Today, I am going to do a rare thing and delve into politics and make an endorsement for Texas Governor. Based on the economy, and the it's relation to the basic topic of this blog, I feel it is fitting to make such an endorsement. Below is my video post of that endorsement.
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Discussing faith, business, personal finance, news (business and financial related), politics, and pretty much everything else.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Another Job Interview
I have another job interview tomorrow. I am hopeful that I will actually get this job. However, I am not getting my hopes up. I am not even going to mention, who the company is until, I land the job. I will say though, that it is a publicly traded company, with locations all over the United States. It is retail and they offer medical, dental and vision insurance. Wow, vision. I have never worked for a company that offered vision. They also offer a 401k plus and ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan). That is great news.
However, once I start rebuilding my retirement, how much do I put where? I was thinking maybe 10% in the 401k and 5% in the ESPP. Maybe that is to risky? What do you all think?
OK, OK, I know, I need to wait till I actually get hired. But, I am so confident that I will, that I am thinking out the options in the back of my mind.
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However, once I start rebuilding my retirement, how much do I put where? I was thinking maybe 10% in the 401k and 5% in the ESPP. Maybe that is to risky? What do you all think?
OK, OK, I know, I need to wait till I actually get hired. But, I am so confident that I will, that I am thinking out the options in the back of my mind.
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go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
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Sunday, October 3, 2010
Ways to Save Money on Your Utility Bill
This weekend, Yahoo had an interesting article, that I thought would be of interest to all of you. "10 Ways to Save Money on Your Utility Bill" by Claes Bell, is an article that looks at some simple ways homeowners could save on their utility bills. While most of the ideas presented seem unavailable to renters, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at each of them. Along with my own analysis of the idea.
So there are the Ten ways the article suggested. Can you think of other ways that people can save energy? Surely, there is more then just 10. What are your suggestions, to add to this list?
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- Paint Your Roof White This idea is obviously for homeowners. I mean renters can't go out and paint their roof. Perhaps that is why it is good thing that I have people who live above me (despite their sometimes noisy foot steeps). They get get more of the higher cooling bills, while they keep my energy bill down. According to the article,
- Install an Irrigation Meter OK, until I read the article, this was something I had never heard of. Basically the device was designed to try to eliminate the double charging on your water bill. What do I mean? OK, you are charged for the water as it is pumped into your house, and then again charged as it goes out into the sewer. Problem is they don't actually have a meter on the sewer. They assume, that everything you pump into your house, then goes down the drain. Well according to the article in Yahoo Finance, this device measures the water that doesn't go down the drain. Water such as that used for sprinklers, pools, and other outdoor uses.
- Do a Nightly Energy Sweep
- Set Your Water Heater at 120 Degrees This one is simple enough, and even if you are a renter and have access to your own water heater, you can do. It's simple enough, so everyone of us renters and homeowners alike, should be dialing our water heater thermostats down to 120. Makes me wish I had access to mine, so I could see what it was set for.
- Use Reusable AC and Furnace Filters
- Upgrade Your Appliances
- Don't Let Cash Slip Through the Cracks This is where the recommendation of sealing up your house comes into play. Be sure to caulk around your windows and door frames. Don't forget to fill those holes around the pipes entering your home.
- Do Your Meter and Utility Bill Match Up?
- Buy Energy-Star Certified Products No matter if you are a renter or a homeowner, you can do this to a certain extent. While you may not be able to go the refrigerator route or other appliances, you can buy Energy-Star light bulbs, TVs, computers and small appliances (toaster, microwave, blenders, etc) that you do use and that aren't provided by the landlord.
- Buy a Programmable Thermostat The articles last suggestion was a programmable thermostat. I have long been an advocate of a programmable thermostat. The good news is, that while prices have come down on these great devices, there MAY be a better deal out there. Some utility companies have begun offering free programmable thermostats. What is the catch? In return for your free thermostat, you allow your energy company to coordinate the “cycling” of your air conditioner on summer afternoons with others when the demand for electricity is highest.
