Comments on: 4 Ways to Simplify Finances Where Possible http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/ A premiere personal finance blog, established 2003. Within, Flexo discusses his own experiences with money, and he and other authors comment on a wide range of personal finance topics. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:42:00 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Carnival of Personal Finance #99 Recap - Part 2 at Clever Dude Personal Finance & Money http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-104971 Carnival of Personal Finance #99 Recap - Part 2 at Clever Dude Personal Finance & Money Mon, 28 May 2007 23:31:52 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-104971 [...] so many bank accounts recently, and since I hold so many unused credit cards, I liked Flexo’s 4 Ways to Simplify Finances article. I learned that rate-chasing is not for me, and I’m happy earning 5% on one account [...] [...] so many bank accounts recently, and since I hold so many unused credit cards, I liked Flexo’s 4 Ways to Simplify Finances article. I learned that rate-chasing is not for me, and I’m happy earning 5% on one account [...]

]]> By: Carnival of Personal Finance » Carnival of Personal Finance #99 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-96087 Carnival of Personal Finance » Carnival of Personal Finance #99 Mon, 07 May 2007 13:01:54 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-96087 [...] 4 Ways to Simplify Finances Where Possible [...] [...] 4 Ways to Simplify Finances Where Possible [...]

]]> By: Carnival Of Personal Finance #99 - Awesome Money Quotes Edition http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-96083 Carnival Of Personal Finance #99 - Awesome Money Quotes Edition Mon, 07 May 2007 12:08:56 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-96083 [...] 4 Ways to Simplify Finances Where Possible by Flexo @ Consumerism Commentary. Read about how Flexo plans to simply his finances. He has outlined his plans with some specific objectives in mind towards a more manageable financial life. [...] [...] 4 Ways to Simplify Finances Where Possible by Flexo @ Consumerism Commentary. Read about how Flexo plans to simply his finances. He has outlined his plans with some specific objectives in mind towards a more manageable financial life. [...]

]]> By: Mighty Bargain Hunter » Roundup for week of 30 April 2007 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95972 Mighty Bargain Hunter » Roundup for week of 30 April 2007 Sun, 06 May 2007 03:47:39 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95972 [...] Consumerism Commentary talks about four ways he plans to simplify his finances. [...] [...] Consumerism Commentary talks about four ways he plans to simplify his finances. [...]

]]> By: AllFinancialMatters » Blog Archive » JLP’s Weekly Roundup http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95525 AllFinancialMatters » Blog Archive » JLP’s Weekly Roundup Wed, 02 May 2007 14:52:52 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95525 [...] Simplify Your Finances [...] [...] Simplify Your Finances [...]

]]> By: Kimberly http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95449 Kimberly Tue, 01 May 2007 22:46:51 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95449 For reducing brokerage, bank, credit, and mortgage accounts, I managed to get everything tied through Bank of America -- you won't regret simplifying your life like you are; it is a lot harder to fall behind on my finances now. For reducing brokerage, bank, credit, and mortgage accounts, I managed to get everything tied through Bank of America — you won’t regret simplifying your life like you are; it is a lot harder to fall behind on my finances now.

]]> By: ib http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95445 ib Tue, 01 May 2007 21:18:18 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95445 not that i have direct experience with it, but i understand buying a house/condo can take a long time (often unforseen) even if you know which one you might buy. maybe take the year lease and IF you get a place, just the end/lease steep fee would apply? might be better than the sure bet of $300 addtl per month for a still mysterious situation.... just suggesting going with the 'known' vs the 'unknown' (known being you need to live somewhere now) and not pay more than you might have to hopefully. my apt bldg has similar sucky rules and fees. but apt. has a nice view, *sigh.* good luck! not that i have direct experience with it, but i understand buying a house/condo can take a long time (often unforseen) even if you know which one you might buy.

maybe take the year lease and IF you get a place, just the end/lease steep fee would apply? might be better than the sure bet of $300 addtl per month for a still mysterious situation….
just suggesting going with the ‘known’ vs the ‘unknown’ (known being you need to live somewhere now) and not pay more than you might have to hopefully.

my apt bldg has similar sucky rules and fees. but apt. has a nice view, *sigh.*

good luck!

]]> By: Flexo http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95434 Flexo Tue, 01 May 2007 19:23:32 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95434 Blain (and dong): My landlord isn't a "he," it's a national corporation. Many apartments go unrented for several months at a time. I understand the risk and the need to discourage month-to-month habitation, but other apartment complexes in the area charge $50, not $300. Blain (and dong): My landlord isn’t a “he,” it’s a national corporation. Many apartments go unrented for several months at a time. I understand the risk and the need to discourage month-to-month habitation, but other apartment complexes in the area charge $50, not $300.

