http://totalcandor.com/blog A Conversation About Income, Wealth, and the Steps in Between Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:25:32 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en You may recall that at the outset of the financial crisis, a time that now seems relatively calm, Congress provided for an Economic Stimulus Payment.  Many married couples and single individuals received $1,200 and $600, respectively, as a result of this program.  Although there has been talk for months about ... http://totalcandor.com/blog/2009/01/economic-stimulus-payments-are-now-recovery-rebate-credits-will-you-get-yours/ I just finished reading Life after a six-figure salary at CNNMoney.com.  The article highlights two examples of the plight of the numerous recently laid off workers. Specifically, how in this very difficult job market  job applicants face stiff competition from other unemployed workers, lengthening the time out of work.  Even ... http://totalcandor.com/blog/2009/01/the-post-six-figure-salary-world/ I hope you are enjoying the holidays. Now that we're in late December, a 2008 recap seems appropriate.  Financially speaking, these were my top four financial moves of the last 12 months: Not buying a house. Although home prices have fallen in our area, prices have only retreated to 2004 levels ... http://totalcandor.com/blog/2008/12/smart-financial-moves-2008-in-review/ We received over a foot of snow last Sunday.  This was on top of another foot that had finished falling less than 24 hours previously.  Needless to say, it was a day that the entire family (save for my shoveling excursions) stayed inside.  It could have been boring. It wasn't. In fact, ... http://totalcandor.com/blog/2008/12/when-you-spend-less-you-get-more-value-out-of-life/ Just about to step into an interview with the Boston NBC affiliate (will air in early 2009) so quickly sharing this week's Carnival of Personal Finance, featuring my article Year-End Financial Planning Tips including 401(k) Matching Contributions. In the spirit of "we're all crazy-busy," the best article of the week is ... http://totalcandor.com/blog/2008/12/quickly-with-feeling/ Did you notice that you're on the last page of your calendar? You: Yup. Have you noticed the calendar shops popping up inside malls and bookstores? You: I have. Me too.  I don't understand calendars though. You: Oh, I can totally explain that to you.  You see, there's 12 months in a year -- No, I ... http://totalcandor.com/blog/2008/12/spending-on-a-calendar/ As Andy Rooney might say "Do you ever wonder why it cashiers ask you to sign for most credit card transactions? They never actually do anything with those slips of paper except file them somewhere, do they?  It's not like there's an army of Martians comparing the signatures to anything ... http://totalcandor.com/blog/2008/12/credit-card-humor/ Today's the final year-end post.  Earlier posts on this topic include using your FSA funds before losing them, maximizing your match in December, taking tax advantage of any capital losses, and year-end IRA considerations. So where are you? You: Me? Yes. You: I'm right here. No, I know that. I mean where are you financially? You: ... http://totalcandor.com/blog/2008/12/year-end-financial-planning-tip-5-where-are-you/ Year-end obsessive man is here again.  Previously, I wrote of the importance of using your FSA funds before losing them, maximizing your match in December and taking tax advantage of any capital losses.  Today, is tip # 4 and concerns IRAs. Don't wait until April 15, 2009 to make your 2008 ... http://totalcandor.com/blog/2008/12/year-end-financial-planning-tip-4-ira-planning-now/ I particularly enjoyed Why Investing in Stocks This Year Was Not a Financial Mistake, a posting in this week's Carnival of Personal Finance.  Money Ning's post gets right to the heart of the issue for anyone who lost money in the stock market in 2008  (Yes, this roughly translates to ... http://totalcandor.com/blog/2008/12/can-you-predict-the-future/