One of the easiest ways to tame the legions of trees in your mailbox from falling is to stop getting so much mail. This will decrease what you bring in so you have less to sort and less to pile. AND it saves a lot of money, since it removes temptation in the form of […]
Rate Increases Hit Home
From all the hubbub I’ve read in the news lately about credit cards being closed, rates skyrocketing, and limits being cut, we have yet to be affected by any of these issues until today. I received a small pamphlet in the mail from Chase that looked like a privacy disclosure and was written in credit […]
No Spend Month Update
We’re over halfway through out no spend month, so here’s an update. We have gone over the $600 mark, as of today our total is $897.82. The new goal is to stay under $1,100. (I know we have 2 expenses left for the month, plus gas and anything else that comes up) We have 12 […]
3 Steps to Make An Emergency Fund
Turn on any financial news show and the host, say a Suze Orman or a Carmen Wong Ulrich, will mention an emergency fund. It’s always stressed that your emergency fund (aka the EF) should be 3-6 months expenses. Based on savings rates in the US few people have even a few weeks expenses set […]
How to Tame the Paperwork
The start of a new year is the perfect time to declutter your finances, and get all your paperwork organized. You can get all your year-end docs ready, and file your taxes early (get your money sooner! or at least know what you owe), and start the year fresh. After reading about Stephanie’s piles of […]
NO Spend Month (1/1/09-1/31/09)
Not spending for a month is not an original idea with me. I found an article in Reader’s Digest about it. I found blog posts about other people who have done a No Spend Month. My favorite example is over at Small Notebook where Rachel and her family participate in a No spend Month yearly. The […]
The Post Holiday Donation Run
I’ve noticed a trend among my friends and family. I saw a slew of Facebook updates, posts on my fav message board, and conversations with people who were cleaning up after the holidays ended. We spent awhile over the last few days integrating all the new toys and things we were given into the house. I […]
To Regift Or Not To Regift
If you are like most people you received a good number of holiday presents. I’m hoping that your family and friends bought you things that are useful, and well-loved. Chances are likely that you received at least one present that is nice, but just isn’t for you. Gifts like holiday decor, a gaudy sweater, or […]
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful holiday! Despite feeling awful for a few days leading up to Christmas, I’m back! I had some kind of stomach upset, no doubt from all the holiday goodies I have been indulging in, the late nights shopping and wrapping, and the stress. Ah, good times. Of course […]
mortgage rates hit 37 year low!
As if you don’t know already mortgage rates have hit a record low. Rates on a fixed rate, 30 year mortgage are running about 5%, some as low as 4.25%! The catch is to qualify you have to be either a “well-qualified”buyer, or “well-qualified”homeowner. The frustrating thing is this does not help many people who […]
