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Start a Salary Negotiation With a Ridiculous Request

by Flexo

There’s some evidence that the first number mentioned in salary negotiations serves as an anchor. As an employee, you can influence the employer’s final salary by asking for a high number up front. That high number, you may know, is out of the employer’s range, but by asking for a somewhat reasonable high number, you’re ... Continue reading this article…

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Involving Children in Household Money Management

by Flexo
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5437895492_b0e84aaf2b_b.jpg

At the right age, involving children in the household financial planning process can be a good way to teach responsible money management. Children internalize best practices when they not only receive meaningful instruction, but have visible, positive role models as parents. If parents want to impart a lesson of “buy only what you can afford,” ... Continue reading this article…

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Universal Life Insurance

by Flexo

Every once in a while, I receive financial questions from readers. I am not a financial adviser, so I usually suggest those needing significant assistance with their financial decisions to seek the advice of a professional. However, I don’t mind answering general questions that might be helpful for a wider audience. If you have any ... Continue reading this article…

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Net Worth Competition: Don’t Compare Yourself With Others

by Flexo
Calculator

One of the most important metrics for tracking financial progress is net worth. I write about my net worth, or a modified form of it, every month when I report my balances. I’ve been in the practice of publishing my net worth updates for eight years. By watching my net worth change over time — ... Continue reading this article…

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Pay Down Debt or Build an Emergency Fund?

by Flexo
San Diego

Although I’m not a financial professional and I don’t normally give advice, I’m relatively comfortable offering some opinions when it comes to strategy. A reader presented this question to me recently. I’m open to answering questions as long as the answers don’t involve giving stock picks or legal advice. My wife and I recently moved ... Continue reading this article…

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Write a Guest Post for Consumerism Commentary

by Flexo

Out of the hundreds of emails I receive every day, many requests I receive are from writers who would like to contribute to Consumerism Commentary in some form, such as a blog guest post. Many bloggers, particularly those whose websites are popular, can attest to receiving similar requests. They come from a variety of sources: ... Continue reading this article…

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Get Rich By Thinking About Being Rich

by Flexo

In her new book, Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference, the author, Cordelia Fine cites studies that show how our lives are affected directly by the labels we give ourselves. I’m not interested in the strictly gender-related aspects of this discussion, at least not for Consumerism Commentary, but I am ... Continue reading this article…

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Podcast 113: The Money Couple, Scott & Bethany Palmer

by Flexo

Today’s guests on the Consumerism Commentary Podcast are Scott and Bethany Palmer, also known as The Money Couple. The Money Couple talks about many topics in their book, First Comes Love, Then Comes Money: A Couple’s Guide to Financial Communication such as financial infidelity, money personalities and how couples can better understand each others’ money ... Continue reading this article…

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