Michael on July 30th, 2008
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You: Dude, you spelled “facts” wrong up there.
Maybe it’s the stress. Ever think of that?
You: Stress? From inflation?
No. From blogging while I’m on vacation.
You: You shouldn’t do that. You’re the guy who talks about balance.

Maybe I’m not.
You: Not what?
It depends.
You: What depends?
There. I’ve distracted you from inflation.
You: I think I’m just confused [...]

Continue reading about Inflation stressing you out? Get the fax.

Michael on July 29th, 2008
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This week’s Carnival of Personal Finance, hosted by You Need A Budget includes my article “Can I lower my tax withholdings?”.
In my completely unscientific but completely genuine opinion (and in a desire to keep your required reading to a minimum), this week’s one best “other” posting is 7 Ways to Stay Poor. Perhaps I [...]

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Michael on July 28th, 2008
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Congratulations! If you just graduated from college, there’s a good chance that you’ll make more money in 2008 then you did in 2007.
You: That’s what they tell me.
In fact, you’ll also make quite a bit more money in 2009 than 2008.
You: How do you know that? You know my raise?
Nope, but in all likelihood, [...]

Continue reading about Once in a lifetime opportunity for new college grads

Michael on July 25th, 2008
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It’s Friday, so it’s time for this week’s reader-submitted Q & A. If you’d like to submit a question, click here for more information or simply email a question.
Michael-
I have a question about the W-4 and changing number of exemptions. I graduated from law school in May 2007 and started my salaried position in [...]

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Michael on July 22nd, 2008
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That’s the question I asked myself when I finished reading through this week’s Carnival of Personal Finance to determine which one article is most worth sharing with you. (In addition, of course, to my own article about the endless correspondence I received related to the economic stimulus.)
Well, here it is: the best (completely subjective) [...]

Continue reading about What the heck is consumption smoothing?

Michael on July 21st, 2008
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Just about two weeks after I paid over $$$ to replace the condenser on my money-sucking $aturn, recharge the AC and assorted other AC stuff I don’t understand, my wife informs me that the AC isn’t working again. While I’m highly disappointed, I’m thinking “Hey, they said there was a 12 months, 12,000 mile [...]

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Michael on July 15th, 2008
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Although I am often asked to speak to recent grads, I have never been asked to speak at any graduations. But if I were, I imagine I would deliver something along the lines of this speech.
Today is the last part. To see the entire speech released so far, click here and read from the [...]

Continue reading about Graduation Speech Conclusion: Use it or lose it.

Michael on July 14th, 2008
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That’s “live” not “live,” by the way.
You: What?
There are obvious limitations of this medium.
You: The TV show on NBC?

Of blogging.
You: I’ve never seen that episode.
No, this has nothing to do with Patricia Arquette. What I mean is that it’s hard to tell from the subject line whether people would wonder if I’ve survived a [...]

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Michael on July 11th, 2008
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It’s Friday, so it’s time for this week’s reader-submitted Q & A. If you’d like to submit a question, click here for more information or simply email a question
Are all custodians of Roth IRAs the same? How do I know whether to pick Ameriprise or Fidelity or a different custodian?
–Jennie K., Burnsville, MN
STRAIGHTFORWARD [...]

Continue reading about Friday Q & A: Picking an IRA custodian

Michael on July 10th, 2008
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Although I am often asked to speak to recent grads, I have never been asked to speak at any graduations. But if I were, I imagine I would deliver something along the lines of this speech.
Today is part 10. To see the entire speech released so far, click here and read from the bottom [...]

Continue reading about Graduation Speech Part 10: Death happens