Michael on November 30th, 2009
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On the way to work this morning, I stopped to get gas for my wife’s car.
You:  You should have just waited until you were in her car. It’s much easier and safer to get gas that way.
Thanks, Einstein.  I was driving my wife’s car this morning.
You: And she gave it to you with almost no [...]

Continue reading about Why pay more for gas?

Hi there.  I’ll be taking a few days away from blogging here to celebrate Thanksgiving.  In the meantime, check out my blog over at About.com, including an opportunity to vote and comment on a good Thanksgiving conversation-starter:
How much do you need to retire?

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Michael on November 18th, 2009
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Money is often reported to be one the biggest sources of discontent in relationships.  Even if you are fortunate to share the same value system as your friend/significant other/spouse, disagreement about priorities can still cause stress.
At 3PM today, the good folks at LifeTuner will be hosting a chat with Motley Fool writers Robert Brokamp and [...]

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Approximately half of all people cash out their retirement plan when they switch jobs.
You: Well, I wasn’t going to leave my retirement plan at my old company either.  My boss was a real jerk.
I don’t know your boss, but –
You: He was a jerk. I jut told you that. Pay attention.
We’ve all had bosses who–
You: [...]

Continue reading about Just because you’re running doesn’t mean you should take the money

Due to the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 signed into law on Nov. 6, 2009, the rules surrounding the first time home buyer tax credit have changed again. However, these rules only apply to homes purchased after November 6, 2009.
You: What if I  purchased a home before November 6, 2009?
When did you [...]

Continue reading about Why does the government hate people who purchased homes between June 30, 2005 and April 9, 2008?

On November 6, the first time home buyer tax credit was enhanced and updated.  Here are the changes to the 2009 version of the first time home buyer tax credit resulting from the new legislation:

Deadline extended: Now you have until April 30, 2010 to establish a contract to purchase a home and June 30, 2010 [...]

Continue reading about The new, enhanced, home buyer tax credit – not just for first time home buyers anymore

Michael on November 9th, 2009
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I gave a speech to more than 250 highly motivated K-12 teachers yesterday morning at the first ever National Educator Conference, presented by Jump$tart.  What a privilege to share the same stage as Sheila Bair (Chairperson of the FDIC) and Janet Bodnar (the editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine).
During the Q & A after my [...]

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Michael on November 6th, 2009
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I am heading down to Washington, D.C. today for the first ever personal financial planning national educators conference.  The wonderful non-profit, Jump$tart, has put together this conference.  Approximately 250 teachers of all grades from nearly every state will attend.
Along with Sheila Bair, Chairwoman of the FDIC and Janet Bodnar of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, I am [...]

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After several months (don’t ask) waiting in the winds, the new blog design has arrived.  Some highlights:

Easier to read, with cleaner font choices and more obvious line breaks for links

Two right nav’s makes it easier for you to find what you want quicker

Same thing up top: twice as many links to category content

My popular graduation [...]

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Michael on November 3rd, 2009
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Numerous studies have demonstrated weak correlations between happiness and wealth. (The sole exception are the truly impoverished, who are most likely to report being unhappy.)  Still, once you are out of poverty, there is very little relationship between happiness and financial stature.
Before I had children, I learned the most from my parents, grandparents, and other [...]

Continue reading about What really matters