Comments on: Reader Mailbag #46

By: Radman

Radman — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:12:26 +0000

Commenting usually isnt my thing, but ive spent an hour on the site, so thanks for the info

By: Roger

Roger — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 06:04:06 +0000

Good stuff, as always. The Simple Dollar Podcasts would be a nice addition to the site. I’m certain, if you opened up the floor to your readers, that you could get plenty of suggestions for subjects to cover. (Frankly, you could do worse than a format like these Reader Mailbag posts; take half a dozen or so questions, read them aloud, and then provide your answers. Short, simple, and good way to make sure your podcasts are informative.)

As for the gift cards; how would I find gift cards being sold for less than the face value?

By: Troy

Troy — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:40:49 +0000

To TMS:

There is a right and wrong way to save money……..

A wise man once said(insert Wise man’s name here), Don’t spend $10 to save $1. YOu get it???

By: Susan Parker

Susan Parker — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:35:14 +0000

What is your geographic location? –Pittsburgh, PA
How did you find The Simple Dollar? — When I googled something about dealing with debt
Are you male or female? Female
How old are you? (Feel free to say “30s” or “40s” if you don’t want to leave your exact age) 65
Are you married? Separated
Why do you keep coming back to The Simple Dollar? Because I find the information interesting and valuable.

By: Bridgette

Bridgette — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:55:36 +0000

This is in response to your query about your readership: I am a mid-30s professional, married, with 4 children ages 16-2. I first read The Simple Dollar as a link from a story about tips on frugality. I enjoyed the article so much that I subscribed. I currently live in Kansas, but have lived in Indiana and Kentucky as well. I enjoy the tips on how to live happily and frugally concurrently. I have learned a lot about investing, stocks, retiring, and saving. I appreciate that concepts are put into layman’s terms and are easy to understand.

By: TMS

TMS — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:31:16 +0000

Trent, I have a question for your Monday Reader’s mailbag…

Are you familiar with–or perhaps even participating–Ramit’s (from iwillteachyoutoberich.com) Scrooge Strategy? He has a whole different approach to saving money that avoids most frugality tips. Instead he focuses on things like calling to get your cable/phone/insurance/etc. bills lowered and tackling those major spending habits. His argument is that small frugality tips (those that “only” save $5-$10 per month) take too much effort when trying to implement several at a time over a long time; an argument that I believe is completely valid. Anyways, I just wanted to get your opinion on Ramit’s view of frugality [or lack of]. Personally, I don’t believe there is any right or wrong way to save money, but do find Ramit’s method to be my preferred choice. Thanks.

By: brooke

brooke — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:52:03 +0000

I love mailbag mondays!

By: ariel

ariel — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:18:14 +0000

what’s the best way to build credit? I graduated from college without loans or anything, thinking I was being smart, but now I’ve found I can’t get a condo or the other things I want because I have no credit history.

By: R

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:30:00 +0000

Re: the Roth IRA — you might also point out that your basis in a Roth IRA is always available for withdrawal. You can’t take your earnings early without incurring a penalty, but your contribution is yours to take out as you wish. Not that you should…

By: Mol

Mol — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:47:22 +0000

Me and my boyfriend are obsessed with Babylon 5. Do you like B5?

By: Troy

Troy — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:43:57 +0000

CPA Kevin – I’m was referring to the max for the tax deduction. e.g, depending on your age/catch-up: Let’s say you contribute $4000 to your IRA, then you can start contributing to your ROTH.

By: Heather

Heather — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:29:20 +0000

I hope you’re right about Jin not being dead! I am a very recent Lost convert and just watched all the previous seasons online at ABC. I love that they put them on there for free, because I have no other way of catching up!! I think you’re right about the Island going back in time. I think the next thing they are going to introduce after the flash backs, flash forwards is some sort of time travel element.

I love getting gift cards as long as it’s to a store I like. If I get cash, I feel guilty spending it for a treat for myself even though it was a gift. A gift card takes away this dilemma and “forces” me to spend it for fun. However, I am quite nervous about them this year, and am spending the few I got as gifts as fast as I can, because I’m worried the stores are going to go bankrupt and I won’t be able to use them.

By: Your Friendly Neighborhood Computer Guy

Your Friendly Neighborhood Computer Guy — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:07:32 +0000

On Lost:

Cool prediction about the island going back in time. I’ve all but given up on predicting anything about that show anymore. I just sit back and let the writers wow me.

On Podcasting:

I think podcasts are not boring if you’re interested in the content. I think as long as you keep them personable and simple, they’ll be very enjoyable! Also, including a streaming version of the podcast will allow users to listen to it on your site if they don’t have something to download it to. I think a Simple Dollar podcast is an excellent idea!

By: susan

susan — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:41:23 +0000

What is your geographic location? greentown indiana
How did you find The Simple Dollar? i am sure a link from another site
Are you male or female? female
How old are you? (Feel free to say “30s” or “40s” if you don’t want to leave your exact age) 50
Are you married? single
Why do you keep coming back to The Simple Dollar? you have consistently provided valuable advise to consider and apply.

By: pima

pima — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:13:26 +0000

Eastern Washington State
female- 50′s…married
I don’t remember how I first found your blog
I love the subject of money. I think personal finance
and more specifically small business is more fun
than any board game.

keep up the good work.

By: 3girlsdad

3girlsdad — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:10:25 +0000

50′s
I don’t remember how I found The Simple Dollar but it hasn’t been that long.
I’m male and married and live in Louisiana.
I find the information informative and intersting.

By: ChrisB

ChrisB — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 02:46:12 +0000

The island went *backward* in time? Interesting… very interesting… hadn’t considered it, but it does seem more than possible.

But like others, Trent, I caught the Sawyer error… clearly, you aren’t obsessive *enough*. :-)

By: Mountain Man

Mountain Man — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:06:50 +0000

Geographic: N.C.
Found by Googling consumer financial subjects.
Male
Age 63
Read daily because of the diversity and applicability of the topics to me and my family. Like the writing style. Really connects and feel like you are having a conversation with “me/us” that is practical and helpful. Some subjects don’t apply of course but almost every day there is something in your post that is useful and/or interesting to me.

By: xmonkey

xmonkey — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:00:36 +0000

For the podcast idea, what about having readers call in and ask their questions in person? Then you could record their question and then your answer. That would make it more of a community feel, although it would probably complicate things.

By: Ranga

Ranga — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:32:50 +0000

An article on pets would be great; analyzing the pros and cons, and what would be your choice? (if yes, what animal? if no, why?)