Free Money Finance

Classic FMF

Here are some posts worth re-reading from (roughly) one year ago this week:

• How You Can Earn Over 2.6% Cash Back by Using a Combination of the American Express Blue Cash and Chase Freedom Cash Visa Credit Cards - One of my "classic" posts on making the most from your cash back credit card.

• At Walmart, "W" is for "Wait", At Costco, "C" is for "Come on Through" - Still true a year later.

• Don't Quit Your Job Before You Get Another One - One major way to derail your career is to quit your job before you get a new one.

• I Told You So - And the pain continues a year later.

Giving Paradox, Raises at Work, Taxes, and Stocks on Sale

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Does Giving Help Make You Wealthy or Are You Wealthy in Spite of Giving? -- Is it a paradox?

• Should You Ask for a Raise When You Take on Additional Responsibilities? -- My answer: yes.

• Is This Right? 60 Million American Adults Don't Pay Taxes? -- Still burns me up.

• Stocks "On Sale" -- Who knew when I wrote this a year ago that we'd have another year of stocks on sale? ;-)

Saving Money and Social Security

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Disney Money Saving Tips: Avoid Crowds, Be Flexible, Shop Around -- If you're thinking of going to Disney (or any similar place) on vacation, read this post. It will probably save you a boatload of money.

• Save Thousands on a New Honda Vehicle by Knowing All Dealer Incentives -- Good, solid advice for saving on a car.

• When to Take Social Security -- This is sort of a moving target, but good to re-visit once in awhile.

Saladmaster, Saving Money, and Your Career

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Our Night with Saladmaster - Has it been a year already? Seems like this happened only yesterday.

• Save Money by Shopping at ALDI - Seems like more and more people I know are shopping here.

• Why I'm Letting My Subscription to Smart Money Magazine Expire - I haven't missed it one bit.

• Managing Your Biggest Asset: Your Career - A topic I always LOVE to write about.

Saving Money and Getting a Job

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Downgrading Your Cleaning Supplies – Save Money & the Environment - Saving money and the environment!

• Becoming Michael Jordan for $14.98 (Save a TON on Basketball Shoes) - Too bad they just declared bankruptcy!

• How to NOT Get a Job - This post makes me smile. ;-)

Saving Money on Food and Cleaning Supplies

Here are a couple posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Enjoy Eating In and Save Time and Money to Boot -- Good money saving tips.

• Downgrading Your Cleaning Supplies – Save Money & the Environment -- More money saving tips!

Money and Happiness, getting a Raise, and the Housing Rebound

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Money Makes You Happier -- Up to a Point -- After you reach a certain level, more money usually doesn't make you that much happier.

• Six Steps that Will Get You a Raise -- Getting a raise is a good thing.

• Here's How You'll Know When the Housing Rebound Has Started -- Using this criteria, the rebound hasn't started yet. (No news there.)

Lots of Good Stuff Here

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Investment Smackdown: Index Funds Versus Actively Managed Funds -- Good, balanced discussion of the issue.

• Low Costs Usually Equal a Better Investment (And the Various Costs You Need to Look For) -- Given the same (or similar) returns, a lower cost fund is a better investment.

• Saving on Wedding Tips from a Wedding Consultant, Part 1 -- With the cost of an average wedding approaching $30,000, I think lots of people could use this tip.

• How Much College Debt is Too Much? -- Yes, you can accumulate too much college debt.

• Save Money with a Whole-House Fan -- We're still loving our attic fan.

Money Questions and Wedding Cakes

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• What Do You Do When a Business Makes a Mistake in Your Favor? -- First interesting question I posed to readers.

• Should You Share Your Salary with People at Work? Do You? -- Second interesting question I posed to readers.

• Save Money on a Wedding by Renting a Wedding Cake -- Look at the comments. The wedding cake makers from around the country HATE this idea. ;-)

Thanks goes to the following Free Money Finance sponsors this week:

• eFinPlan -- FMF readers can use coupon code 92BF3 to save 10% on this service.

• Dolans.com -- Free report on how to cut debt, slash fees, save money and more!

Saving on Vacations, Medical Tourism, and Saving on Wedding Gifts

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Save on Vacations by Being Flexible -- Best way to save on vacations that I can think of.

• Why Go Abroad for Medical Care Reason #1: Cost Savings -- Duh.

• How to Save on Wedding Gifts -- Don't need to spend a fortune to give a meaningful gift.

Inexpensive Wedding, Giving Away Your Estate, and Medical Tourism

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• How to Have A Wedding for Under $200 - Don't see too many of these.

