Archive for August, 2008
« Previous EntriesSeth Godin’s Lost it!
Friday, August 29th, 2008Ads are the new tip jars?
Of course Seth’s a marketer so he could have written that post as a way to generate some buzz by ruffling some feathers.
Regardless, ads are NOT tip jars and telling people to click on them just for the hell of it is just stupid.
Thoughts?
This Is My LEAST Favorite Time of Year!
Friday, August 29th, 2008Here’s why:
That’s the projected path of Gustav. You can click here to see an updated graphic.
FYI – I realize I’m not the only one impacted by hurricanes. I inserted the red dot with the word “Me” next to it in order to give you a frame of reference as to how close my [...]
Would You Rent an Apartment to This Woman?
Thursday, August 28th, 2008I received an email from a reader this morning with a link to this article: Morris Family’s Plight Shows Flaw in Housing Assistance Program. The reader wanted to know my thoughts and the thoughts of AFM readers.
Legalities aside, would you rent an apartment to the lady in the article? I’m not a landlord, [...]
FHA Raising Its Premiums
Thursday, August 28th, 2008Saw this in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal.
Beginning October 1, the FHA’s upfront premium charged to most borrowers will increase to 1.75% from its current 1.5%. The WSJ gave an example that the upfront premium on a $300,000 loan will be $5,250, which is $750 higher than the old premium. The annual premiums will [...]
Last Day to Sign Up For the Little Book Boxed Set Giveaway!
Thursday, August 28th, 2008FYI – If you haven’t yet signed up for a chance to win the latest giveaway, you still have time. Just head over to that post and leave a comment.
I’ll announce the winner tomorrow morning.
Good luck!
Got a Bad Attitude? These Ten Actions Will Help You Snap Out of it!
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008One of the things I love about Jeffrey Gitomer’s books* is their simplicity. You can pick up a little book, flip to a page, start reading, and pick up something useful or motivational.
On page 83 of the Little Gold Book of Yes! Attitude* is a list of ten actions a person can take in [...]
Financial Education Could Be a Bad Idea
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008We hear a lot of people calling for increased consumer education when it comes to financial matters in this day and age. Not everyone agrees, though.
Lauren Willis, for instance, an associate professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles says that financial education for the masses is not only a waste of [...]
Are 401(k) Plans Really That Bad?
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008At least once a week I receive an article submission from a guy named Steven Selengut. Steven, a portfolio manager and author, runs Sanco Services, a portfolio management company. This week’s article is titled “Why 401(k) Retirement Plans Really Don’t Work,” which you can read in its entirety here. The author prefers [...]
‘Experts’ Say Consider Yourself Rich if You Have $5 Million
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008In light of our discussion last week on the definitions of “rich” and “fair,” I thought I’d share this article by Bard Hem and L.M. Sixel that I read over the weekend in the Houston Chronicle:
For some it might be $100,000. Others might say it’s $1 million, $5 million or even $100 million.
Or maybe it’s [...]
Are You Better Off Now?
Monday, August 25th, 2008Apparently many Americans see themselves as better off now than they were seven years ago during the last economic downturn, according to an online poll administered by CNNMoney.
CNNMoney was so surprised by the positive reactions to their question that they are asking readers to talk back and share their stories.
Personally I am much better off [...]