying and selling and not necessarily for the best reasons.
I was having lunch with a friend [...]