Disqus - Latest Comments for Greg

Re: Is Buying a Foreclosed Property Realistic?

Greg — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:13:41 -0000

@Max: Consult a real estate attorney and a CPA who specialize in real estate issues.

Re: Is Buying a Foreclosed Property Realistic?

Greg — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:01:00 -0000

re: Inspectors

Check the terms of agreement with your home inspector. If they are reputable professionals, they will stipulate what they will and will not inspect (e.g. the sewage pipe from my house to the sewer main was defective, but the inspection specifically did not cover that). If it was not stipulated, they should have inspected...what is the point in hiring a professional if they do not get it right (or at least take responsibility when they miss)?

You do not have to take them to court, but you should see if they will cover (at least in some part) the cost of repair.

Re: How to Save Money at Baseball Games

Greg — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:51:53 -0000

here in Greesnville, SC, we have a minor league team in downtown. You can get $5 tickets and the food is reasonable. I have gone to noon games on weekdays for lunch...buy a cheap ticket, a dog and coke, wind up spending what I would have in a sit-down place. I will take the minors over the pros any day.

Re: My Grandmothers and the Cost of a Funeral

Greg — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:22:11 -0000

re SavingEverything: The funeral business is primary regulated by the states, so it is difficult to do a comparison across state lines.

Generally, there is the cost of the grave site, opening and closing (dig a hole and fill it in) costs, marker, and setting the marker (putting the marker in place). Usually a perpetual care cemetery has the care and maintenance built into the cost of the grave site.

Another consideration is a mausoleum. They are generally less expensive than a grave and do not have the same opening and closing costs. The marker is less expensive, usually engraving on a granite surface or a metal plaque. There are also mausoleum niches, where cremated remains can be place.

This is why it is so important to do your homework now, while time is on your side.

Re: My Grandmothers and the Cost of a Funeral

Greg — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:51:20 -0000

re: Paul @ FiscalGeek: You are right, an account (or term policy) is the financially prudent thing to do. Based on my experience working in the funeral industry, most people do not have plans in place for funeral expenses; especially for passing away at a young age.

The single best advice I can give is to pre-plan (not necessarily pre-pay) your funeral service. The funeral home of your choice will be glad to sit down and work this out with you. This way the planning will be done without the emotional duress that comes with losing a loved one. Also, it prevents the survivors from fighting over "what Mother wanted." Make sure the anticipated survivors (spouse, children) are aware of your desires.

Keep in mind that prices quoted and specific offering (e.g. casket models) may not be available at the time of need. Revisit the plan as often as you revisit your will.

A final note; service is important. Take time to find a funeral service provider that has a good reputation.

Re: How to Deal With a Low Salary Offer

Greg — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:06:01 -0000

re: Amphritrite

Polite is good, but the comfort level (or survival level) you and your family has no bearing on your worth to the company. If a justification is offered, it has to be based on the value that is brought to the employer.

Also, keep other avenues of compensation open. What is the health plan like? Is there tuition reimbursement? A car allowance? If the extras are right, it can make up for a low salary.

Re: Is it Time to Add a Significant National Gas Tax?

Greg — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:41:24 -0000

The tax issue aside, the companies that justified raising prices because of $4.00/gallon gas have not turned around and reduced prices now that it has dropped.

Re: Is it Time to Add a Significant National Gas Tax?

Greg — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:30:18 -0000

I agree that the time to slap on the fuel tax and regulate gas guzzlers is when the public is aware of the issue and prices are low (actually, there was the public will after the first oil crisis).

However, part of what is keeping the economy afloat right now is low gas prices.

Re: Publicly Shame a Deadbeat

Greg — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:57:34 -0000

I can not see anything good coming from this...

Re: GM Wants You to Fear its Collapse

Greg — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:59:54 -0000

Joe K.,

Are you talking about the Big Three cars built overseas or my Honda built in the United States with American labor (the best in the world)?

Re: GM Wants You to Fear its Collapse

Greg — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:54:44 -0000

The one question I want answered is "If we bail Detroit out, what will change so the companies will become profitable?"

Re: How Five Banks Post Your Deposits and Withdrawals: Do They Trap You Into Overdrafts?

Greg — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:25:31 -0000

I went for two years without a band account. Purchasing money orders from the grocery store was less than the banking fees. While maybe not the most desirable, it did save me money.

Re: How Five Banks Post Your Deposits and Withdrawals: Do They Trap You Into Overdrafts?

Greg — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:57:15 -0000

Maintain a cushion of $1,000 in your account. Should get fees waived and prevent overdrafts (which usually works out to be 10%+ roi). The cushion servers as your immediate backup cash.

Re: $700 Billion to Bail Out the Financial Industry: Good Idea or Bad Idea?

Greg — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:01:23 -0000

Alas, the bailout seems to be a necessity. While I tend to NOT favor government regulation, any entity that "can not fail" must be regulated. As for those responsible being held accountable, mostly doubtful, but the execs at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae did get the stings to their golden parachutes clipped (http://consumerist.com/5049913/feds-snip-fannie...) .

Re: Financial Tips for College Graduates

Greg — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:07:34 -0000

I would not put too much emphasis on the first job, especially if the student studied hard an graduated without debt. The "real world" is a time to experiment, see what work preferences are, and maybe take a year off and work as a ski instructor. Of course if the student graduates with a mountain of debt, they have no choice but to graduate and put their nose right to the grindstone.

Re: The VC model is broken

Greg — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:29:44 -0000

To me it looks like companies get more caught up in funding than creating something people will pay for.

Re: It Pays to Be a Slacker

Greg — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 10:13:46 -0000

Above-Average Jane should move to a company that rewards her relentless dedication. Is it possible that Joe Slacker works for a company that expects it’s employees to take time for a life outside of work?

Re: Total Compensation in the Age of Cholera

Greg — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:04:44 -0000

HP was legendary in the '70s with reducing pay by 20%, giving everybody Fridays off, and forgoing layoffs.

I wonder if anybody will try that model now?