Marshall Loeb from CBS Moneywatch has published an article explaining how to properly “grease,” that is, tip in advance to ensure special service.

His “tips” for discreet tipping:

• Talk to the person in power.
• Speak privately instead of in front of other customers.
• Fold the bill with the denomination clearly visible by the tipee.

• Sincerely thank the person in advance.

  Elsewhere in CBS Marketwatch, Jon Friedman complains about blogs. Not necessarily personal finance blogs, but those whose writers tend to think they’re part of a new media revolution.

A few weeks ago, I took the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). My “career” hasn’t had much direction lately, so I’m considering changing course. Since I probably won’t have a decent enough test score to get into the top schools, I figure it’s best to save money and go for one less expensive and in-state, such as Rutgers School of Law. Alternatively, I may decide to move out to California or some other place not New Jersey, whether I choose to go to law school or not.

This is just an idea I’ve been kicking around lately and I’ll have to completely commit myself to the education if I choose to follow through. I’ve always had so many varied interests, it’s been hard for me to settle on one and turn it into a “career.” I suppose having many interests and talents, while a great quality I’m happy to have, makes it difficult to focus and thus hard to get ahead on any one path.

For example, last year I stopped working in the corporate world to teach in a high school, only to come back to the same corporation when the program was cut back in the fall.

My dissatisfaction with my current job keeps growing and I have a hard time dealing with the fact that the work that I do makes very little use of the things at which I excel. And I’m certainly not getting ahead financially. Maybe law school is the answer. I could take a law degree and have many options for an interesting career.

Perhaps ING Direct has been feeling the heat from competitors. Today the online bank raised the interest rate offered on its savings account from 2.35% to 2.6%. The rate is still below Emigrant Direct, but I’ll still stick with ING for now.

ING also offers referral bonuses; if I refer you through email to open an account with them, you’ll receive a bonus $25 and I’ll receive $10.

The new nickels will be put into circulation on February 28. They feature a close-up of Thomas Jefferson and I can’t say that I’m a fan of the new design. The reverse contains a new engraving of a bison.

On March 3, the U.S. Mint will begin offering their standard 2005 proof coin set, a few days ahead of schedule. The sets make nice gifts for people who enjoy coins.

CNN Money profiled a family that needed to put more effort into saving after the motehr gave birth to twins.

Some of their tactics include borrowing movies from the library instead of Blockbuster, getting haircuts and exercise at local colleges instead of salons and clubs, and shopping for groceries at superstores.

By the way, they pay $115 per month for their house in a “remote location.”

M.P. Dunleavey adds this commentary on MSN Money. She talks about “luxury” products that draw the attention of middle-class individuals to help them feel like they have a wealthy lifestyle. One of her points is that the premium paid for a high end item very rarely justifies the price difference. Dunleavey includes examples of various types of products with a luxury equivalent that draws people who can’t afford them, such as watches, chocolate, sneakers, and baby products.

She quotes a psychologist who calls the cause “miswanting”—what people want (a life of wealth) can’t be satisfied by acquiring luxury items.

Jason Kottke is leaving his full-time job to devote himself completely to his blog. He won’t be making money through advertising, he’ll be relying on the goodwill of visitors to pitch in. His basic donation is $30 and I’m sure he won’t have a problem finding 1,000 people to donate that much money. Is it sustainable year after year?

It would be nice to quit the corporate world withe a product so popular people will support me via donations. However, it doesn’t seem like a good long-term stragey.

On a personal note, I received my bonus last week and it was a bit lower than I expected. I’m in a non-management position, so I get paid for overtime but I generaly expect a non-impressive bonus compared to most. I have to consider that I wasn’t at the company for a while last year while I was teaching, and that probably had some effect on the calculation.

In any event, the bonus will help pay for my car insurance. I wish it could have been used for something more interesting.