Financial Freedom Trek

Sadi Who?

2005-10-19T16:00:49-08:00

I think I have ADHD. I was all excited about my blog earlier this year, but since purchasing my investment property in June, and working on a huge project at work . . . I disappeared. I owe all of my loyal readers an apology. There is so much to ...

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At Last, My Philadelphia Investment Property

2005-06-04T16:44:14-08:00

Despite all of the talk about a housing bubble, I have decided to purchase an investment property, a triplex in the Philadelphia-area. (If you haven't already read my story up 'til now of the real estate search, click here.) I chose Philly because it's more affordable than New York, where ...

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Corporate Disclosures and Social Responsibility

2005-06-02T17:36:59-08:00

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Tips for Recent College Grads

2005-05-30T18:07:39-08:00

It's the wonderful time of year when lots of college students graduate and join the ranks of the "real world". For most, it probably means paying student loans and getting a full time job. Here are some articles of interest. This article on blitizing college debts from MSN Money is ...

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Confession Time: I Buy on Impluse

2005-05-25T13:01:44-08:00

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Review: Suze Orman's The Money Book for the Young Fabulous and Broke

2005-05-19T19:12:35-08:00

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And Now, the Roth 401(k)

2005-05-18T09:37:16-08:00

This BankRate.com article on Roth 401(k)s reminded me of the newest retirement savings option available beginning January 1, 2006, if your employer decides to offer it. As BankRate.com notes, some of the rules are still being finalized. Here are some of the highlights, so far: Like the Roth IRA, contributions ...

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NY Times New Series on Class in America

2005-05-15T17:44:52-08:00

The New York Times has an interesting series called "Class in America: Shadowy Lines That Still Divide". Today's article, the first in the series, discusses the concept of class mobility and moving up. I don't want to ruin the article, so read it if you have time, it's really good ...

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Bankrate's Monthly Shopping Guide

2005-05-10T19:08:08-08:00

Bankrate.com is one of my favorite finance sites. In addition to rates for savings, CDs, credit cards and tons of advice Best of all section, it has tons of fresh content added regularly. That said, check out the month-by-month shopping guide. From TVs in January to outdoor sports equipment in ...

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The Numbers: My April 30th Net Worth

2005-05-06T03:22:22-08:00

Overall, my net worth increased $562.40 since March 30th. First, in April, I worked about the equivalent of one shift extra. I would have liked to get more overtime, but it wasn't available. I contributed an additional $2000 in my Roth IRA, $1000 of which I got from my ING ...

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C'mon Everyone's Doing It (Why I Shut Off My Home Phone)

2005-05-04T18:32:47-08:00

Nicole at Budgeting Babe beat me to the punch, but I was going to write about finally shutting off my land line. I've had a cell phone since the late '90s, but I recently decided to chuck my land line. I have to admit this decision was a long time ...

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The Nitty Gritty on the Rush Card

2005-05-02T20:23:58-08:00

In a recent Generation Debt article, Anya Kamentz discusses Russell Simmons expansion to the financial services industry through the Rush Card, the Visa-logo prepaid debit card. As you may know, Russell Simmons is a cofounder of Def Jam Records. Simmons definetly knows a thing or two about money, he sold ...

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The Importance of Keeping Notices (Part 2)

2005-05-02T04:04:55-08:00

Last October, MBNA sent me a letter informing me that my Visa card would be "upgraded" to an American Express at the end of the month. In the letter they mentioned that, as long as I made $1,000 in purchases by December 31, I would receive a $50 American Express ...

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The Importance of Keeping Notices (Part 1)

2005-04-26T08:43:58-08:00

Update: this week I am in Ireland working on a school project, so I've been mostly away from a computer. I'll return at the end of the month, in which I will give you my updated net worth. Right before I left, I discussed opening an account with Vanguard. I ...

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Book Review: I've Been Rich, I've Been Poor, Rich is Better

2005-04-18T22:57:07-08:00

I've Been Rich, I've Been Poor, Rich is Better by Judy Resnick targets women who are financially dependent. Resnick is a money manager and principal of The Resnick Group, a financial services firm. She writes from a generation (and mindset) of women that grew up believing that men in their ...

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I Finally Maxed My Roth IRA

2005-04-17T19:52:55-08:00

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Deal Alert: Cheap Quicken Software

2005-04-09T23:40:48-08:00

In earlier posts, I discussed my need to keep better track of my finances. I currently keep track of everything in Excel and assorted size Post-Its. (If you've ever seen the movie Bruce Almighty it's sort of reminiscent of the scene in which Jim Carrey's entire room gets covered in ...

