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 [...]

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The post you are now reading is my 400th post at the Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck blog.
You: Is that a lot?
It is to me.
You: Do you like blogging?
Do you like vegetables?
You: Usually, but not always.
Blogging is like eating vegetables.  Blogging today is more enjoyable than unusual, however, since, it’s my first post with the new [...]

Continue reading about Blogging is like vegetables and the benefits of waiting to get stuff

Michael on October 5th, 2009
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You have to love the lesson Matt from Taking Charge shares in his Blogger wakes corporate giant, helps secure long-sought refund.  It’s my favorite article from this week’s Carnival of Personal Finance, hosted by Studenomics.  My article, Welcome to the fourth quarter: Five suggested tasks before New Year’s, was also featured.
In Matt’s brief article, he [...]

Continue reading about Doing the same old thing won’t get you new results

Michael on September 23rd, 2009
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I enjoyed CreditCards.com’s fantastic effort with this week’s Carnival of Personal Finance.    My article discussing a previous fantastic yet inexpensive weekend was included, striking the fancy of The Consumerist, which featured it in their article titled Where To Find Great Personal Finance Writing Online, a nice gesture from the same company that brings you Consumer [...]

Continue reading about Who needs fame? Fifteen minute financial fixes

Michael on September 16th, 2009
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I enjoyed this week’s Carnival of Personal Finance, hosted by Mary at SimplyForties.  Of course, I was happy to see my post Take Advantage of The Rules to Save a Few Bucks – an article highlighting one of the few remaining truly free services left in travel -included.
My favorite article from the carnival is Gone [...]

Continue reading about Identity theft, round-ups, and carnivals – oh my!

Michael on September 8th, 2009
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Are you on the Do Not Call list?
You: Signed up the first day a few years ago.
Me too.  But I still get calls.
You: You do?
Yes.  Not as often as I once did. I estimate that signing up for the Do Not Call list cut down my calls over 90%, but definitely not 100%.
You: Why not?
Some [...]

Continue reading about Trying to save me money? Please, don’t call.

Michael on August 28th, 2009
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Although I graduated from college well before David from Money Under 30 began his work as a college textbook salesman, I know first-hand of the pain he details in Confessions of a Textbook Salesman, a highlight of this week’s Carnival of Personal Finance, hosted by Adam of Your Money Relationship.  (Adam was kind enough to [...]

Continue reading about Are textbook sellers greedy?

Michael on August 17th, 2009
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It’s remarkable how much psychology plays a role in money-related decisions.
You: In everything, really.
True, there’s a psychological element to nearly every choice you make.
By the way I just got an email that Total Candor won an award from the US Commerce Association.
You: Congratulations!
No.
You: No?
No.  It didn’t pass the smell test.
You: How did you know?
First off, [...]

Continue reading about Monetary Psychology

Michael on August 10th, 2009
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You: Cheesy title.
Monday morning.
You: You too?
Yup.  Anyway, I thought I’d take this fine Monday morning to highlight some of my best recent articles from around the web:

Twelve Crazy Myths of Personal Finance was a ton of fun to write. Pretty sure you’ll enjoy it too, evidenced by its selection as an editor’s pick at [...]

Continue reading about Where in the world is Michael Rubdiego?

Michael on August 5th, 2009
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As my wife and I continue to search for a home –
You: What’s going on with that?
We bid on a home a few weeks ago and didn’t get it.
You: Any follow-up?
There was another opportunity to bid higher and become a firm back-up, but we decided not to.
You: So now what?
We’ve basically exhausted all of the [...]

Continue reading about Where is the housing market going?