Comments on: Reader Mailbag #20 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:44:30 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Pankaj http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-373431 Pankaj Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:51:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-373431 Thanks for answering my earlier question about microshredder. I have another question regarding 401(k). Over the past 8 months my account has lost ~$12000. My investment portfolio was heavily concentrated in non-US markets (mostly EU). Should I panic and rebalance it and move most of the current and future money to US Bonds/Money Market or stay put considering I won't need this money for the next 30 years and markets will eventually return ~7-8% on average over long term? Thanks for answering my earlier question about microshredder.

I have another question regarding 401(k). Over the past 8 months my account has lost ~$12000. My investment portfolio was heavily concentrated in non-US markets (mostly EU). Should I panic and rebalance it and move most of the current and future money to US Bonds/Money Market or stay put considering I won’t need this money for the next 30 years and markets will eventually return ~7-8% on average over long term?

]]> By: Patrick http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-338734 Patrick Sun, 27 Jul 2008 02:54:35 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-338734 I want to buy my wife a nice set of kitchen knives - a set that will last forever and will make cooking more enjoyable. Any recommendations? I want to buy my wife a nice set of kitchen knives – a set that will last forever and will make cooking more enjoyable. Any recommendations?

]]> By: ama http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-334800 ama Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:27:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-334800 I have a question about building credit for my husband. I have *alright* credit, not great, but better than fair. Our credit cards are all in my name - my husband's only had a couple of store credit cards, both of which have been long paid off & cancelled, since the chains no longer exist. His credit is not great, not because of any major black marks but I'm guessing because of the lack of any major credit cards (we also do not own either a car or a house). When I was in college my mom added me as a cardholder to her Visa, so when I was ready to get my own card I benefited from her good credit. Would adding my husband to one of my card accounts give his credit a boost, or would it be better to just get him his own card and start building that way? As always, thanks! You don't know what a difference your blog has made in my financial life recently - keep it up! I have a question about building credit for my husband. I have *alright* credit, not great, but better than fair. Our credit cards are all in my name – my husband’s only had a couple of store credit cards, both of which have been long paid off & cancelled, since the chains no longer exist. His credit is not great, not because of any major black marks but I’m guessing because of the lack of any major credit cards (we also do not own either a car or a house). When I was in college my mom added me as a cardholder to her Visa, so when I was ready to get my own card I benefited from her good credit. Would adding my husband to one of my card accounts give his credit a boost, or would it be better to just get him his own card and start building that way? As always, thanks! You don’t know what a difference your blog has made in my financial life recently – keep it up!

]]> By: bigasssuperstar http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-334504 bigasssuperstar Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:56:28 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-334504 I was going to chime in about the They Might Be Giants song, but I see everyone else on the internets has already beat me to it. Good call. I was going to chime in about the They Might Be Giants song, but I see everyone else on the internets has already beat me to it. Good call.

]]> By: Susie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-334503 Susie Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:55:00 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-334503 I am halfway through a masters degree program. My employer pays for two classes a year. I possess a BA in English and am currently pursuing a MA in Organizational Development. I do not need a masters as a requisite for my job, and I am not exactly sure what I will do when I complete the MA program. I am, however, learning a lot of great skills and adding some valuable tools to my professional toolkit so I'm definitely happy to invest in this advanced degree. My question is: Do I double up on classes, graduate a year earlier, but pay for half of it; or do I take one class a semester, let my employer pay for all of it, and graduate at a later date (about a year later)? I am halfway through a masters degree program. My employer pays for two classes a year. I possess a BA in English and am currently pursuing a MA in Organizational Development. I do not need a masters as a requisite for my job, and I am not exactly sure what I will do when I complete the MA program. I am, however, learning a lot of great skills and adding some valuable tools to my professional toolkit so I’m definitely happy to invest in this advanced degree. My question is: Do I double up on classes, graduate a year earlier, but pay for half of it; or do I take one class a semester, let my employer pay for all of it, and graduate at a later date (about a year later)?

]]> By: Steve http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-334322 Steve Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:38:24 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-334322 A question: If you do meet all of your financial goals, you're almost certainly going to have a good chunk of cash until both you and your wife pass away. Have you thought about what you'd do with that? Would it be bequeathed to kids, or do you have other thoughts about how to use it? A question:

If you do meet all of your financial goals, you’re almost certainly going to have a good chunk of cash until both you and your wife pass away. Have you thought about what you’d do with that? Would it be bequeathed to kids, or do you have other thoughts about how to use it?