A 1999 study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Heat Island Group found that in sunny climates, buildings with white roofs required up to 40 percent less energy for cooling than those with black roofs. At current utility rates, that means you could save $120 or more per year in cooling costs. - Yahoo Finance
To save money by making sure you're only paying for the sewer capacity you're using, many utilities offer the option to get a separate meter to measure water usage for irrigation, swimming pools and other outdoor uses, says Liskey. Once installed, the meter will be read every month by your utility company and its reading subtracted from your sewage bill. The meter will cost you several hundred dollars upfront. But since you'll no longer be charged for sewage capacity you're not using, it should pay for itself within a few years, especially if you use a significant amount of water in the yard. - Yahoo Finance
We all have left fans, lights or appliances on at night while we sleep, but doing so wastes increasingly expensive energy. To save money, do a nightly sweep through the house to make sure all your electric devices are turned off before you go to bed. It may be a pain, but the savings from simply turning everything off can add up quickly. It takes about $9 per year to run just one compact fluorescent lightbulb through the night, $21 for a conventional bulb and $35 for a big ceiling fan on high, according to the energy calculators at MichaelBluejay.com. - Yahoo FinanceMy question though, is in regard to ceiling fans. Wouldn't leaving those own reduce the need to run the air-conditioner? Thus saving you money over all?
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a heater set at 140 degrees or higher can waste $36 to $61 annually in standby heat losses to keep water at that temperature, and more than $400 to bring fresh water up to that high temperature. To save even more money, you can turn your electric heater off or turn your gas heater down when you go on vacation to save even more. - Yahoo Finance
Using a permanent filter, you'll save money in the long run, cut your utility bill and prolong the life of your HVAC unit. If the disposable AC filters that must be changed every three months are around $4 each, you can recoup the $20 to $40 cost of a permanent filter in as little as 15 months. - Yahoo FinanceI am not sure where they got their numbers, because disposable furnace filters back in Kansas have been between 99 cents and two (2) dollars for as long as I can remember. Perhaps they are up to $4 in some parts of the country, which I think is crazy. So yes, I would certainly consider getting a reusable filter, that can just be washed out in the bathtub.
Many state and local governments and utility companies offer financial incentives for homeowners to upgrade their appliances to newer, more energy-efficient models. These incentives usually take the form of rebate checks for homeowners who can provide proof of purchase. - Yahoo Finance
Utility workers make mistakes just like the rest of us, and when they make mistakes reading your meter, it can be costly. While you'll probably notice a big error on your utility bill, you may not catch more subtle errors. - Yahoo FinanceYou should read your meter each month. Find out when your meter is read, and read it the same day (or next day) as the utility company. Keeping a journal of all your readings. If you can't get a schedule of your meter is scheduled to be read, read it the day your bill comes. If the meter has a smaller reading then what is on the bill, you know there is an error.
Cycling off occurs only a few days each summer between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. when the demand for electricity is highest. For some customers, cycling may not be noticeable. A radio-controlled switch on the thermostat cycles off your air conditioner compressor when we send it a signal. Coordinating the cycling of air conditioners helps keep the demand for electricity level which then helps delay the need to build expensive power plants. - Austin EnergyWhen I was in Topeka, I wanted to participate in this deal through Westar Energy, but since I didn't have central air, I couldn't. I was so glad when I arrived in Austin, and seen the Austin Energy logo on my thermostat. That told me that, not only did I have a programmable thermostat, but I also one that was provided by the local electric company.
So there are the Ten ways the article suggested. Can you think of other ways that people can save energy? Surely, there is more then just 10. What are your suggestions, to add to this list?
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go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
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Saturday, October 2, 2010
What About Credit Counseling Services
When you are in debt, there comes a time that you have to get serious about your debt. You have to start spending less then you make. Allowing yourself to set some of that money in savings for a rainy day fund (Emergency Fund, God Only Knows Fund or whatever you call it).
One of those tools to accomplish that goal may be to seek out a non profit credit counseling service. A service like this can help you immensely. These services do not offer any loans, but they do help with debt consolidation. Here is what they do.
They help by setting down with you and finding out about your situation. You have to be open and honest about your finances, so they can help you avoid the same mistakes that you made in the past. Take me for example. I made a number of mistakes over the years. I admit it freely. A number of you have ridiculed me and even made very harsh comments, as if I was portraying myself as a counselor, rather then a writer on financial topics. A writer, who used his own mistakes and shortcomings as a tool to help him learn (and yes, hopefully the reader to). I went to a non-profit credit counselor a couple of times, before I started this blog. I was never completely honest with them. I his debts, that I refused to give up. As a result they weren't able to do their jobs, and help me build real wealth. Eventually, I learned the hard way. I had to get rid of the debt. I cannot be rich, if I am spending more then I make. It is a simple thing to do, but it isn't easy to dig yourself out. I wish I had done more earlier, to listen to the non-profit credit counseling services. Perhaps, I could have a bigger networth now, then I do.