• Giving Away Money to Reduce Your Estate and Minimize Taxes - We plan to give away a lot of our money as we get older and see that we don't need it.

• Save a Ton of Money with Medical Tourism - Depending on how the next president attacks the health care issue, medical tourism could really take off next year.

Thanks goes to the following Free Money Finance sponsors this week:

• Tutor.com -- Sign up for a free 50-minute trial session.

• eFinPlan -- FMF readers can use coupon code 92BF3 to save 10% on this service.

• Dolans.com -- Free report on how to cut debt, slash fees, save money and more!

Staying in Shape, Net Worth, and Saving on Gas

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• The Most Cost Effective Ways to Stay in Shape - Running is cheap and effective.

• What's the Best Way to Calculate Net Worth? - The age-old "house or no house" debate detailed.

• Four Gas Saving Myths - Doesn't it seem like we've been talking about saving on gas for forever?

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Wealth and Intelligence, Credit Card Donations, and Free Promotion

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Why Smart People are No Better Off Financially - You don't have to be smart to be wealthy! Good news for me! ;-)

• Donate to Charity with a Credit Card - Help others and yourself at the same time.

• Companies I Promote for Free - Though I would take payment if they offered it.

Bad Index Funds, Worth of a Mom, Wal-mart Troubles, and Asking for a Raise

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• All Index Funds Are Not Created Equal - A word to the wise.

• How Much Is a Stay-at-Home Mom Worth? - My original thoughts on this issue.

• What's Going on with Wal-Mart? - No improvement in the year since I wrote this.

• Ask for a Raise - Always good advice in my opinion.

Free Money Finance is brought to you by Tutor.com. Check them out for a free 50-minute trial.

Growing Your Net Worth, Good Investing, and Exiting a Job

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• The Top Five Steps to Grow Your Net Worth - A classic for me.

• The Greatest Enemy of a Good Investment Plan - A good plan will get you where you want to go.

• How to Exit a Job Gracefully - Simple advice from my past experience.

Choosing a Job, Stocks vs. Real Estate, Changing Careers in Middle Age, and More!

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Don't Choose the Job with the Highest Salary -- Here's a List of Other Factors to Consider - Money's not everything.

• Investment Smackdown: Are Stocks or Real Estate a Better Investment? - I'm with the stock crowd, though the real estate people have reasons to believe.

• How to Change Your Career in Middle Age - Be very careful.

• Eight Work Perks You Wish You Had - Wish you had any of these?

• Owning Versus Renting a House Nets You a 7.6% Return - Classic rent versus own debate.

Inheritance, Healthcare in Retirement, and Saving

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Don't Count on an Inheritance to Get Rich - The lottery may be a better strategy.

• The Biggest Financial Issue in Retirement: Healthcare - Every day it becomes more apparent that this is a HUGE issue.

• How Much You Should Be Saving - 10% or more?

Your Career, Your Marriage, and Saving Money

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Make the Most of Your Career by Getting a Compensation Agreement in Writing (I Did and It Made Me Five Figures) - Don't mess around when it comes to your career.

• Solve Marriage Spending Differences by Having a Personal Account - This has worked for us for years.

• Save Big Money on Clothing - You can get some good deals at Kohl's if you shop wisely.

• Save a Little Bit a Day and Become Rich - Save a boatload of money a bit at a time.

Emergency Fund, Declining Stock Market and Spending Less than You Earn

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• This is Why We Have an Emergency Fund: The Sump Pump Breaks Down - Another reminder why an emergency fund is so important.

• What I Do When the Stock Market Goes Down: Buy More - Ha! Been doing this for a year now! ;-)

• Ultimately, You Must Spend Less Than You Earn - A simple truth worth revisiting again and again.

Killing Your Net Worth and Saving Money

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Little Splurges Kill Your Net Worth - Small expenses can really add up.

• Save Money by Eating at Home - It's almost always cheaper to eat at home versus going out.

• Lose Weight and Save a Half-Million Dollars - Taking care of yourself can add up to some big savings.

Asking for a Raise, Brokers with Bad Advice, and Getting the Most from a Donated Car

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• More Thoughts on Asking for a Raise - It never hurts to ask, right?

• Shocker: Many Brokers Give Bad Advice - "Broker" is another word for "salesperson."

• How to Get the Maximum Tax Deduction for a Donated Car - A few thoughts from my experience.

Saving Money, Making Kids Rich, Hated Taxes and More!

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Save Big Money by Talking About What You're Planning to Buy - A GREAT tip I stumbled upon.

• A Great Money Saving Tip That Few People Use - The coat lasted through this winter too.