]]> By: Michelle http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-334255 Michelle Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:46:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-334255 Wow, Polk was more rad than we give him credit for. What I find interesting about presidents in that age was that they truly could make the choice to be extraordinary or to just be some dude in an office. The forefathers and the presidents following them, and going into Reconstruction had to keep America moving through its infancy. Then for a while, you had a period, up through to the Great Depression (for better or for worse) where presidents really could make that choice. So, anyway, I like that you picked Polk. :) Wow, Polk was more rad than we give him credit for. What I find interesting about presidents in that age was that they truly could make the choice to be extraordinary or to just be some dude in an office. The forefathers and the presidents following them, and going into Reconstruction had to keep America moving through its infancy. Then for a while, you had a period, up through to the Great Depression (for better or for worse) where presidents really could make that choice. So, anyway, I like that you picked Polk. :)

]]> By: Shelley http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-334197 Shelley Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:32:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-334197 I'd love to know how Brandi plans to make her own diapers. Some friends have just had their first baby. They intended to use bamboo diapers but haven't made the transition from disposables yet. I didn't realise diapers now came in fitted sizes. I think it sounds like a marketing con. The old fashioned flat diapers could be used from birth to potty training. I've not shopped for the old kind yet, but wondered how to make them... Can you find out? I’d love to know how Brandi plans to make her own diapers. Some friends have just had their first baby. They intended to use bamboo diapers but haven’t made the transition from disposables yet. I didn’t realise diapers now came in fitted sizes. I think it sounds like a marketing con. The old fashioned flat diapers could be used from birth to potty training. I’ve not shopped for the old kind yet, but wondered how to make them… Can you find out?

]]> By: Chiara http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-334054 Chiara Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:01:34 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-334054 Hey, here's a question that's affecting this very thread! (Maybe I'm missing a basic piece of internet savvy that someone else can 'splain.) Ok, why do new comments get inserted in the mix of the thread instead of at the end? I'm guessing it has something to do with moderation and getting approved, but it throws me completely off when I'm trying to follow an interesting comment discussion, and I'm sure I miss a lot of comments that way since re-reading the entire thing every time I check back is frustrating. Above, someone mentioned a comment by Mary at #7 and at this time, Mary is not at #7, so when you look back to see what comment people are referencing, it's often wrong. I don't use a reader or anything, just the plain ole website, which I thought was best for your ad purposes. So, is that just the way life goes here or what? Hey, here’s a question that’s affecting this very thread! (Maybe I’m missing a basic piece of internet savvy that someone else can ’splain.)

Ok, why do new comments get inserted in the mix of the thread instead of at the end? I’m guessing it has something to do with moderation and getting approved, but it throws me completely off when I’m trying to follow an interesting comment discussion, and I’m sure I miss a lot of comments that way since re-reading the entire thing every time I check back is frustrating. Above, someone mentioned a comment by Mary at #7 and at this time, Mary is not at #7, so when you look back to see what comment people are referencing, it’s often wrong. I don’t use a reader or anything, just the plain ole website, which I thought was best for your ad purposes. So, is that just the way life goes here or what?

]]> By: Savvy Frugality http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-333987 Savvy Frugality Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:53:30 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-333987 Sorry, but I'll have to stick with Lincoln as the greatest president ever. He overcame numerous personal and professional setbacks to take the highest office in the land. Because of his looks, his education, his failures...he never could be elected if he ran today. It's not the fact that he led the country during the Civil War that made him great, but the decisions he made during the war, particularly when he decided that the South should be welcomed back into the Union as brothers. If he had not been assassinated, he could have also paved a brighter path during Reconstruction. My favorite piece of presidential trivia is the fact that there were several other men who held the office of "president" before George Washington. They weren't referred to as "president of the United States", but as "president of the United States Congress Assembled", or "President of the Continental Congress". They had no executive power. They simply presided over Congress. Sorry, but I’ll have to stick with Lincoln as the greatest president ever. He overcame numerous personal and professional setbacks to take the highest office in the land. Because of his looks, his education, his failures…he never could be elected if he ran today. It’s not the fact that he led the country during the Civil War that made him great, but the decisions he made during the war, particularly when he decided that the South should be welcomed back into the Union as brothers. If he had not been assassinated, he could have also paved a brighter path during Reconstruction.

My favorite piece of presidential trivia is the fact that there were several other men who held the office of “president” before George Washington. They weren’t referred to as “president of the United States”, but as “president of the United States Congress Assembled”, or “President of the Continental Congress”. They had no executive power. They simply presided over Congress.

