As featured in The Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, and more!

July 2005

Ignorance is Bliss

by Luke Landes

I noticed some great advice written by Seth Jayson from The Motley Fool today: Ignore the Experts. June sales numbers all over the map show that neither high-priced oil nor threat of housing bubble nor Michael Jackson acquittal can keep strong retailers from continuing to move their products. The Fool advises readers to turn off ... Continue reading this article…

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Real Estate Career Change?

by Luke Landes

I’m not considering it, but maybe someone out there is. As with anything, you have to take a realistic view of the ramifications of a choice. It seems like real estate is a hot career right now, with stories about people making millions of dollars and membership organizations continuing their growth. Here are some things ... Continue reading this article…

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Letting Terror Affect Your Investment Strategy

by Luke Landes

When terror strikes, it’s easy to think about September 11 and the poor performance of the stock market following the event. It may be better to wait this one out before running for the hills and cashing out. It’s better not to make hasty decisions based on world events. CNN Money offers that same advice. ... Continue reading this article…

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The $5 Timing Error

by Luke Landes

I didn’t time a transfer correctly and it cost me five dollars. Thinking a couple of checks wouldn’t be withdrawn from my Wachovia checking account until today, I scheduled a transfer in from an ING Direct savings account for yesterday to cover the funds. It looks like the checks withdrew yesterday but the deposit didn’t ... Continue reading this article…

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Can’t Buy Me Happiness

by Luke Landes

Here is some common sense from Jeanne Sahadi: If financial success is important to you, and you are not as successful as those around you, you are not going to be as happy as someone who doesn’t care as much about financial success. In fact, setting financial success as a goal can make some people ... Continue reading this article…

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Free Prizes May Not Be Worth It

by Luke Landes

In some cases, it might be better to decline contest winnings [free WSJ article] than to accept the prize. The income tax due on winnings might be more than what it would cost to buy the prize outside of the contest. In the article, a man declines free American Airlines flights.

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Account Balances and Income vs. Expenses, June 2005

by Luke Landes

If you continue reading this entry, you’ll find my account balances for the end of June, 2005. Some notes: * I have been on a month-to-month lease, which costs me $300 extra each month! I paid for a little more than two months of that fee this month and I haven’t bothered to accrue. That ... Continue reading this article…

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Another Week, Another Carnival

by Luke Landes

Carnival of Personal Finance #3 is online at AllThingsFinancial. Some interesting posts to highlight: Alphabet Soup, a guide to the different professional designations in finance. Nickel warns people to think before writing a check in a world where there is a hot black market for personal banking information. On AllThingsFinancial, JLP teacher us how to ... Continue reading this article…

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In Pursuit of Financial Freedom

by Luke Landes

For those of us in the United States, Independence Day is coming up. Coincidentally, Consumerism Commentary began two years ago this month. This website is also concerned with independence — financial independence. Writing here forces me to take a look at my finances. I had to take a look at the many mistakes I made ... Continue reading this article…

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That Time Of Year

by Luke Landes

It’s gotten a little bland around here, I know. I’ve been working my ass off at work, and just about every other moment of my life is spent working on some random project, researching or writing papers for school, or spending time with my lady. I don’t get much sleep. I’m on the board of ... Continue reading this article…

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