Ask the Readers

Ask the Readers: Does Corporate Campaign Financing Matter?

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to ban Congress from placing limits on corporate campaign financing riled up a long debated issue. Supporters claim monetary restrictions limit free speech regardless of content and detractors claim the court majority harms jurisprudence by legislating a political agenda from the bench. I can’t solve that debate, but I have […]

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Ask the Readers: What’s Your Favorite Personal Finance Book?

As part of our never-ending journey to learn as much as we can about money management, investing and personal finance, you’ve likely read a few books that really taught you something or made you see the topic in a whole new manner. The beautiful thing is that there are so many books to read. The […]

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Ask the Readers: When is it Right to Get a Loan?

Taking on debt is a hotly debated topic in the personal finance world. Most people feel — including myself — feel that you should take on as little debt as possible during your life, but there are certain times when it is appropriate. There are others who feel that at no time should you ever […]

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Ask the Readers: Now, is the Economy Back on Track?

In late August, we asked you if you thought the economy was back on track. Overwhelmingly, you thought that it was leveling off, but not yet back on track. And 30% said that it was still getting worse, including Phil, who posted this comment: Absolutely getting worse. Spending for the sake of spending does not […]

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Ask the Readers: What Debts are You Currently Paying Off?

If you’re not one of the people focusing on paying off debt in the wake of the recession, it’s time for you to join the bandwagon. Everyone — from those with only credit card bills to those with tons of debt — is starting to get their financial act together. So, I want to know […]

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Ask the Readers: How Often Do You Calculate Your Net Worth?

As we’ve talked about in the past, the best indicator to determine your current financial status is your net worth. If you want to manage your money like the rich, worry more about your net worth than your salary. As professional athletes have taught us, just because you make a lot of money doesn’t mean […]

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Ask the Readers: What Does the Dow 10,000 Mean?

Now that the Dow Jones has topped the 10,000 mark, everyone has an opinion on what this means for the state of the economy and whether or not we’re recovering from the recession. Obviously, the stock market is not the only indicator of how the economy is performing, but it can be a strong psychological […]

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Ask the Readers: Do You Carry a Credit Card Balance?

As I’ve mentioned plenty of times in the past, I use a debit card for all of my spending, since it’s easy to track, the same as cash, and convenient. But I understand the argument for using your credit card the same way, if you can control your spending, pay off the bill every month, […]

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Ask the Readers: Have You Gone Paperless?

In the age of online banking and digital record-keeping, it’s more convenient than ever to stop collecting piles of statements, receipts and even your bills. But that doesn’t mean people are ready to make such a change. A paperless financial lifestyle is easier said than done, but it’s accessible to just about anyone who wants […]

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Ask the Readers: Why Did You Choose Your Bank?

Last week, I had to open a new checking account specifically for my business, and ended up going with a totally different bank than I would have originally thought. I use Bank of America for my main personal checking, mostly because they’re all across the country and, even though I hate going, there are two […]

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Ask the Readers: How Are You Improving Your Financial Situation?

There is good news coming from the recession. Last week, we learned that American consumers have cut their their debt by $21.6 billion, the largest ever on record, with credit card usage accounting for $6.1 billion of that total. Add that to the personal savings rate hitting 6.9% in May, the highest since 1993, and […]

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Ask the Readers: Is the Economy Back on Track?

We don’t normally get too focused on the economy here — actually, ignoring the economy is often a good idea for your finances — but it’s nearly impossible to treat the current recession as a blip on the radar. And, thanks to the media, “in this economy” has become an oft-repeated phrase to describe our […]

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Ask the Readers: Do You Manage Your Own Investments?

As the role of money managers and investment advisers change following the stock market crash, many “normal” investors are re-evaluating the value in hiring someone to make financial decisions for them. You know that we’re big proponents of understanding what you’re investing in and, if you feel comfortable, managing those investments yourself. But it may […]

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