Comments on: January 2008 Review – Assets -0.2%, Debts -0.9% http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:08:33 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Sm4k http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-173446 Sm4k Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:56:24 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-173446 About the RedBox renting, you can sign up for their weekly coupon online. You get a coupon code for a free rental on Monday nights. Even though we have a busy Monday night (boyscouts), we watch it Tuesday night, return it before 9pm, and the movie was still free. About the RedBox renting, you can sign up for their weekly coupon online. You get a coupon code for a free rental on Monday nights. Even though we have a busy Monday night (boyscouts), we watch it Tuesday night, return it before 9pm, and the movie was still free.

]]> By: Sara http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-173120 Sara Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:29:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-173120 We started eating in most of the time (out once a week) this year due to the dietary needs of one of our children. As a result our oldest now hates the taste of the food at McDonald's. Quite the silver lining if you ask me. :-) Oh, and I've lost an entire dress size without so much as lifting a finger to exercise. :-D Good luck with your goals. We started eating in most of the time (out once a week) this year due to the dietary needs of one of our children. As a result our oldest now hates the taste of the food at McDonald’s. Quite the silver lining if you ask me. :-) Oh, and I’ve lost an entire dress size without so much as lifting a finger to exercise. :-D Good luck with your goals.

]]> By: Michael http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-173093 Michael Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:56:05 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-173093 Trent, to act on a "buying situation" in a stock market is market timing. You've said you don't think much of it, so why would you do it now? Trent, to act on a “buying situation” in a stock market is market timing. You’ve said you don’t think much of it, so why would you do it now?

]]> By: Ro http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-173058 Ro Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:22:30 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-173058 I can't wait to find out what your wife's surprise is!!! I can’t wait to find out what your wife’s surprise is!!!

]]> By: Jess http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-172991 Jess Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:47:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-172991 I don't think the $0 entertainment is that drastic. My husband and I did that in January - without even making it a goal. We occasionally rent a DVD from RedBox ($1) and watch only network TV - we get 8 channels with our rabbit ears. We have a decent collection of board games (most have been gifts) - much more fun and interactive than video games in our opinion. Most of our friends are pretty frugal, too - and love coming over for $1-2 homemade pizza and board games! I don’t think the $0 entertainment is that drastic. My husband and I did that in January – without even making it a goal. We occasionally rent a DVD from RedBox ($1) and watch only network TV – we get 8 channels with our rabbit ears. We have a decent collection of board games (most have been gifts) – much more fun and interactive than video games in our opinion. Most of our friends are pretty frugal, too – and love coming over for $1-2 homemade pizza and board games!

]]> By: meg http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-172935 meg Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:13:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-172935 No kidding about the retirement accounts. I took a 10% hit just as I rolled mine over to a 401k due to a new job. Ouch! No kidding about the retirement accounts. I took a 10% hit just as I rolled mine over to a 401k due to a new job. Ouch!

]]> By: Rob Madrid http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-172822 Rob Madrid Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:59:05 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-172822 Ngthagg I hardly ever eat out anymore, once you discover the joys of cooking restaurant food becomes stale. I do eat out the odd time and I find I enjoy it more when I do. It helps the Wife travels alot and the last thing she wants is more restaurant food. We do treat ourselves to the odd (once every month or two) Starbucks, one has to enjoy life as well. Ngthagg I hardly ever eat out anymore, once you discover the joys of cooking restaurant food becomes stale. I do eat out the odd time and I find I enjoy it more when I do. It helps the Wife travels alot and the last thing she wants is more restaurant food. We do treat ourselves to the odd (once every month or two) Starbucks, one has to enjoy life as well.

]]> By: J. http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-172665 J. Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:40:40 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-172665 $0 is easy when you're committed to using the heck out of your library. For me this is especially true in a month like this in which few great movies or DVDs are coming out. $0 is easy when you’re committed to using the heck out of your library. For me this is especially true in a month like this in which few great movies or DVDs are coming out.

