Now that the background is out of the way, here’s my question: I could qualify for about $200 in food stamps a month. I don’t need them, my boyfriend generally buys our food (I cook a lot, so it’s not like we’re buying fast food or pre-made stuff) but it would help the budget a lot since I can’t really contribute to rent anymore. I also hate feeling like I’m taking advantage of my boyfriend’s generosity and would like to be able to contribute to the household expenses. I could get a second job for the summer, but I don’t want to work two jobs and go to school full time; I think it would be really hard to do the work that is required for grad school while spending so much time working. It just feels ethically wrong to me, like I would be taking food from some poor person who really desperately needs the food stamps to make it. Everyone I’ve talked to has said that I pay taxes, so I should take advantage of these programs if I qualify for them, but I wanted to get the opinion of someone who doesn’t really know me and has no stake in it.

Thanks!

Can cosmetic surgery ever be considered an investment? Or are the studies/rumors that ‘beautiful people make more money’ not stable enough to rely on recouping the surgery costs?

Have you had any experience with time tracking tools that measure productivity and the sort? I’ve recently downloaded Rescue Time (http://www.rescuetime.com/) and I think seeing my usage patterns has created a better awareness for me. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Thanks.

Be aware that “fee based” and “fee only” advisors are NOT the same thing. “Fee based” means fees + commissions. It just depends on the advisor as to what the split of fees/commissions is. “Fee only” advisors are those that do not accept any commissions whatsoever.

As for finding a fee-only advisor, one method is to search on http://www.napfa.org. This is a professional association of fee-only financial advisors, and you can see their Fiduciary Oath on the site. (The website may be a little convoluted to navigate – they’re working on a re-do to make it easier.) Of course, like any association, not all of the advisors who qualify for the organization are members, so it’s not necessarily a bad thing if someone you get recommended to is not a member.

Disclosure – I am a fee-only financial advisor and am a member of NAPFA. I’m not soliciting business here in any way, which is part of why I’m not even using my real name in this comment. I’ve worked in a fee-based office in the past and ultimately chose to work for a fee-only firm instead, due to fewer conflicts of interest. However, I have friends in the industry who are fee-based, and I have no doubt of their ethics and commitment to working for the good of their clients (and not themselves). What I’m getting at is that not all folks who accept commissions are dishonest.

Important parts of finding a good financial advisor include finding someone that you feel comfortable talking with and can trust, and making sure that you are all on the same page as far as how they are compensated. Also, make sure the advisor has a fiduciary responsibility to you. Depending on the compensation method and how they are regulated, some advisors do not have a fiduciary responsibility to you.

My son is a huge organic fan. I know it’s health benefits. I also know it is expensive too. How would you determine to eat organically or not if you lived in the city? Any thoughts you have on organic food would be appreciated.

You seem to have a fairly solid routine. I’m currently wanting to establish such a routine which allows for maintenance of all those steady to dos like cleaning the house, laundry, finances, etc. as well as cooking at home, a reasonable amount of exercise and time with my loved ones. I get frustrated, though, as there still doesn’t seem to be enough time. Were you ever in always-behind-mode and, if so, how did you get out?

also, the producers have said that he was originally supposed to be shown in the coffin, but the actor was unavailable. but i found that out after i put everything else together. ;D

I’m sure the limit is there to ensure the product works well and fits in with Nintendo’s quality standards.

I agree that it should allow for heavier weights, but I’m glad to see that a device that is likely to take a serious beating (and is pretty expensive) is designed so solidly.

re Paying Credit Card: My credit card bill says “Save a stamp, use online bill payment.” When I went online to pay, I read that if I used online payment it would charge a $9.95 online service fee per payment. Do you have an idea of how to find a card that charges no fee?

I am a recent College Grad who is in need of a new vehicle. For the last year or so I have saved fevorishly for a used vehicle. I currently have saved enough to buy a used vehicle outright, but now I am not sure if I would be better served financing the car and then opening/investing in something such as Vangard. What are your thoughts is a 6% car loan over 3 years worth taking if I put that money into a index fund?

City people don’t have basements!!!

I’m not seeing shortages of anything here. Prices are up so people are avoiding certain items, but the shelves are full.

I don’t think there needs to be an alarmist approach, but just be wise about it, like financial planning.

You mention doing research for some of your posts. How do you go about researching? The internet? The Library? Experimentation?