Jun

29

Salary Reduction, Now What?

June 29, 2009 | 1 Comment

An alternative to being laid off could be a reduction in salary. Companies are doing it when they do not want to lose trained and valuable employees, but they do have to reduce costs. I do not think I would advice a company to do so. A salary reduction makes everyone [...]

Jun

27

You do not have to be employed

June 27, 2009 | Comments Off

In an age of around 10% unemployment, a question comes up to my mind: Why do we want to give the impression that everyone needs to be employed? It doesn’t even reflect current practice. Half of the people are completely happy with the idea of not working. And I do not even [...]

Jun

25

QuickBooks – Nothing Beats Free

June 25, 2009 | Comments Off

For my business accounting I use QuickBooks Pro.  But to tell you the truth, chances are I would be equally happy with the QuickBooks Simple Start Free Edition 2009.  I have less than 20 customers (big ones).  And most of what I do need accounting for is create invoices, pay bills and print checks – [...]

Jun

22

Cronus and TGIF

June 22, 2009 | Comments Off

Day in and day out, I see messages on Twitter and Facebook that wish the Work-Week was over, Thank God It is Friday (TGIF) or show disgust at the start of another Work-Week. It almost feels as if people wanted time to go very fast just so that Friday will be here and they [...]

Jun

12

Cashing on Rewards

June 12, 2009 | Comments Off

It used to be that American Airlines was the only one giving miles.  Then all airlines started giving them, followed by hotel chains.  Then the credit cards, and lately the stores.  Everyone seems to be giving points or miles for every dollar you purchase.  Over time you end up accumulating a bunch of ‘currency’ that [...]

Jun

12

Capital One Gives Cold Shoulder

June 12, 2009 | Comments Off

I have had this Capital One Visa for years, about 10 to be precise.  Great card.  7.9% fixed interest rate.  That is, until now when they tell me they will hike it up to 13.9%.  All in their right.  They have given advanced notice and allowed me to reject the terms of the change (which [...]

Jun

11

Child – First Account Oppened

June 11, 2009 | Comments Off

We just opened the Child’s first bank account. A regular savings account will do, under Uniform Transfers to Minors Act.
“In most states, minors do not have the right to contract, and so cannot own stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities and life insurance policies. In particular, parents cannot simply transfer assets to their minor children, [...]

Jun

10

Social Security Card Arrived

June 10, 2009 | Comments Off

Sorrow and Joy. Sorrow because the Federal government has decided to start normalizing our child – converting him into a traceable number. At the same time, it allows us to do things like open bank accounts for him and deduct him from taxes (if only we where not phased out). One thing [...]

Jun

10

New Child

June 10, 2009 | Comments Off

We got our first child in the last few weeks. A lot of excitement and joy. As this blog is about financial matters, we will probably discuss the financial decisions we take in this process.
Fortunately we haven’t really had any major expenses so far. A few diapers and a crib that we [...]