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2009

Most Popular on Consumerism Commentary: December 2008

by Luke Landes

One of the best methods of reading Consumerism Commentary and staying up-to-date with the latest articles and posts is through RSS subscription. By subscribing to the Consumerism Commentary RSS feed with feed-reading software such as Google Reader or aggregators such as My Yahoo, you’ll always be aware of new content here. If you prefer to ... Continue reading this article…

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Personal Income Statement, December 2008

by Luke Landes

On Saturday I posted my final balance sheet for 2008 and wrote about my progress this past year. Each month, I take a look at my income and expenses as well to get a fuller picture of my finances. This post contains my income and expense report. December continues to be one of the most ... Continue reading this article…

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Personal Balance Sheet, December 2008

by Luke Landes

The stock market found a way to trash my net worth goal last year. Had the S&P index and my company stock increased in 2008 like they did in 2007, I would have surpassed my net worth goal for the year. Investments have a way of being volatile over short periods of time, and that ... Continue reading this article…

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401(k) Contribution Limits for 2009

by Luke Landes

If you contribute to a 401(k) plan, you may be happy to hear that this year’s contribution maximum is increasing. In 2008, the tax code allowed employees to contribute up to $15,500. Anyone who turned 50 years old in 2008 could also add a catch-up contribution of $5,000 above this limit, bringing the maximum to ... Continue reading this article…

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Filing Your 2008 Taxes With the Economic Stimulus (Recovery Rebate Credit)

by Luke Landes

If you didn’t received a payment from the economic stimulus that was devised by the United States government last year and your situation now qualifies you for the credit, you should claim this amount when filing your 2008 taxes. On the 2008 tax filing forms, there is a line designated to enter this amount, listed ... Continue reading this article…

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When to Begin Investing for a Child’s Education

by Luke Landes

I do not have any children. I am, however, planning to have children at some point in the future. It is part of my long-term vision for my life, despite endless stories from co-workers who seem to have such a difficult time with their own. (These stories are always followed by a confession that they ... Continue reading this article…

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Banks Celebrate New Year By Lowering Savings Interest Rates

by Luke Landes

One thing to keep your eye on in 2009 is your savings account. Over the past few days, several banks have lowered the interest rates on high-yield savings accounts. This is not a good sign for those who want to have liquid assets without losing purchasing power. You may want to start the new year ... Continue reading this article…

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