tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350128832012-01-08T13:24:36.000-05:00Personal Finance Blog for the young, the frugal, and the fantastic. Saving and frugality basics to stretch your dollar farther.The Financistanoreply@blogger.comBlogger1151100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-36885448573681267462007-06-11T10:52:00.000-05:002007-06-11T10:59:12.577-05:00

As you may have noticed, the posts here at The Financista have been sporadic, at best, of late. Unfortunately, I believe that trend will continue indefinitely as it has been hard to find time to post on a regular basis. If you have ideas or questions for posts, or any comments, please do still feel free to email me at TheFinancista@gmail.com. I do plan to post every so often, but more as the

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-59572639693188317972007-05-24T09:59:00.000-05:002007-05-24T10:47:43.729-05:00

So I don't know who has been paying attention to the stock market lately (I have!), but it has been on an absolute terror, and I am loving it! I am not sure what it is about this time of year, but there is a certain lightness of being all around, even in the financial world it seems. Since Memorial Day starts summer unofficially, stores all around are trying to latch out to your excitement.

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-15519969603947053422007-05-18T15:39:00.000-05:002007-05-18T15:45:10.890-05:00

Everything posted on Freecycle is free -- that's right -- FREE! Posted items range from flashlights to old magazines to berets and various sundry in between. If you've never checked it out, it's worth doing so. My roommate was going to buy a set of free weights until a nice couple replied to my request for them. It's also an excellent way to be a good steward and make sure usable items don't

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-77084704197723363822007-05-17T15:29:00.000-05:002007-05-17T15:52:59.382-05:00

According to a Kiplinger article, more than half of all college seniors make at least a pit stop back in the nest before starting their adult lives. To be honest, I think this has been true for almost every person I know. My own stop was probably shorter than most, one month, but I know several friends and family members that have been back with the parental units for a year or more. While I

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-34316165381645439492007-05-14T22:16:00.000-05:002007-05-14T22:20:14.509-05:00

Here's the scoop: At participating Haagen Dazs tomorrow, between 4 and 8 pm, the company is giving away free 4 oz scoops of one of its new flavors: sticky toffee pudding or cinnamon dulce de leche. The only hard decision will be figuring out which one to pick!

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-61362175929426447192007-05-11T13:44:00.000-05:002007-05-11T13:49:39.728-05:00

This new Keri Russell film has received some pretty great reviews. Way to go, Felicity! If you're interested in seeing Waitress, but don't want to shell out the cash, why don't you see it for free? Unfortunately, it doesn't look like there are free screenings everywhere, but check out if there's one near you. It's just like the tagline line says: It's easy as pie!

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-57551100294691768602007-05-08T08:34:00.000-05:002007-05-08T08:38:11.709-05:00

Bankrate has an article that proposes a challenge to you: Go 7 Days Without Using Your Plastic. Instead, set a realistic budget for the week, take out that much cash and use only that. You can read the end article here. I am heavily dependent on my credit card, but stick to my budget, so I am unsure whether or not I am going to try this out. It might be a good experiment. Any thoughts?

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-4337206676017617172007-05-04T13:34:00.000-05:002007-05-04T13:47:26.158-05:00

If Cascade Action Pacs actually do what they propose to, clean dishes completely without having to handwash anything, they will have a convert here. Yes, I am a nerd, but I can't wait to try these out. I also wanted to present you with a chance to do some free do-gooding. How? It's simple. Burger King has generously agreed to donate $100,000 to the needy Gulf Coast area to a particular

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-63871317788080613442007-05-03T11:37:00.000-05:002007-05-03T10:40:11.610-05:00

Growing up, my grade school's computer lab featured some of those second generation computers, with a size similar to modern day computers, but whose disks actually were floppy, and whose screens displayed a black background screen and green type with a blinking chunky green cursor. (Oh, the memories!) This was well before the days of really quality computer programming for kids, but one of the

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-14000869776563512742007-04-27T10:21:00.000-05:002007-04-27T09:25:01.025-05:00

Art, art, everywhere I look! DC has long been a cultural hub, but the up and coming arts scene is finally giving DC its just deserts with ArtDC. Featuring over 85 galleries, including some homegrown ones, the four day fest promises to be a feast for the eyes. And, today, the normal $12 admission is waived! Doors open at 11 am and close at 7 pm. Check it out if you are in the area.Though none

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-54304663141924242152007-04-26T10:54:00.000-05:002007-04-26T09:54:54.703-05:00

I love Tivo. I can honestly say that it's one of the devices in the last decade that has truly made a large impact in my leisure time. No longer a slave to arbitrary show times, I am free to come and go as I please, and I can skip through all those enticing ads that make me want to spend money on things I don't need! Tivo was the initial innovator in DVRs, and with its partnership with Amazon,

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-66055043916727156892007-04-25T13:57:00.000-05:002007-04-25T12:57:54.846-05:00

Saving money is not always easy, and saving money for retirement is sometimes the most difficult financial hurdle of all because of its haziness as something that exists off in the distant "FUTURE" (Insert Twilight Zone Theme here). As we get older, different financial obligations arise, even further complicating the matter.For example, in my twenties, my focus is a balancing act between saving

