Wed 14 Mar 2007 – 20.51
We’ve talked on the podcast about housing and the struggle to find a decent apartment when you’re on a budget. It’s a recurring theme in life, shelter and that.
Well, here is the story of on California twenty-something who is homeless by choice! Rather than pay the hefty rent each month, he pockets the cash and lives in his truck.
This one you’ve gotta read.
posted by Scott in education, life, personal finance.
Top Paying Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree
Sat 10 Mar 2007 – 22.08
We talk often about our University experiences, and we talk a lot about money and careers. Well, here is a little list of jobs that pay well, but don’t put you through the ringer about your GPA during summer of Sophomore year.
posted by Scott in careers, education, personal finance.
8 Things to do if your Identity is Stolen
Tue 13 Feb 2007 – 12.43
Go ahead, plunder my savings. You’ll get, what, a new pair of shoes? Well, actually that happened to me and someone ganked about $1600 from my checking account. That was back in 2002 and while the whole thing blew over, it could have been a lot worse.
Here are 8 Steps you can take to ensure that if your identity is stolen, things don’t go completely pear-shaped. Constant vigilance, dear friends.
And no, this is not turning into a personal finance blog. But you should be looking forward to the next episode, which should be out withing 24 hours.
posted by Scott in life, personal finance.
Mon 12 Feb 2007 – 13.12
Now, I went to University, so I know a thing or two about free pizzas - but this story makes me look like one of those Egyptian Pharaohs sitting around feasting on grapes.
From The Simple Dollar comes a list of tips on how to feed yourself on next-to-nothing. Some of these are thrifty tips for savvy shoppers, but some are just bloody absurd. Then again, there’s no shame in saving a dime.
My favourite:
9. Join a church. Quite often, congregations will have a free meal right after church and then another meal on a weeknight, usually Wednesdays. Even if you’re not a believer, you can get away with two free meals a week. If you attend two churches, you can sometimes score as many as four a week (Sunday breakfast and lunch and two weeknight dinners).
…kinda makes my $5 lunch look a bit lavish, doesn’t it.
posted by Scott in health & fitness, personal finance.
Wed 07 Feb 2007 – 9.37
Now, I know we as twenty-somethings have money problems, but thank the gods I don’t have to live on $12,000. Considering this is approximately minimum wage, it’s really scary to think of how many folks are making a living on this chump change.
But apparently, someone did it. A woman called Donna Freedman decided to change her life and took a vow of poverty. Something about college and divorce, read the article.
In a related story, OSA Watch has a post which includes some tips on how exactly to live on $12k a year. Common sense really for saving money, but I suppose depending on where you live, it’s possible.
By the way, I pay $13,200 a year in rent. New York, people. New York.
posted by Scott in personal finance, real estate.
White Man’s Guide to Minority Scholarships
Wed 31 Jan 2007 – 11.54
Well, it makes sense. In this post-Tiger Woods era, everyone is a minority of some kind, and I’m sure there are scholarships out there for everyone.
If you’re a white guy who feels there is no money out there for you, then you’re wrong. Apparently. Came across an interesting article that tells you what to do.
This would have really come in handy if we at twentyhood were still in school. Or if we were white males. I love student loans.
posted by Scott in education, personal finance.
HOW TO: Move To New York City Sane And Not Broke
Sun 07 Jan 2007 – 0.22
A bit of wishful thinking from someone over at Wired magazine. Common sense, really, with a bit of pie-in-the-sky idealism (eg, “find a job”). Still, worth a read if you are thinking about it.
posted by Scott in personal finance, real estate.
Sat 30 Dec 2006 – 12.26
Here is a little gem about the phenomenon of children moving home after college. Are they an economic burden on their parents? Is this the sign of a dangerous social shift? Find out.
By the way, they are calling it “adultolescence”. Personally, I think twentyhood is much catchier. For the record, the only person I know who didn’t return home after earning the bachelor’s is Jay, who landed squarely on my couch for a period after graduation.
posted by Scott in education, life, personal finance.
Tue 19 Dec 2006 – 12.05
Questions Couples Should Ask (Or Wish They Had) Before Marrying
The New York Times has compiled an interesting, yet relevant, list of things to ask your potential life-mate. I’d say this is a good idea for any of us looking to tie the proverbial knot.
For example:
4) Have we fully disclosed our health histories, both physical and mental?
Translation: “please don’t tell me you take pills to avoid going crazy” or “your momma is fat, does that mean you will be too?”
Like I said, important questions to ask. Maybe we’ll talk about this in our upcoming dating episode. Who knows when that will be.
(maybe this is why I’m single.)
posted by Scott in personal finance, relationships.
Mon 11 Dec 2006 – 14.52
Yet another interesting article on the subject of money. This time, something that we young professionals sometimes neglect to scrutinize - taxes. In short, it’s not what you make, but what you keep.
Unlike most of the articles I come across, this one actually has numerical examples. Give it a read, call me out.
How to Keep More of What You Make
posted by Scott in personal finance.