It’s no surprise that Bank of America (BofA) started charging a $5 fee for using their debit card. After all, they must really be hurting for money after only receiving a $5 billion dollar investment last August from Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffet’s company! ... Right! Seriously, this event is just another data point along a long trend of obnoxious fees that rolls us further and further down the slippery slope of expenses that are eroding away our daily finances. Unfortunately, it’s not just the banks, but airlines, energy companies, cell phones, and many others. … [Read more...] about Bank of America and the Slippery Slope of Banking Fees
Popular Trends
Does Extreme Couponing = A Good Use of Your Time?
My wife has an interesting theory about the people on the show Extreme Couponing: They are really just organized hoarders! How can you not come to such a conclusion? As seen on the show, they turn their entire garage into store-like aisles full of goodies they got for “free”. They have rows upon rows of frivolous items such as +800 toothbrushes or +500 sticks of deodorant. How about the sacred 6-inch thick binder that is packed full of coupons but is still somehow categorized? My personal favorite: When they go dumpster diving looking for newspaper circulars! Heck, in one episode I saw, they even bring along their kids and friends! Yes, people do some pretty crazy things to save a buck. Before I upset any couponers, I want you to … [Read more...] about Does Extreme Couponing = A Good Use of Your Time?
So Long Netflix
So long old friend. We had some good times, you and I. You were always so good to me, but now things have changed, and it’s time to say goodbye. It’s not you, it’s me! I just can’t pay close to $20 a month for movies anymore. And this new plan of splitting between DVD’s and streaming online. I love them both too much to choose between them. I don’t blame you for raising your prices. “The Man” (your streaming services) raised your costs big-time, and now you’re just passing it along to the little guy (me). But every product in the world has competition, and unfortunately there’s a lot of other places out there to catch DVD’s. … [Read more...] about So Long Netflix
Honoring the Decade Anniversary of 9/11
On the decade anniversary of 9/11, there is no greater topic I can think to write about than to honor the memory of those who lost their lives on that horrific day. I remember that morning very clearly as I’m sure most people do. It was the most unthinkable course of events – something I would have never imagined would happen in my lifetime. But it did, and it changed things forever. I can only wonder how the families of those who have fallen have coped for the past 10 years. … [Read more...] about Honoring the Decade Anniversary of 9/11
Video Referral – Why It Sucks To Be Middle Class
I just caught this great short video on CNN Money and felt is was worth sharing. Basically it demonstrates through job numbers how badly the middle class has been hurt this past decade and why the economy can’t get back to normal. … [Read more...] about Video Referral – Why It Sucks To Be Middle Class
