Here is a chart that plots out the distribution of annual returns of the US stock market as measured by the S&P Market Index*. Guess where 2008 is so far? This chart does a great job to fix the assumption that some have that the 8% or 10% … [Read the rest]
Historical Distribution of Annual US Market Returns From 1825-Present: How Bad Was 2008?
Posted on December 11, 2008 // 19 Comments
Last updated: November 22, 2015
Saving More May Allow You To Take Less Stock Market Risk
Posted on December 11, 2008 // 14 Comments
Vanguard has a new article titled The importance of saving more, which tries to address evidence that investors may believe that "choosing investments that offer the possibility for relatively higher returns—and accepting the accompanying greater … [Read the rest]
Last updated: December 11, 2008
December 2008 Investment Portfolio Update
Posted on December 9, 2008 // 23 Comments
I've been trying to re-balance my portfolio using my recent 401k contributions, but I ran into some speed bumps, so here is a brief interim update. Retirement Portfolio Actual Target Asset Class / Fund … [Read the rest]
Last updated: December 9, 2008
Blockbuster & PayPal Promo: Pay For 1 Month, Get $25
Posted on December 7, 2008 // 45 Comments
Blockbuster Online is running a new PayPal promotion where new members can get a $25 rebate for signing up for any Blockbuster movie subscription trial and keeping (and paying) it for at least on month. Any plan qualifies. Their cheapest plan is … [Read the rest]
Last updated: May 19, 2012
Use Your Inactive Credit Cards At Least Once A Year
Posted on December 6, 2008 // 62 Comments
I just got a letter from Washington Mutual / Chase telling me that they have closed my credit card account with them effective November 14th, 2008. That's nearly a month ago! The reason stated was simply that I hadn't used it in over 12 months. I … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 17, 2015
Estimate Your Life Expectancy With The Longevity Game
Posted on December 5, 2008 // 12 Comments
Part of estimating your needs in retirement and also in buying life insurance is to know your likely life expectancy. Although kind of morbid, one calculator to help you do this is The Longevity Game by Northwestern Mutual. You just answer a few … [Read the rest]
Last updated: December 5, 2008
December 2008 Financial Status / Net Worth Update
Posted on December 4, 2008 // 24 Comments
Credit Card Debt I have no actual consumer debt. In the past, I have been taking money from credit cards at 0% APR and immediately placing it into high-yield savings accounts or similar safe investments that earn 3-5% interest or more, and keeping … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 9, 2018
Charles Schwab 2% Cashback Credit Card
Posted on December 4, 2008 // 16 Comments
Schwab brokerage is offering a new credit card that gives you 2% cash back on all purchases. The only catch is that the rewards can only be redeemed into a SchwabOne brokerage account. When linked to the Schwab card, the SchwabOne account has no … [Read the rest]
Last updated: July 9, 2009
Capital One 360 Referral Giveway (Expired)
Posted on December 3, 2008 //
Do you have an Capital One 360 savings account with unused referrals? I usually have lots of $25 bonus links available, but have been falling behind again. The first 25 people who comment below tonight and leave a working contact e-mail (real name … [Read the rest]
Last updated: February 27, 2013
Dilbert’s One-Page Guide to Everything Financial
Posted on December 3, 2008 // 18 Comments
The story goes that Scott Adams wanted to publish this as a one-page book, but he couldn't find a publisher to do it. In fact, he is quoted as saying that "if God materialized on earth and wrote the secret of the universe on one page, he wouldn't be … [Read the rest]
Last updated: February 5, 2016
WTDirect Bank: 3.06% APY + Up To $250 Sign-up Bonus
Posted on December 1, 2008 // 15 Comments
Here's another decent deal with hopefully minimal drama. Online bank WTDirect is offering up to a $250 cash bonus for opening a new account and keeping a certain minimum average balance for January and February. WT stands for Wilmington Trust FSB, … [Read the rest]
Last updated: May 16, 2018
MyCorporation Corporation/LLC Filing: Free For All Of December
Posted on December 1, 2008 // 12 Comments
If you missed it last month, MyCorporation is offering their incorporation filing services for free again for the entire month of December for a "limited time" with the coupon code MYGIFT. Usually this costs $149. Tip: You can also check out now … [Read the rest]
Last updated: October 16, 2011
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