Disqus - Latest Comments for The Happy Rock

Re: Carnival of Money Stories 9th Edition – Richest Americans

The Happy Rock — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:01:00 -0000

Thanks for hosting! We all appreciate the effort.

Re: The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

The Happy Rock — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:28:47 -0000

That's good to hear, I was almost beginning to think the government was over extended its power.

Re: The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

The Happy Rock — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:30:36 -0000

*Sniff - candy cigarettes are great. I loved them as a kid and even had some a month or so ago. I have never smoked a cigarette in my life. I think children are way more effected by the examples being set around them, but some second had marketing. Just my opinion though, although I don't have much love for the tobacco industry.

Re: Is Your Home an Asset or Liability?

The Happy Rock — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:34:29 -0000

Right on CJ! I think you illustrated my thoughts exactly!

Nate makes an interesting point too.

Great discussion all!

Re: Carnival of Debt Reduction: Tips via Twitter Edition

The Happy Rock — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:18:55 -0000

It amazes me how much Twitter is really blowing up! Thanks for a great carnival Flexo.

Re: When to Begin Investing for a Child’s Education

The Happy Rock — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:00:20 -0000

I tend to fall in the parents don't need to pay for everything. Working while in college is a good thing IMO. I know that having to pay for all of my college was great for me, since I had to really decide if I wanted to be there and if it was worth. I graduated with 25k in debt and it along with my wife's $22k was gone in 5 years. Invaluable life lessons IMO.

Re: How to Avoid Overdraft Fees, and Quicken Premier 2009 Giveaway

The Happy Rock — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:16:10 -0000

Use ING Electric Orange which gives you an overdraft line of credit. You pay no fees and only interest on the overdraft line until the money gets back in there. Plus checks work like bank checks were you need the cash in the account, so you can't write a bad check.

Re: Getting Ripped Off for New Jersey Gasoline: Inaccurately Calibrated Pumps

The Happy Rock — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:58:18 -0000

Thanks for pointing out the map and the link, I had this on my todo list! Now I will just link it! None of my gas stations are on there.

Re: Rich People Spend Their Time Stressed

The Happy Rock — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:46:24 -0000

I think KC and Rachel bring it home. For me, the point of an saving and debt reduction and other money related tasks is to increase my freedom to be able to pursue activities which are more fulfilling and beneficial to society. Watching TV on a regular basis doesn't fit any of that. Working on a blog or helping someone else get out of debt is 'work', but it's what I want to do.

Without the passion and fulfillment a life of wealth is most likely depressing boring and lonely.

I do agree that there is a warning in there to not focus on amassing the money, but focus on what having money enables you to do.

Re: Credit Card Rewards are a Rip Off (for Some)

The Happy Rock — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:52:19 -0000

I keep it simple with just Chase Freedom. Solid overall percentages, no spending hoops to jump through, and a nice 200 for 250 bonus when you cash out.

Re: Giveaway: Five 1 GB USB Flash Drives With TaxCut Software

The Happy Rock — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:50:52 -0000

I am in

Re: Airborne to Pay $23.3 Million for False Advertising

The Happy Rock — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:44:38 -0000

I looked at airborne briefly, because it had a following. For the price I looked closely enough to see that there was nothing to it. Plus the fact that they would throw around that it was created by a teacher, like that was something worth inspiring trust.

I saw the 20/20 were they went to the supposed 'house/lab' of the people who conducted the trials. They were long since gone.

Re: Is it Better to Receive a Tax Refund or Owe the IRS?

The Happy Rock — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:35:07 -0000

@Bryan - We had the same experience when we got married. I had always heard that married couples get tax breaks, but we both went from getting refunds to owing about $3500. The next year we owed $3000, even after claiming 0 plus $50 a week out my paycheck!!!!

Things are much better now with kids and mortgage interest, but we also now pay quarterly.

If we owe less than $2000 at the end of the year I am ecstatic. We have about $5000 saved for taxes, so anything left after paying goes into circulation!

Re: 5 Stupid Financial Mistakes I Made in 2007: Failing to Remain Competitive Within My Field

The Happy Rock — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:04:30 -0000

That is some nice advice. Considering your yearly work progress as things that can go on your resume is a great way to make sure that you are growing yourself and not just working.

Re: Seven Home Equity Tips, Part 5: Get the Tax Deduction

The Happy Rock — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:37:48 -0000

I never quite understand the 'its good for taxes' arguments on mortgage products. I agree with you that staying out of debt is the best choice.

Re: Top Ten Used Cars Under $10,000

The Happy Rock — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:15:55 -0000

Anitra,

That is an interesting point about manual vs automatic. My 94 sentra is manual and my junker 2002 focus was automatic, so your theory holds! I will have to take notice of this in the future.

Re: Top Ten Used Cars Under $10,000

The Happy Rock — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:44:54 -0000

I didn't have as many problems as your girlfriend, but I had dumped at almost 2k into a 3 year old car. I bought it for 9k and traded for 6k a year later. I got a deal on the trade in(above blue book), be cause Car Sense in PA is a nice company. Even as I traded it in, the engine light was on as the door handles failed to open the doors sometimes.