I am not going to say that spending less then you make is going to be easy. Heck! It can be hard. I am a spender. I want all the new computers and TV's, but I have to keep telling myself, I can't afford it. If I really want these things, I have to save up for them. That is a struggle and that is something these services will help you understand. By learning about you, they can help you learn how to overcome your spending desires and work for the bigger goal. If you are willing to listen to them and do what they teach, you be able to retire well off. Or, at least wealthy enough that you wont be spending your golden years working at the golden arches and eating Alpo. In the process, they will do a debt consolidation, so that you have a single lower monthly payment. However, be careful and avoid these companies that advertise on late night TV or radio. You only want to do business with the non-profit agencies.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
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One of those tools to accomplish that goal may be to seek out a non profit credit counseling service. A service like this can help you immensely. These services do not offer any loans, but they do help with debt consolidation. Here is what they do.
They help by setting down with you and finding out about your situation. You have to be open and honest about your finances, so they can help you avoid the same mistakes that you made in the past. Take me for example. I made a number of mistakes over the years. I admit it freely. A number of you have ridiculed me and even made very harsh comments, as if I was portraying myself as a counselor, rather then a writer on financial topics. A writer, who used his own mistakes and shortcomings as a tool to help him learn (and yes, hopefully the reader to). I went to a non-profit credit counselor a couple of times, before I started this blog. I was never completely honest with them. I his debts, that I refused to give up. As a result they weren't able to do their jobs, and help me build real wealth. Eventually, I learned the hard way. I had to get rid of the debt. I cannot be rich, if I am spending more then I make. It is a simple thing to do, but it isn't easy to dig yourself out. I wish I had done more earlier, to listen to the non-profit credit counseling services. Perhaps, I could have a bigger networth now, then I do.
I am not going to say that spending less then you make is going to be easy. Heck! It can be hard. I am a spender. I want all the new computers and TV's, but I have to keep telling myself, I can't afford it. If I really want these things, I have to save up for them. That is a struggle and that is something these services will help you understand. By learning about you, they can help you learn how to overcome your spending desires and work for the bigger goal. If you are willing to listen to them and do what they teach, you be able to retire well off. Or, at least wealthy enough that you wont be spending your golden years working at the golden arches and eating Alpo. In the process, they will do a debt consolidation, so that you have a single lower monthly payment. However, be careful and avoid these companies that advertise on late night TV or radio. You only want to do business with the non-profit agencies.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
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How the Grant Works
In a earlier post, I had a question about, whether or not the grant on the house was a good deal. Let me try to explain how this grant from the city of Topeka, funded by HUD works. Eleven (11) years ago, when I got my grant, I received a total of approximately $30,000 in rehabilitation grants. That money was then forgiven over the course of the next ten (10) years, at the rate of 8% per year. After 10-years the remaining amount remains as a lien on the house (in my case just under $6,000). That is to be sold, when the house is sold or the homeowner moves. In some cases the remaining amount may be completely forgiven. Until the house actually closes, I will assume that I will have to pay the city back.
There is a difference in these numbers for new comers to the grant and that I received. That being that now it is 50-50, rather then 80-20.
For those that were wondering, I hope that explains it. So yes, it was (and is) a very good deal. So if you subtract that from the $21,500 offer that I received on the house, that leaves about $15,500. Then subtract the $11,700 that I owe on the siding (with interest), that amount becomes $3,800. Then then there is the $2,500 Realtor fees, real estate taxes and the closing costs.
After which, it all boils down to an estimated $50 after the sale of the house. It could be more, but I pretty much broke even. I will just have to wait and see, what the number is in the end.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
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There is a difference in these numbers for new comers to the grant and that I received. That being that now it is 50-50, rather then 80-20.
For those that were wondering, I hope that explains it. So yes, it was (and is) a very good deal. So if you subtract that from the $21,500 offer that I received on the house, that leaves about $15,500. Then subtract the $11,700 that I owe on the siding (with interest), that amount becomes $3,800. Then then there is the $2,500 Realtor fees, real estate taxes and the closing costs.
After which, it all boils down to an estimated $50 after the sale of the house. It could be more, but I pretty much broke even. I will just have to wait and see, what the number is in the end.
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go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
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Friday, October 1, 2010
Last Minute Golf Weekends
Are you or a friend of yours a golfer? I used to have a co-worker, who every year went out to Arizona, just to play golf. Whenever, he wasn't working, he was looking for a tee time. He absolutely loved to golf. I sometimes wondered, if there was anything he loved more then golf. What can I say, he was a golfer. Even his email address proclaimed him as such.
When I was asked to write about 48 hour tee times, I immediately thought of him. In large part, because he wasn't just a co-worker, but someone I consider to be a friend. Someone, who was even in my wedding party.