• How I Plan to Make My Kids Multi-Millionaires on $1,000 a Year - A little bit of money over a long time makes people very wealthy.

• What is the Most Hated Tax in America? - I'm going with the federal income tax.

• The One Answer to Every Financial Question - Want to guess what it is?

Get Out of Debt, Getting a Raise, Saving Money, and More!

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• How to Get Out of Debt - Simple, basic, useful article.

• Saving Ten Percent of Your Salary for Retirement is Not Enough - Sorry, but 10% doesn't cut it these days.

• Four Tips for Getting a Raise - Who doesn't want a raise?

• Generic and Store Brand Products -- Much Cheaper and Just as Good (Or Even the Same Thing!) as National Brands - I buy generic and store brands as often as possible.

• Buying a Car Using the Web - I've used this method a couple times to save thousands of dollars.

• Best Ways to Save for College - If you're going to college (or know someone who is), this is a must-read.

• How to Invest Using Only Index Funds - I get asked a lot how to invest using only index funds. This is the answer.

One Year Ago This Week -- March 7

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Why I Like Index Funds

• Don't Pour Your Money Down a Relative's Drain

• How and Why to File Taxes Electronically

• How to Spend Your Tax Refund Wisely

• Six Simple Mistakes that Slow Down Your Tax Return

• How to Create an Emergency Fund

One Year Ago This Week -- February 29

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• 13 Steps to Becoming Wealthy

• The Relationship Between Money and Sex

• Consider Total Compensation When Evaluating Job Offers

• $10k Challenge: Make Money at Auctions

One Year Ago This Week -- February 22

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• The Career Intensity Guide to Getting a New Job: What to Say in your Letters to Get You in the Door

• Value of an Advanced Degree Later on in Life

• Discipline Leads to Wealth

• How to Get Ahead Financially

• Ignore Investing Noise

• $10k Challenge: Maximize Your Investments

One Year Ago This Week -- February 15

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• $10k Challenge: Get Money Owed to You

• Saving Money on Heating Your House

• $10k Challenge: Ask for a Raise

• The Stock Market Gains 10% Per year ON AVERAGE, But Usually Not 10% in Any One Year

One Year Ago This Week -- February 8

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• When to Pay Off Your Mortgage

• $10k Challenge: Sell Stuff You Own

• Don't Loan Money to Friends and Family Members

• How Much Money Can Pets SAVE You?

• How You Can Own Two Homes with No Debt on $33,000 a Year

One Year Ago This Week -- February 1

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Facts about Millionaires: Most Become Wealthy from Their Jobs

• Key to Financial Security: Spend Less than You Earn

• Making the Most of the Money You Have

One Year Ago This Week -- January 25

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• $10k Challenge: Turn Your Hobby into an Extra Income

• The Worst Hype-Machines of the Personal Finance Magazines

• $10k Challenge: Make Money with Credit Cards

One Year Ago This Week -- January 18

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Make Extra Money Each Year -- Your Guide to Wealth

• 9 Keys to the Best Credit Card Rewards

• 4 Key Qualities that are Essential for a Successful Job Search

One Year Ago This Week -- January 11

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• The Biggest Barrier to Becoming Rich

• Market Timing is a Fool's Game

• The Five Best Financial Moves for 2007

• What Do You Think about "Buy Term and Invest the Difference"?

One Year Ago This Week -- January 4

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Turning a Hobby Into an Income: How I Did It

• Save Money on Medical Expenses by Buying Your Own Equipment and Medicine

• Best of Free Money Finance: The Richest Man in Babylon: Seven Cures for a Lean Purse

• It's STILL Not What You Make But What You Spend

• It's Budgeting Time of the Year

One Year Ago This Week -- December 21

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• How to Make Your Child a Millionaire

• Top Five 2006 Money Topics on Free Money Finance

• How to Sell Your House in a Buyer's Market

• Six Tips for Acing Your Year-End Review

One Year Ago This Week -- December 14

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Save Money When a Store Messes Up by Asking for Something Bigger/Better at the Same Price

• Why You Shouldn't Listen to the Financial Media (and What They Don't Want You to Know)

• Save Money by Looking for Medical Billing Mistakes

• 12 Saving Tips for the Holidays

One Year Ago This Week -- December 7

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Banks Work to Maximize Overdrafts

• The Four-Legged Retirement Stool

• How to Regift

• What is Investment Rebalancing and Why You Need to Do It

• 8 Ways to Keep Overall Pet Costs Low

One Year Ago This Week -- November 30

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Five 401k Mistakes to Avoid

• 12 Rules for Re-gifting

• How to Write a Winning Resume

• Smoking is Costing You a Fortune

• How to Give Great Gifts When Money is Tight

One Year Ago This Week -- November 9

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Free Money Finance Top 10 Most Hated Posts/Themes: #4 Evil House Loans

• College Degree Worth an Extra $23,000 per Year

• Median Net Worths -- Are You Ahead or Behind?