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-77117969278413003292007-04-23T08:44:00.000-05:002007-04-23T08:54:25.641-05:00

Since my recent move, I have been up to my ears in new purchases (or so it feels), so who can blame me for trying to defray these costs a bit? One such way was to open up a credit card at the department store where I bought my new mattress. Whether or not this was a good move, really depends on how well I pay attention to when the promotional period (10 months) ends. If I don't, there's a

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-2925811418632197572007-04-19T10:35:00.000-05:002007-04-19T09:35:33.081-05:00

Admittedly, this is only loosely related to personal finance (though it does have to do with spending your money on quality things and getting good deals), but I found an excellent website today about the best ethnic restaurants in DC, written by a professor of economics at George Mason: Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide. Mind you, I've heard the claim that DC has no soul, and to some extent,

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-82702892252392898602007-04-16T21:12:00.000-05:002007-04-16T20:12:54.782-05:00

I love the analogy that an emergency fund is like Noah's Ark that Everyday Money makes. I would appreciate the shout out to the Good Book on its own, but the post also makes an excellent point: Where would Noah have been without his ark? When it comes to personal finance, an emergency fund is your ark and salvation in tough times. I know you are saying, "But, Financista, I am barely scraping by

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-16343277004341715142007-04-13T23:41:00.000-05:002007-04-13T22:42:03.827-05:00

Weeks like this past one made me yearn for a good pick-me-up (and Ryan Adams was nowhere to be found). This sample from Folger's could have been a good fall back choice . Check out the free sample here.

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-71826148291277769732007-04-12T00:22:00.000-05:002007-04-11T23:21:28.266-05:00

My current answer to that would be, "what's that?" For all of you faithful readers out there (hi Mom), you may have noticed that my usual steady trickle of posts has dropped off a bit of late to a bare drip. Things are hectic at work, etc., but that doesn't stop me from dreaming of the things I could be doing. For example, some handy dandy DIY projects! (I adore arts and crafts). Here are

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-25010882892888074292007-04-09T14:24:00.000-05:002007-04-09T13:25:17.318-05:00

-------------------------------------------------------Thanks to Andrew for letting me know that the link below seems to be DOA. They must have pulled it. Sadness. I hate to be a misinformer. To make it up to you, at least those of you on the East Coast, Baskin Robbins is offering a free scoop of ice cream until the 13th, which I hope you can enjoy. Check out the link here. With spring in

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-48869785760343158352007-04-05T21:52:00.000-05:002007-04-05T20:52:52.176-05:00

For some of you, this is small fries. However, to me, this is a BIG PAIN. Currently, my paycheck is directly dumped into my Emigrant Direct (ED) account, and my rent, student loan, and credit card payment are all debited directly from it. This was a great little system while it lasted. I first heard of this alarming news no, not from Emigrant Direct, but from Jonathan at My Money Blog (on

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-66899900733253162742007-04-03T08:38:00.000-05:002007-04-03T08:49:12.423-05:00

Morningstar has a nice basic article for younger folks about some fundamentals of what to do with your money. Their advice is to budget, save, and plan. The advice about setting a financial timeline is especially worth considering.

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-56824392341409894892007-03-30T10:26:00.000-05:002007-03-30T09:26:06.712-05:00

"When the moon hits your eye and your face looks like a big pizza pie, you need Bioré." Check out today's free sample for Bioré skin products here.

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-87289112860320708232007-03-28T14:14:00.000-05:002007-03-28T14:25:09.201-05:00

A philanthropic-minded family, the Ebingers, has issued a challenge to Opportunity International, a microfinance institution that helps aspiring small entrepreneurs all over the world, to spread the word about the organization's work. For every person that completes a small (we're talking less than one minute) survey, the family will donate $10, up to a total of $50,000 in all. This is a

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-54585555623187013402007-03-27T11:43:00.000-05:002007-03-27T11:48:30.608-05:00

I am back in DC with an overwhelming amount of things on my to do list and jet lag making me a bit weary. If you find yourself in a similar situation (even sans lag), you may want to check out Gubb, a great way to always have access to your to do list, whenever you have your computer, BB, or cell phone handy. I like the archive feature because it reminds me of what I got done and when and gives

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-23959347840537829622007-03-16T12:52:00.000-05:002007-03-16T13:07:59.408-05:00

I can't decide which of these offers I am more excited about -- free ice cream or getting $250 for opening a new Chase Freedom account. It appears that you must be a first-time cardmember with a new account. I am not sure whether or not existing Chase card holders qualify (non-Freedom cards), so make sure you double check the fine print. ----------------On another note, I am going on vacation

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-42040862938695353192007-03-15T23:44:00.000-05:002007-03-15T10:44:39.106-05:00

In the same vein as my earlier post, check out this free screening from Fox Searchlight films to see "I Think I Love My Wife." Even if this movie isn't any good, at least you can say you didn't waste $10 on seeing it!

