Earlier this week, American Express published my second article for the company’s new community website, Currency. I used to think that philanthropy was an activity for the rich. Though anyone can donate a portion of income to charity regardless of their financial health, starting a foundation requires at least a million dollars. Some services offer ... Continue reading this article…

Is it better to buy a new car, buy a used car, or lease a new car? If you ask personal finance writers, gurus, and bloggers, the answer is always to buy a used car without question — and without debt, if possible. Here is the problem with one-size-fits-all, mass-audience advice. In most cases, this ... Continue reading this article…

I am now providing a weekly article to U.S. News & World Report for their website’s “My Money” Blog, an online-only feature. So far, I’ve offered two articles. Here are the two articles I’ve written for this new blog as well as some other articles I’ve enjoyed recently. 10 Unusual Ways to Save Money. This ... Continue reading this article…

To all those who celebrate, have a happy Mother’s Day. Jim from Bargaineering asks, “What financial lessons has your mother taught you?” Jim’s mom provided negotiation skills and some of his readers learned various lessons for dealing with credit cards, spending smartly, and being compassionate. Here are five reasons the author of the Well-Heeled Blog ... Continue reading this article…

This weekend, I attended Communiversity 2010 in Princeton, New Jersey, an annual arts festival in town and on campus organized by the Arts Council of Princeton. The highlights included several collegiate a cappella performances and a Beatles tribute band. Look for a photograph of the Deaftones of Westminster Choir College, one of the a cappella ... Continue reading this article…

Happy holidays! If you’re like me, you are probably thankful that the holiday shopping season is coming to a close. Yes, after Christmas there are some sales that can’t be ignored: if you buy Christmas-related items, now is the time to find them for 50 percent to 90 percent off their regular prices. And as stores try ... Continue reading this article…

Yesterday, I signed up for my second photography class, meeting every Saturday afternoon for eight weeks starting in January. I learned much from the first class I took last summer, and I have been looking for a more advanced class. My photography skills have a long way to go, and with what I consider two ... Continue reading this article…

Anheuser-Busch Cuts 1,400 Jobs. This shouldn’t be a surprise after the company was purchased by InBev and the company promised over a million dollars in annual savings. Maybe It’s Time to Buy That First House. Don’t worry, there are no conclusions in this New York Times article. Maybe it is time, but maybe it is ... Continue reading this article…

More ING Direct $25 bonus links are now available. I’ve posted more referral codes received from Consumerism Commentary readers on the waiting list. In a few weeks, I plan on opening the waiting list again, so subscribe to the RSS feed so you can respond quickly to add your name before the list is closed ... Continue reading this article…