Articles by Madison


Free Money, Blog Action Day, Lending Club and More!

Posted by Madison on October 15, 2008

There is so much going on this week! Lending Club is open again (which is great since I have $300 in my Lending Club account after winning the PF Challenge) and Prosper is entering a quiet period to add a secondary lending market. In addition, Grocery Game notified me that chicken was at a rock-bottom […]

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Help a Reader: Save and Invest for Kids

Posted by Madison on October 14, 2008

Time for some reader input! Here’s a question from Jaynee. She and her husband have been doing a great job saving money for their kids. They diligently put gifts the kids receive into their savings accounts. However, now that the balances are growing, she knows a savings account isn’t the best place for the money […]

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15 Must Do Fall Finance Tips

Posted by Madison on October 13, 2008

Three months ago you worked on your Mid Year Checkup. How time flies! Another quarter later, and it’s time to prepare your finances for fall. Here’s 15 more tips to get your finances in shape: 1. File your taxes. What? Didn’t we do that back in April? Not so if you got an extension. Your […]

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We joined Costco! And we went there 5 times in 8 days! Here’s the catch with Costco, if you pay with credit, you need to use an American Express card. Lucky for me I keep a stash of credit cards handy for “emergencies” like this! Why does it matter which card I use? Because I […]

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September 2008 Net Worth Update: -5.6%

Posted by Madison on October 9, 2008

Our portfolio decreased -5.6% in September, bringing us to 862% total increase since the beginning of our dollar plan. In addition, our year-to-date total decrease is -16.9%. Reflections on my portfolio this month September was tough, just like most of 2008. However, instead of looking at the gigantic losses, it helps to focus on the […]

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The Impact of Marriage and Divorce on Your Finances

Posted by Madison on October 8, 2008

We joined Costco. And I’ve only been there 5 times in 8 days! Thanks for all your suggestions; we knew exactly what to look for. Now I just need to get my True Earnings Credit Card for Costco and I’ll be all set. Also on my checklist for today is tuning my TiVo for a […]

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Improving Middle Class Finances Through Education

Posted by Madison on October 7, 2008

Tax breaks, savings credits, and fabulous graphs of the Presidential tax plans are all the rage, but I think the root cause of the money management problem in our country is the complete lack of financial education. Our schools don’t teach a comprehensive financial program (or anything in most schools), and many parents don’t teach […]

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11 Ways to Save on Car Insurance

Posted by Madison on October 6, 2008

As you work to build your net worth, protecting your nest egg is a critical part of your total financial picture. While we often view car insurance as being able to fix or replace our own damaged vehicle, even more important is protecting your other assets in the event of a large liability lawsuit. Of […]

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$50 Sign Up Bonus from TradeKing

Posted by Madison on October 3, 2008

Say it with me! Free Money Friday! You know the routine, Friday is all about free money here at My Dollar Plan. Today TradeKing is offering a $50 sign up bonus for new accounts opened in October and November. About TradeKing Online broker; ranked #1 Discount Broker by SmartMoney Magazine in 2006 & 2007. All […]

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Frugal Recipe: Chicken Soup

Posted by Madison on October 2, 2008

Apparently I struck a spot close to your heart (and your stomach) with the Ideas for Frugal and Easy Cooking. In a time where food prices are on the rise, it’s more important than ever to find frugal recipes that fulfill your need to eat healthy and satisfy your taste buds. Sue Bette to the […]

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