]]> By: Shevy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-333861 Shevy Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:15:06 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-333861 #1 Son introduced me to Kings Quest back in the day. I loved that game. Then I found Dune and played the heck out of both versions of it. Never got into any other games (although I play arcade style games). Probably just as well. I remember staying up most of the night a few times, trying to finish. #1 Son introduced me to Kings Quest back in the day. I loved that game. Then I found Dune and played the heck out of both versions of it. Never got into any other games (although I play arcade style games). Probably just as well. I remember staying up most of the night a few times, trying to finish.

]]> By: villager http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-333832 villager Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:31:07 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-333832 I'd be interested in a financial workbook or planning document. I try to implement as many cost-saving tips as I can from this site and others but my most difficult aspect is documentation. Thanks. I’d be interested in a financial workbook or planning document. I try to implement as many cost-saving tips as I can from this site and others but my most difficult aspect is documentation. Thanks.

]]> By: Andy @ bloginyourface.com http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-333767 Andy @ bloginyourface.com Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:26:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-333767 Trent, You have said that you and your wife have wills in place already (I think). I am not trying to be grim here, but I was wondering what you have in your will about The Simple Dollar in the event of your untimely death. Would it carry on? Would your wife hire some people to take it over? Trent,

You have said that you and your wife have wills in place already (I think). I am not trying to be grim here, but I was wondering what you have in your will about The Simple Dollar in the event of your untimely death. Would it carry on? Would your wife hire some people to take it over?

]]> By: Christine in Iowa http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-333759 Christine in Iowa Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:19:43 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-333759 ....and don't you live in Polk County? :) ….and don’t you live in Polk County? :)

]]> By: Ryan McLean http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-333742 Ryan McLean Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:59:11 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-333742 This is a great amount of questions and also some great answers. Thanks for posting them all Trent. Your site has helped me heaps with my financial/entrepreneur blog so keep the posts coming This is a great amount of questions and also some great answers. Thanks for posting them all Trent. Your site has helped me heaps with my financial/entrepreneur blog so keep the posts coming

]]> By: Adam http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-333702 Adam Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:01:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-333702 Trent stated he was a huge They Might Be Giants fan last year, when they released their latest album 'The Else'. So Trent, a follow up question: who is your favourite Belgian painter? :-) Adam Trent stated he was a huge They Might Be Giants fan last year, when they released their latest album ‘The Else’.

So Trent, a follow up question: who is your favourite Belgian painter? :-)

Adam

]]> By: rob http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-333609 rob Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:51:02 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-333609 I agree with what you said on the games thing, and I was also a big Sierra On-Line fan when I was growing up. You should check out http://www.sierragamers.com which is run by Ken Williams himself, he still personally answers email, and I was delighted to receive a personal email from him a few years back. I credit computer games for giving me a wide imagination, and King's Quest for teaching me to type fast. My favorite US President was Woodrow Wilson, mainly for all his good intentions towards the world after the events of The Great War. I agree with what you said on the games thing, and I was also a big Sierra On-Line fan when I was growing up. You should check out http://www.sierragamers.com which is run by Ken Williams himself, he still personally answers email, and I was delighted to receive a personal email from him a few years back. I credit computer games for giving me a wide imagination, and King’s Quest for teaching me to type fast.

My favorite US President was Woodrow Wilson, mainly for all his good intentions towards the world after the events of The Great War.

]]> By: john @ Nifty News & Decent Deals http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-333605 john @ Nifty News & Decent Deals Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:47:02 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-333605 Trent, I think I enjoyed your Polk question about as much as you enjoyed answering it. Great take. Trent,

I think I enjoyed your Polk question about as much as you enjoyed answering it. Great take.

]]> By: Kristen a.k.a. The Frugal Girl http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-333600 Kristen a.k.a. The Frugal Girl Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:42:43 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-333600 That's interesting about the Simple Green. Can that combo be successfully used on regular laundry? I'm just wondering if there's a point to mixing up a batch of liquid detergent if I can just dump washing soda and Simple Green into my laundry. That’s interesting about the Simple Green. Can that combo be successfully used on regular laundry? I’m just wondering if there’s a point to mixing up a batch of liquid detergent if I can just dump washing soda and Simple Green into my laundry.

]]> By: Jamie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/comment-page-1/#comment-333586 Jamie Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:12:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/21/reader-mailbag-20/#comment-333586 How do you go about for writing fiction? Do you take the same "outlining" approach you use for your post? Or do you write fiction on a more "linear" way? How do you go about for writing fiction? Do you take the same “outlining” approach you use for your post? Or do you write fiction on a more “linear” way?

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