Search results for cars
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Posted
Nov 01 2007, 04:38 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
You live in a world of bling and expensive restaurants, $400-a-month car leases and 3,000-square-foot homes. Welcome to the financial Matrix , where "it’s always Black Friday and it’s always the Presidents Day Sale." " The Matrix will do everything it can to keep you , because its existence depends on your continued function as a shopping unit," brip blap writes in a clever take on the science fiction trilogy. Morpheus asks: "Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was real?" The dream in brip blap's Matrix is the 9-to-5 world, and it's a nightmare. You can find the real world and weaken the Matrix by putting a halt to inordinate spending. But remember, as Morpheus said, your eyes will hurt because you've never used them before.
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Posted
Nov 02 2007, 12:05 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Blogger Meredith H. Kaiser describes her education about the power of advertising in a wonderfully entertaining post called " You're ugly, poorly dressed and uncool -- basically a loser " at SavingAdvice . It seems that Meredith was always cognizant of advertising's potential. As a teenager, she was convinced that subliminal messages to buy popcorn were flashing on the movie screen. Several years later, she got the real lowdown from an ad executive stranded with her on a grounded plane: He schooled her about product- placement pollution in movies. "I’m sad to see the opportunity that artists have to inspire wasted on one more explosive chase scene in a certain brand of car whose logo gets as much screen time as the lead actor," she writes. Now she's acutely aware of the prompts to purchase all around us (we hope her cynicism about TV news is misplaced) and their not-so-hidden message: If you don't own this, you're a loser.
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Posted
Dec 21 2007, 05:10 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Blogger Fellowes at Dollar Buy Dollar announced several months ago that he planned to pursue a car-free lifestyle. Well, folks, he turned in the leased car, and is now a man on foot or riding public transportation. He anticipates a total net savings of $603 a month, and that's after subtracting the $125 a month he may spend using the car-sharing service Flexcar for real emergencies. (His employer provides a free bus pass.) He figures he'll also have indirect savings -- from not overspending at the supermarket because he has to carry everything home, and from not eating out as often. He concedes this plan might not work for everyone.
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Posted
Jan 11 2008, 02:23 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
An Iowa mother billed herself as the "meanest mom on the planet," but some bloggers disagree. "Kudos to Jane Hambleton, who sold her 19-year-old son's car after she found alcohol under the front seat," writes Chief Family Officer. Adrienne at Baby Toolkit said her husband and fellow blogger, Jim, was almost killed in a crash with a drunken driver. "I'm really proud of Jane Hambleton for going public with this important lesson for parents and young drivers," she writes.
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Posted
Mar 07 2008, 06:11 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
What's the most you've ever paid to fill your gas tank? Nickel at Five Cent Nickel set his personal record when he spent more than $50 to fill 'er up on the way home from a vacation last weekend. "It was a bit unsettling to stand there and watch the numbers scroll by until they settled just shy of $58," he said. Welcome to the era of $100-plus for a barrel of oil. In recognition of his milestone, Nickel asked readers to take a survey about the most they've spent to fill up their personal vehicles. Zero people spent less than $20, and two spent $20 to $29.
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Posted
Mar 10 2008, 11:03 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
We're all for you making some extra income, so we're directing you to an innovative tool on the Internet. ParkatmyHouse.com could help you earn some cash from that underused part of your real estate known as the driveway. This British-based Web site has recently expanded its service to the good old USA. ParkatmyHouse.com connects people who need a place to park with those whose driveways or garages sit empty.
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Posted
Mar 17 2008, 07:37 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
It seems as though everyone and their uncle have tips for saving on gasoline as prices inch closer to the $4-a-gallon milestone. Short of getting a car with better gas mileage, there are plenty of ways to use less gas. We've looked at lots and will pass on our favorites in an effort to save you money. Best possible tip: Drive less. You don't have to pay for gasoline if you don't use it.
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Posted
Mar 17 2008, 07:36 AM
by
Donna Freedman
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
The price of a Seattle bus ride just went up a quarter, the first increase in seven years. The price of a gallon of gas changes almost daily, and it's rarely in our favor. I wasn't surprised to read that ridership of King County Metro went up 7% last year.
I was part of that increase in "boardings," because a three-month Metro pass is just $44 for students. Since it currently costs $40 to fill my 2001 Chevy Cavalier, and about $14 a week to park on campus, I think $44 is a steal. Also, the less I drive the more I save on auto insurance.
I won't give up my car, for work and family reasons. But I sure love leaving it at home.
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Posted
Mar 18 2008, 04:31 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
As a smart shopper, you normally pass on those extended warranties offered by the store cashier, don't you? Well, apply the same sound judgment when you're buying a new car. So says Consumer Reports, that respected consumer-advocate publication. Why? A recent survey of more than 8,000 readers shows you'll likely spend more for the extended warranty than you'll save on repair costs. On average, those who bought warranties spent $1,000 (for 2000 and 2001 model years) and got only $700 of benefit. Rik Paul, automotive editor for Consumer Reports, said buying an extended warranty is like betting against the house. "Extended warranties sell costly 'peace of mind' for repair nightmares that probably won't occur," Paul said. Who wins here? On average, dealers collected $795 for each extended warranty they sold last year, CR says.
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Posted
Apr 30 2008, 12:14 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
In a post called "WWFD? (What would Frodo do?)," Arduous of Arduous Journey tells a most amazing story. She lives in car-crazed Los Angeles, and she walks. (We'll get back to Frodo in a minute.) She acknowledges how strange this is. "In LA, if the only parking spot is three blocks away, it means you should probably just valet," she says about routine behavior.
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