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-36404998822372320842007-03-15T11:40:00.000-05:002007-03-15T10:42:32.037-05:00

One thing I like to do on this website is post things (samples, promotions, etc.) that you can get for free. It seems tacit, but obtaining items for free is essential to stretching your dollar further. Sure, a couple of napkins and plastic utensils here, a free screening and not paying an entrance fee there, doesn't seem like all that much money, but when you add them all up, they keep more

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-29037068117532999342007-03-12T12:30:00.000-05:002007-03-12T11:29:57.027-05:00

Do thoughts of the stock market make you squeamish? Do you have night terrors about losing your life savings in the next Black Monday? Well, if so, and even if not, you should check out Bank Deals. Bank Guy has put together probably the finest list of CD (Certificate of Deposit) rates to be found (except, perhaps at Bankrate). Every good portfolio should have some money locked away at a

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-87561941195224594452007-03-09T10:29:00.000-05:002007-03-09T10:33:27.749-05:00

Allegedly, this offer starts to be good today. Check out the website to see if you can score a free bag of these new snacks. When I tried it out, the website wasn't up and running yet, but had a note saying that it would be on March 9, 2007 (today), so you may have better luck this afternoon or tomorrow.Happy Friday!

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-42314630418263369692007-03-08T10:58:00.000-05:002007-03-08T11:05:49.566-05:00

Since many people seem to be on an IV drip to some sort of caffeinated beverage, here are a few places where you can get a free fix in the next few weeks:March 8 (today): Participating McDonald's. (This will vary by franchise). Ask at the counter and you shall receive a free cup of coffee. Allegedly, McD's beat the Bucks in a blind taste test recently, and they are out to celebrate. If you are

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-26382214001372018032007-03-07T13:47:00.000-05:002007-03-07T13:47:59.148-05:00

I am currently in the market for some new stocks to add to my (meager) portfolio. Since last week's huge drop, many great companies and indexes are trading at a discount. It's like the stock market is having a giant sale! I am not a numbers guru -- if it's anything beyound the basics, I whip out the handy dandy Texas Instruments calculator. To help me in my research, I have found that

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-63807214792690217852007-03-06T12:08:00.000-05:002007-03-06T12:07:58.903-05:00

Unless you have been living under a rock, you've probably heard of Warren Buffet, one of the richest men alive and who has been described as the best investor to ever live. Wouldn't it be great to hear some of his insights as to what makes a good company or investment? Lucky for us, the Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway's letters to shareholders are published online. Since 1965, BH has beat the S&P

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-1099056589061215862007-03-03T10:59:00.000-05:002007-03-03T11:11:41.116-05:00

The declaration by the editors of the Photojojo newsletter that they have a damn fine newsletter is bold, and even better, true! The free photo newsletter is chock full of fantastic, mostly free ideas of what you can do with those hundreds of (or thousands if you are an addict like me) digital photos you've taken. Every time I get a copy of the newsletter in my inbox, a smile pops on my face

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-17882787056527394512007-03-02T13:03:00.000-05:002007-03-02T13:03:53.635-05:00

Due to the lengthy post(s) yesterday, I thought I would try and keep it short and sweet today. If this tastes anything like lemon Propel, I will drive this bandwagon. Get your free sample here. Thanks, G!

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-89955363549743045482007-03-01T17:40:00.001-05:002007-03-01T17:40:13.339-05:00

This week has been deemed America Saves Week. Holler right at that. Every statistic notes that Americans' savings rates are abismal. If you fall into this category, or if you would just like to know how to save more, here are a 20 tips from Kiplinger [with a The F's comments intersperced in brackets and italics] to help you save more:1. Give yourself a raise and bank it. Boost your take-home

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-18623391425152198312007-03-01T09:39:00.000-05:002007-03-01T09:50:21.042-05:00

I wrote recently about purchasing a fun bag from the Breast Cancer Site to use fewer plastic bags and help poor women obtain mammograms. The same cohort of sites is having a sale, ending tonight at midnight PST, that saves you $10 on a $20 purchase. The site is especially useful for finding fun jewelry for yourself or friends. Plus, you get to help the less fortunate. Not a bad deal.Here's

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-47773374316980358962007-02-28T13:55:00.000-05:002007-02-28T14:13:57.070-05:00

As I may have mentioned, I recently moved to a new apartment. With added square footage comes the need to fill that space (a pretty good reason to stay in a cozy place!) With the move, my shopping list includes a host of new items:- new mattress/sheets- bookcases (partial to the leaning/ladder variety)- chaise lounge (IKEA has a very comfortable looking one for $299)- lamp- and MOST IMPORTANTLY,

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-67518219605256444192007-02-26T11:16:00.000-05:002007-02-26T11:25:32.451-05:00

Readymade is the magazine that I wish I had founded. The tagline: A Bimonthly Print Magazine for People Who Like to Make Stuff. Yes! That's me! I LOVE craft, art, and DIY projects. I recently discovered them while wasting time at Urban Outfitters. They published a book entitled, How to Make (Almost) Everything that had me at hello. Feeling handy is one of my very favorite feelings, and I

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-31130180671585867342007-02-23T10:30:00.000-05:002007-02-23T10:33:02.328-05:00

