Bankruptcy is not a get out of jail free card for your debts, it’s a nuclear weapon. If you use it, expect to be considered credit unworthy for a decade.
personal finance
Personal Finance Roundup
By 1.29.09
Basics of Treasury Bonds & Securities Explained [Bargaineering] “Government bonds are still safer, from a capital preservation perspective, than every other investment.”
Don't Get Your Account Frozen When Traveling Overseas
By 1.28.09
Nothing sucks like getting stranded internationally without cash, which can happen if your bank confuses your sudden overseas withdrawals with potential fraud and puts a block on your account. That’s why it can be a good idea to call your bank up and have them put a note on your account to say when and where you’ll be traveling. ING Direct customers, for one, go to their checking account maintenance page and fill out the form that asks about travel info. Sure you could probably just call to get the block lifted but then you have to buy a card with one of those funky chips in it and figure out the international calling code and whatnot. (Thanks to Brandon Savage!) (Photo: piglicker)
Save Thousands On Credit Card Debt By Paying Off More Each Month
By 1.27.09
Are you smarter than a credit card? You’re not if you’re not paying off more than what the credit card company requires you to each month.
2008 1099-Composites Mailed By Feb 17 Not Jan 31
By 1.27.09
One thing you probably didn’t hear about the bailout is that it extended the required mailing date for 2008 1099-Composites from Jan 31 to Feb 17. So don’t get freaked out and run down to the dirt road to the mailbox to keep checking for it. Just sit back on the porch and wait for your little post-Valentine’s tax present to arrive. (Thanks to Chris!) (Photo: booleansplit)
Increase Your Citibank Grace Period By 5 Days Just By Asking
By 1.26.09
Martin discovered he was able to get Citibank to extend his grace period from 20 to 25 days. It seems all you have to do is ask! Here’s how he found out.
Chase Eats All WaMu Credit Cards In March, What Happens?
By 1.26.09
When Chase completely takes over the old WaMu credit card division in March, a new super-power will be granted to WaMu credit card customers who also have a Chase credit card, reports CreditMattersBlog. As long as you have a zero balance on one of the cards, the two cards will be combined and your Chase’s credit limit will now be the sum of the two credit limits. WaMu cardholders without a Chase card will get to convert their cards into Chase cards.
Personal Finance 101 Required For High School Graduation?
By 1.26.09
Yay, New Jersey! They’ve got a bill in the works that would require all high school seniors to learn basic personal finance skills, like writing a check, managing credit card debt, and getting a mortgage. Excellent, kids should graduate high school knowing cosine and cosign.
Should You Do Your Own Taxes?
By 1.23.09
Well, as if the state of the economy isn’t giving us enough pain, here’s a reminder for you: tax time is on its way! We know — we’re piling on. One issue each of us faces is whether to do our own taxes or have someone else do them. MSN Money notes that 62% of Americans have professionals do their tax returns and offers three questions to help us decide whether to do our own taxes or not:
Personal Finance Roundup
By 1.22.09
Ten Simple Ways to Make Your Boss Think You’re Brilliant (And Indispensible) [Dumb Little Man] “Here are ten simple, no-effort ways that will make your boss think you’re both indispensable and brilliant.”
Nice Letter Gets Chase To Reinstate Man's Promotional APR
By 1.22.09
Stop the presses! Brian was able to get Chase to reinstate his promotional APR even though he accidentally set up in the auto-payment system in a way that incurred late fees. His secret? Asking politely and making a cogent argument that positioned his request in a manner any business would understand. His strange-but-true tale, inside.
4 Ways To Lose Your Rewards Points
By 1.20.09
Part of the new year and the new year is getting rid of unnecessary clutter, like rewards points! Here’s 4 ways to increase your chances of losing your credit card rewards points.
Prepare For A Budget Meltdown By Conducting A Financial Fire Drill
By 1.17.09
You’re fired! Now what? It’s the nightmare scenario, and you can prepare for it by conducting a financial drill. Take a moment and pretend you have no income. Ask how you would pay pay for rent and food, and what lifestyle changes you could make on two week’s notice. To guide your planning, the New York Times has a few unorthodox and downright scary suggestions that are worth considering in a worst case scenario.
Defending Access To Your Credit Cards & Lines
By 1.17.09
Credit card issuers are panicking, cutting credit lines and entire cards. This can have a negative impact on your credit score, here’s a few ideas on how to defend against it.
Debt Collectors Incessantly Harass Dead Son's Parents
By 1.16.09
Debt collectors are illegally harassing Vincent’s parents for debt their son owes. Vincent died last year at 27 from a sudden heart attack during a softball game. “I’m afraid to pick up the phone in my own home,” said Roco Crimeni, father. “That’s the hard part, to tell them my son is dead. How many times do I have to repeat it?”
Which Financial Gurus Are Worth Listening To?
By 1.16.09
We’ve already noted that author Eric Tyson believes Jim Cramer’s stock advice is worse than a coin toss. Now Tyson takes on the advice of “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” author Robert Kiyosaki. In summary, Tyson berates Kiyosaki’s disdain for mutual funds and refutes many of the arguments Kiyosaki uses to favor real estate over them. Tyson also points to a larger review of Kiyosaki’s teachings that is, shall we say, less than complimentary.
Personal Finance Roundup
By 1.15.09
Here’s our weekly roundup of the best personal finance news. Inside: investing lessons, gadgets to buy, mentoring, career tips for women, and fixing money mistakes.
Fired? Suck Up To Your Enemies
By 1.14.09
Here’s a cheeky guide for sorta-lazy people to survive being laid-off. Number one: Kiss the ass of ex-coworkers you hate.
