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Why Netflix? Why?

18 Jul

I’ve been an on and off subscriber since the early days of Netflix.  When I have time to watch DVD’s that’s the first service I turn to.  I don’t know what made them increases prices in the manner they did, but it’s probably one of the worst price increase roll outs I have seen.

I plan to cancel my subscription once my current billing period is over.  I haven’t been using Netflix, both DVD and streaming, as much as I’d like.  Maybe I’ll sign up again when I have time, but with DVD options like Redbox and streaming options like Hulu, what’s the point?

Thanks Netflix for the many years of service and for pioneering a new industry.  Hopefully these increases end up producing real results in the form of current streaming content, which might make me come back.

 
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Posted in General on July 18, 2011

 

I’m with the president on this one…

14 Jul

Whatever the solution is to the national debt crisis, I firmly believe that the solution has to be a combination of tax increases and spending cuts.

I’m not agreeing to an all out increase of income taxes, but a reversal of the tax breaks given during the Bush years, even to the middle and lower classes.  If we’re all in this together, than that’s fair.  Do I agree with Democrats on just reverting taxes on the wealthy?  I’m not going to lie, I’d take it, but I’m not in the upper tier, so I’d take it.

After the taxes have been reverted, then we should start looking at cuts.

Compromise!  You give, I give…or I give, you give.  Whatever the case, someone needs to make the first move.  If this leads to a national crisis, I’m thinking the president gets off looking like the hero.  He’s at least trying to compromise.  The GOP on the other hand, looks like they are unwilling to budge at all.

 
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Posted in General on July 14, 2011

 

Buying something you plan to return. Is it wrong?

27 Jun

Recently, I was reading a review for a camera I want to purchase soon, and I noticed this person went into Best Buy, bought a camera with the intention of returning it.  Regardless of whether or not they had a demo version, I believe this is wrong.

The worst I’ve done is purchased the same item, only to return the old one because something was wrong with it.  Maybe that’s a little unethical as well?  These are obviously items with no serial numbers printed on the box, or it wouldn’t work.  I just rather not deal with warranties and other paperwork.  Buying and returning the defective device is so much easier.

I wonder if the sense of entitlement people have in today’s culture has lead to this type of behavior?

 
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Posted in General on June 27, 2011

 

The Voice – Final Four??

22 Jun

I just love this show because the talent is amazing.  I really enjoy TV’s shift from reality to talent…it’s refreshing to see so many people with amazing gifts.

But the Voice has my attention right now, and I really hope the final four is Javier Colon, Vicci Martinez, Beverly McClellan, and Dia Frampton.  Such amazing contrast in talent…the most similarity is Beverly and Vicci.  I can’t decide between Javier, Vicci, and Dia.  Beverly was good, but I don’t think she was as good as the other three.   The other three were just amazing.

  • Javier Colon sang Fix You
    Not the best song. Too much that took away from his voice, which I believe is the key to him winning. Just on voice, Javier leads all…although I think Dia is very close.  Christina is right…he should’ve sang a more soulful song that featured his voice.
  • Vicci Martinez sang Dog Days are Over
    Strong. Powerful.  WOW.  It wasn’t just the song.  It was the entire performance.  I couldn’t help but cheer for her. The drums, the swagger, everything just pulled me in.
  • Dia Frampton sang Losing My Religion
    Great performance. I can’t believe how much she surprised me. The right song choice and her own style just comes together.  Her voice is so unique, but I don’t know how much she can “sing.”
  • Beverly McClellan sang The Thrill is Gone
    Another strong singer…I think it was just the wrong song. I’m not saying it’s a bad song, it just wasn’t enough to pull me in.  I have some doubts about Beverly still.

 

I can’t wait until results!

 
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Posted in General on June 22, 2011

 

Casual discussion with friends about how much they make…

20 Jun

When I graduated college and started my working career, salary was all the talk.  Now, some 10 years later, I rarely discuss salary with my friends.  One day though, while casually hanging out with some friends, one of my friend’s parents asked his son, “Hey so how much are you making now?”  There were about 3 seconds of awkward silence, then my friend says, “a little over $100k.”  I was pretty shocked, but that also made me wonder.  How much are my friends making now?

I asked this before, but it still holds true some 5 years later, why is income such a taboo topic?  It’s as if people get their feelings hurt among friends to hear someone is doing well or not so well.  In my eyes, as long as you got food on the table, able save a little, and comfortable, you are FINE.  If you make more than me, that’s AWESOME.  If you make less, well, sucks for you!  haha.  Just kidding, but really, if you’re not happy, then work harder?