Since, he is such a avid golfer, I think he would enjoy considering www.48hourteetimes.com for his next golfing vacation or weekend. The site is similar to those travel websites that book your airline, hotel and car rentals for you. Only this one books your last minute tee times. Like those travel sites, you pay for your tee times in advance. Which saves you time, once you arrive, so that you can get out on the greens faster.
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go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
When I was asked to write about 48 hour tee times, I immediately thought of him. In large part, because he wasn't just a co-worker, but someone I consider to be a friend. Someone, who was even in my wedding party.
Since, he is such a avid golfer, I think he would enjoy considering www.48hourteetimes.com for his next golfing vacation or weekend. The site is similar to those travel websites that book your airline, hotel and car rentals for you. Only this one books your last minute tee times. Like those travel sites, you pay for your tee times in advance. Which saves you time, once you arrive, so that you can get out on the greens faster.
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go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
25 (Revised) Things You May Not Have known About The Prince of Thrift
In January 2009, I originally done this list. Well a number of things has changed since then. So I thought, it might be interesting to revise them. So here we go.
On Facebook I was tagged and asked to share 25 things about myself. I thought, I would share those 25 things here. Don't worry though, I won't tag any here, but 25 people were tagged over on Facebook.
1. my 1st name is pronounced Dee-Wayne NOT do-Wayne or da-Wayne.
2. I hate debt
3. I will be debt free this year.
4. I own DebtFree4ever.net, where I talk about my personal struggles with debt.
5. I have two cats, Harley and Beauty.
6. I love politics for some reason.
7. I have a dream of visiting every Presidential Library/Museum in the country (ALL 13 of them).
8. Even though it is only 75 miles away and the closest, I have never been to the Truman Library/Museum in Independence, MO (a suburb of Kansas City).
9. So far, I have only been to two Presidential Libraries --Carter (Atlanta) and Eisenhower (Abilene, KS).
10. I would love to visit New York again. This time with my wife, whose never been there.
11. I want to visit every Presidential Library/Museum in the country (Currently 13 of them).
12. I am working on a website to download financial forms from (PrinceOfThrift.com)
13. I love my wife Pat. She is the most wonderful woman in the world.
14. I own my home...not mortgage left on it.
15. I just received my first pair of bifocals a couple of weeks ago.
16. I need to get a new pair of glasses.
17. I am currently unemployed.
18. I like all kinds of music...partial to light rock, country, folk, or easy listening
19. as a kid and young adult, I wanted to be a professional writer and politician
20. I want to visit Washington, D. C. again.
21. I want to visit Atlanta again (love World of Coca-Cola).
22. Coca-Cola is by far my favorite drink.
23. I have done some modeling and acting.
24. I have a total of 7 website names...several of which actually go to another site I own.
25. I hate trying to come up with a list like this, but now I have 25 things about myself.
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go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
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On Facebook I was tagged and asked to share 25 things about myself. I thought, I would share those 25 things here. Don't worry though, I won't tag any here, but 25 people were tagged over on Facebook.
1. my 1st name is pronounced Dee-Wayne NOT do-Wayne or da-Wayne.
2. I hate debt
3. I will be debt free this year.
4. I own DebtFree4ever.net, where I talk about my personal struggles with debt.
5. I have two cats, Harley and Beauty.
6. I love politics for some reason.
7. I have a dream of visiting every Presidential Library/Museum in the country (ALL 13 of them).
8. Even though it is only 75 miles away and the closest, I have never been to the Truman Library/Museum in Independence, MO (a suburb of Kansas City).
9. So far, I have only been to two Presidential Libraries --Carter (Atlanta) and Eisenhower (Abilene, KS).
10. I would love to visit New York again. This time with my wife, whose never been there.
11. I want to visit every Presidential Library/Museum in the country (Currently 13 of them).
12. I am working on a website to download financial forms from (PrinceOfThrift.com)
13. I love my wife Pat. She is the most wonderful woman in the world.
14. I own my home...not mortgage left on it.
15. I just received my first pair of bifocals a couple of weeks ago.
16. I need to get a new pair of glasses.
17. I am currently unemployed.
18. I like all kinds of music...partial to light rock, country, folk, or easy listening
19. as a kid and young adult, I wanted to be a professional writer and politician
20. I want to visit Washington, D. C. again.
21. I want to visit Atlanta again (love World of Coca-Cola).
22. Coca-Cola is by far my favorite drink.
23. I have done some modeling and acting.
24. I have a total of 7 website names...several of which actually go to another site I own.
25. I hate trying to come up with a list like this, but now I have 25 things about myself.
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go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
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