Yea! I got my income taxes done. Any day now I should be expecting both my Federal and State return to direct deposit into my bank account. I’m not getting back as much this year as I had hoped, but it will still be quite a handsome amount. Just like back-to-school signs and Christmas decorations, you can almost pin-point the time from December on when a swarm of tax-filing hysteria starts to show up in our lives. But among the tax software and lists of documents we’re told to dig out of our file cabinets, financial advisors also like to argue one age-old debate: • Should you wait to get your big tax refund check or take it throughout the year? … [Read more...] about The Now or Later Tax Refund
savings
My “Money Design” – 2012 Update
As part of my annual financial checkup, I have updated my “Money Design” for financial freedom. This is my plan to one day automate my income rather than rely solely on employment income. My plan can be summarized by the flow chart below: … [Read more...] about My “Money Design” – 2012 Update
What Should Be in Your Safety Net?
You don’t think twice to lock your doors, look both ways before crossing the street, or turn off your electronics when you’re not home. So why is it that so many of us are one disaster away from a financial catastrophe? That’s where a “Safety Net” comes in. By definition, a safety net is a term used by financial planners to describe a number of different things you should have to protect your family and your finances. But a safety net should be much more than just a few extra thousand bucks you’ve got saved in case aliens take over the world. A TRUE safety net could encompass a whole lot more. Here are a few ingredients you’ll need in your Safety Net. … [Read more...] about What Should Be in Your Safety Net?
Ridiculously Cheap Magazine Subscriptions!
This one comes courtesy of my wife, courtesy again from the blog “ … [Read more...] about Ridiculously Cheap Magazine Subscriptions!
Buying Christmas Presents For Free Using My Rewards Programs
When I was younger, my bank had this thing called a “Christmas Club” program. The way it worked was I’d sign up for a set amount of money I wanted to save for Christmas ($100 - yeah, I know big spender - I was about 10 years old) and then I’d receive a small book with 50 payment slips ($2 each). Each week throughout the year, I’d pay off each of those slips. As part of the program, the bank would pay the last one. Although this wasn't a groundbreaking investment (about a 2% return), it did teach me a little something about saving and preparing for Christmas: • Christmas is a lot easier when you save little by little throughout the year • Getting free money for the act of saving isn’t bad either Now that I’m all grown up, I have a little … [Read more...] about Buying Christmas Presents For Free Using My Rewards Programs
Your Bills Are Negotiable
One of the many things my job has taught me is that the price of everything is negotiable. It’s basic supply and demand. If you don’t give someone the price they want, they’ll go find it somewhere else. The bottom line is whether or not they want to make a sale and keep you as a customer. That’s the little story I tell myself about every six months. What happens every six months? My TV service goes from the promotional price back to the normal price. And when it does, without hesitation, I call the cable company and politely ask “Is there anything you can do for me?” I don’t yell. I don’t stomp my feet. I simply ask the question fully understanding that the worst thing they could tell me is “no”. But they usually don’t … because the … [Read more...] about Your Bills Are Negotiable
Book Review: “Your Money Ratios: 8 Simple Tools for Financial Security at Every Stage in Life” by Charles Farrell
Click the image to visit Amazon.comMost financial books tell you come up with a retirement goal and to save towards it. Period. But have you ever wondered if you were on the right track? At 30, how much should I have saved for retirement? What about 40, 50, etc? What about debt, savings, etc.? Where do I stack up against my peers? … [Read more...] about Book Review: “Your Money Ratios: 8 Simple Tools for Financial Security at Every Stage in Life” by Charles Farrell