Person (@age)
@33:  $108,000
@34:  $67,000
@35:  $120,000
@34: $80,000
@34: $64,000
@34: $130,000

In general, my friends are all doing pretty well.  In fact, I know at least 3 of my other friends, who I haven’t felt comfortable asking are making $100k+, and another friend making around $60k.

 
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Posted in General on June 20, 2011

 

Net Worth 05.2011 [$449,430.57]

13 Jun

I have a mortgage now…

 

 
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Posted in General on June 13, 2011

 

Looking back…

09 Jun

It’s so strange because I’ve been blogging for over 5 years now.  I remember when I first started I was so excited about having a site to discuss finances, but as the initial excitement wore off and reality set in, I drifted away from my blog.  I used to blog to try to make an extra penny, both from my blog and outside of blogging.  Since then, it’s morphed into a journal of sorts rather than a true PF blog.  Amazingly, even after long periods of inactivity, I keep paying for hosting and keep coming back to update my blog.  Trust is hard for me…I do miss the old days, but I think I like how my blog is now.  Somewhere I can just write without fear or worry about offending.  That last line is actually a lie, because honestly, even writing openly in an anonymous blog is difficult for me.  I’m just weird that way.

I cannot trust
Too close distant
People become stars
Someday
The sky will near
Keep trucking on
Fall back and trust
-freedumb

 
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Posted in General on June 9, 2011

 

Extreme Couponing: Crazy or Responsible?

18 May

It depends.  I recently noticed an increase in the so called “extreme couponing” movement, and to be 100% honest, it makes me a little upset.  Not because I’m not filling up shelves and shelves and shelves and shelves of goods, but because these goods will probably never be used and thrown away OR sold.  If it is getting used, then I apologize.  But really, I mean who needs 50 sticks of deodorant and 200 bottles of shampoo?  Who really, really needs a PALLET of toothpaste?

The bottom line is someone pays for this in the end.  I’m willing to bet the losers are everyday consumers.  Here I am, the author of a personal finance blog, actually putting limits on frugality.  Extreme couponing is just another example of how greedy and materialistic American culture has become.  What do you think about that person on Halloween that grabs all the candy from the candy bowl on your neighbor’s porch?  Yeah, that’s similar to an extreme couponer in my mind…Maybe the only saving grace is if a couponer donates it away.

 
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Posted in General on May 18, 2011

 

What do you do with your receipts?

02 May

I have this box.  Okay, actually about 10 boxes filled with receipts.  I rarely ever look at them.  In fact the only time I have gone through a box is when I realize I want to return something.  The only time I actually look at a receipt BEFORE it goes into a box is at a store where I buy a bunch of things to make sure I didn’t get overcharged.

Overall, it seems to be a waste.  I don’t know why I get a receipt when I fill gas.  I don’t know why I get a receipt at McDonald’s or Starbucks.  Maybe it’s a sense of comfort knowing that I have this piece of paper that indicates how much I paid for goods and services?  I never reconcile or go back to balance anything since most of my purchases are on credit cards nowadays.

I think I’m going to say “no” to more receipts.  I…must….say……no……………..(receipts).

 
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Posted in General on May 2, 2011

 

Trip abroad…exchanging currency.

18 Apr

I don’t take trips abroad frequently, so everytime I do, I forget what the best ways are to exchange currency.  So in order to remember, I’m making a blog post so I don’t forget!  :)

The best way to get the most of your US Dollar:

  1. Use a credit card with no fees, i.e. CapitolOne.  Not only do they not charge any exchange fees, they absorb the 1% charged by Visa/Mastercard.  So you essentially get the market exchange rate with no fees.
  2. The next best method involves actually getting foreign currency and is using an ATM machine, but just like credit cards, each debit card has fees.  The one I used had a simple 1% fee up to a maximum daily withdrawal limit of $500.  I also had a backup debit card that was actually a better deal if I withdrew over $500, with a flat $5.00 withdrawal fee.  Keep in mind this does not include the fee the ATM you are using charges, so find one that doesn’t charge much.
  3. Exchanging traveler’s checks would be my third option.  Not only do you typically get a slightly better exchange rate than cash, it’s safer.  My credit union gives these to me for free, so I usually get some before I leave.
  4. Finally cash.  Always the most reliable, but so many drawbacks to exchanging currency, including traveler’s checks.  Generally the best places to exchange are banks, some countries have post offices that do banking, non-hotel exchange places, hotel exchange, and finally at the retail location.

I’d try to stay away from #3 and #4.  Happy travels!

 
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Posted in General on April 18, 2011

 
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