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The Numbers: My April FICO Scores

2005-04-09T11:11:53-08:00

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Trimming the Fat and Stuffing My Wallet

2005-04-06T20:33:27-08:00

In an earlier post, I discussed the fact that I gained a lot of weight recently. Now, I am working to shed the extra pounds. I'm a city girl, and by that I mean I don't really cook, I eat out regularly and I buy convenience foods. I am willing ...

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My March Net Worth

2005-04-06T03:28:01-08:00

At long last, here is a summary of my net worth as of March 31, 2005:

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Once Again, ING Raises its Rates

2005-04-05T08:02:25-08:00

For the third time since February, ING Direct has raised its interest rates. It now pays 3.0% interest. I'm glad that ING is staying competitive, although it still doesn't match newcomer EmigrantDirect's current 3.25% APY. But it's even better than VirtualBank's current 2.8% APY. If you don't already have an ...

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Book Review: The Richest Man in Babylon

2005-04-02T21:35:33-08:00

I read a lot of books. My a hour and a half commute on public transportation every day definetly helps. Besides books for school, I tend to read a lot of personal finance and real estate books. I usually check out books from the New York Public Library, which has ...

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The Cost of Late Fees (Part 2)

2005-03-31T17:46:20-08:00

In part one, I discussed my bad and expensive habit of incurring late fees. I have been disciplined enough to have never had to pay a late fee for credit cards, etc. How did I get so disciplined? I got my first credit card at 17, I signed up for ...

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Maxing My Roth IRA for 2004, Will I Make It?

2005-03-26T19:18:03-08:00

I am attempting to max my Roth IRA for the 2004 tax year. So far I've contributed $1000, but I need to come up with another $2000 by April 15th . . . err! I will put another $500 in during my mid-month paycheck in April. It looks like I ...

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Reigning in My Latte Factor or The Cost of Returning Things Late (Part 1)

2005-03-26T18:39:36-08:00

As a result of posting my total net worth and my monthly expenditures last month on my main blog, I made some serious revelations. I needed to identify my latte factor. My latte factor wasn't lattes; I get my coffee from the office machine. I don't smoke cigarettes. I don't ...

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The True Cost of Being Overweight

2005-03-25T15:57:02-08:00

Last May as I was preparing to leave my old job, I started eating a lot. At least every day, and most times twice a day, I ate out. And as can be predicted, I gained a lot of weight, a whole 30 pounds. I really felt it when I ...

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Put Your Own Mask on Before Helping Others?

2005-03-25T09:14:41-08:00

Does that sound familiar? Flight attendants have been saying that for years and I believe it rings true when it comes to your finances (at least to a certain extent). I am a big believer in philanthropy and giving money to organizations and causes I care about. More than just ...

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Sometimes I Recycle, Sometimes I Freecycle

2005-03-23T19:25:44-08:00

When I have something that I can no longer use, and I can't or don't want to try to sell it, I freecycle it. What's freecycle? Glad you asked, it's a virtual meeting place where people can post their unwanted items in the hopes that some stranger will be able ...

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Borrowing from My 401(k)? I Don't Think So!

2005-03-23T16:03:53-08:00

Lewis Schiff, author of The Armchair Millionaire, addresses 401(k) loans in a recent CNN Money article. I understand the temptation to do it, but I don't think it's a good idea at all. My main problem is that 401(k) loans are taxed twice. True enough, you contribute to your 401(k ...

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I'm Not Ditching ING Just Yet

2005-03-22T15:45:51-08:00

As you've probably already heard, ING Direct has raised its rates to 2.8%--I am thrilled because I was considering a switch to Emigrant Direct, whose rates are now at 3.25%. I've been a customer of ING since 2003, and I have no complaints. I have to admit I was considering ...

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Book Review: The Automatic Millionaire

2005-03-21T16:01:11-08:00

I recently checked out David Bach's The Automatic Millionaire courtesy of my local public library. I buy books only if I know I am going to read or refer to them again and again. The library helps me "preview" books that I am considering purchasing. TAM was a really easy ...

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My Trip to Chicago

2005-03-20T18:35:42-08:00

I've been on hiatus for the last week. After reading articles on other bloggers who have lost their jobs because of their blog, I figured I'd do some due diligence and not blog from the company computers. Since my new Dell laptop arrived, it's made it that much easier. As ...

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My Financial Life, An Introduction

2005-03-13T11:57:55-08:00

Welcome to My Financial Freedom Trek! This is my first blog as a member of the PFBlog Network. I first began blogging a little over a month ago at my original site. As soon as I learned MM would be hosting a network, I jumped at the chance to be ...

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