Blog

Blog

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

Starbucks just changed its reward program: is it finally worth joining?

Posted by on | Featured

  Just because a loyalty program is offered doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea to get involved. For example, I don’t recommend joining car rental loyalty programs. And one program I’ve looked at for a while but never liked … Read More … Read More

Tags: , , ,

How to haggle successfully

Posted by on | Featured

  I’ve already told you how to haggle unsuccessfully. In short: Covet something unique Want it more than the salesperson Not be able to walk away Have nothing with which to bargain Having learned from my mistakes though, I was … Read More … Read More

Tags: , ,

How to haggle unsuccessfully

Posted by on | Featured

  I hate haggling. It’s way too stressful. I hate having to disappoint people, and I worry about insulting them. Also, I always wonder if I’m getting ripped off. To be honest, I have no idea how much things really … Read More … Read More

Tags: , ,

My ideas for my new country for the year

Posted by on | Featured

  All this talk about me helping you decide where your next “new country” trip is going to be rather sidesteps the slightly uncomfortable fact that I myself don’t actually know where my own “new country” trip is going to … Read More … Read More

Tags: , , , ,

How to determine where to travel next

Posted by on | Featured

  I have a travel goal. Every year, I travel to a new country. Seeing one new country in a year is possible without quitting your job or being independently wealthy. In fact, it’s a challenge that starts out rather … Read More … Read More

Tags: , , , ,

Financial cage match: Paying off student loans versus investing for retirement

Posted by on | Featured

  Recently, I made the bold claim that those who have debt aren’t ready to start saving for retirement. I added some relaxing caveats, but I really wanted to put them in an order. Debt first, investing later. I don’t … Read More … Read More

Tags: , , , ,

This is how much you need for your emergency fund

Posted by on | Featured

  An emergency fund, as I’ve talked about before, is a fundamental part of any sound financial life. You want to get to the point where you could live for six months on what you have socked away. (Retirement accounts … Read More … Read More

Tags:

Join the Portland Integrative Finance Community!

Posted by on | Featured

  I’ve created a Meetup group! Called Portland Integrative Finance Community, it is a group where we can come together to share our experiences around two central questions: How can we use money to help us achieve our goals? How … Read More … Read More

Tags: , ,

Socrates, wall-to-wall carpet, and how to deal with unpopular beliefs

Posted by on | Featured

  I’m still getting settled into my home. I suspect that most people have a similar experience, where it takes upwards of six months for it to even slightly feel less like staying in someone else’s place. But for me, … Read More … Read More

Tags: , ,

Hand cramps, office supplies, and a hotel sweepstakes

Posted by on | Featured

  Last time, I talked about the Priceless Surprises promotion, a sweepstakes which is designed to get you to stay at IHG (Holiday Inn) properties and pay with a MasterCard. However, due to laws regarding sweepstakes, there is a way … Read More … Read More

Tags: ,