Keeping Your Number to Yourself
Just because an organization you want to do business with asks for your Social Security Number doesn’t mean you need to provide it. According to a _Time_ magazine article, only a handful of organizations actually need your number: Your employer, your bank, and your doctor (if you are on Medicare or Medicaid). However, it may […]
What’s Inside Your Mutual Fund?
Do you know what types of companies your mutual funds invest in? A new _Wall Street Journal_ blog, , pointed to two free services where you can find out. Calvert, a mutual fund company that runs “socially responsible” mutual funds, provides a service called . Just type in the name of your mutual fund, choose […]
The Heart of the Matter
“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:10-11 In his book, “The Progress Paradox,” writer Gregg Easterbrook tells an extraordinary story of forgiveness. Amy Biehl, an idealistic […]
Taking Care of Those Who Take Care of Us
Do you give a Christmas gift to any of the service providers in your life? According to a survey from _Consumer Reports_, those most likely to receive a gift are child-care providers and housekeepers. Those least likely to receive something are garbage/recycling collectors and fitness trainers. The magazine pointed out that it’s good to know […]
A Carbon Offset Short Course
Looks like we may need a new line item in our budgets. Let’s see, groceries? Check. Clothing? Check. Carbon offsets? Huh? If you haven’t heard of carbon offsets, here’s how they work. You go to a web site to calculate your household’s “carbon footprint.” That’s how much carbon dioxide or other pollutants you generate. Drive […]
Making a Difference Grain By Grain
A new web site is redefining the fight against hunger–literally. Part word game, part poverty awareness builder, is all about getting food to those who need it most. Go to the site and you’ll be greeted with a word quiz. Choose the word’s correct definition and you just helped send 10 grains of rice to […]
Gifts With Strings Attached
Can’t decide what to get someone on your Christmas gift list? Gift cards have become a popular choice. But _Consumer Reports_ says there’s a lot to be wary of. For example, if you lose a card you’ll either have to pay a fee to replace it or you’re out of luck. Maintenance fees are common […]
The Good That Money Can Do – Part II
Malnutrition takes the lives of five million children every year–the equivalent of one child every six seconds, according to a story by _60 Minutes_. In the West African country of Niger, the problem is so acute that “most mothers have watched at least one of their children die.” To address the issue, the Nobel Prize-winning […]
Two Priceless Words
By the time this year is through, I will have written 24 issues of this eNewsletter and summarized 96 of the best personal finance articles I could find. However, one of my favorite ideas from the year did not come from a newspaper, magazine, or web site. It came from a couple that graciously shared […]
Slaying the Energy Vampires
The push to unplug is gaining momentum. A couple of months ago I highlighted a simple way to save on electric bills: unplug electric devices when not in use. More recently, _CNNMoney.com_ reported that California lawmakers are working on legislation dubbed the “Vampire Slayers Act” which would require electric products to carry labels stating how […]