• Review: The Smartest Investment Book You'll Ever Read

• How to Find Money to Invest

One Year Ago This Week -- November 2

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Do You Do Stupid/Risky Things that Jeopardize Your Financial Future?

• Learn from Millionaires and Others -- Don't Trade Frequently

• Rebates are a Scam

One Year Ago This Week -- October 26

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• What I Invest In

• My Thoughts on "One Year Ago" Posts (And Why I Post Them)

• Save Money when Shopping Online: Always Search for a Promotion Code First

• Save Money by Sealing Up Your House

• Free Money Finance Top 10 Most Hated Posts/Themes: #10 Financial Planners

One Year Ago This Week -- October 19

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Five Tips to Save Money This Holiday Season

• How Much Would You Spend Without Asking Your Spouse?

• From the "Are You Kidding Me Files": "Should I Pay My Boyfriend's Debt?"

One Year Ago This Week -- October 5

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Health and Beauty Aids: Walmart versus Costco, Kirkland Brand versus Equate Brand -- Which is the Best Deal?

• What Would You Do with $5 Million?

• How to Choose the Best Reward Credit Card

• Can You Trust Your Financial Adviser? Look at His Job Title to See

• Save a Ton by Dropping Cable TV -- You Won't Miss It

One Year Ago This Week -- September 28

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Move, Save Money, Become a Multiple Millionaire -- All in One Step

• Best of Free Money Finance: Insurance Posts

• How to Find a Good Financial Planner

• Ask for More Money When You Get a Job Offer

• Paying the Minimum on Your Credit Card Will Cost You a Boatload

• My Best Financial Advice: Spend Less than You Earn

One Year Ago This Week -- September 14

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Exotic Mortgages Losing Their Allure (It's strange to read this post now that the subprime problems have surfaced since last year.)

• Why Extracurricular, Volunteer, and Community Service Activities in High School are so Important at Getting You into the College of Your Choice

• What You (or Your Child) Should be Doing in 9th Grade to Get into the College of Your Choice

• Everyone Needs Some Frivolous Purchases

One Year Ago This Week -- September 7

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Best of Free Money Finance: College and Education Posts

• Save Money by Being Friendly

• A Third Way to Get an Incorrect Medical Bill Corrected

• Review: Getting into College and Paying for It by Reecy Aresty

• The Truth About The College Funding Process

• The True Cost of a Pet Dog

One Year Ago This Week -- August 31

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Another Way to Get an Incorrect Medical Bill Corrected

• Money Saving Tip: Calculate the "Per Use" Cost

• How I Set My Retirement Number

• Best of Free Money Finance: Career Posts

• How to Save Money While Living in a Big, Expensive City

• Why I Like Index Funds (Updated)

One Year Ago This Week -- August 24

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Which is More Important -- A High Starting Salary or Higher Average Salary Increases?

• How to Maximize Credit Card Rewards (And Why Cash-Back Cards are the Best for Most People)

• I Set My Retirement Number and Boy It's a Doozy!

• How to Know When It's Time to Quit Your Job

• Why I Shop at Bed Bath and Beyond -- They Know Customer Service

• Yes, Moving to a Cheaper Cost-of-Living City Can Make You Rich

One Year Ago This Week -- August 17

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• The 10 Best Money Moves You Can Make

• How Moving to a Cheaper Cost-of-Living City Can Make You Rich

• A High Starting Salary is Worth Almost $1 Million

• Are Pets Really that Expensive?

• Will Earning More Make You Happier?

One Year Ago This Week -- August 10

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• I've Saved Over $1,300 (At Least!) by Cutting My Own Hair

• Spending Less Versus Earning More: Which is More Important to Financial Success? (40 comments so far.)

• How to Set the Right Price When Selling Your Home

• How to Ask for a Raise

• Money Saving Tip: Threaten to Cancel

• Save Money and Increase Your Home's Value with a Carpet Steam Cleaner

One Year Ago This Week -- August 3

Here are some posts worth re-reading from one year ago this week:

• Some Great Career Tips We Can All Use

• Sell Your House: Five Tips for a Better Open House

• Why Contributing to Your 401k is Vital to Your Financial Health

• Retirement: Don’t Do What I Did

• How to Get an Incorrect Medical Bill Corrected

• More Great College Savings Tips -- Save up to 50% Off College Costs