“No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:3 (MSG) If February had a theme, it would be, of course, love. Sure, Valentine’s Day has become a bit commercial, with everything from cakes to multi-carat diamonds available in the shape of a heart, but […]
Author Archive | Matt Bell
Motivation for Getting Out of Debt
If you carry a balance on a credit card, you probably know the helpless feeling of dutifully making the minimum payment, only to get your next statement and see how little your balance has budged. A better approach is fixing the amount that you pay each month (instead of paying the minimum amount required by […]
Taxing Questions
Wondering if the cost of your pet pot-bellied pig qualifies as a medical deduction because having it around is so therapeutic? As reported by FiLife.com, until the end of this month, the folks at Turbo Tax are standing by to answer your tax questions–no matter how ordinary or odd–for free. Just submit the question via […]
A Rebate That Sparkles
If you bought a diamond between 1994 and early 2006 (come on guys, you can remember the year you got engaged, can’t you?) you may be able to get back a portion of what you paid in the form of a rebate. As reported by the Chicago Tribune, it’s the result of a class-action lawsuit […]
Where the Rebates Are
Complaints about rebates are skyrocketing, according to a story in U.S. News & World Report, with more shoppers growing frustrated over confusing redemption rules, tight deadlines, and other roadblocks to cashing in on the promised money back. Still, they’re a popular marketing tool, a way for manufacturers and retailers to promote discounts, all the while […]
Boost Your Take-Home Pay
If you usually get a tax refund, why not make this the year to stop giving Uncle Sam a free loan? The IRS withholding calculator, now updated for 2008, helps you estimate how much you should pay in taxes. It just takes a few minutes, so run the numbers and then compare your results with […]
Happy Choices
Harvard Psychologist Daniel Gilbert was asked by the Washington Post for some suggestions on making choices that’ll make us happier in 2008. Gilbert said one mistake people often make is overestimating the negative impact of a bad decision, and that keeps us playing it safe. Got a dream? His advice is to go for it. […]
Saving Advice From Those Who Know
Consumer Reports recently asked its retired readers what they wish they had done differently in preparing for their later years. Their biggest regrets had to do with their saving habits. Some 35 percent wish they had started saving earlier (only 15 percent started in their 20’s) and 30 percent wish they had saved more each […]
May It Be
“For nothing is impossible with God.” – Luke 1:37 I love the start of a new year. It’s a chance to begin again, to set fresh goals and make new plans for the months ahead. As we make plans for 2008, whether financial or other types, let’s make sure that our plans are God’s plans. […]
Where Does All the Money Go?
In a surprisingly candid _New York Times_ article, a personal finance writer acknowledged losing sight of $10,000 of family income over the past year. She and her husband use a budget and track their “basic” expenses. Still, when they totaled up the year’s income versus expenses they found that $10,000 was unaccounted for. How did […]