Money will not make you happy. That’s what people say. But maybe the saying should be tweaked to: Money alone will not make you happy. When used properly and strategically, money can help you attain whatever it is that makes you happy in life.
What?! A Postage Stamp Should Really Cost How Much?!
A first-class postage stamp cost 2¢ in 1950. If the cost of a stamp had risen with inflation, it would cost 30¢ today. Instead, we’re paying 44¢ to mail a letter.
Strictly Business: How Emotions Screw Up Your Investments
Why do many competent, smart people make mistakes with their investments? It turns out that their feelings have been hurt, or they’re trying to save face, or they’re cocky enough to think they’re faster and smarter than the masses. Basically, they get emotional.
It’s a Deal: Flights to the Caribbean from $29
JetBlue is hosting a “Bikini Sale,” with flights to the Bahamas and the Caribbean for $29 to $149 each way. Tickets must be purchased by August 26 for travel between September 8 to November 18. More details here.
Canada gets jobs with its economic recovery. No fair
With the number of people going to collect unemployment checks on the rise—despite other good economic news—one starts to wonder, Could this be our third “jobless recovery” in a row?
Well, not in Canada. As this recent report (PDF) from CIBC World Markets points out, our northern neighbor isn’t having nearly the unemployment issues …
Last Call for Clunkers
The Cash for Clunker clock is running out. The government incentive program officially expires on Monday, August 24, at 8 p.m., so this is the last weekend you can score up to $4,500 for turning in your old gas guzzler in exchange for a more fuel-efficient model.
It’s a Deal: Laminate Flooring from 69¢ a Square Foot
Lumber Liquidators has issued a “Buyout Alert,” with inventory of laminate floor varieties selling for less than half of comparable retail price. A couple of styles are selling at 69¢ per square foot, and a couple more are under $1 per square foot. More details here.
The good and bad news of existing-home sales
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released its monthly tally of home sales this morning. The headline figure was pretty cheery. The number of existing homes sold in July increased 7.2% from June. Sales in July were also up 5% when compared to July 2008—the first year-over-year gain we’ve seen since November 2005. (The data …
Shout-Out: This Old House’s Cheapskate Hall of Fame
I have a special place in my heart for DIY home fixer-uppers, especially if they figure out how to tackle their projects while saving money—and especially if they pass along their experience and wisdom to me.
Ten Odd Lessons the Recession Has Taught Us
The recession has provided a moment to step back and contemplate, to come to a truer understanding of life lessons like that happiness is not derived from material things. The financial downturn has also passed along some slightly odd teachings, like that fewer people die at the workplace when there are fewer people actually at work.
Are Outplacement Firms Pointless?
I know that when I lost my full-time job a few months ago, few of my colleagues bothered to utilize the outplacement firm paid for by our former employer. And almost all of the people who did use the firm found the experience of little help, with “tips” on job databases available to anyone and advice on networking that most people already know.
Cheapskate Wisdom from … J. Paul Getty
“If you owe the bank $100 that’s your problem. If you owe the bank $100 million, that’s the bank’s problem.”