I’ve written in the past about the importance of banking only with FDIC-insured institutions (or NCUA-insured credit unions), and also of respecting the FDIC insurance limits. That’s all well and good, but…
Is the FDIC running out of money?
If you’ve been following the financial news over the past day or so, you’re likely aware that the [...]
Archive for September 2009
FDIC Insurance Coverage: Is Your Money Safe?
Written by Nickel - 18 Comments
Published on September 23rd, 2009 - 18 Comments
Filed under: Banking
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Filed under: Banking
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Qualifying for a Mortgage
Written by Laura Martinez - 6 Comments
With the $8,000 first-time homeowner’s tax credit deadline approaching, many people are still trying to get in on the deal. If you’re in this boat, don’t assume that just having a down payment is enough (even though it’s a big help).
Applying for a mortgage involves a thorough check into your finances to see if you [...]
Published on September 22nd, 2009 - 6 Comments
Filed under: Mortgages, Real Estate
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Filed under: Mortgages, Real Estate
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Dealing With a Collection Agency
Written by Nickel - 7 Comments
A reader that I’ll call Mary recently wrote in with the following question about dealing with a collection agency:
We were in a horrible car accident last year and our car insurance just now paid the car towing company. This company turned our bill over to collection agency which listed this on our credit report. Now… [...]
Published on September 21st, 2009 - 7 Comments
Filed under: Credit Cards, Debt Reduction, Mortgages
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Filed under: Credit Cards, Debt Reduction, Mortgages
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Weekly Roundup – Cold Water Edition
Written by Nickel - 6 Comments
About three weeks ago, our hot water heater tripped the circuit breaker. In the time since then, it’s become clear that it’s in need of serious help.
While we could’ve had it repaired, we decided to go ahead and replace it. Unfortunately, the unit that we want had to be ordered, so we’ll be without hot [...]
Published on September 20th, 2009 - 6 Comments
Filed under: Link Love
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Filed under: Link Love
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Lending Club – August 2009 Performance
Written by Nickel - 6 Comments
As August came to a close, I was enjoying a 12.40% net annualized return with Lending Club. Throughout the month, I focused on expanding my holdings beyond my original “High Risk†and “Low Risk†test portfolios. In addition to those two portfolios, each of which has 20 loans, I’ve created an “Ongoing” portfolio with an [...]
Published on September 18th, 2009 - 6 Comments
Filed under: Saving & Investing
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Filed under: Saving & Investing
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Avoid Overdraft Fees With a “Balance Buffer”
Written by Nickel - 24 Comments
As a followup to my recent post on the dark side of debit cards, I wanted to highlight a simple strategy for avoiding those nasty $30+ overdraft fees…
Instead of letting your account balance run down near zero, create a “virtual zero” by depositing what might be referred to as a “balance buffer” of (say) an [...]
Published on September 18th, 2009 - 24 Comments
Filed under: Banking
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Filed under: Banking
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Why Do You Want To Be Debt Free?
Written by Matt Jabs - 30 Comments
Have you noticed the increased buzz about “becoming debt free” lately? Everywhere we turn, more and more people are talking about clipping coupons, cutting expenses, building emergency funds, etc. This has been especially true over the last year or so.
Why all the hype? Why are so many people looking to rid themselves of their debt [...]
Published on September 17th, 2009 - 30 Comments
Filed under: Debt Reduction
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Filed under: Debt Reduction
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How Automation has Helped Me Reduce Debt and Save
Written by Laura Martinez - 14 Comments
Readers often e-mail me for tips on how to keep their finances manageable. There are so many options out there that it can be overwhelming. I was speaking with my mom about this some time ago, and she felt the same way.
My mom has been responsible with her money, but she felt that she could [...]
Published on September 16th, 2009 - 14 Comments
Filed under: Debt Reduction, Saving & Investing
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Filed under: Debt Reduction, Saving & Investing
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American Express Introduces Online Banking Products
Written by Nickel - 5 Comments
If you’re in the market for a new bank, you might want to keep your eye on American Express. According to a company press release, they’re introducing a new online savings account as well as a variety of CDs. Here’s the scoop:
Personal Savings from American Express is a new line of FDIC-insured certificates of deposit [...]
Published on September 15th, 2009 - 5 Comments
Filed under: Banking
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Filed under: Banking
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The Pareto Principle and Building a Better You
Written by Nickel - 13 Comments
The Pareto Principle holds that, for many events, 80% of the effects can be attributed to 20% of the causes. Also known as “the 80/20 rule,” or “the law of the vital few,” the Pareto Principle has been found to apply to a surprisingly wide variety of things in everyday life.
Examples of the Pareto Principle
The [...]
Published on September 14th, 2009 - 13 Comments
Filed under: Frugality, Productivity, Working
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Filed under: Frugality, Productivity, Working
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