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Posted
Jun 06 2008, 01:25 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
The same blogger who gave us the cute and quick "frugal or cheap" quiz gets a lot more serious with his latest test -- "What's your financial IQ?" With today's gloomy news -- crude oil's historic price jump, unemployment's dramatic rise, and the resulting stock market plunge -- there's no better time to visit Pinyo's post at Moolanomy and access your financial knowledge. Believe us, money know-how is going to come in handy, whether you're among the nation's unemployed, drive to work, or simply feed your face from time to time.
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Posted
Jun 04 2008, 05:27 PM
by
Karen Datko
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If Single Ma had accepted the two prescriptions written for her and for her daughter without question, she would have spent $100 out-of-pocket -- despite the fact that her workplace health insurance plan includes meds. She did some research, made some phone calls, and ended up saving $180 (that's not a typo), without accepting reduced care for herself or her beloved BabyGirl. This practical post at Fabulous Financials illustrates why you need to be a savvy consumer when it comes to medical care.
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Posted
May 20 2008, 11:18 AM
by
Karen Datko
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A rash of break-ins at Andy's apartment complex prompted him to think about improving security. He found that the cost of a monitored security system would run about $1,200 for the year, including $500 for installation. Yikes. He came up with some low- and no-cost alternatives and lists them in a post at Saving to Invest. For instance, what would it cost you to turn down your phone ringer before you leave home?
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Posted
Apr 17 2008, 06:15 AM
by
Karen Datko
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This post comes from Nora Dunn at partner blog Wise Bread. There are a number of ways to stretch your dollars simply by rearranging your finances. Here are 11 tips to help you find some extra money. Change your withholding tax. If you typically receive a tax refund each year, ask your employer to reduce the amount of tax withheld from your paychecks. I know, I know. You like getting those fat checks at tax time each year. But in reality it's an interest-free loan to the government. Your money is much better in your own pocket, thank you very much. Reduce interest rates on your debt. As cited in a previous article, if you ask for a discount by calling your credit card company, you often will receive one. This also applies to other loans. If you happen to be drowning in your finances, you can call creditors and explain your situation, and they can make concessions for you. If the agent you are talking to can't do it, politely ask for the manager, who has more clout for granting rate discounts. Refinance your car loan. If your car is less than five years old, and you got your loan through a dealer, you may be able to do better. A Web site like Bankrate.com can help you find the best loan rates in your area, and Kelley Blue Book will give you a dollar value for your car.
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Posted
Mar 03 2008, 11:50 AM
by
Karen Datko
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What will be the "Wal-Mart effect" on health care as the retail behemoth proceeds with plans to open walk-in clinics in hundreds of its stores? A post by Jessica Hupp at RNCentral.com describes 20 possible impacts -- and most are positive. Consider this: Isn't it likely that health care costs will come down as other providers try to compete with Wal-Mart's lower prices?
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Posted
Feb 26 2008, 07:10 PM
by
Karen Datko
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Rental car companies want to charge you about $20 a day for a loss or collision damage waiver. My Money Blog says that "it basically absolves you of any liability if the car becomes dented, breaks down, gets scratched, blown up, or whatever." Many people don't realize that their car insurance often provides some type of coverage for rental cars, and their credit card may supply secondary coverage that pays for what their car insurance won't, MMB says. Read your car insurance policy, and "look for specific wording in the paperwork that (credit card companies) mail you with the tiny print on amazingly thin paper," he writes.
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Posted
Jan 23 2008, 05:56 AM
by
Karen Datko
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This post comes from partner blogger The Dough Roller. Would you cash a 35-cent check? Two days ago I wouldn't have known the answer to that question. Now I do, and, I'm sorry to say, the answer for me is yes. Yesterday I spent 30 minutes traveling to my bank and back to cash a 35-cent check. Here's the story and what I plan to do with my spoils. Two weeks ago I received a letter from my health insurance carrier. Excited to be receiving an unexpected check, I tore into the envelope and retrieved a check written out to me for the grand sum of $0.35. I went to chuck the check into the trash bin, but some unknown and unseen force held me back.
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Posted
Jan 04 2008, 11:23 AM
by
Karen Datko
When the car insurance comes due, do you have the money on hand to pay for it? You can prepare for this and other expected but infrequent expenses by setting up an infrequent-bills account. Heidi the BankerGirl borrowed this idea from Chief Family Officer, who considered it her brightest financial move in 2007.
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Posted
Dec 12 2007, 05:27 AM
by
Karen Datko
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This post comes from partner blog The Dough Roller. Recently I wrote about how to develop the habit of spending less than you make. To continue that topic, here are some practical and painless tips to help you save money each month. (Be sure to read to the bottom of this post, as tip No. 51 is bound to spark some discussion and debate.) 1. Combine your cable, Internet and telephone service. Companies now offer combined services that not only cost less, but offer the convenience of a single bill. 2. Slow down your Internet service. I went to the slower Internet service option with my cable company and saved $15 per month. And I haven't noticed a difference when surfing the Net.
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Posted
Dec 05 2007, 06:37 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
This post comes from partner blog The Dough Roller. I hate budgeting. I've tried using envelopes, Quicken and fancy spreadsheets, and the results are always the same. I start off strong, but within a few weeks I lose interest in the time-consuming chore that budgeting can be. The problem is that I still need to manage my money. I confronted this problem about a year ago, and asked myself the following question: How do I effectively manage my money in as little time and with as little pain as possible? To answer that question, I came up with a money-management plan that doesn’t require me to track all of my expenses all the time, and requires a relatively small investment of my time each month. In this post, I’ll share my plan with you.
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