]]> By: Blain Reinkensmeyer http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95433 Blain Reinkensmeyer Tue, 01 May 2007 19:16:59 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95433 The $300 a month extra is pretty steep, but you have to think it is necessary. I means look at what happens if you decide to leave in like a horribly not opportune month? He may be stuck on that apartment un-rented for a while when he could have had another 1 year + term already signed earlier. The $300 a month extra is pretty steep, but you have to think it is necessary. I means look at what happens if you decide to leave in like a horribly not opportune month? He may be stuck on that apartment un-rented for a while when he could have had another 1 year + term already signed earlier.

]]> By: Chris http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95420 Chris Tue, 01 May 2007 17:21:41 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95420 My former landlord charged around $250 a month for month-to-month leasing. It's not unheard of. Don't forget that the WaMu savings account needs to be linked to a WaMu checking account to get the 5% rate. I would keep those unused credit cards, as they do help your FICO score. Just lock them in a safe. My former landlord charged around $250 a month for month-to-month leasing. It’s not unheard of.

Don’t forget that the WaMu savings account needs to be linked to a WaMu checking account to get the 5% rate.

I would keep those unused credit cards, as they do help your FICO score. Just lock them in a safe.

]]> By: dong http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95403 dong Tue, 01 May 2007 15:19:08 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95403 On the housing matter, I feel like the landlord is trying to gouge you for an extra $300. He should certainly charge extra for month to month, but $300 is alot. What you don't want to do obviously is rush into buying a place. Good luck with the decision - not an easy one ever. On the housing matter, I feel like the landlord is trying to gouge you for an extra $300. He should certainly charge extra for month to month, but $300 is alot. What you don’t want to do obviously is rush into buying a place. Good luck with the decision – not an easy one ever.

]]> By: Robin http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95394 Robin Tue, 01 May 2007 14:39:25 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95394 I agree--if you really don't think just shredding the extra credit cards is enough, wait till after you get your mortgage, okay? Credit score has everything to do with the rate you'll get. We always liked Sovereign Bank out of Yardley, PA -- all of our mortgages are through them. It's a small private office and they're honest people. Also, once you digitize, toss copies of your important docs onto a USB flash drive for emergencies. I agree–if you really don’t think just shredding the extra credit cards is enough, wait till after you get your mortgage, okay? Credit score has everything to do with the rate you’ll get. We always liked Sovereign Bank out of Yardley, PA — all of our mortgages are through them. It’s a small private office and they’re honest people.

Also, once you digitize, toss copies of your important docs onto a USB flash drive for emergencies.

]]> By: Uhoh http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95391 Uhoh Tue, 01 May 2007 14:29:11 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95391 Why oh why would you close unused credit cards? Reducing your available lines of credit hurts your FICO scores. Especially if they're old cards---reducing the average age of your cards is not desirable. If you're concerned about having too many cards to keep track of, why don't you ask your creditors to consolidate your lines of credit into just one card per issuer? Then you'll keep your total available amount of credit, you'll have the same low utilization, and there will be fewer cards for you to keep track of. I should think that you would want to keep your FICO score as high as humanly possible with a mortgage around the corner. Why oh why would you close unused credit cards? Reducing your available lines of credit hurts your FICO scores. Especially if they’re old cards—reducing the average age of your cards is not desirable.

If you’re concerned about having too many cards to keep track of, why don’t you ask your creditors to consolidate your lines of credit into just one card per issuer? Then you’ll keep your total available amount of credit, you’ll have the same low utilization, and there will be fewer cards for you to keep track of.

I should think that you would want to keep your FICO score as high as humanly possible with a mortgage around the corner.

]]> By: Patrick http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95380 Patrick Tue, 01 May 2007 13:19:34 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/05/01/4-ways-to-simplify-finances-where-possible/#comment-95380 Hi Flexo, Getting your finances smoothed out is a great step toward buying a house, or making any major financial transaction. It will make everything a lot easier to track now, and especially at tax time (no more sorting through 15 different 1099s!) Before you go through your financial papers to determine what you need to keep or throw away, check out my recent post titled How Long Should You Keep Financial Documents?: <a href="http://cashmoneylife.com/2007/04/30/how-long-should-you-keep-financial-documents/" rel="nofollow">link</a> I just wrote about it yesterday :) And don't forget to buy a shredder! It's one of the best $15 investments you can make! Or, you can spend a little more and get the deluxe version that shreds paper, credit cards, and compact disks. :) Hi Flexo,

Getting your finances smoothed out is a great step toward buying a house, or making any major financial transaction. It will make everything a lot easier to track now, and especially at tax time (no more sorting through 15 different 1099s!)

Before you go through your financial papers to determine what you need to keep or throw away, check out my recent post titled How Long Should You Keep Financial Documents?: link

I just wrote about it yesterday :)

And don’t forget to buy a shredder! It’s one of the best $15 investments you can make! Or, you can spend a little more and get the deluxe version that shreds paper, credit cards, and compact disks. :)

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