Michael on December 31st, 2007
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I know many of you starting reading this blog later in the year, so in the spirit of a healthy 2007 recap, here are three of my favorite posts from the earlier part of my 2007 blog:
Winning the Lottery Without Playing Lotto – Why it is that you’re probably sitting on guaranteed winning lottery tickets, [...]

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Michael on December 28th, 2007
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If you need a book before the end of the year and already have a mastercard, check out this deal at barnesandnoble.com
Looking for book suggestions? Here’s one to consider.

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Certainly you’ve seen advertisements for:
“Pay nothing until 2009!”
or
“Same as cash: no payments until 2010!”
Trusting that you understand that retailers are in business to make profit (not that there’s anything wrong with that), surely you’ve wondered why they make such wonderful opportunities available to you.
You: Because it is profitable to do so.
Indeed.
You: But how, exactly?
At least [...]

Continue reading about Why a ’same as cash’ deal is NOT the same as paying with cash

Michael on December 27th, 2007
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Did you receive any monetary gifts over the holidays? If so, go ahead and spend some of it.
You: That’s not how I thought that sentence was going to end.
Remember the importance of balance. But read my words carefully; I didn’t say “go ahead and spend all of it.” Rather, I said “go ahead [...]

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Michael on December 24th, 2007
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My wife and I are expecting our second child shortly. You’d think I would have ensured a December due date (to take advantage of an increased child tax credit and additional personal exemption), but alas we are due at the end of January. You just can’t plan everything.
Before child number two arrives, [...]

Continue reading about Saving money while you’re spending it

Michael on December 19th, 2007
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My recent post about taking advantage of local organization memberships was included in yesterday’s carnival of blogs hosted by GetRichSlowly. Check out the carnival.
You: There’s like a billion articles linked from that post.
That’s kind of the point of the carnival. But my favorite is an essay describing the Smiths. Though they’re not the Jones’, [...]

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Michael on December 17th, 2007
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Although getting your financial house in order (debt management, cash-flow, maximizing the value of your corporate benefits) comes first, investing is a critical component of any successful financial plan.
You: It’s also where I’d like to begin.
I’m not surprised. Personal financial planning magazines nearly always feature investing stories as their featured cover stories, so [...]

Continue reading about Three reasons not to follow Jim Cramer

Michael on December 14th, 2007
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Continuing the recent theme of keeping your expenses in check without significantly impacting your lifestyle, let’s talk gym memberships.
You: Are you going to argue that gym membership aren’t necessary because you can run and exercise outside?
No. I live in New Hampshire. Recently it’s been 15 degrees outside when I’m blogging. Tough running weather.
Still, [...]

Continue reading about Fiscally responsible, not cheap – gym memberships

Michael on December 12th, 2007
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A couple of years ago, I went to Michigan with my wife and daughter. (Yes, our visit was timed around a specific football game). While visiting, we decided to catch up with some old friends at the Detroit Zoo.
You: You have friends that live at the zoo?
No, we met at the zoo.
You: [...]

Continue reading about Fiscally responsible, not cheap – local spending

Michael on December 10th, 2007
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Choosing to be fiscally responsible rather than cheap means finding ways to spend less money without significantly impacting your life. Over the past several days I’ve paid special attention to the little things that allow me to save more with little lifestyle impact. I’ll share one of them with you today.
I was at the [...]

Continue reading about Fiscally responsible, not cheap – medical strategies