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Posted
Sep 14 2007, 02:10 AM
by
Donna Freedman
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
When I wrote "Surviving (and Thriving) on $12,000 a Year" last January, I figured it would be like any other article I’d ever written for newspapers or magazines: some people would read it and agree, some would read it and get irritated, and the next day they’d all be thinking about something else.
Nope. Thousands of readers e-mailed their reactions to MSN Money. Many others, especially personal-finance bloggers, discussed the article online. Dozens of people tracked down my personal e-mail to offer support and tell their own stories; some even tried to give me money! (I declined, with thanks for their generous natures.)
The first article led to a second, "Living ‘Poor’ and Loving It," then to several how-to articles and short videos, and eventually to the chance to host the Smart Spending message board. On that site I’ve heard a lot more stories and many creative and resourceful ideas.
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Posted
Sep 14 2007, 07:21 AM
by
admin
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
If you don't bank with Bank of America, you'll want to give their ATMs a wide berth as well. The country's second-largest bank began charging non-customers $3 a transaction on July 31. That's the highest of any major U.S. bank. Read more ...
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Posted
Sep 22 2007, 08:56 AM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Avoid the last-minute rush -- and a big hit on your bank account -- by targeting going-out-of-business and other major sale events for your holiday shopping. You'll save a bundle.
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Posted
Sep 26 2007, 09:35 AM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
You've heard these before: "I don't make enough money, so I can't save." "I need to carry a balance on my credit card to build a credit history." "The furniture/appliance/gizmo store offers a zero-interest, zero-payment loan, so I can afford it." A blogger tackles these and 79 other commonly held beliefs about finances.
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Posted
Sep 26 2007, 02:22 PM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Industry analysts today reported further declines in the housing market: Home prices in 10 metropolitan areas fell 4.5 percent in July, the steepest decline in 16 years. Home resales in August were 4.3 percent lower than the previous month. Meanwhile, a major home builder announced a 35 percent reduction in its work force.
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Posted
Oct 02 2007, 09:31 PM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Banks will collect a record high $4.4 billion in ATM fees this year. That's one of several findings in a new survey by Bankrate.com . Most banks now charge $2 each time a nonaccountholder uses one of their ATMs, and Bank of America raised its fee to $3. The average bounced-check fee is now a record high $28.23. Thankfully, you can take steps to avoid bank fees .
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Posted
Oct 02 2007, 09:55 PM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Faced with having to foreclose on a home, a lender may consider a "short sale," selling the home to a new buyer for less than the cash-strapped current owner owes. It could be a lengthy process, and you have to make a case for the sale. But you could end up getting more house for your money.
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Posted
Oct 03 2007, 09:01 PM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
You have until Oct. 12 to chime in on Federal Reserve proposals to make credit card companies clearly disclose important information like what rates and fees you'll actually pay, and when and why they'll take the liberty to raise them. Meanwhile, Congress is expected to consider credit card legislation in October. MSN Money's Liz Pulliam Weston explains why a crackdown is overdue.
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Posted
Oct 04 2007, 07:21 PM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Friday's news about the FDIC takeover of online-only NetBank, the first bank to fail in the ongoing mortgage crisis, wasn't a shocker considering its recent history . My Money Blog had responded to a worried reader's question about NetBank earlier that week. " ... a diligent person would have known they were in trouble," MMB noted. Bloggers like Datageekgal are offering lots of advice to former NetBank customers: Most of you won't lose any money. And remember that the FDIC and ING , which will take over NetBank's online banking operations, won't e-mail NetBank customers asking for personal information. If you get one, don't reply . It's a hoax.
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Posted
Oct 05 2007, 07:16 AM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Hey, this really happened. We also know that the farmer got his money back. A little-known federal agency, the Mutilated Currency Division of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing , will replace money made unusable by events like fire, flooding, shredding and -- mastication. A wonderfully interesting article at Bankrate.com walks you through the steps of redeeming sodden, charred, chewed or otherwise ruined paper money. The farmer took the extra step of sending in one of the slaughtered cow's stomachs. Not required.
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