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4 Ways to Simplify Finances Where Possible

by Flexo

As I write this I am in the process of looking at apartments for my next move. Meanwhile, I’m also considering moving into a condominium or single family house. This is a tough decision as I have too many unanswered questions about my immediate future. I can’t waste time; my lease is up at the ... Continue reading this article…

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ShareBuilder Now Supports Quicken Direct Connect

by Flexo

I recently logged into my ShareBuilder [affiliate] account to check to see if there were any tax forms I needed to consider. I was greeted by a new message describing ShareBuilder’s new support for direct downloading of account data into Microsoft Money and Intuit Quicken. These days, with the fees that the software makers charge ... Continue reading this article…

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How to Withdraw Money from Upromise

by Flexo

Upromise is a loyalty rebate program which rewards its members by investing a percentage of purchases into accounts for education expenses, namely 529 College Savings Plans. Just register your credit cards and your supermarket membership cards and the different rebates are credited to your account to be invested at a later date. These rebates are ... Continue reading this article…

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Sweep Account Interest Rates

by Flexo

Any investment account at a brokerage usually has an associated cash account in which proceeds from sales and dividends are deposited, usually in the form of a money market fund. According to this free Wall Street Journal article, investment banks are purposely moving investors’ cash funds into accounts that earn less than typical money market ... Continue reading this article…

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My Name is Flexo, and I Approved This Message

by Flexo

Last week, I received the following email. I have changed the name of the firm for the safety of the author: Flexo- I enjoy reading the posts on your blog ‘Consumerism Commentary’. It is a well put together site. I was reading a post on 9/29 about your brokerage recently charging you an annual fee. ... Continue reading this article…

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Annual Fee?!

by Flexo

My previously-mediocre-but-not-horrible discount brokerage firm decided to start charging an annual fee… a fee higer than some full-service brokerages. I’m high-tailing it out of there ASAP, and I’m looking to do it without any tax implications. Although, even if I have to sell, the tax burden shouldn’t be too bad. So, with the several thousand ... Continue reading this article…

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