]]> By: ngthagg http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-172577 ngthagg Mon, 04 Feb 2008 07:02:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-172577 The $0 entertainment goal sounds tough--but hardly impossible. I'm in the middle of a no-pizza-for-a-month goal right now. (I'm going Jan 15 to Feb 15 because of when my credit card comes due). It was tough for the first week, but this second week it was almost an afterthought. I've been browsing through some of my cookbooks and looking at meals I'm interested in cooking. I expect the last two weeks to be a breeze. Based on this, I expect if you can get through the first week, you'll find the rest will come along nicely. The $0 entertainment goal sounds tough–but hardly impossible. I’m in the middle of a no-pizza-for-a-month goal right now. (I’m going Jan 15 to Feb 15 because of when my credit card comes due). It was tough for the first week, but this second week it was almost an afterthought. I’ve been browsing through some of my cookbooks and looking at meals I’m interested in cooking. I expect the last two weeks to be a breeze. Based on this, I expect if you can get through the first week, you’ll find the rest will come along nicely.

]]> By: nina http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-172294 nina Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:37:52 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-172294 Spending $0 on entertainment is hard. I love music and usually go to a gig every couple of weeks. Costs can range from $10 to $40, depending on the venue and who's performing. This does not include parking, food, and drinks. Lucky for me this is the only type of entertainment I spend money on. Spending $0 on entertainment is hard. I love music and usually go to a gig every couple of weeks. Costs can range from $10 to $40, depending on the venue and who’s performing. This does not include parking, food, and drinks. Lucky for me this is the only type of entertainment I spend money on.

]]> By: JB http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-172135 JB Sun, 03 Feb 2008 21:08:46 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-172135 I wish I could spend zero on entertainment. I could double my non-retirement savings rate by doing so...but I also think it's okay to spend some money in this category. I wish I could spend zero on entertainment. I could double my non-retirement savings rate by doing so…but I also think it’s okay to spend some money in this category.

]]> By: Writer's Coin http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-172097 Writer's Coin Sun, 03 Feb 2008 20:31:45 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-172097 Trent, does your wife ever read your blog? It won't be a surprise after she does... Actually, how many people that you personally know read your blog? I'm curious... Trent, does your wife ever read your blog? It won’t be a surprise after she does…

Actually, how many people that you personally know read your blog? I’m curious…

]]> By: Smith http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-172034 Smith Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:22:02 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-172034 Wow, good post. I don't know how I'd do with a $0.00 entertainment budget, even being a voracious reader. I like the goal about not eating out as well, although...I've found it nearly impossible for me to think far enough ahead to pack my lunch. Or to actually find items that do well in a packed lunch...yarg! Wow, good post. I don’t know how I’d do with a $0.00 entertainment budget, even being a voracious reader. I like the goal about not eating out as well, although…I’ve found it nearly impossible for me to think far enough ahead to pack my lunch. Or to actually find items that do well in a packed lunch…yarg!

]]> By: Susan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-172028 Susan Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:12:24 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-172028 Find free things to do. Even an expensive place like NYC has loads of free things. There's 2 places where you can get an entire free pizza every time you buy 1 beer, about $5 total. Not the greatest pizza in the world, but tasty enough! There's also free concerts, free theater, free 'readings' in coffee shops, free gallery openings, free days at the museums. A woman here even wrote a book about not 'shopping' for an entire year which included spending money on going out in any capacity. I'm sure Iowa has a handful of free things you and your wife, or whole family, can enjoy without dipping into your budget. www.theinnovativetraveler.com Find free things to do. Even an expensive place like NYC has loads of free things. There’s 2 places where you can get an entire free pizza every time you buy 1 beer, about $5 total. Not the greatest pizza in the world, but tasty enough!

There’s also free concerts, free theater, free ‘readings’ in coffee shops, free gallery openings, free days at the museums. A woman here even wrote a book about not ’shopping’ for an entire year which included spending money on going out in any capacity. I’m sure Iowa has a handful of free things you and your wife, or whole family, can enjoy without dipping into your budget.

http://www.theinnovativetraveler.com

]]> By: Small Cents http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-172005 Small Cents Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:44:17 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-172005 I've been trying to use ING, but can't (I live in France). I know there's one here, but it doesn't have the same services. I just did an autoevaluation, but unfortunately my results aren't as good as yours! I’ve been trying to use ING, but can’t (I live in France). I know there’s one here, but it doesn’t have the same services. I just did an autoevaluation, but unfortunately my results aren’t as good as yours!

