Category: Hints
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Year-End Tax Savings Tips
As 2006 draws to a close and the holidays beckon, it’s time to turn to some last minute tax and money savings tips worth heeding. Medical Expenses The first thing that always comes to my mind is scheduling any medical appointments that you need in this year, before the next year of deductibles kick in…
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LED Holiday Lights: Eco-Friendly & Reduces Your Electric Bill
“There are two kinds of light – the glow that illumines, and the glare that obscures.” — James Thurber In Deck the Halls, Danny DeVito decorates his house with Christmas lights in an excessive attempt to make it become visible from space. I probably will never see the movie, but the trailer had me thinking…
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Where the deals are
Macy‘s is having a sale, 10-50% off online and free shipping with $100 in purchases or more. Sears.com has “24 months no interest” on electronics, big discounts (up to $500) on fancy TVs, and free shipping online for $99 in purchases or more. Likewise, JC Penney.com has toys 30% to 70% off, and free shipping…
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Will they or won’t they?
Tomorrow, the Federal Reserve Bank will meet for their final session of 2006, deciding whether to keep interest rates the same, or start lowering them. (No one thinks they will raise interest rates again, now that the economy is slowing down, the housing market is in reverse, and big retailers like Wal-mart are stalling.) So…
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Use it or Lose it
My company, like most in the U.S., jettisoned the “rollover” vacation days a while ago. Too bad! Wouldn’t it be awesome? Save up those vacation days for 5 or 10 years, and then take a six-month trek through Europe or South America. Nope. Today it’s use it or lose it, and studies suggest most Americans…
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Save Money by Cutting Down on Food Waste
“Don’t waste money, don’t waste time, don’t waste food, don’t waste energy.” — Sri Sathya Sai Baba Yesterday on NPR, Ted Robbins interviewed Timothy Jones, an athropologist that suggests ways to stop wasting food. He says, “If you’re feeling guilty about all the food you ate on Thanksgiving, don’t dwell on it. Instead, Jones would…
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‘Tis the Season to Shop
“We used to build civilizations. Now we build shopping malls.” — Bill Bryson Last Friday was Buy Nothing Day. What is Buy Nothing Day? Its organizers explain, “Every November, for 24 hours, we remember that no one was born to shop. On November 24th and 25th — the busiest days in the American retail calendar…
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The Onward Surge of Thanksgiving
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” — John F. Kennedy According to AccountingWEB.com, the cost of Thanksgiving has increased this year. They report, “Turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the rest of a dinner for 10 people,…
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Gayest Post Ever
I, along with pretty much every gay guy I know (except my jock boyfriend), are pretty involved in grooming products, especially moisturizer. Are we shallow and focusing on the skin-deep? Or do we simply take pride in our appearance, like we do a neat working space and a raked lawn? (I’m sure you’ll tell me…
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Don’t Break Your Bank this Holiday Season
Ideally you’ve either budgeted and have a holiday savings account stocked with enough cash to get you through your gift giving, or spread your shopping out over the year so you have a closet full of gifts ready for wrapping. You haven’t? Well, don’t fret. For those of us who like to consider ourselves budget…
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