Archive for April, 2007
« Previous EntriesMagic Formula Portfolio - April Update
Monday, April 30th, 2007Here’s the Magic Formula Portfolio (hypothetical) through the month of April:
The portfolio was actually up over 13% last week but has fallen back to a little over 10.19% year-to-date, which still isn’t too shabby.
I’ll do the 3rd “Purchase” tomorrow. For more information on the portfolio and the strategy, see these posts:
A Look […]
Women Don’t Like Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
Monday, April 30th, 2007According to this Washington Post article, women seem to be the main stumbling block in making compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) popular. Actually, I don’t really care for CFLs either. Part of it is the fact that I really didn’t know what I was buying when I bought them and the bulbs I bought […]
What’s Your ThriveQ?
Monday, April 30th, 2007I just spent the last 5 minutes or so reviewing a new tool called ThriveQ that was put together by Thrivent Financial. Truth be told, I’m not really a fan of Thrivent Financial but this is an interesting retirement planning tool. I like the fact that they don’t ask for personal information like […]
Sometimes It Pays to Wait
Monday, April 30th, 2007Regular readers of this blog know that I balked at renewing my Wall Street Journal subscription this year because they raised their price from $215 per year to $249 per year. I let my subscription lapse but they kept sending me papers for about three weeks. They also kept sending me renewal notices […]
Question of the Day - Car Insurance
Monday, April 30th, 2007The post, Why Are Insurance Companies So Interested In Your Car’s Onboard Computer System?, from the Consumerist made me think about a great Question of the Day:
Should insurance companies be allowed to use information gathered from a car’s onboard computer (black box)?
This question may not have much meaning to you now, but I have a […]
How Would $4 Gas Affect Your Budget?
Friday, April 27th, 2007I was talking with my wife about how some people are predicting gasoline to go to $4 per gallon. She said, “Wow. That would cause us to make changes to our budget. Something would have to be cut.”
She’s right. My wife drives a lot of miles and according to […]
Why Your Planner Wants You in Debt
Friday, April 27th, 2007I saw this little article in the May 2007 issue of Money and had to share it with you because it is related to all my mortgage posts. Unfortunately, there’s no link available so I’ll have to tell you what it is about. On page 40B of the May issue of Money there […]
Mad Money - Apparantly So (Guest Submission)
Friday, April 27th, 2007I don’t usually publish guest posts but today I’m going to make an exception. The following post was submitted to me by John Hinchey of H and K Services. This is NOT a paid post. Also, please feel free to leave a comment about your impressions of Cramer’s Mad Money.
Jim Cramer’s nightly […]
Are Americans Saving Too Much for Retirement? An Interview with Laurence Kotlikoff
Friday, April 27th, 2007The May issue of Money has a short interview with Laurence Kotlikoff, who is sort of the new ambassador of the consumption-smoothing movement. I’m not that familiar with consumption smoothing but I remember Scott Burns mentioning it when I interviewed him last year. Anyway, I thought this little tidbit from the Kotlikoff interview […]
Oregon Governor Lives One Week on Food Stamps
Thursday, April 26th, 2007Video.
I used to work in a grocery store and am quite familiar with food stamps. The lady’s buying habits in the video are MUCH better than I remember of the typical food stamp user, which is a shame since those with poor shopping habits are most likely to become those with poor health. […]