How Do Your Deductions Stack Up?

Check out the national average for itemized deductions.

(Mar 6) Have you finished your tax return? Do you want to know how your deductions compare to your fellow Americans? RIA, a subsidiary of The Thomason Corporation, compiled some 2003 tax data recently released by IRS. Take a look at its findings. Read

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What's Your Life Expectancy?

Five interesting life-span calculators.

(Mar 5) My dentist and I recently had an interesting conversation. He mentioned to me that dental recommendations can often depend on the age of the patent. For people having the same dental problems, he may recommend minor conservative procedures for one in his 60s, but at the same time, he may suggest major surgery for a ... Read

Yes, Bigger Refund This Year. But Is It A Good Thing?

$2,436 per return was issued this year so far.

(Mar 5) This week, IRS reported that the average tax refund so far is $2,436, which set a record after climbing more than $200 since last year. Read

Bankrate.com Makes Adjustable Rate Mortgage Search More Powerful

For competing ARM products, "cap" can be the tie-breaker.

(Mar 3) I'll be always grateful to Bankrate.com for helping me fetch a great refinancing deal last year. Without Bankrate, there would be no way I could lock the bottom-low rate of 3.50% for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) -- I believe the rate only survived less than 48 hours. Even today, I still consider my ... Read

Taxes Become Counterintuitive

Sales tax deduction is not an easy thing to figure out for people paying state income taxes.

(Mar 3) It's not a coincidence that both SmartMoney and Money picked tax tips at its March cover story. After all, it is tax season again. Of course, some of the tips are well discussed at PFBlog. Take a look at our discussion of sales tax deduction, child care tax credit, free tax filing, just to name ... Read (2 Comments)

WSJ Online Reviews Personal Finance Blogs

Some good reflections on personal finance bloggers.

(Mar 3) WSJ Online's Terri Cullen published a great review of personal finance blogs in her weekly Fiscally Fit column. I, too, was interviewed last week by Terri and PFBlog was discussed in the article along with other blogs like MyMoneyBlog, Savvy Saver, The Budgeting Babe and Neville's Financial Blog in this article named Blogs Expose Personal ... Read (4 Comments)

Monthly Review - February 2005 ($205,342, +$4,646)

MM's net worth continued its healthy growth in February.

(Mar 2) During the month of February, my income continued to be strong but some one-off expenses and depressed MSFT stock price put some clouds over this otherwise good month in my personal finance journey. Although the $4,646 monthly net worth increase is the smallest in the last four month, I am still well on track of ... Read

Putting 401(k) Contribution In Full Throttle

For 401(k) contribution, the gas pedal is being pushed heavily now.

(Mar 2) A few months earlier when I discussed my 2005 plan of 401(k) contributions, I mentioned I would be slow in contributing to my own account for short-term liquidity but will contribute to the full amount toward my wife's 401(k) account to shielf as much fund as possible from immediate income tax. Some new developments since ... Read (4 Comments)

ING Raised The Rate and VirtualBank Is Sneaky

A hidden secret inside VirtualBank's interest model.

(Mar 2) A full month after VirtualBank raised APY to 2.60%, ING Direct finally caved in. Last Friday, this 800-pound gorilla in the online money market account finally raised the APY on its Orange Saving Account to 2.60%. Read (1 Comment)

Your Free Credit Report, The Experian Way

Midwesterners, get your free credit report tomorrow.

(Feb 28) If you live in the Midwest, this is a timely reminder for you. Starting from tomorrow (March 1), you can order your free credit report from any of the three credit reporting agencies once every year. Below is the strategy guide to get your free report from Experian, and if you are interested, PFBlog also ... Read

Marriage Prospects: Richer, not Poorer

Get married and earn 27% more.

(Feb 25) It is widely observed that married men earn more than single men. But does marriage cause a man to earn more, or it's just because more productive men are more likely to get married? Read

Fear Of Tax Audit? File An Extension

Does it help to file an extension?

(Feb 24) Kerry M. Kerstetter, the tax expect and blogger behind Tax Guru-Ker$tetter Letter, believes that "the later you file your tax return, the less likely you are to be selected by IRS for audit." He mentioned this is statistically proven in Amir D. Aczel's book "How To Beat the IRS At Its Own Game." Read

**E*Trade's New $175 Promotion Is A Lousy Deal**

This time, $175 is not your net gain.

(Feb 24) The easiest money I made last year is from the now-famous $175 E*Trade checking account promotion. By opening a new account with $100 or more, paying two bills online, and establishing a direct deposit of $1,000 or more a month for three months, E*Trade will credit $175 to your account. I took advantage of the ... Read (1 Comment)

PFBlog Voted As The Best Personal Finance Blog

Thank you!

