January 2010

Debt Management Scares Me! SivieAnn Answered

January 31, 2010

DFA Reader SivieAnn is fearful about her recent decision to enter into a relationship with a debt management company. Let’s examine possible reasons for her fear and ways for here to deal with it.

Read the full article →

Star Trek and The Time Well Spent Continuum

January 29, 2010

By preventing frivolous distractions of our time we can better focus our time spent on self-enrichment. Spending our time well not only saves us money, it helps ensure we are getting the most out of it. Robert re-examines his free time.

Read the full article →

Credit Card Minimum Payment Disclosures – Will They Help?

January 28, 2010

Will new minimum payment disclosures imposed on credit card banks by the CARD Act of 2009 make any difference in how unseasoned credit card users view and approach their debt payments? Let’s take a look.

Read the full article →

Debt Reduction While Planning a Career Change – Beckey Answered

January 27, 2010

Is it possible to change careers while in copious amounts of debt? DFA reader Beckey needs our help determining how to best set and prioritize her goals to speed debt reduction and outline a sound and happy plan for the future.

Read the full article →

Debt Reduction and Savings Statement – January 2010

January 26, 2010

A debt free adventure can be a long, dry road… but continued progress in all areas of personal finance is a sweet breath of fresh air! Based on our financial goals for 2010 here is the progress we made through January of 2010.

Read the full article →

Ways to Save Money on Heat and Electricity – Rebekah Answered

January 23, 2010

DFA reader Rebekah wants to know how she can save money on heating and electricity costs. I offer up a few relevant tips ranging from things as simple as turning down the thermostat to going off the grid for a day. What do you do to save money on heating and electric costs?

Read the full article →

First-Time Homebuyer Credit – 2009 Returns must be filed on Paper (Form 5405)

January 22, 2010

Use IRS form 5405 instructions to determine your eligibility for the homebuyer tax credit and be aware that if filing form 5405, you cannot eFile your 2009 return… you must file it on paper.

Read the full article →

SEP IRA – Contribution Limits and Deadlines

January 22, 2010

The SEP-IRA is an IRA-based retirement plan where employers make tax-deductible contributions on behalf of employees. It is treated and behaves much like a Traditional IRA yet has many unique characteristics all its own. Discover SEP-IRA contribution limits, deadlines, and more here…

Read the full article →

Tax Credits for Home Buyers and Owners

January 21, 2010

Tax credits for you home.
Some of you may be intimidated by the overly complex legalese you have to wade through when reading tax documents. Don’t be… oftentimes it is as simple as entering data into a form. Here are some credits and deductions related to your home.

Read the full article →

Debt Slavery – What it is and Ways Out

January 20, 2010

How is debt slavery?

Don’t let anyone fool you… no debt is good. Sure, some debt is better than other debt… but no debt is actually “good.” Let’s examine 3 trust worthy sources to characterize debt slavery, then mull over a few ways out… including personal debt consolidation.

Read the full article →

The Need to Rethink Retirement

January 19, 2010

Besides taking responsibility for our financial future by investing in 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, and all the other choices available, it’s time to rethink what financial retirement is. See how Flexo challenges us to “Rethink Retirement.”

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries