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Blog

Musings on personal finance and more. Not written with AI since 2012.

This is why you don’t want an adjustable rate mortgage (or private student loans)

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An adjustable rate mortgage seems like a good idea, but when interest rates start to rise, you’re going to regret your choice. This past week, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by three-quarters of a percent. The last … Read More … Read More

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How to know if a large purchase is affordable

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People often think only of the per-month cost when determining what they can afford, but that can be an expensive mistake. Can you afford it? It’s a simple question on its face, but the more you dig into it, the … Read More … Read More

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How to reduce money conflicts on vacation

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Vacation can be stressful, especially when not everyone has the same impulses when it comes to spending. But you can reduce money conflicts. Traveling can be stressful in lots of ways. In normal times, there’s the stress of getting from … Read More … Read More

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Why you shouldn’t panic when mortgage rates rise

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Mortgage interest rates are rising, but rushing to buy a home before prices rise further will lead only to worse financial challenges. I’ve always thought of homeownership as a kind of train. As renters, you’re running behind it, trying to … Read More … Read More

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Why you can’t invest in crypto

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Many people think that they are investing in cryptocurrencies, but they are wrong, because the very nature of crypto makes this impossible. When it comes to crypto, most people fall into a few categories: “I keep hearing about it, but … Read More … Read More

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Why you should get a refund and not store credit

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When you make a return, many retailers want to refund your money to store credit or a gift card, but here’s why you don’t want to do that. I had to return an item the other day on Amazon. It … Read More … Read More

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You paid your student loans. Others won’t. How is that for you?

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Hearing of borrowers getting their student loans forgiven can be hard for those who paid all of theirs off, but here’s why it’s good for you. With regularity, there are stories coming out that more and more people are having … Read More … Read More

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How to find out if you have secret savings bonds

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The U.S. Treasury has a site called “Treasury Hunt” where you can find out if you have savings bonds in your name (or not). When I was a kid, I remember there was a special on TV called “The Mystery … Read More … Read More

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Why you should connect with your partners around money

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Many in relationships avoid talking about money with their partners, but this can cause unnecessary conflict and prevent greater connection. The statistics are clear: Money is the biggest source of stress for those in the U.S.A. And money is the … Read More … Read More

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