Saving Strategies

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 [...]

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Michael on September 11th, 2009
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I had one heck of a long weekend over the Labor Day holiday.
You: What did you do?
Being that the weekend represents the unofficial end of summer –
You: Why is that?
First, because school starts right afterward. Second, because it’s already getting cool here in New Hampshire.
You: Seriously?
Seriously. On a bike ride early yesterday morning I actually [...]

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I’m often asked if the emotional separation inherent in credit card usage also applies to debit cards.  To the dismay of avid debit card users everywhere, I believe it does.
You: Why?
Debit cards are made of plastic.
You: The material matters?
No, it’s not the material that’s at issue. Debit cards are superior to credit cards since, for [...]

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Michael on April 1st, 2009
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April fools.  Did I get you?
Today’s topic is:
Spending less on technology
Until recently, upgrading your computer every two or three years was a virtual necessity.  Now, many people have learned that the PCs of a few years ago can be made into practically new machines by adding memory and hard-drive space.  Furthermore, the total cost to [...]

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Michael on January 13th, 2009
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At 1PM today, I’ll be leading a saving strategies webinar.  It’s hosted by Skillsoft, a leading provider of on-demand e-learning and performance support solution.  (Their subsidiary, Books 24 x 7 has a robust database of wellness books and picked up Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck early last year.)   Learn more about the webinar and register.
The [...]

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Michael on January 12th, 2009
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As my wife and I got ready for bed last night I pushed on the top of the soft-soap dispenser.  Out came a solution roughly composed of 95% water and 5% soap.  I looked at my wife.  She started laughing.  And then I knew what happened.
My three (AND A HALF!) year-old daughter has found a [...]

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Michael on December 19th, 2008
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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 get what a calendar is.  [...]

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Personally, I don’t travel overseas very much, but many folks do.
You: Even those living paycheck-to-paycheck?
Most folks departing on international flights charge their tickets. Think every passenger pays his/her bill in full each month?
You: Probably not.
If you’re a jet-setter of the international variety, you might enjoy and benefit from a quick read of Brett Arends’ recent [...]

Continue reading about Another saving strategy coming your way. Send one back?

Michael on August 4th, 2008
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This week’s Carnival of Personal Finance, which featured among its top Money Management articles my earlier post about Saving on One Income, is full of useful personal finance articles.  Buried as we are however (especially on a Monday) I’ll limit my list of recommended articles to my usual length: one.
If you have time for [...]

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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