Archive for April, 2008
« Previous EntriesNet worth chart updates
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008I finally updated my Net Worth page to use my new charts. I rolled my own because I like the idea of the NetworthIQ charts, but I think their implementation is just plain ugly.
So I made a big chart for the Net Worth page, in which you can drill down into categories, and toggle between […]
Emergency Funds Part B: The dark side of emergency funds
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008Walkin’ around with 28 large in the bank makes me feel like a huge swingin’ dick. A nice wad builds confidence, pride, and a sense of security.
But there are downsides to having an emergency fund. Sides that are as dirty and insidious as any family secret.
Desensitized to windfalls
I have been waiting for our […]
Emergency Funds Part I: Stupid history
Monday, April 14th, 2008Lynnae recently pointed out the tremendous benefits of an emergency fund. When big, unexpected bills come along, there’s no scramble to put together the cash. There’s no need to reach out to friends and family, or reach for the credit card. No need to apply for a HELOC. There is a huge, and I mean […]
Spend your tax rebate on free food
Thursday, April 10th, 2008I thought Tuesday’s news about free cheese might be an aberration.
But now McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts are getting in on the free food craze. And they’re hoping to convert your excitement about free food into cash money in their pockets.
According to an article in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal, McDonald’s will be giving away […]
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure
Wednesday, April 9th, 2008True story. Back in the mid-90’s, when I worked at a financial services company, I worked with two lottery winners. No, they didn’t win by flipping coins. They did it the old fashioned way. They got lucky.
I think of these guys every time I go into a convenience store. Inevitably, there’s an overflowing barrel of […]
Netflix’s New Releases are three years old
Wednesday, April 9th, 2008The Single Guy is taking a break from Netflix. I can’t blame him one bit.
I started out loving Netflix. A movie I wanted to see came. I watched it. I sent it back. I got another one.
I quickly ran out of movies that I wanted to see. So now I just try to get new […]
Free (as in beer) cheese
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008When I say “Free cheese” I am not talking about those big orange blocks of government cheese your grandmother used to get every month. Ok, maybe your grandmother didn’t get it every month, but mine did. Along with unsalted butter and a plastic barrel of oily peanut butter.
Anyway, when I say “free cheese” I mean […]