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Why I Don’t Chase the Highest Interest Rate

by Flexo

When a bank, particularly a bank that functions without branches solely or almost completely online, wants to increase its deposits, they employ several specific tactics. The bank increase the interest rates on the savings accounts, establish a significant marketing and advertising push, and if they’re smart, offer new customer or referral bonuses. Let’s go back ... Continue reading this article…

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How to Build Credit

by Flexo

In a perfect world for a consumer, no one would need credit. There would be enough time to earn and save money before needing a car or a house. Credit cards would be used only for cash back rewards and other bonuses, and no one would ever pay interest. There would be no such thing ... Continue reading this article…

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Smithee Debt Update, Mid-May 2010

by Smithee

Happy Vacation-makes-finances-a-bit-messy Friday! It’s been about a month since my last credit card debt update. Since then, we managed to pull off something akin to a coup or a miracle. With help from my wife’s bonuses (which are only considered miraculous because mis-management at her company makes those difficult to realize), we were able to ... Continue reading this article…

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The New Health Insurance Law and Your Money

by Smithee

Aside from some procedural maneuvering in the Senate, the health insurance reform bill that Congress has been working on for the last year, now falling under the Reconciliation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4872) and the Senate health bill, will soon be signed into law. How is the new law going to affect your personal finances? ... Continue reading this article…

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Podcast 45: Gary Belsky, Behavioral Economics

by Flexo

Today’s guest on the Consumerism Commentary Podcast is Gary Belsky, author of the book Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes and How to Correct Them: Lessons from the Life-Changing Science of Behavioral Economics and Editor-In-Chief of ESPN the Magazine. Gary and Tom Dziubek discuss behavioral economics and how understanding how we make decisions involving ... Continue reading this article…

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Raise, Bonus, and Weekend Reading

by Flexo

Along with tracking my finances on Consumerism Commentary, I also mention when the situation at my day job changes. For example, two years ago I successfully posted for a higher-level vacancy in my department (as expected). Last year I mentioned when I received a lower annual bonus and raise than I would have liked. I’ve ... Continue reading this article…

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Breaking an Art Sale Record With $104.3 Million for Running Man I

by Flexo

This past weekend, a sculpture by Alberto Giacometti broke the previous record for most expensive piece of art sold at auction. An anonymous bidder purchased “L’Homme Qui Marche I” for $104.3 million, up to five times more than the expected price. This may be a good sign for the art world in need of a ... Continue reading this article…

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Alternatives to High-Yield Savings Accounts

by Flexo

I am not surprised that my recent suggestion to start the decade off right by opening a high-yield savings account received a lukewarm reception. With rates between 1 percent and 2 percent APY right now, these savings are looking somewhat pathetic. Savings accounts are not designed to be investments. They will not provide the growth potential that ... Continue reading this article…

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