2006-07-21 06:55:00
Car Finances Update
I just realized I did that backwards. I come out behind by $52. My used car was not worth it. I would have been better off financing a brand new car.
Comments [2]
Investing and Money Management
Here’s how to be happy when gas prices go up by hedging your fuel expense: Set a reasonably high gas budget, perhaps 25% higher than your average monthly expense. Whatever is left in your gas budget at the end of the month, move to your brokerage account. When you have enough money (say $1000) … Read more
Update June 22 — The Schwab card is no longer available. Chase vs. Schwab or Chase Freedom Plus vs. Schwab Invest First For the last year my wife and I have been using the Chase Freedom Plus. It gives you 3% cash back in the top 6 categories for each billing cycle and 1% everywhere … Read more
2007 Mazda3 Costs Update: July 11, 2010. Added Honda-CRV and added data for year 2009/2010. 2007 Mazda3 36 month costs (May 23, 2007 to May 30, 2010)1 (bought new) Year 07/08 08/09 09/10 Mean Total Fuel2 $1,973 1,087 815 1,292 3,875 Insurance3 1,670 847 644 1,054 3,161 Depreciation4 275 970 1,625 957 2,870 Service 379 1,347 … Read more
2007 Mazda3 12 month costs (May 23, 2007 to May 22, 2008) Fuel $1,973 29% Insurance 1,670 24% New car tax 1,274 19% Interest Expense 727 11% Service 370 5% DMV Registration 362 5% Depreciation 275 4% Accessories 121 2% Documentation Fee 55 1% Jury Duty parking ticket 14 0% CA Tire Fee 9 0% Total … Read more
Problem solved! Support told me Turbotax online could not re-import the TurboTax file and I would have to re-enter everything by hand. I asked for a refund since I didn’t have time to spend a day doing that and would have to go out and buy TurboTax Desktop edition which is a waste of gas … Read more
My church is going through one of Dave Ramsey’s finance programs to help people get out of debt and better manage their finances. Naturally attendees must pay a fee to get in. So here’s some free advice from me: Make more than you spend. Have a budget, or a reverse budget. Make sure your saving, … Read more
2006-07-21 06:55:00
Car Finances Update
I just realized I did that backwards. I come out behind by $52. My used car was not worth it. I would have been better off financing a brand new car.
Comments [2]
2006-01-17 22:29:00
Counting Pennies
Here is my 2005 distribution of coins received for change (excluding a lot probably):
Quarters: 262
Dimes: 148 ***
Nickels: 92 ***
Pennies: 307 ****
And a quick trip to the local coinstar machine converted that all into Amazon cash! Hmm…not quite enough to buy a MacBook Pro…
Comments [5]
2005-06-18 00:44:00
40 Million Credit Cards Stolen
So this explains how they got my card number. Credit card breach exposes 40 million accounts
Once again, little to no security.
Tips to avoid and be aware of identity theft:
2005-06-09 20:17:00
Trying to steal my identity?
Yesterday a voice mail on my cell claiming to be from Washington Mutual said my account was overdrawn (which is strange because I show a positive balance, and they don’t have my cell) and needed to call them. So I called the number and the lady asked for my social security number to “verify my identity.” Of course I refused, so she asked for my bank account number, which I also refused. They had called three times that day so I asked them to stop calling my cell (I thought perhaps the previously owner of this number might have also had a Wamu account).
This morning Western Union calls to ask if I had authorized a $915 transfer to their bank from my Chase credit card. Of course not, so they put a stop on the transfer and I called Chase and the man asked for my social security number to verify that I wanted the card cancelled! …I finally convinced him to cancel it without my social. We also found another fraudulent charge on that card from peopledata.com …maybe that’s how they got my cell.
I decided to call Washington Mutual to see if that call was from them, after a little research they said, “Those calls didn’t come from us.” …but they didn’t seem to be the least bit concerned that someone was impersonating them. They just wanted me to know the calls weren’t from them and have a nice day!
So I had a nice day. |:-)
Ben – email – 2005-06-09 21:05:49
One Time Use Numbers
I would like to see “One Time Use Numbers”, login to your credit card account, generate a one time use card number, and even specify the dollar limit for that number.
GodsFrog – email – 2005-06-10 01:10:04
Ben,
For someone that takes soo much time to be sure that no one can ever steal your identity, you seem to be getting a lot of people trying…
Take me for example, I do not take all the steps that you do, and I have never really had anyone try to rip me of fraudulenty… Dishonestly yes… But through idenity theft, no.
Ben – email – 2005-06-10 01:48:19
This is why I don’t give me social out to anyone who asks. Had I given it to “Washington Mutual” to “verify my identity” the people who have my card number would also have my social and would no doubt be opening new cards in my name.
An SSN is like an unchangeable easy to guess password that gives anyone access to open accounts in your name. The only institutions that should need it are: employers, banks, stock brokers and variants.
Here’s some good information on the matter: http://www.epic.org/privacy/ssn/
Phil – email – 2005-06-10 12:04:14
In Indonesia, you have to make sure they don’t take your credit card into the back room, because that means they’re going to put it in a little machine that duplicates it. Scary.
Phil – email – 2005-06-10 12:10:35
Thanks for that link, it’s very helpful. Hurrah for the Privacy Act.
GodsFrog – email – 2005-06-11 01:38:19
Ben,
For someone that takes soo much time to be sure that no one can ever steal your identity, you seem to be getting a lot of people trying…
Take me for example, I do not take all the steps that you do, and I have never really had anyone try to rip me of fraudulenty… Dishonestly yes… But through idenity theft, no.
Ben – email – 2005-06-11 11:33:17
I’m probably more of a target than most people Frog…
Another tip: When you give your name out to businesses change your middle initial, then you’ll know who gave out your info when you get junk mail.
Of course, someone probably patented this.