Due to no premeditated thought on my part, today's Free Stuff Friday (FSF) seems to have taken on a bit of a healthy theme. As I am sure you can tell, there's not often a lot of thought put into thematic elements here at The Financista, so this comes as a pleasant surprise! (I kid...well, mostly).To start off with, get yourself in the right frame of mind with a free one-year subscription to

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-15884746693137964882007-02-22T12:27:00.000-05:002007-02-22T12:37:34.778-05:00

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants offer a free $25 Dining Certificate when you make your reservations online. Their food is tasty, though a bit cher ($$$) for just a regular night out. Great for special occasions or when you just feel like treating yourself. With a $25 GC, it might be pretty reasonable. Deal ends March 31. To get this deal: - Click here to make your online reservations;

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-49231351179465309972007-02-21T14:26:00.000-05:002007-02-21T14:27:13.973-05:00

I love the idea of taking someone's garbage and making it into something useful. The Breast Cancer site has a take on this idea by featuring bags made in the Phillipines that are crafted by a womens' cooperative from juicebox packages that would normally take forever (or maybe longer) to decompose. While you save the environment and further a small business venture/social enterprise, you

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-8083770417232579022007-02-13T11:00:00.000-05:002007-02-12T14:08:09.743-05:00

In honor of Mardi Gras, here's a little something to get you in that Carnivale spirit. In fact, I am surprised I am finding this in DC and not in New Orleans. A drink always seems to be a ready accessory in NOLA. I will have to suggest it when I am down there. On that note, starting tomorrow, through Mardi Gras, The Financista will be on hiatus while I am celebrating in the fair city of New

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-88361333773909721202007-02-12T13:54:00.000-05:002007-02-11T15:59:18.536-05:00

Below is my post concerning my contribution to the society at large (taxes). It was brought to my attention that if you clicked on the link I had listed to LibertyTax, and you signed up for their service that way, they would try to charge you $14.95! Wow, no way! Instead, please make sure that if you'd like to use their services (or any of the other tax providers) that you enter their website

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-17946047751177795382007-02-11T16:01:00.000-05:002007-02-09T18:01:11.092-05:00

Attention all Ebay fantatics! If you do your shopping on eBay or other online retailers using PayPal, this promotion is for you! PayPal is offering a $15 rebate on a single purchase of $30 or more made before March 31, 2007 at any qualifying retailer that accepts PayPal including eBay. All you have to do to get the rebate is:- Register your email here- Make a single purchase of $30 or more- Make

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-54819058104832597112007-02-09T10:35:00.000-05:002007-02-09T10:34:46.033-05:00

This free sample is to help with lactose intolerance. And, I am not really going to go into any more detail about this -- You know if you need it! Bring on that Edy's Slow Churned!

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-91099331752150590342007-02-08T09:42:00.000-05:002007-02-08T09:33:37.863-05:00

I have been a Wachovia customer for close to two years now, and I have been usually quite happy with the service I have received -- great online access, good customer service, lots of branches. All of that changed two days ago. Last week, when logging on to check Yodlee (which I do incessantly), I noticed there was an offer for $50 for opening a new free checking account [note the word choice

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-14357623680194493402007-02-06T12:50:00.000-05:002007-02-06T12:47:40.167-05:00

Bankrate, one of my favorites, posted a great allegorical tale about Early Shirley and Late Nate to illustrate the power of compound interest. Please read the story, learn the lesson, and act on it! Consider the tale of Shirley and Nate. Shirley's not particularly organized or ambitious, but she had the advantage of attending a seminar while still at college where she learned about the magic of

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-66913939429872964202007-02-05T23:40:00.000-05:002007-02-05T23:55:34.836-05:00

When I was a little girl, I was in love with Ronald Reagan. I used to go up to the television screen and stroke the glass, always wishing that he would be my friend. In the twenty some years that have passed since then, my love has grown into a deep admiration. I credit his example of fiscal responsibility, budgeting, and optimism with significantly shaping my own financial (and personal)

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-10836006328486932192007-02-05T10:19:00.000-05:002007-02-05T10:19:21.666-05:00

You love hearing other people's dirt? Always around the office cooler, waiting for tidbits to fall out of the mouths of your coworkers? You live for gossip? Get your fill at Postsecret. The author gave his address, invited people to send postcards containing the secrets that they had never told anyone else, and made them into several books. He posts new secrets every Sunday. Skip the soap

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-4910149991864008352007-02-02T11:07:00.000-05:002007-02-03T16:48:10.748-05:00

It seems that just about anything can be made better when the internet is added to it. Finding new music definitely fits into this category. I have already written about my love for Pandora, a way to find new music for free and listen to it online, but what if you want to take it one step farther and buy a new album? Lala is a service that allows you to ethically and legally get new music for

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-82218717434712224902007-02-02T10:42:00.000-05:002007-02-02T11:05:46.741-05:00

This week has been abnormally busy, but here are a couple of things to brighten your Friday. I am amused to remember that the first led to the dumping of the second, and that my taxes still inspire that same kind of rage from me 200 years later.The IRS allows you to file for free online, if you make less than a certain income. The small print says: Free File allows taxpayers with an Adjusted

