For years now I’ve been extolling the virtues of Pentagon Federal Credit Union, primarily for it’s Platinum Cash Rewards VISA. Although many of the benefits of the card have eroded over the years, the key components of this card have been a constant. The first is the 5% cash back you get at any gas station …
By now you’ve read my posts and others lamenting the expiration of the payroll tax holiday. As a reminder this was implemented at the beginning of 2011 as a way to put more money back in the hands of everyday Americans. Although many of us intended to save the 2% extra in our paychecks, the …
To capture this card in a pun, it is what it is. Basically it’s the same Discover card that many of us love, but it is improved slightly. There are lots to like about the card, but some of the key pieces I like are: No annual fee No foreign transaction fees 5% cash back …
I know. I know. Everyone says that the thirty year, fixed rate mortgage is sitting at historic lows, and I agree that is true. Heck I re-financed last year just like many of you. I just think that based on other historical norms, the rate should be lower. According to a recently posted discussion over …
Why is the Thirty-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Still so Expensive? Read More »
Well, 2012 was a pretty tumultuous year politically, and I was angry about the dereliction of duty by our Congress for most of it. Luckily for you guys I left my rants out of this blog. Coming into 2013 it looks like the Congress is setting itself up for the same sort stupidity that got …
Welcome to the Q1 2013 edition of Maximizing What’s in Your Wallet! As a reminder, this post is for all the credit card deadbeats out there looking to maximize cash back rewards. So, if you never carry a balance on your credit cards, have them set to auto-pay in full every month, and want to make …
Lately I’ve been playing a lot of Spike Ball and Kan Jam. Both of these fun games are excellent if you have active children or young adults in your family. Spike Ball is a 4 person (2 on 2), trampoline based game that is kind of a mixture of volleyball and 4 square. …
Frequent guest poster Noreen checks in with a commentary on the implications of the removal of the Payroll Tax holiday and American taxation in general. I have to say, that I am NOT excited about seeing this expire. I would actually prefer to keep the 4.8% rate as it is, but remove the cap so …
Implications of the Expiration of the Payroll Tax Holiday Read More »
How would you like it if your student loan payments came directly out of your paychecks? Does it sound scary? Does it sound convenient? A little of both? Probably. It’s called Income-Based Student Loan Payment. Well, that’s what’s being proposed by Wisconsin Republican Representative Tom Petri in a new bill I first read about in the Consumerist. …
What an exciting day! Today is the day I win the $550 million dollar Powerball lottery. I know I know it's a completely imprudent purchase and HIGHLY unlikely event, but really the dreams you get to dream are well worth a small outlay of your play money in my humble opinion. What'll I do if …
