Sep
9
The Stock Market Scam - Stock Options
September 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
… a right to buy stock at a certain price (the strike price). So not only can management issue itself more stock, diluting the value of the shares already outstanding but they can also make the company subsidize the cost.
If the strike price of the option is $5 and the current price of the stock on the exchange is $10, an option holder can buy the stock from the company for $5, increasing the number of shares outstanding and diluting earnings per share. The share is then sold for $10, …
Aug
27
Interest Rates Increasing?
August 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
… After all, lack of cash flow is the cause of death of most small businesses. I want to give myself every advantage that I can.
Aug
21
Spending More on Luxuries Than Necessities
August 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment
… So, if your one of those people claiming that you can barely make ends meet, be honest with yourself. How much are you spending on your cell phone, Internet and cable TV? More than likely those bills are as high as your regular utilities. If you can't afford it, get rid of it.
If you can't afford your cable bill you shouldn't be watching TV. You need to be at work.
My wife is in the social work field. It always amazes me that these "poor" people drive better vehicles than …
Aug
19
Debit Card Security - How To Keep Your Information Private
August 19, 2008 | 1 Comment
… The rules regarding checking account fraud and theft vary by state.
How To Protect Yourself
Generally there are few things you can do to protect yourself.
Don't carry around your PIN.
If you have multiple cards, try using the same PIN for each one. You'll have fewer numbers to remember. You can change your PIN number by calling the customer service number on the back of your card.
Don't use an easy to guess number like your birth date. Avoid any number that …
Aug
13
A Random Walk Down Wall Street
August 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment
… in its 23rd edition.
This book is readable. Unlike some other investing books I found myself turning the pages into the late hours of the night. Malkiel is at least an entertaining author, even if you don't agree with his theories.
Malkiel believes that stock prices rise and fall in a random walk pattern. That means that there is an equal chance every day that the price of an asset could either increase or decrease.
Technical Analysis
To illustrate this point imagine …
Aug
1
Should You Buy a New Car for Better Gas Mileage?
August 1, 2008 | 2 Comments
… the vehicle. What about the $10,000 to $20,000 (or higher) I would have to pay for the vehicle itself?
That just doesn't make sense. If you really want to save money, drop your cable TV subscription or cell phone service. Stop eating out as much. These things are optional.
When Does a New Vehicle Make Sense?
If you're buying a new(er) vehicle anyway, then a more fuel efficient option is probably wise. However, with higher gas prices, some formally expensive SUV type vehicles …
Jul
31
How Much Do You Spend On Gas Every Month?
July 31, 2008 | 1 Comment
… have this feature.
If your vehicle doesn't calculate this for your, you'll have to do it yourself. Here are the directions courtesy of ehow :
How to Calculate Your Gas Mileage
Fill the vehicle's gas tank completely, writing down the vehicle's odometer reading (mileage).
Refill the tank completely when it is time to refuel. Using the same grade of gasoline as was used during the initial fill, write down the number of gallons required to fill the tank. Record the vehicle's new …
Jul
28
… I think the mortgage industry is in no danger, at least from me. However, they do have their own messes to clean up.
Jul
24
The Parable of Wealth
July 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
… One of these days, he's going to get ahead. "Maybe I should buy another boat…" he thinks to himself as he drifts off to sleep.
The Moral
It doesn't matter how many fish you catch in your net. What matters is how many fish you bring home. There is only one real way to wealth: spend less than you make. It's as simple as that.
Jul
21
How Long Should I Keep Credit Card Statments?
July 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment
… even exist 5 years from now?
Banks will also charge you a fee to retrieve statements. Save yourself some hassle and some money and make sure you have a copy.
Why Do I Need to Keep Credit Card Statements?
You need to keep credit card statements for a year only to as a short term record of your expenses. If you have any tax related purchases like business expenses, property tax payments, medical expenses, or day care expenses, you'll need to keep the statements for as long as the …