Disqus - Latest Comments for Personal Loan Portfolio

Re: learning how to let go

Personal Loan Portfolio — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:56:06 -0000

I was reading through your article intently since I have been concerned about the growth of junk my garage and office. The Matryoshka doll picture caught me off guard. I too lived in Russia for a few years. I was there just a few weeks ago for the holidays. And for the record, I have only one matryoshka doll set. :)

Re: like money falling from the sky

Personal Loan Portfolio — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:15:15 -0000

Interesting story about the coins. I lived in Russia for several years as well. It amazed me with all the problems that they had with hyperinflation after the fall of the Soviet Union that the communists were not able to take back control. I also am surprised that they stayed as infatuated with the US as long as they did.

McD's is a luxury so to speak in such times and some people seem to be able to imagine away the real problems hyperinflation causes by thinking they could go without the hamburger. Imagine milk costing $10 grand a gallon 18 months from now. Also, the government is 4 months late paying your parents social security check and they have no other savings to speak of because it has been wiped out already. So how do you buy your kid's milk and help out your parents?

Also, around the same time, the world's largest pyramid scheme (MMM) was run in Russia so many people who did have money lost much of it there. A friend of mine whose parent's owned a bank, lost the entire bank in that scandal.

Russia went through some rough years. It seems to be much better there now -- except for the price of housing in Moscow which is outrageous.

Re: like money falling from the sky

Personal Loan Portfolio — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:20:12 -0000

MBB: "There is some serious inflationary concerns in the US economy at the moment."

That is why Bernake's recent comments about pumping money into the system worry me. Sure it boosts the economy but it also increases the money supply causing more inflation.

The standard salary increase at my work is 4.5% this year, but I recently read that inflation is 6% (only one article so I am not sure if this is correct). Plus, my health care premiums went up by 23%* and my out of pocket expenses went up by $5 for prescriptions and doctor visits.

Steve, it is impossible to not live in Russia long and it not make you cynical. I also completely agree with your statement: "Americans assume - probably like Soviets, Ottomans, Romans, etc. - that the good times will roll forever. I hope they will but know they won’t…" It always happens.

* Last year was the first year they offered the plan that I am on and I believe that they had it under priced, so I am not as upset as you might imagine at that increase.

Re: The Carnival of Peer-to-Peer Lending: 2nd edition

Personal Loan Portfolio — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:54:30 -0000

Thank you for hosting and for including a link to my article on Lending Club.

Re: what is lending club?

Personal Loan Portfolio — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:41:23 -0000

I have liked Lending Club for how quick you can jump on the site and lend a few dollars and be off. You do not need to worry about being outbid by someone. You only have to consider that the loan might fund. That is why I only try to select loans already more than 50% funded. I posted my review of lending club some time ago, but the platform has made some improvements since that time.

Re: The Big Book Giveaway

Personal Loan Portfolio — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:45:59 -0000

I don't think your give away is that complicated and I certainly won't complain because it is a FREE give away. :)

My preference would be:
Getting Things Done
Zen to Done
Xmarks the spot
Greatest Salesman
Money or your life

Re: gimme my cash blankee

Personal Loan Portfolio — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:52:49 -0000

Companies are also spending lots of money on their own stock which can also be used to make acquisitions.

The build up of cash can also be a negative sign -- they don't know what to do with all the money they are currently making and are afraid to invest it in anything.

Although, I'll go with "T h rive" and dollar cost average for my personal investments.

Re: Lending Club update

Personal Loan Portfolio — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:45:02 -0000

DGI: I don't think they are running out of money because they have announced that they will be funding all loans by borrowers through the quiet period. It seems more like a change in regulatory model.

Re: LendingClub vs. Prosper

Personal Loan Portfolio — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:03:28 -0000

I had no issues verifying my identity on Lending Club. I am surprised to hear that the process could go bad because it was rather simple.

"I would take LendingClub’s stats with a grain of salt."

I think that both Prosper and Lending Club websites are understating the risk.

"Prosper’s default rate hovers at about 2.7 percent, Larsen said, but that figure is expected to rise as more loans mature." Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21993720/ A huge understatement.

Re: Zopa USA Launches

Personal Loan Portfolio — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 02:16:31 -0000

If I was going to try for a loan anywhere, I would go with Zopa. I can't think of any place else where you might actually be able to receive a loan with a negative interest rate once you factor in the help that you can receive from lenders at Zopa.