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-91370512205264135852007-01-29T12:23:00.001-05:002007-01-31T23:22:51.889-05:00

I was recently devastated to see that one of my favorite websites for comparison shopping seems to be no more. Anybook4less.com had been a steady friend these past few years, as had its sister site, AnyCD4less.com. Rest in peace, dear sites. I hope that these are someday resurrected, but in the mean time, life does goes on, and I have found another gem: Priceowl. It seems to serve a similar

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-49684099305552851422007-01-29T12:01:00.000-05:002007-01-29T12:22:14.837-05:00

For every FREE download of The Celebrity Pasta Lovers' Cookbook, Barilla will donate $1, up to $100,000, to America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network. This charity helps secure and distribute more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually. (That's a lot of grub)! Please consider downloading the cookbook and helping out a worthy cause. Thanks, G, for

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-61944386756232955692007-01-26T11:08:00.000-05:002007-01-26T11:23:31.095-05:00

Forbes is reporting that real estate mogul Tim Blixseth is building and plans to sell the world's most expensive home, for $155 million dollars. What strikes me most about this story is this quotation, "Some of (the world's richest) just have to have the best. Price is not an issue." How can $155 million dollars for a house not be an issue? Sometimes I wonder if the very rich have a different

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-54750268284937340982007-01-26T00:31:00.000-05:002007-01-25T23:37:40.623-05:00

This is a special freebie, for those great men and women who teach the little gremlins of our country, day in and day out. As a tutor for only one hour each week, I have a tremendous (and constantly growing) respect for all teachers do. Kids are crazy. It's nice to be able to do something, however small, for them in return. AMC seemingly feels the same way. (That, and they have a keen

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-16395689009614486322007-01-25T14:03:00.000-05:002007-01-25T14:08:18.211-05:00

I read an article in BW today talking about a cool little web-based stock show that targets one stock daily that is at its 52 week peak. Wallstrip seems to be a smart, slick little show, from what I've seen. I think they are getting a lot of hits from their BW fame and have a funny little spoof about it. I can't speak to the validity of their stock tips yet, but hey, I am a product of the You

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-15222904458449875282007-01-21T17:00:00.001-05:002007-01-23T22:15:24.938-05:00

Morningstar has on its website, what I consider to be, the best article for beginning investors ever written. It's the most thorough, clear, concise, and useful article I've read thus far. It's a constant source of reference for me, so I thought I would share. You can find it here. Feel free to let me know if you like it!

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-57449529111486757042007-01-21T16:38:00.000-05:002007-01-21T16:40:33.750-05:00

It seems that for opening a money market account with Suntrust, with a minimum of $10K, you can earn a free ticket to fly anywhere Airtran flies. The money needs to be deposited for a minimum of 90 days. When checking out the promotional website, the money market rate was difficult to find for my area, but it can probably be assumed that it's competitive with other money market rates, in the

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-60507777375159751352007-01-19T19:51:00.000-05:002007-01-19T19:57:54.575-05:00

Mmmm, I love me some sauce. It seems like there's never enough when I have a big plate of noodles sitting in front of me. If you feel the same way, check out this coupon for a free jar of Prego. It seems as though you have to send away for the coupon, but $.39 for a jar of sauce is still pretty great.

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-78501317406877242542007-01-19T11:49:00.000-05:002007-01-19T11:54:20.649-05:00

Sustainability has become a very hot buzzword these days. BW has a piece detailing some top companies that have made it essential to their operations. Often times, this has increased their profits. Imagine that: doing good and making money. As Hendrix once said, this might cause "the hippies [to] pull out all their hair" though potentially in a different context!

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-92167424027222875762007-01-16T22:08:00.000-05:002007-01-16T22:33:32.446-05:00

I recently read an article over at Free Money Finance that really spoke to my view of money. One of the more poignant parts said this: Financial planning is the process of aligning your financial choices with your life passions. And although financial planning can tell you how to accomplish your goals, it cannot tell you what your goals should be. Money is important, but not in and of itself.

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-25584813518510904032007-01-12T13:20:00.000-05:002007-01-12T13:27:14.446-05:00

Reinforcing my love of Jonathan over at My Money Blog, his post today gives a Iowa number that you can call to be able to dial internationally for free! The number is: (712) 858-8094. Check out the site AllFreeCalls.net to find out about more details. Jonathan also did a bit of research as to why this works and is not just another scam. Kudos. This will definitely be helpful in planning the

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-46456124086820088842007-01-12T12:00:00.000-05:002007-01-12T12:01:27.061-05:00

If flossing daily and better oral hygiene were part of your New Year's resolutions, here is a delightful sample of "Extreme Clean" toothpaste from Aquafresh. Smile bright!

