My Money Blog

Turning the Costco & ShareBuilder offer $50/$75 Opening Bonus into $1000+

Posted on August 4, 2005 // 28 Comments

I'm really not the hugest fan of ShareBuilder, but it seems to be pretty successful. Right now, in partnership with Costco, they are offering a $50 bonus and 10% rebate on transaction fees to Gold/Business Members, and a $75 bonus and 25% fee rebate … [Read the rest]

Is anyone else getting investment spam?

Posted on August 4, 2005 // 12 Comments

Every morning I check my e-mail, I get more and more spam related to hot stock picks and get-rich investment ideas. I get very few ads for Viagra, other male enhancement products, or even pirated Microsoft softare. Is anyone else getting this? My … [Read the rest]

Should I roll over my 401k? Part 3 – Vanguard Options

Posted on August 3, 2005 // 12 Comments

(Continued from Should I roll over my 401k? Part 2 - Maybe Rollover into Fidelity?) I believe in the power of low-cost investing in well-managed index funds, as proposed by books such as Random Walk Down Wall Street and Four Pillars of Investing. … [Read the rest]

What Cars do PF/Money Bloggers Drive?

Posted on August 3, 2005 // Leave a Comment

Here we are, all trying to either retire comfortably or be filthy rich. But what are we rollin' in now? I just bought a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. It's got a somewhat peppy V6, and is a great highway cruiser. My wife drives a '95 Nissan. I'm always … [Read the rest]

What Cars do Money Bloggers Drive?

Posted on August 3, 2005 // 28 Comments

Should I roll over my 401k? Part 2 – Maybe Rollover into Fidelity?

Posted on August 2, 2005 // 2 Comments

(Continued from Should I roll over my 401k? Part 1 - Stay put with old 401k?) I just had a couple of very nice conversations with the customer service reps at Fidelity and Vanguard about rolling over my 401k into an IRA. I've always liked dealing … [Read the rest]

Should I roll over my 401k? Part 1 – Stay put with old 401k?

Posted on August 1, 2005 // 9 Comments

So it's time to decide whether I should keep my 401k money at the original manager Fidelity, or roll it over to join my IRAs at Vanguard. I have enough in there to be allowedto leave it indefinitely. I'm not considering any other options as I've … [Read the rest]

Carnival of Personal Finance #7 is up

Posted on August 1, 2005 // Leave a Comment

This week's Carnival of Personal Finance is up at InCashFlowWeTrust. Check it out, lots of submissions this week, even I somehow managed to do it. … [Read the rest]

2005 State Sales Tax Holiday Schedule & Details

Posted on July 31, 2005 // Leave a Comment

Ok, I'm making a dent in my blog reading. Earlier this week No Credit Needed posted the schedule for State Sales Tax Holidays, a good reminder for those that need to do shopping in the near future, especially for the kiddos. What are sales tax … [Read the rest]

Forced Frugality – It is HOT in hurrrrrrrrrr….

Posted on July 31, 2005 // 3 Comments

Day 10 of this suffocating heat wave. If you are in part of the country which is mosty-toasty right now, you understand. Oh, wait. Only if you don't have air conditioning like us do you really understand! Here is our advanced high-tech setup: … [Read the rest]

Bought me a car

Posted on July 30, 2005 // 8 Comments

I finally got all the paperwork for the purchase of my new car, which is actually my old company car which coincidentally came off-lease recently. I paid an even $8,000 after taxes and fees for a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. Kelley Blue Book and … [Read the rest]

Book Review: The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke

Posted on July 28, 2005 // 4 Comments

First, let me say that I used to find the Suze Orman Show really annoying. I guess the main thing was her habit of asking a question, and then say "Now, you say XXX, but what you REALLY mean is XXX? Now let me guess, your husband/wife/lover … [Read the rest]