In just a short month we’re going to be kicking off year number four at My Dollar Plan! It’s been an incredible journey, and I couldn’t have done it without the best readers in the world. Thanks, everyone! I thought it would be fun to celebrate with the My Dollar Plan readers, Oprah style. You […]
Archive for September, 2010
7 Frugal Moving Tips
Posted byI just moved into a new, much smaller apartment and learned some major lessons about what (not) to do! My move was extra hectic thanks to three trips in the three weeks leading up to the big move…including one that ended less than 72 hours before my movers arrived! I’m passing some of my hardest-learned […]
If there’s one upside to the economic mess we’ve been in for literally years now, it’s that interest rates are near an all-time low. If you’re keeping cash in a high-interest savings account, you probably wish rates would go up. But for people looking to finance a house, car, education or other major purchase, you […]
Some of my favorite cash rewards credit cards now offer cash back on a rotating quarterly schedule. Since we’re winding down 3rd quarter, it’s time to do our planning to maximize your cash rewards for fourth quarter (and holiday spending!) to make sure we’re carrying the right cards and know where to use them. Happy […]
Will You Pay for College for Your Kids?
Posted byLately, I’ve been working on planning for college expenses for our three kids (ages 1, 3, and 4). We stopped contributing to their 529 plans a few years ago, as I felt they were fully funded. Now, I’m working on optimizing the investments and planning for all the tax impacts and strategies. At this point […]
Prepare for the Holidays…Today
Posted byIf you get paid twice per month, there are only 7 paydays left until Christmas! Last year, we shared some ways to prepare for holiday spending. This year, I’m hoping to get started (and finished) even earlier. Here are 5 things I’m doing to smooth out holiday spending and usher in December with low stress […]
Carsharing Using Zipcar Rental
Posted byI attended college in Washington, DC and got through four years without ever owning or even using a car. But when I decided to stay in the area after graduation, I realized I might occasionally need a set of wheels. I planned to use public transportation for getting to and from work, but I knew there […]
With tuition payments due this month, who couldn’t use a few extra dollars towards books and classes? Time to learn how to use some of our previous 0% Balance Transfer offers in combination with your state’s 529 plan for some big savings! You can use this strategy to create a self-managed monthly tuition payment plan or […]
Free Amazon Prime for Parents
Posted byThis week’s Free Money Friday offer is a special one for all of the Moms, Dads and caregivers out there! Amazon is offering a new program called “Amazon Mom” that offers some great money saving benefits! How to Become an Amazon Mom Member Sign up at Amazon Mom and tell them whether you are a […]
Moving to 100% in Stocks
Posted byI decided to move our portfolio into 100% stocks. But it’s not a scary as it might sound. I’ve been maintaining a 88/12 stock/bond asset allocation for awhile now. But we have a few components to our portfolio that haven’t been included. I want to include them for a more holistic picture. Pension Plan. The […]