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-45034979260163594572007-01-08T22:32:00.000-05:002007-01-08T22:48:17.241-05:00

I was inspired by Madame X at My Open Wallet, who published her financial rules, and I plan to start a little series on what I consider the fundamentals of personal finance and frugality.Fundamental #1 is undoubtedly to live below your means. Whether you are taking in $100 a month or $10,000 a month, you need to learn to make it work for you. While a volunteer with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-62842770709767368692007-01-07T21:11:00.000-05:002007-01-07T21:17:23.917-05:00

Today, at the grocery store, we saved an astonishing $40 on a $160 bill. My jaw just about dropped, in pure delight. We had seen an ad in the grocery store circulator for triple coupons up to $1.00. It was for the store that's the most expensive in the area, but well worth it. It's definitely a good idea to glance at the paper on Wednesday and see what the deals are -- you'd be surprised how

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-84053600472315844662007-01-06T23:12:00.000-05:002007-01-06T23:20:35.301-05:00

I wandered over to a part of town that I hadn't spent much time in before, U Street, and stumbled upon a flea market. My roommates and I were in the market for a nice set of dishware. Lo and behold! I had hit the motherload! The man tried to tell me that the plates were German, until I showed the flipped plate over to him which said quite prominently "Made in England." His response? "Even

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-38031792329831842602007-01-05T09:07:00.000-05:002007-01-05T09:24:41.995-05:00

One link that I consistently use to find free stuff, is Fatwallet. The forums are top-notch and relate to all sorts of deals, not just free stuff. My pick for today, from the forums, is for free coupons from Auntie Anne's Pretzels. All you have to do is submit your email, and you will receive coupons for FREE (though sometimes BOGO) like the one I received. There's nothing better than

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-51230778945568416652007-01-03T17:47:00.000-05:002007-01-03T17:55:31.247-05:00

It's that time of year again - Restaurant Week in DC. January 8-14 marks one of the twice annual weeks where the fanciest schmantsiest restaurants open up their doors and shave down their prices (and oftentimes their portions) to let the regular people, like myself, have a chance to dine at a 4 star restaurant in the city without needing to take out a loan.Even at the prix-fixe costs of $20.07

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-77196864231707648412007-01-02T15:53:00.000-05:002007-01-02T16:13:12.387-05:00

This is a subject that I have always been a bit confused on. I am a cradle Catholic, and I had never even heard the term until I got to college and had some Evangelical friends who told me about the practice. 10%!? Gosh, I thought, that seems rather steep and so I had never disciplined myself to the practice. This year, I hope to make the jump, for several reasons, but not the least of which is

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-34677028887069148652006-12-31T22:05:00.000-05:002006-12-31T22:17:20.662-05:00

The Financista’s New Year’s (Financial) Resolutions In no particular order...- Max out Roth IRA- Increase 401(k) contributions to at least 10%- Post more frequently on blog (hey hey, you all can benefit, too!)- Increase charitable donations to tithing status- Increase odd job income - Double Net Worth by year’s endThese are the main objectives. How about you? What's your most important

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-65865778657788092092006-12-29T13:00:00.000-05:002006-12-29T13:00:14.937-05:00

I seem to be developing a real trend with finding deodorant samples. Oh well. I am pretty loyal to Ladies' Mitchum, but we will see what Soft and Dri has to offer. (Sorry to any male readers - I'll try and find something good for you next Friday!) Check it out here.

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-70906636923452629492006-12-28T14:46:00.000-05:002006-12-28T15:19:23.027-05:00

This time of year always heightens my optimism for the upcoming year, as I think to myself, "This year will be the year I get in shape;" "This year will be the year I have my finances completely in order;" "This year will be the year that I catch up with old friends;""This year [insert another well-meaning determination here]." To get me in the spirit, I always read all of those articles

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-35188205141274598362006-12-28T12:28:00.001-05:002006-12-28T12:35:45.358-05:00

This question has often plagued me. Sure, I've been frugal, counted my pennies, rolled my quarters, but now what? What should I do with all of that money? The Motley Fool had some excellent suggestions, in their suggested pecking order, of where you should park your cash:1. Employer plan with a match2. Roth IRA3. Employer plan without a match4. Traditional IRA5. Taxable investment6. AnnuityThe

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-43555131899859958542006-12-23T15:01:00.000-05:002006-12-23T15:22:56.050-05:00

My brother is quite the golf enthusiast. He caddys at the best country club in town, plays in tournaments, spends his free time watching the Golf Channel, and dreams of going pro. This year, for his 19th birthday, I was at a bit of a loss as to what to get him. Sure, a gift certificate to Golf Galaxy might be nice, but he would use that once, and that would be the end of it. So, instead, I

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-38420800262322215672006-12-21T17:06:00.000-05:002006-12-21T17:07:04.240-05:00

It seems that there is yet another new online bank. However, where this one differs is that it is offering a whopping 6.01% APY for the first three months! Not bad. Also, the bank is actually a checking account, not a savings account. Some other perks:- First 50 checks are free- No maintenance fees if there is a $1500 balance- Free Visa check cardThe fine print:The special 6.01% annual

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-61895452630944911542006-12-20T22:44:00.000-05:002006-12-20T23:02:09.108-05:00

During a watercooler discussion at work, the topic of giving cash (in this case, to the wonderful woman who cleans the office) came up. I have discussed the idea with a few folks, and it seems that most people the same way: we love to receive cash! So what's with the hang-up over giving it? Is it perceived as crass in some way? My opinion is that cash is truly the one size fits all gift.

