There was a lot of discussion around our property taxes in Should We Move to a Smaller House? [1] Our $11,000 annual property tax bill seemed high to many readers. We’ve always known we live in a high tax state (especially for being in the Midwest), but some recent state tax comparisons are helpful to put everything in perspective:
(By the way, we’ve been actively looking at some houses over the last few weeks, but still haven’t settled on a decision yet.)
Debt Ceiling
You can’t read or watch the news right now without mention of the debt ceiling. Is it really important or is it media hoopla? Will the US default? Will Social Security and military checks stop or be reduced? Will the outcome force the markets into a stock market crash worse than we saw in 2008?
I’ve heard all of those statements thrown out, and yes, they sound really scary. But I think instead of grasping a single headline and following the herd into a frenzy, it’s better to step back and read as much as we can about the situation.
I tried to find the best technical description of the financial impacts of the debt ceiling, but to be honest, it’s pretty hard to find anything that isn’t clouded with politics. In search of informative and helpful articles, here’s what I’m currently reading about the debt ceiling:
- Is a Debt Ceiling Deal on the Horizon? [4]
- The U.S. debt ceiling explained [5]
- What Is The Debt Ceiling and Why Does It Matter? [6]
- Explaining the debt ceiling debate [7]
- What is your personal debt ceiling? [8]
What have you read about the debt ceiling that you think is informative and helpful?
Retirement
- Should You Roll Over a 401(k) to an IRA [9]
- 5 Reasons to Not Borrow From 401k [10]
- 401k Loans 101 [11]
Saving
- Heroes of the Frugal Freezer [12]
- How Much Should You Really Save For College? [13]
- Save Money By Roasting Your Own Coffee Beans In A Popcorn Popper: DIY Coffee Roasting Tutorial [14]
Carnivals
- Carnival of Personal Finance [15]
- Carnival of Wealth [16]
- Festival of Frugality [17]
And More!
- How to Find Your Dream Job and Life [18]
- Selling on eBay for Passive Income [19]
- A Frugal Marriage, Five Years in the Making [20]
- My Ten Year Run of Ripping Off Chase is Over… Time to Rip Off Chase… Wait, What? [21]
- Little Known Canadian Benefit Programs – I (Learning Bond, CPP, Grants, NRC) [22]