Has the stock market turbulence from the last few weeks got you pooping in your diaper? You're not alone. Here's a parody video of the usually confident E-Trade baby facing some portfolio losses. Warning: Some bleeped-out curse words. … [Read the rest]
80% off Restaurant.com: $25 Certificates for $2 Until 8/31
Posted on August 26, 2011 // 8 Comments
I haven't mentioned these in a while. Restaurant.com is running one of their temporary 80% off sales on their $25 certificates (Regular price $10) with coupon code TASTY. Offer valid through 8/31 at 11:59PM PST. Despite my initial skepticism about … [Read the rest]
Lower Costs = Higher Returns (Again) and Survivorship Bias
Posted on August 25, 2011 // 4 Comments
Whether you invest your hard-earned money in passive index funds or actively-managed funds, the more important thing is that costs matter. Every penny you pay in mutual fund expense ratios, sales loads, trade commissions, and financial advisor fees … [Read the rest]
Brand and Price As Shortcut Quality Indicators & The Coach Factory Outlet Trick
Posted on August 24, 2011 // 18 Comments
I'm currently reading the book Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture by Ellen Ruppel Shell, which is very well researched and a good read so far. One of the major themes of the book is how our culture is losing the ability to discern quality … [Read the rest]
Swensen Portfolio 10-Year Total Returns: Low-Cost Diversified ETF Portfolio Results
Posted on August 23, 2011 // 11 Comments
Last week, I shared a chart that showed how a diversified portfolio that was rebalanced regularly still managed to nearly double in value over the last decade. Here's another similar finding based on the David Swensen portfolio as compiled by an … [Read the rest]
Get Out Of Sprint Cell Phone Contract, Avoid Early Termination Fee (August/September 2011)
Posted on August 22, 2011 // 46 Comments
If you are under a Sprint cell phone contract and want to get out of it without paying the steep Early Termination Fee (ETF), check your statements with a billing date in August. Look for the following text: Administrative Charge Increase & … [Read the rest]
Make Money Bidding on Self Storage Auctions?
Posted on August 18, 2011 // 8 Comments
Self-storage unit auctions have been getting increased attention to two new reality TV shows, Storage Wars and Auction Hunters. The premise is simple. If someone pays to have their stuff stored there, but stops paying the rent, the storage company … [Read the rest]
Wells Fargo, Chase Bank Testing Monthly Fees for Debit Card Usage
Posted on August 18, 2011 // 12 Comments
The fees are coming! Since February, Chase Bank has been testing out a monthly fee for anyone who uses their ATM debit card for purchases in areas of Northern Wisconsin. Regions Bank and Suntrust have added fees as well. Per this CNN Money article, … [Read the rest]
Buy, Hold, and Rebalance! How Patient Investors Still Quietly Grow Their Money
Posted on August 17, 2011 // 15 Comments
There is a lot of uncertainty in investing, and it always seems like especially now. Buy and hold has been called dead many times. However, if you look carefully, you'll find that there are many people who have quietly grown their portfolio over … [Read the rest]
Mortgage Comparison: 30-Year at 4.75% vs. 15-Year at 3.75%
Posted on August 15, 2011 // 35 Comments
After the interest rate drama last week, I managed to lock in a refinance of my current 30-year mortgage (with 26 years left) which had a 4.75% fixed rate into a new 15-year mortgage at a 3.875% fixed rate. You'll probably see lower rates in ads and … [Read the rest]
$300 in Gift Cards or $399 towards Airfare or Hotel from Citi ThankYou Premier Card
Posted on August 13, 2011 // 17 Comments
The Citi ThankYou Premier Card currently offers 30,000 bonus ThankYou Points after $2,000 in purchases within 3 months of account opening. That is enough to redeem for $300 in gift cards at stores including Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, and CVS … [Read the rest]
TradeKing Broker: Free Stock Trades on 8/12
Posted on August 11, 2011 // Leave a Comment
Discount stock broker TradeKing.com will be offering their customers free trades for all of Friday, 8/12/11: In appreciation of your business, this Friday we’ll be offering a special free trade day for all clients. Any trades placed throughout the … [Read the rest]
The Best Credit Card Bonus Offers – 2025
Big List of Free Stocks from Brokerage Apps
Best Interest Rates on Cash - 2025
Free Credit Scores x 3 + Free Credit Monitoring
Best No Fee 0% APR Balance Transfer Offers
Little-Known Cellular Data Plans That Can Save Big Money
How To Haggle Your Cable or Direct TV Bill
Big List of Free Consumer Data Reports (Credit, Rent, Work)