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-50296259648041053662006-12-18T10:31:00.000-05:002006-12-18T11:27:30.564-05:00

I found out about this service a few months ago and was skeptical. Why would I get tickets for half off and not have to pay outrageous service fees? It seemed almost too good to be true. Lucky for me (and you for that matter!), it wasn't. I recently purchased tickets to the Washington Ballet's Nutcracker here in DC (a truly festive and fun experience) and was able to receive orchestra tickets

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-66858385663387951642006-12-16T14:53:00.000-05:002006-12-16T14:59:50.684-05:00

I don't think I ever written of my love of Blockbuster online. It is far superior to Netflix. Since I split the cost with my roommate, if I were to only get one movie per month, I would get my money's worth. Now, with the Total Access program, I can get almost twice as many movies without paying a dime more. Feel free to try it out for yourself for a month. Use the promo code: friend1.

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-87324627255701892792006-12-08T17:42:00.000-05:002006-12-08T17:45:09.169-05:00

Smart Money ran a story today about a phenomena called the "Non-Divorce" - the idea that people stick together because it's the path of least resistance. Mind you, I am not a proponent of divorce, except in very rare circumstances, but it just sounds so terrible the way they put it.

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-57571023364661518752006-12-08T11:29:00.000-05:002006-12-08T11:32:34.981-05:00

I don't think I have mentioned this website before, but I have received a few good free samples from them: Start Sampling. There's a lot of junk on there that doesn't interest me, but the Dove hand soap I received was GREAT. If I find a coupon for it, I may just buy it.

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-10022125842642472972006-12-06T17:30:00.000-05:002006-12-06T17:51:20.889-05:00

A few days ago, I took some of my own advice and wrote a question in to be answered by my very own personal financial planner. I was quite impressed to receive, not 1, but 2 answers! Unfortunately, they didn't tell me really anything I didn't already know (namely that I am up the creek sans paddle), but since they were kind enough to reply, I don't mind giving them some free (abeit limited)

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-85595265770661177842006-12-04T14:05:00.000-05:002006-12-04T14:28:34.687-05:00

Today, I stumbled upon a gem at the Financial Planning Association's website that gives advice for most of life's major life happenings, i.e. marriage, college, school, retirement, etc. While I didn't see something for the way to fund grad school precisely (this seems to be a topic that no one talks about!), the website as a whole was impressive and seemingly sound, and even better, free! It's

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-68419426272465192192006-12-04T10:00:00.000-05:002006-12-04T14:05:37.393-05:00

Well, I said that I would provide a review of Muhammad Yunus' book on the start of the Grameen Bank, so here it is:Banker to Poor is an inspirational story of the start of a revolutionary way to help the poor raise themselves out of the stranglehood of poverty. The book is surely worth a read; I finished it in two days. There is some technical jargon, but it's not overwhelming. The book easily

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-59990335182253014362006-12-01T14:05:00.000-05:002006-12-01T14:08:34.879-05:00

Motley Fool has an excellent reminder of an article telling folks to make sure that the IRS doesn't owe them money! What an awful thought: the government is actually trying to return the money they took from me, but can't find me! Here's a link to the article that contains further links to the IRS treasure trove of money owed.Happy treasure hunting!

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-18097773051128868932006-11-17T22:32:00.000-05:002006-11-17T22:33:25.329-05:00

If so, use this code: 100MBNA to score $100 with Bank of America when you open a free checking account (with direct deposit).

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-53809746536249424632006-11-17T11:16:00.000-05:002006-11-17T11:29:35.989-05:00

Jonathan over at MyMoneyBlog has compiled an excellent list of budgeting tools for you to peruse. Personally, I use PearBudget in partnership with Google Spreadsheets (to make it available online) and have been pretty happy with it. It does have some limitations: - Obviously, not being web-based.- Does not have description fields as it is a straight Excel spreadsheet.- Does not always accept

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-32676643809983864442006-11-17T10:55:00.000-05:002006-11-17T12:02:36.973-05:00

A better way to save? Quit calling 411 and dial 1-800-FREE411, a new directory assistance service without the annoying 411 charges that creep up on your monthly phone bill.Instead of spending $1.50 to locate the number for late-night pizza delivery, a 24-hour grocer, or your hairdresser’s new number, you can get the same directory assistance as regular 411 at no cost. Dial away! Calls are

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-15035537673444734852006-11-09T09:29:00.000-05:002006-11-09T09:38:03.268-05:00

I heard this on the radio whilst driving last night. It seems that McDonald's is doing a promotion to promote their new snack wrap by giving them away for free. I believe the hours were 12-2 at participating McDonald's restaurants (wherever those are). The website seems to neither confirm nor deny this claim, so your worst case scenario is that you will end up at McD's for lunch. There are

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-35919729549482712352006-11-07T09:55:00.000-05:002006-11-07T10:17:13.606-05:00

