Some finance articles have been moved. You can find them on my career site. But you’ll also find household / money-saving tips here — plus a few basic finance articles. And your questions about personal finance are still very welcome!
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Brita Water Tastes Bad After It Sits For a While
Whether it's Brita water or any water that tastes good at first but bad after it sits you're not alone. I was being driven nuts by the yucky taste of water that started out so pure tasting. Especially the glass of water I leave on my nightstand for … [Continue reading]
Why Does My Mutual Fund Pay a Dividend?
A friend of mine wrote to ask me why the value of his stock mutual fund is higher than the simple difference between what he paid for it a few weeks ago and the current price that he sees listed now. So I said the difference is the dividend. He … [Continue reading]
Ally Review: Opening an Account with Ally Bank
I'll admit I was a little nervous about opening an account with Ally. First, I never worked with a bank that was online only. Second, I didn't know much about Ally bank, although I had heard of it. Could I trust it with my money? And I know I'm … [Continue reading]
Fixing Wood Scratches & Blemishes With Shoe Polish!
There are lots of products out there designed to help touch up wood scratches and blemishes. But if you have shoe polish lying around you might be amazed how well that works on your wood furniture or floors. At about half the price or even better … [Continue reading]
Freezer Savings: Make Your Own Frozen Mirepoix Veggies!
Now some of you may be saying "what's mirepoix?" And others more savvy in the ways of cooking are saying "Big deal! I always make my own mirepoix." But I'm writing this for anyone shelling out money for packages of frozen mirepoix veggies. A … [Continue reading]
Saving Money Is Hard. I Feel So Deprived!
People often tell me that they feel so deprived when they try to go on a financial diet. Much like real dieting, saving money is really hard. The effort alone can leave you in a what feels like a psychological state of deprivation. Also like a diet, … [Continue reading]
Are You Wasting Money on Food That’s “Healthy”?
No one wants to waste money. It's too hard to come by. But wasting money on food that's supposed to be healthy for you -- well, that feels like an outright sin. So what exactly is "healthy food"? And exactly when, if ever, should we be spending … [Continue reading]
Fixing a Clogged Bathroom Sink Drain With Cheap Shampoo
Need help with a clogged bathroom sink drain? Well, not THAT kind of clog. What worked for me I've only tried this on my bathroom sink. But with just some cheap shampoo and hot water, my clogged bathroom sink drain was running clear within … [Continue reading]
Easiest Way To Open a Jar
I know this is a personal finance blog, but sometimes I like to share household tips. Especially ones that save you money on extra gadgets. This is the easiest, most fail-safe method I've ever found to open a jar. And for someone like me, with … [Continue reading]
How Much Should Mortgage Rates Affect Buying a Home?
A friend called to ask how much mortgage rates affect the decision to buy a home. His son Joe wants to buy a house but he's worried about the ups and downs of mortgage rates. Currently up, but not all that long ago way down. Decisions like this … [Continue reading]
Chase Mobile App Review (from a Reluctant Convert)
I have been very reluctant to give mobile banking a try, but finally gave into the Chase mobile app. I have to say that I found their mobile app extremely easy to use. And I was pleasantly surprised. Big thumbs up. Since I have physical issues, I … [Continue reading]
Baking Soda Mouth Rinse For Tooth Acid
I love simple money-saving hacks for everyday problems. One of my favorites is baking soda mouth rinse. Why? It's a great way to keep tooth acid from adding to your dental bills! Now you might be wondering what I'm even talking about. What's the … [Continue reading]
Savings Tip: How To Save Money on Dishwashing Liquid
No matter which brand of dishwashing liquid you buy, you know that more often than not when you squeeze the bottle a lot more of the soapy liquid comes out than you need. Well ... you can save money by simply adding water to the container as you use … [Continue reading]
8 Uses for Old Toothbrushes
Time to replace your toothbrush? Good oral hygiene includes making sure you aren't brushing on bristle fumes. But why throw the old ones away if there are uses for old toothbrushes? Always looking for ways to recycle and reuse, I started saving my … [Continue reading]
How To Make a Soft Pillow Firmer
Before spending money on a new pillow, you might want to try something I just did. I used needle and thread to make a soft pillow firmer. Seriously! I have neck issues that pretty much make my continual search for the right pillow into a sacred … [Continue reading]
How To Fix a Plumbing Leak with Gum & String
A friend just called me asking for the name of a good plumber. He needed someone to help fix a small plumbing leak under his kitchen sink. So I asked him "Do you have gum and string?" He thought I was kidding, but I most definitely was not! When I … [Continue reading]