The whole year cost me almost 5k, although it did allow me to pay cash for that car and the Nissan we got after the Focus. Which was the whole point. I bought the Focus, because lists like this one continually give the Focus good rating even in reliability.

Re: Top Ten Used Cars Under $10,000

The Happy Rock — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:31:38 -0000

I had some many problems with my two year old ford focus, it made me quickly run back to Japanese cars.

I would have a hard time not buying a used honda, toyota or nissan when I go to buy a car for around 4k -5k when mine 1994 Nissan finally goes.

Re: Do You Waste Two Hours Every Workday?

The Happy Rock — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 13:38:15 -0000

2 hours might be an understatement from what I see. I have seen studies that show it is much more than that 3 hours or so.

A lot of people waste time, because they are allowed to waste time. Not enough expectation is put forth from management.

Re: Another Case of Misleading Statistics

The Happy Rock — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 11:29:22 -0000

Statistics are often misused and misquoted. I like nay discussion that helps up to practice thinking critically about any statistics.

I do agree that $9,300 could be misleading. If a few 'rich' people carry 200k in credit card debt the average could be skewed much higher than normal person's debt. Sometimes the median helps give us some perspective on that type of skewing.

Nice discussion.

Re: ING Direct’s Electric Orange Send Paper Checks Feature

The Happy Rock — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:42:09 -0000

I hadn't really thought about it, since all other bill pay services that I know of work the same way.

Personally, I am grateful for the free stamp, solid interest rate, and great service.

I only wish I could open more than one electric orange account per SSN.

Re: Giveaway: Complete Real-Estate Investing Guidebook by David Crook

The Happy Rock — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:43:36 -0000

I will participate in order to enhance the PF community............I like free too.

Re: Cash vs. Credit Card: Gas Stations Charging Different Prices

The Happy Rock — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 11:35:51 -0000

The funny part is that most people spend way more money with credit cards. From what I have read, that is why some many companies can charge the same price for cash and credit cards purchases. The extra spending they receive on credit cards far exceeds the small percentage the credit cards fees take up. Forking over 50 cash, versus swiping a card is a big psychological differences.

I will be putting this to a test personally with a cash only July, to see if I really will save 12-18%.

Re: I made a stupid money mistake this week.

The Happy Rock — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:50:12 -0000

Electric Orange - Virtually free overdraft protection. I think ours is $165, but I haven't ever over drafted. $102 dollars in fees is ludicrous though, and they should have reversed all the charges if it was a first offense and the value you business. Sounds like it might be time for a new bank, although it is a pain to switch.

Re: Pay More Now, or Pay Even More Later

The Happy Rock — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:57:54 -0000

The thing is that people who don't or don't think they have enough money to buy in bulk, probably need to tackle larger finance and behavior issues before something like this would seem possible.

PS : One of the project wonderful ads in your right sidebar is probably fall in the risque category.

Re: Personal Finance Bible Verse of the Day: Needs

The Happy Rock — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 23:59:43 -0000

The ironic part is often that we don't know what our needs are!

Re: Your feedback is needed. Reader Question of the day

The Happy Rock — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:12:18 -0000

Risk. That is the big variable in the equation that is often unseen. Any time you have debt, it is much more risky than not having debt. When you take out debt on top of debt to fund an investment that in and off itself is risky you are asking for trouble in my opinion. People don't plan for things like not being able to find decent renters, roof leak that costs $5000, loss of job, hassle of being a landlord, etc. All added risk. I would say pay off any other debts first, then make sure you are funding your retirement accounts to take advantage of tax breaks then focus on paying off the house. Simple and straightforward. Less fun and exciting? Maybe, but losing your neck isn't fun and exciting either.

Re: Guest Post: Automated Tithing: A New Way to Give

The Happy Rock — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:30:24 -0000

The ATM thing kind of skeeves me out for some reason. The act should be intentional and personal not rote habit.

I stopped trying to remember my check book a year or so ago(because I couldn't), and started using free paper checks of the ING Electric Orange. Sometimes you do have to face the awkwardness(real or perceived) that we put on each other when people don't drop your envelope or cash in the bag/bucket/plate.

Our church does have an online giving portal, but it doesn't feel right either. Plus why would you want to give credit card companies 2.5% percent or so of your tithe.

Re: Why 3% of Harvard MBAs Make Ten Times as Much as the Other 97% Combined

The Happy Rock — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:15:10 -0000

Sid,

From my research I couldn't find any proof of that actual study being real. You can check out my research on my Yale goals study post. I still agree with the premise.

Re: 6 ways you are passing up free money

The Happy Rock — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 09:48:50 -0000

This is a nice little list, and all the ideas are great potential money makers.