]]> By: Sean http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-171952 Sean Sun, 03 Feb 2008 17:40:48 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-171952 I would really not be putting anymore money into the stock market at this point as I believe it is going to collapse drastically in the short-term. I fear the U.S. is looking for a reason to attack Iran, as we saw early in January in a "Gulf of Tonkin"-like incident that we saw leading up to the Vietnam War. Iran actually made plans to start up it's oil bourse around the date of February 1st during the celebration of the Islamic Revolution anniversary. Now, one day before (Jan 31), 4 under-sea cables have been cut causing large communication outages in the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa. I strongly encourage everyone to take a look at this article: http://www.energybulletin.net/12125.html I would really not be putting anymore money into the stock market at this point as I believe it is going to collapse drastically in the short-term. I fear the U.S. is looking for a reason to attack Iran, as we saw early in January in a “Gulf of Tonkin”-like incident that we saw leading up to the Vietnam War.

Iran actually made plans to start up it’s oil bourse around the date of February 1st during the celebration of the Islamic Revolution anniversary.
Now, one day before (Jan 31), 4 under-sea cables have been cut causing large communication outages in the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa.

I strongly encourage everyone to take a look at this article:
http://www.energybulletin.net/12125.html

]]> By: KC http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-171941 KC Sun, 03 Feb 2008 17:21:35 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-171941 My husband and I never go out on Valentine's day. We go out the night before or the night after. Why? The streets are crowded - you can't find parking, the restaurants are packed, you get bad service cause the place is packed, we usually have to pay for a parking garage or valet service, etc... So we just go out on another night. We don't have kids to worry about, but I would guess it is harder to get a babysitter on Valentine's Day then it would be on another night. My husband and I never go out on Valentine’s day. We go out the night before or the night after. Why? The streets are crowded – you can’t find parking, the restaurants are packed, you get bad service cause the place is packed, we usually have to pay for a parking garage or valet service, etc… So we just go out on another night. We don’t have kids to worry about, but I would guess it is harder to get a babysitter on Valentine’s Day then it would be on another night.

]]> By: Beth http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-171921 Beth Sun, 03 Feb 2008 17:06:58 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-171921 Trent, Nice idea about not eating out but please reconsider making it a permanent goal. It sounds like you like to eat out occasionally and going cold turkey (I know you are making a possible exception for Valentine's Day) is a recipe for disaster. At some point you could start feeling "deprived" and then end up eating out more than you would otherwise. Maybe cut back but don't outright eliminate. Trent,
Nice idea about not eating out but please reconsider making it a permanent goal. It sounds like you like to eat out occasionally and going cold turkey (I know you are making a possible exception for Valentine’s Day) is a recipe for disaster. At some point you could start feeling “deprived” and then end up eating out more than you would otherwise. Maybe cut back but don’t outright eliminate.

]]> By: Simple Tam http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-171898 Simple Tam Sun, 03 Feb 2008 16:42:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-171898 Doesn't it take an emotional toll ? I am on my way to paying off a huge loan. I know i have been doing well with absolutely no extra spending. but today, i literally was frustrated and wanted to run out and buy myself something. luckily, i survived it and held my good. Doesn’t it take an emotional toll ? I am on my way to paying off a huge loan. I know i have been doing well with absolutely no extra spending. but today, i literally was frustrated and wanted to run out and buy myself something. luckily, i survived it and held my good.

]]> By: Frugal Dad http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/comment-page-1/#comment-171892 Frugal Dad Sun, 03 Feb 2008 16:30:40 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/03/january-2008-review-assets-02-debts-09/#comment-171892 I like the sub-account idea at ING. I basically do that with Excel worksheets, but it gets a little messy if I get a balance off here or there. I think I'll investigate ING's service. I like the sub-account idea at ING. I basically do that with Excel worksheets, but it gets a little messy if I get a balance off here or there. I think I’ll investigate ING’s service.

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