It seems that the largest retailer in the world has been struggling to meet its financial quotas; what fantastic news for consumers! Since Wal-Mart has such a large portion of the market share, their price cuts will hopefully have the effect of slashing prices across the board at other retailers such as Target and department stores. In a practical sense, we should all be even more alert to

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-10476844546383193382006-11-05T19:39:00.000-05:002006-11-05T20:24:40.312-05:00

I apologize about the slight lag between Sunday and Friday, but alas. As promised, the first installment of Free Stuff Friday features free online stock trades at Zecco. At first glance, you have got to be saying to yourself, wow, this sounds too good to be true. Good for you. Some skepticism is healthy. However, in this case, it seems mostly unwarranted. The trades are free, up to 40

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-8816027819179923082006-11-02T14:32:00.000-05:002006-11-02T14:37:47.460-05:00

I have decided to start a fun little thing I am calling "Free Stuff Friday" on this blog. My goal is to scour the internet for useful freebies and pass them along. As part of the virtual "ribbon cutting ceremony," this week there will be a posting a day early, you lucky dogs, you.I'm practical, so this freebie seems a great place to start. Check out Degree's website for a free sample of

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-23726497954096056662006-10-27T09:54:00.000-05:002006-10-27T10:03:09.932-05:00

Two of my very favorite things in the world, free stuff and music, come together in one awesome web-based package at Pandora. The music station works as a sort of human genome project for music. Analysts at Pandora dissect what makes up the key elements of different types of songs and then categorize each and every song and artist available on the site. It's a fantastic way to become exposed

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-15222768019447131372006-10-23T09:39:00.000-05:002006-10-23T09:44:52.670-05:00

Yahoo Personal Fiance had a good article today about making the most out of your plastic. WARNING: This article only works for people who pay off their bill in whole every month. If you don't, skip this article. There are so many great cards out there that serve a specific consumer niche, that it makes sense to capitalize on them. Currently, I have one "favored" card that gets me 5% cash

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-68157158698466276662006-10-20T13:59:00.000-05:002006-10-20T14:01:57.389-05:00

While I do not ever plan to close my account at Emigrant Direct, I have to follow the money. E-Loan just opened up their online savings bank with a great 5.50% APY. Hopefully Emigrant will follow suit. The account has been open for less than a month and so far, so good. They were lightning quick with taking my money, and hopefully they will be just as expedient in transferring in back when

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-48374618120175372822006-10-19T10:39:00.000-05:002006-12-28T16:31:09.377-05:00

I hope I am not "cruisin' for a bruisin'" as my mother used to say with this offer from Bank of America. If you have any combinations of purchases or balance transfers over $2000 in the first three months, a free iPod 2 GB Nano is yours! Plus, a credit of $50 is applied to your first statement, which should cover the bulk of the 3% balance transfer fee if you decide (like I did) to travel that

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-53260953686497716212006-10-13T10:27:00.000-05:002006-10-13T14:05:21.873-05:00

I was psyched to hear that one of the founding fathers of microfinance, Muhammad Yunus, was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize. His bank, which caters to the most destitute, started with mere $27! It's inspiring. Microfinance has the opportunity to change the face of poverty more than almost any other movement in the last 30 years. It's innovative, creative, and resourceful - qualities I dig.

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-71847113185596420782006-10-12T10:11:00.000-05:002006-10-12T10:13:33.415-05:00

Accmulating Money has a great, well-designed site and has a good little section talking about the absolute MAGIC of compound interest (one of my favorite things). Check it out here.

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-34394165623812887912006-10-12T08:32:00.000-05:002006-10-12T08:38:35.686-05:00

A provocative social enterprise article from the NYTIMES:A new line of products from companies like Gap, Armani Exchange and Motorola aims to raise money to help fight AIDS in Africa.Those companies, along with Converse and American Express, created the new products, which bear the brand name Red and are to begin appearing in stores this month. The companies are committed to selling the products

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-85441335523069648692006-10-11T10:13:00.000-05:002006-10-11T10:17:50.692-05:00

Recently I have been reading alot about being prepared for a disaster. I am no Debbie Downer, but it doesn't take one to think that some sort of disaster might happen in my lifetime, whether natural or human-driven. It's necessary to have a physical disaster preparedness plan (outside point of contact, meeting place, batteries, yada yada), but others note the further necessity of having a

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-54261026838704566082006-10-06T12:00:00.000-05:002006-10-06T12:02:26.343-05:00

This is so easy that there is no reason not to jump on this wagon:If every American household made the commitment to change just one traditional light to an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would provide enough power to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year, save more than $500 million in energy costs, and prevent the greenhouse gas emission equivalent of nearly 800,000 cars. It's a simple

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35012883.post-13094276569574665822006-10-06T11:43:00.001-05:002006-10-06T11:46:14.881-05:00

Bankrate, ever useful and informative, just put out an article listing reasons to save money. My favorite, and the only one I really need, is #9: "It just plain feels good." So true, Bankrate, so true. It's addictive; once you start, you just don't want to stop.

The Financistanoreply@blogger.com0