I like make sure they don't become more trouble then they are worth. I always like to do a risk and time versus reward analysis. Often times the return on some activities is just a few dollars, but we go to the ends of the earth to get there. Like driving across town to get a few pennies cheaper in gas.

One late fee on a credit card ruins months of rewards, plus if things get tough, and sometimes life does, you are stuck with debt.

If you are constantly switching money between checking and savings, it is probably not worth the time and stress, or even a possible bounced check. Leave enough in your checking to not worry about having too little in there.

Re: why you’ll be richer without kids

The Happy Rock — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:35:39 -0000

BB,

I am not sure I see this conclusion play out in real life though. On the extreme end the 20 richest people in the world all had children. I know it is extreme but it would basically destroy the statistics that children = less wealth.

I will argue that the change that happens when maternal and paternal love springs from the deep changes your life forever. I know I am a living example, I know that I am probably happier and more fulfilled and with that becomes more motivated and driven. For me I know that is much wealthier since I got married and then had children. Just my take, I forget what the Millionaire Mind had to say on the issue.

Re: When Is A Blog Post A Success?

The Happy Rock — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:01:36 -0000

Most people have the goal of make money, or have fun.

I know that I have specific quantifiable goals for my blog, but I can't say the I have directly narrowed who my audience is and how I am going to be different. Not easy tasks to quantify without having some experience and time.

Re: How To Lose Me As A Blog Reader

The Happy Rock — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 13:51:12 -0000

I think a lot of people just plan don't know. That is what you ran across, and in my experience most people just haven't learned blogging etiquette and don't know were to look.

Plenty of articulate people with a have great writing voice and like the blog outlet, but don't know much about computers or blogging. That is just my experience. I have yet to come across someone with those options set on purpose.

Re: Rene Marie’s National Anthem Controversy (Good Art Gives — but Doesn’t Always Sell; part 2, by Melvin Bray)

The Happy Rock — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:21:10 -0000

I think most people agree even Rene Marie said that as an artists she go overboard when giving the opportunity to make an artistic statement. Agreeing to sing one song and singing another was inappropriate, period.

With that said there is a racial component here. Would people care much if she song God Bless America to the same tune, most likely not. It would have blown over quickly.

Let's not blow this thing out of proportion. She sang a beautiful song in a beautiful way at the wrong time, but I for one can appreciate the beauty and artistic expression of it all. I don't think it was meant to be divisive and tear the nation apart, so let's learn to appreciate our differences rather than use them to divide while accepting that this was a bad choice.

Re: A Victory Over Predatory Payday Lending (by Tom Allio)

The Happy Rock — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:57:20 -0000

I understand that 300% sounds like a lot, but realize that we are talking say $70 on a two week loan of $600. I suspect that an interest rate like this is probably not to far off. Essentially I think they are saying that if 1/9 loans default they are breaking even. I don't know the real statistics, but I would assume for the payday loan population this doesn't sound out of line.

With that said of course something needs to be done, although I am not sure government is the answer. How about picketing? How about changing public opinion? How about financial education and counseling? How about getting our hands dirty and changing lives rather than trying to fix a symptom. The problem is people trapped in cycles of poverty and addiction, payday loans aren't the problem.

I like the sound of churches getting involved or non profits that form relationships, lend money, teach, save, and inspire. Now those are steps towards a real solution.

Right on joekc and others a long the same path.

Re: Money Hacks Carnival - Presidential Edition!

The Happy Rock — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:48:25 -0000

I get John Adams. Thanks for hosting a great carnival!

Re: My Economic Plan? Stimulate Yourself!

The Happy Rock — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:31:11 -0000

I agree. Relying on the government for anything is a recipe for lifelong dependency and mediocrity.

Getting rid of the debt will be a huge step towards freedom and independence. Think about how differently you would feel if you lost your job and you had no debt. Most people could almost survive by delivering pizzas!

Re: 2009/01/04/twitter-blog-design/

The Happy Rock — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:49:34 -0000

Tweetbacks would be a great improvement and I think you nailed it with most of your predictions.

Re: Weekly Wrap Up March 30 - April 5

The Happy Rock — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:47:36 -0000

Thanks for the link Jesse.

Just so you know there are two writers at The Happy Rock, myself and DD who wrote the library article.

Re: Fesitval of Frugality #163rd Edition

The Happy Rock — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:21:43 -0000

Thanks for hosting and including my post and the editor's nod.

By the way the included article was written by DD another writer at The Happy Rock who lives in South Dakota. I live in NJ down by Philadelphia.

Thanks again.

<abbr>The Happy Rock’s last blog post..DD’s Monthly Expenses - January 2009</abbr>

Re: How To Avoid The Social Media Time Suck

The Happy Rock — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:00:59 -0000

Visually seeing your purpose for being on the site is a great idea. For most, we haven't even really thought through why, it just is. So it may take some upfront time to figure out "Why am I on Twitter all the time?".

Re: http://www.techipedia.com/2008/blogger-outreach-sears-style/

The Happy Rock — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:36:56 -0000

Family Fun for me!