AT&T is currently running a promotion for their DSL high-speed internet service at $14.95 per month for the first 12 months. AT&T has a limited service area, so check the site for availability. In selected areas, you can also get AT&T … [Read the rest]
Immediate Annuity Options & Trade-Offs
Posted on July 29, 2010 // 13 Comments
These days, everyone has a regained respect for stock market volatility. One way to maintain a more stable income in retirement is to take part of your nest egg and buy a single-premium immediate annuity (SPIA). With an SPIA, you pay a lump-sum … [Read the rest]
Auto Insurance Rate Averages by State
Posted on July 28, 2010 // 23 Comments
Here is a chart of average auto insurance rates by state, via AARP.com, shaded by overage ranges. Click for an interactive map with more details and a ranking. I wonder why rates in Louisiana are so high. $2,500 per year? Is it fear of … [Read the rest]
Buffett On Municipal Bond Risks
Posted on July 27, 2010 // 8 Comments
After being asked (well, forced) by Congress recently to testify regarding the credit rating agencies Moody's and Standard & Poor's and their role in the last financial crisis, Warren Buffett was also asked what he saw the next big related risk. … [Read the rest]
Are You Using Too Much Soap?
Posted on July 27, 2010 // 20 Comments
Not exactly a hard-hitting topic, but still applicable to those trying to live efficiently. This NY Times article talks about how most people use way too much soap in their washing machines and dishwashers, which is both wasteful and can shorten … [Read the rest]
Historical Mortgage Rates Chart (1986-2010)
Posted on July 26, 2010 // 15 Comments
While doing some more research into a possible refinance or loan modification, I ran across this chart of historical mortgage rates from 1986 from HSH. Before, I stated a source that said the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.56% … [Read the rest]
EverBank Yield Pledge Money Market & Checking: Good Offer For $10k+ Balances
Posted on July 23, 2010 // 3 Comments
Everbank has 6-month bonus rates for their Yield Pledge Money Market and FreeNet Checking accounts. Both of these offers are targeted at new customers opening with at least $1,500, but in the end do offer some of the top rates available for an … [Read the rest]
Better Financial Motivator: Stick or Carrot?
Posted on July 23, 2010 // 6 Comments
We all have financial goals that we want to reach. Some of us do better with a reward attached to reaching our goal (carrot), while others may actually try harder if trying to avoid a punishment (stick). We are motivated by personal desire, by … [Read the rest]
Chart: Unemployment Lasting Way Too Long
Posted on July 22, 2010 // 35 Comments
Above is a chart of the median duration of unemployment from the past 50 years, based on data supplied by the US Department of Labor. That's quite a scary spike we have going right now. (Chart source, via The Atlantic and Greg Mankiw.) Not … [Read the rest]
FDIC and NCUA Insurance $250,000 Limits Now Permanent
Posted on July 21, 2010 // 5 Comments
The standard maximum insurance limits for both FDIC and NCUA-insured accounts have been permanently raised to $250,000 per depositor as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, signed July 21st, 2010. The limits were … [Read the rest]
Stable Value Funds – Exploring Risks and Rewards
Posted on July 21, 2010 // 13 Comments
The last time I wrote about stable value funds was in late 2008, both before the 2009 crash and a time when most of my 401k was in stocks. This time around, as I was trying to figure out how to rebalance my larger portfolio in a tax-efficient … [Read the rest]
Mortgage Loan Refinance Breakeven Points
Posted on July 20, 2010 // 16 Comments
Sometimes saving money just involves being lucky. I don't really keep up with mortgage rates anymore, but last week an e-mail subject line just happened to catch my eye that mortgage rates are at "record lows". I always figured that my 5.125% … [Read the rest]
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