My Money Blog

Auto Insurance Rate Averages by State

Posted on July 28, 2010 // 23 Comments

Here is a chart of average auto insurance rates by state, via AARP.com, shaded by overage ranges. Click for an interactive map with more details and a ranking. I wonder why rates in Louisiana are so high. $2,500 per year? Is it fear of … [Read the rest]

Buffett On Municipal Bond Risks

Posted on July 27, 2010 // 8 Comments

After being asked (well, forced) by Congress recently to testify regarding the credit rating agencies Moody's and Standard & Poor's and their role in the last financial crisis, Warren Buffett was also asked what he saw the next big related risk. … [Read the rest]

Are You Using Too Much Soap?

Posted on July 27, 2010 // 20 Comments

Not exactly a hard-hitting topic, but still applicable to those trying to live efficiently. This NY Times article talks about how most people use way too much soap in their washing machines and dishwashers, which is both wasteful and can shorten … [Read the rest]

Historical Mortgage Rates Chart (1986-2010)

Posted on July 26, 2010 // 15 Comments

While doing some more research into a possible refinance or loan modification, I ran across this chart of historical mortgage rates from 1986 from HSH. Before, I stated a source that said the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.56% … [Read the rest]

EverBank Yield Pledge Money Market & Checking: Good Offer For $10k+ Balances

Posted on July 23, 2010 // 3 Comments

Everbank has 6-month bonus rates for their Yield Pledge Money Market and FreeNet Checking accounts. Both of these offers are targeted at new customers opening with at least $1,500, but in the end do offer some of the top rates available for an … [Read the rest]

Better Financial Motivator: Stick or Carrot?

Posted on July 23, 2010 // 6 Comments

We all have financial goals that we want to reach. Some of us do better with a reward attached to reaching our goal (carrot), while others may actually try harder if trying to avoid a punishment (stick). We are motivated by personal desire, by … [Read the rest]

Chart: Unemployment Lasting Way Too Long

Posted on July 22, 2010 // 35 Comments

Above is a chart of the median duration of unemployment from the past 50 years, based on data supplied by the US Department of Labor. That's quite a scary spike we have going right now. (Chart source, via The Atlantic and Greg Mankiw.) Not … [Read the rest]

FDIC and NCUA Insurance $250,000 Limits Now Permanent

Posted on July 21, 2010 // 5 Comments

The standard maximum insurance limits for both FDIC and NCUA-insured accounts have been permanently raised to $250,000 per depositor as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, signed July 21st, 2010. The limits were … [Read the rest]

Stable Value Funds – Exploring Risks and Rewards

Posted on July 21, 2010 // 13 Comments

The last time I wrote about stable value funds was in late 2008, both before the 2009 crash and a time when most of my 401k was in stocks. This time around, as I was trying to figure out how to rebalance my larger portfolio in a tax-efficient … [Read the rest]

Mortgage Loan Refinance Breakeven Points

Posted on July 20, 2010 // 16 Comments

Sometimes saving money just involves being lucky. I don't really keep up with mortgage rates anymore, but last week an e-mail subject line just happened to catch my eye that mortgage rates are at "record lows". I always figured that my 5.125% … [Read the rest]

Citibank Back-to-School Student Credit Cards

Posted on July 19, 2010 // 5 Comments

Going back to school? Citibank has some good card options for college students: Citi mtvU Platinum Select Visa Card Citi Forward Card for College Students - $75 Statement Credit Both the mtvU and Forward cards offer 5x rewards on bookstores, … [Read the rest]

Undo a Roth IRA Conversion For Profit – Tips & Tricks

Posted on July 18, 2010 // 2 Comments

Did you know that if you do a Traditional to Roth IRA conversion, that you can undo it? This "do-over" process is called recharacterization, and can come in very handy if the value of your investments drop significantly after your conversion since … [Read the rest]