Jun
24
IRS Miles Finally Starting to Catch Up – 58.5 cents
June 24, 2008 | 1 Comment
It seems that the IRS finally recognized that gas is having a major impact on business finances. The mileage deduction was increased to 58.5 cents per mile.
This is also a ver interesting reminder of what costs to drive. The mileage deduction is not a gift from Uncle Sam, it is a reality check. Between vehicle [...]
May
2
$5 Gas? We Asked For It.
May 2, 2008 | 1 Comment
Back when I was a kid, I read in a school textbook that we only had about 20 years more of oil. They where wrong. But at the same time, they pointed out one fact: Oil was getting scarcer, and scarce things tend to cost more — especially if people start using more of them.
We [...]
Mar
22
Supply Expenses: Gillete Razor Blades
March 22, 2008 | Comments Off
I recently started shaving my head. It will be the look for 2008. At the same time I started using the now popular HeadBlade system. I did noticed that the triple blade one (I think they call it Sport) uses clones of a very popular blade: The Gillette Sensor. As it happens, Gillete Sensor was [...]
Mar
4
I Want Expensive Gas!
March 4, 2008 | 3 Comments
(Ironic article, a bit severe… somewhat fun, somewhat true).
Yes, that is right, I want expensive Gasoline. Bring it on!! But I do not want $3 or $4. I want $10 per gallon or some other outrageous number. I want the government to put a greater tax on the gasoline gallon purchased by the consumer. I want [...]
Mar
3
Real Estate Tax: Won Battle #1 : This is not finished
March 3, 2008 | 2 Comments
Last month we had to abate (appeal) the Real Estate Tax Assessment the town had placed upon one of our rental properties. We got $25,000 shaved off the assessed value. We still think the town is over-assessing the property by $25,000. At a 1.2% rate, we are talking about $300 we will [...]
Feb
24
My Cash Donations: USO and AMC, Servicepeople and Outdoors
February 24, 2008 | Comments Off
I do not donate too much money in cash. For a long time the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) was the only steady donation. Today I added one to my steady list (at least for the duration of their current engagement), the United Service Organizations (USO).
Reasons for choosing them:
Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) – They do provide [...]
Feb
20
When to Tip? Who to Tip? What to do when in doubt?
February 20, 2008 | 1 Comment
Most people seem to agree to tip waitress. Many suggest tipping barbers/hairdressers, bell boys, hotel housekeeping staff, the mailman, taxi drivers, pizza delivery, people who pick up trash at the curbside, and the list goes on. People differ in opinions and cite different reasons for tipping or no tipping. Even receivers differ. [...]
Feb
20
Tipping Cash? Tipping Credit Card?
February 20, 2008 | Comments Off
I have heard many people suggest that you should always leave your waitress tips in cash, as opposed to by credit card. This has been the topic of many after-dinner discussions while deciding how to split the check and what is the right amount to tip. For some people it is not a matter of [...]
Feb
14
Teen Prepaid Cards : The New Marlborough Man? Or a Budgeting Tool?
February 14, 2008 | 1 Comment
A common new trend is the Teen Prepaid Card: a card is pre-paid, and a portrayed as a good substitute to an allowance. I think it is useful if used with caution. It is a time-bomb if used without it.
First the pros: Your kid doesn’t has to carry cash, you can transfer [...]
Feb
14
Valentines Choices
February 14, 2008 | 1 Comment
Consumerism Commentary and MyMoneyBlog posted their articles on ways to have a frugal valentines, check them out.
Happy Valentines Day!!
I have my own opinions about the special day. The biggest one is that it benefits retail — just not enough to get us out of this recession (or recession-wanna-be) soon enough. The [...]
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