(Feb 23) Thank you for all of you who voted PFBlog in the 2005 Business Blogging Awards. The result is out today and PFBlog is voted as the Best Personal Finance Blog! Needless to say, I'm incredibly honored to claim PFBlog's first award from the blogsphere. Please also join me to congratulate and enjoy the best blogs ... Read (4 Comments)

More Headlines


How Do Your Deductions Stack Up? Check out the national average for itemized deductions. (Mar 6) Have you finished your tax return? Do you want to know how your deductions compare to your fellow Americans? RIA, a subsidiary of The Thomason Corporation, compiled some 2003 tax data recently released by IRS. Take a look at its findings. Read } What's Your Life Expectancy? Five interesting life-span calculators. (Mar 5) My dentist and I recently had an interesting conversation. He mentioned to me that dental recommendations can often depend on the age of the patent. For people having the same dental problems, he may recommend minor conservative procedures for one in his 60s, but at the same time, he may suggest major surgery for a ... Read Yes, Bigger Refund This Year. But Is It A Good Thing? $2,436 per return was issued this year so far. (Mar 5) This week, IRS reported that the average tax refund so far is $2,436, which set a record after climbing more than $200 since last year. Read Bankrate.com Makes Adjustable Rate Mortgage Search More Powerful For competing ARM products, "cap" can be the tie-breaker. (Mar 3) I'll be always grateful to Bankrate.com for helping me fetch a great refinancing deal last year. Without Bankrate, there would be no way I could lock the bottom-low rate of 3.50% for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) -- I believe the rate only survived less than 48 hours. Even today, I still consider my ... Read Taxes Become Counterintuitive Sales tax deduction is not an easy thing to figure out for people paying state income taxes. (Mar 3) It's not a coincidence that both SmartMoney and Money picked tax tips at its March cover story. After all, it is tax season again. Of course, some of the tips are well discussed at PFBlog. Take a look at our discussion of sales tax deduction, child care tax credit, free tax filing, just to name ... Read (2 Comments) WSJ Online Reviews Personal Finance Blogs Some good reflections on personal finance bloggers. (Mar 3) WSJ Online's Terri Cullen published a great review of personal finance blogs in her weekly Fiscally Fit column. I, too, was interviewed last week by Terri and PFBlog was discussed in the article along with other blogs like MyMoneyBlog, Savvy Saver, The Budgeting Babe and Neville's Financial Blog in this article named Blogs Expose Personal ... Read (4 Comments) Monthly Review - February 2005 ($205,342, +$4,646) MM's net worth continued its healthy growth in February. (Mar 2) During the month of February, my income continued to be strong but some one-off expenses and depressed MSFT stock price put some clouds over this otherwise good month in my personal finance journey. Although the $4,646 monthly net worth increase is the smallest in the last four month, I am still well on track of ... Read Putting 401(k) Contribution In Full Throttle For 401(k) contribution, the gas pedal is being pushed heavily now. (Mar 2) A few months earlier when I discussed my 2005 plan of 401(k) contributions, I mentioned I would be slow in contributing to my own account for short-term liquidity but will contribute to the full amount toward my wife's 401(k) account to shielf as much fund as possible from immediate income tax. Some new developments since ... Read (4 Comments) ING Raised The Rate and VirtualBank Is Sneaky A hidden secret inside VirtualBank's interest model. (Mar 2) A full month after VirtualBank raised APY to 2.60%, ING Direct finally caved in. Last Friday, this 800-pound gorilla in the online money market account finally raised the APY on its Orange Saving Account to 2.60%. Read (1 Comment) Your Free Credit Report, The Experian Way Midwesterners, get your free credit report tomorrow. (Feb 28) If you live in the Midwest, this is a timely reminder for you. Starting from tomorrow (March 1), you can order your free credit report from any of the three credit reporting agencies once every year. Below is the strategy guide to get your free report from Experian, and if you are interested, PFBlog also ... Read Marriage Prospects: Richer, not Poorer Get married and earn 27% more. (Feb 25) It is widely observed that married men earn more than single men. But does marriage cause a man to earn more, or it's just because more productive men are more likely to get married? Read Fear Of Tax Audit? File An Extension Does it help to file an extension? (Feb 24) Kerry M. Kerstetter, the tax expect and blogger behind Tax Guru-Ker$tetter Letter, believes that "the later you file your tax return, the less likely you are to be selected by IRS for audit." He mentioned this is statistically proven in Amir D. Aczel's book "How To Beat the IRS At Its Own Game." Read *ETrade's New $175 Promotion Is A Lousy Deal** This time, $175 is not your net gain. (Feb 24) The easiest money I made last year is from the now-famous $175 ETrade checking account promotion. By opening a new account with $100 or more, paying two bills online, and establishing a direct deposit of $1,000 or more a month for three months, ETrade will credit $175 to your account. I took advantage of the ... Read (1 Comment) PFBlog Voted As The Best Personal Finance Blog Thank you! (Feb 23) Thank you for all of you who voted PFBlog in the 2005 Business Blogging Awards. The result is out today and PFBlog is voted as the Best Personal Finance Blog! Needless to say, I'm incredibly honored to claim PFBlog's first award from the blogsphere. Please also join me to congratulate and enjoy the best blogs ... Read (4 Comments) More Headlines