My Money Blog

Jamba Juice Buy One Get One Free Coupon

Posted on July 28, 2009 // 5 Comments

Jamba Juice just sent me this buy 1 get 1 free coupon. Expires 8/9. Good for those overheating states right now! Yes, it is overpriced fruit. … [Read the rest]

Steal This Book

Posted on July 28, 2009 // 59 Comments

How do you read a book that you can't buy in bookstores or find in libraries... because people keep stealing them since the title is Steal This Book? Even used copies are selling for double the retail list price. By reading a ripped off copy on … [Read the rest]

Why Social Security Is Going Broke: Two Simple Charts

Posted on July 26, 2009 // 50 Comments

In 1940, the required age to receive full benefits from Social Security was 65. According to chart below, most people didn't even reach 65 at that time. Today, average life expectancies are over 11 years longer (and still rising), yet the full … [Read the rest]

The Hawthorne Effect and Better Money Management

Posted on July 24, 2009 // 18 Comments

I was reading an article in Wired Magazine about improving one's health with new personal metrics devices such as the Nike+iPod kit, which is a neat device that helps you easily track and records details about your running. Did you know that all it … [Read the rest]

Warning: Banks Automatically Renew CDs Upon Maturity, 7-Day Grace Periods

Posted on July 23, 2009 // 37 Comments

It's hard to believe that back in August 2008, I was able to get a 5% APY 12-month CD from Washington Mutual (now Chase). Since it's almost time, I called today to see if I could designate how I wanted the funds to be disbursed upon maturity. … [Read the rest]

Should Home Equity Be Part Of Your Portfolio Asset Allocation?

Posted on July 22, 2009 // 19 Comments

When people talk about asset allocation, they usually refer to the relative amount of stocks or bonds in their portfolio (like the model portfolios shown here). But I am occasionally asked whether to include personal home equity in asset allocation. … [Read the rest]

Outliers: Hard Work, Luck, and Success

Posted on July 21, 2009 // 26 Comments

Why do some people exceed far more than others? This is the question asked by the book Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell. The short book argues that most people erroneously believe that very successful people are primarily … [Read the rest]

myFICO Coupon: 25% to 30% off Codes

Posted on July 20, 2009 // 3 Comments

Update February 2011: Use coupon code FICO25 for 25% off! Here's a newly released coupon for 25% off real FICO scores at myFICO.com. Use the promotional code FICOHELP25 to get 25% off, the best discount currently available: Update: For the … [Read the rest]

3 Requirements For A Satisfying Job

Posted on July 20, 2009 // 12 Comments

Within the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, I found a great distillation of the requirements for a satisfying job. Whenever I think of times when I have been unhappy, at least one of these things was missing. Autonomy. You get a role in … [Read the rest]

Notes From A Kiyosaki Rich Dad, Poor Dad Series Audio CD

Posted on July 20, 2009 // 12 Comments

While going through some old boxes, I found an old CD case containing some audiobook recordings from a real estate program by Robert Kiyosaki and Dolf De Roos. I'm pretty sure they are from this set called Rich Dad's Roads To Riches - 6 Steps To … [Read the rest]

Recasting/Re-amortization of Mortgage with Principal Prepayment

Posted on July 17, 2009 // 32 Comments

I'm getting ready to pay some extra money towards my mortgage loan, and remembered that I have an option to re-amortize my mortgage loan if I make a substantial principal prepayment. This is also known as "recasting" a mortgage. Basically, my … [Read the rest]

Bank of America: $25 BillPay Promo For Existing Customers

Posted on July 17, 2009 // 12 Comments

BofA is also offering a $25 bonus to encourage existing customers to try out Online Billpay. Both personal and business accounts qualify. You have to register beforehand at the promotion page, and then pay 2 bills online within 30 days. I … [Read the rest]