Archive for the ‘Finances’ Category

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Happy Comes from Inside You, Not Cash


11 Mar

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Posted in Finances, Marriage, Relationships | Comments Off

While money is listed as one of the most common reasons couples fight, most of us know that the arguments are usually about more than money. That’s certainly the case in this thread, from a woman who wishes she weren’t the breadwinner. In fact, all she really wanted was to be a stay at home mom.

Bless you, if you can make your way through all 13 pages of the thread. I was a participant in the beginning but had to stop for sanity’s sake. Yes, money can make your life better, but you have to choose to be happy.

The Pay Gap


04 Mar

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Posted in Discrimination, Finances | Comments Off

Threads on the pay gap between men and women (and whose fault it is) pop up pretty regularly over at Your Money. Truth be told, I think we regulars all make close to the same arguments every time. I’m good with that.

I believe the only way we fix underlying gender discrimination in our society is by talking about it, by making people aware. Even for people who disagree with the way I see things, I believe they will be more conscious of their own actions in situations where gender discrimination might come up, if they’ve thought about it recently.

Feeling Overwhelmed By Debt


25 Feb

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Posted in Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Finances | Comments Off

Kind of a classic YM thread, even though there doesn’t appear to have been much movement on it.

In this case, we have a first time poster talking about feeling overwhelmed by debt, feels like she never has money, and yet is also certain that she would have nothing to do if she didn’t spend money on entertainment.

The regular posters are actually being pretty nice, asking for a budget breakdown, letting her know it is normal to feel this way, and offering a way out. I hope she’s moved over to the Women in Red boards as was suggested.

Monthly vs Yearly Budgeting


18 Feb

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Posted in Budgeting, Finances | Comments Off

I get paid every two weeks, so my monthly budget is based on two paychecks. That means that twice a year, I get an “extra” paycheck. Are they really extra? Of course not, they’re just not accounted for in my monthly budget.

I also have a yearly budget, and those two “extra” checks, they are definitely accounted for in it. They go toward helping us meet debt payoff and savings goals.

Sure, I could account for them in the monthly budget, but the way its set up works, and when it comes to the budget, working is what I need.

Compromise in Relationships


11 Feb

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Posted in Finances, Marriage, Relationships | Comments Off

This thread started out as a continuation of last week’s discussion on how couples manage their money. The poster talks about the fact that she and her boyfriend have lived together for three years and never had the “money” talk, until now. And it turns out they’re on different pages but need to get on the same one soon because she’s pregnant.

This thread has devolved, as YM threads are wont to do. But I think the end message is an important one- in a relationship, know what you’re willing to compromise on and what your not, financially or otherwise.

My Velocity Micro Cruz eReader


09 Feb

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Posted in Finances, Games, Reading, Software, Technology | 1 Comment »

I bought myself an eReader for birthday/Christmas. I’d spent a lot of time researching the different brands and functionality, and finally settled on the Velocity Micro Cruz Reader. It came pre-loaded with the Borders app, but because its 3rd party, I can download the Kindle or B&N apps, too.

In addition to being an eReader, the Cruz has some tablet functionality. I’m able to browse the web and download games and other apps from the Android app store. Its tablet functionality is not perfect, but considering I paid eReader price ($120), I’m not complaining. And still reading books on it.

Couples and their Money


04 Feb

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Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Marriage, Relationships | Comments Off

We’re discussing a 5 part series on Slate about how couples manage their finances. Do they combine all their money, just some of it, or none of it?

We’re common potters, in the author’s terms. It is what works best for us, but I don’t believe that is the only way for people to manage their finances. Much like everyone’s marriage is different, how they manage their money as a couple (or as individuals) is a decision best left up to them. There is no right way, there isn’t even a “grown up” way, other than not constantly bouncing checks.

Women in Red Racers


28 Jan

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Posted in Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Finances | Comments Off

When you become a racer, you decide what debt you most want to get rid of, then go write down the exact amount of that debt- no fudging, no rounding. Each month you track what you’ve paid off.

The captains keep track of it all and do weekly shout-outs and awarding smiley faces to encourage the racers.

Sometimes you’re the hare- we paid off a full 1/3 of our race last year. And sometimes the tortoise- expecting it to be another 4 years before our race is won. But you have a goal and people to help you get there.

I want a beach house


27 Jan

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Posted in Finances, Home Ownership | Comments Off

I have this love of looking at real estate. Not too far from where I live is the coast. And at the coast, the market is as depressed or more so than it is here. That means that when I do a search for houses that have at least 4 bedrooms and cost under $100k in that area, I get 20 results.

Most need some work. But a 1913, 5 bedroom, 2.75 bath house near the beach for $64,900- I’ll take that, thanks.

Then I remember that we’ve been hit by the recession too, and I go back to looking.

Dear 100 Words On…


25 Jan

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Posted in Finances, Reading, Relationships | Comments Off

Confession: I am addicted to advice columns. Dear Prudie, Margo, Miss Manners, Travel Troubleshooter, it doesn’t matter, I love them. I’ve never been a big fan of the daytime talk show, but I love reading about the train wrecks.

And now with internet columns, you can give your own advice, as well, in the comments section. So if you disagree with the maven, or just want to add your two cents, you can, though I generally don’t.

This may feed my love of the money boards. It’s like an advice column, only, people are actually asking for the group’s advice.

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100 Words On

topics explored in exactly 100 words