Money Balance

Combining our Accounts

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 18:25:39 PST

New city. New game plan.
We figured we'd try this whole joint checking and savings account thing since we really didn't want to open separate accounts here.
SO's initial worry was that he wouldn't know how much was in the account at any given time since he always checked online,...

BOOK: A Must Read

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 08:45:23 PST

"Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes - And how to correct them" by Bary Belsky and Thomas gilovich

This is one of the most informative fabulous books I've read on the psychology or mental accounting of money. HIGHLY recommend.

Another nice read: "Not Buying It-My year without...

Transfer assets / New account

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 14:39:27 PST

Maybe I should lay off the financial publications, but just finished "Coffee House Investor" and decided to bite the bullet and open up a Vanguard account.
Finished paperwork today with my signature guarantee to transfer my IRA at TIAA-CREF to V.
Perhaps I should have waited...

Mutual Fund Research/Misc

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Wed, 31 May 2006 08:33:31 PST

Spent a few hours on Fidelity.com last night looking at mutual funds for my pension $$ I should be receiving any day... (and then send off to Fidelity to join the other retirement stuff). It'll bump my retirement fund savings to $11k/$12k which isn't a lot, but better than nothing!...

When should financial institutions be held accountable?

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Wed, 24 May 2006 14:10:37 PST

My SO got me a European charge card from his bank the other day so that we can use Euros for the coming year from his bank account over there. (This is the year we'll be making about half of our salary for education pursuits).

It got me thinking again about the book that had...

Help?! Moving to Seattle - need info

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Tue, 23 May 2006 16:33:29 PST

If anyone has recommendations for life in Seattle, we'd love to hear your comments. We're relocating and will be living just NE of downtown (not too far). Since everyone on this site tries to get the best bang for the buck, we're wondering who you use for:

-cable internet (faster...

In Love with Larry E. Swedroe

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Tue, 23 May 2006 08:07:10 PST

When I first saw, "What Wall Street Doesn't Want You To Know" on the shelves of my local library, I passed it over for something I felt would be a little more interesting.
Then, a friend brought Sedroe to my attention later in the week over coffee. "It's a good strategy, you should...

Pension Info and Retirement

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Sun, 16 Apr 2006 15:21:32 PST

My (old) employer just sent me forms to fill out for my pension. I was floored that I had acquired $4,500 in the 5.5 years that I worked there since I was expecting more like $1,000. Excellent because I only managed to save about $6,500 on my own in the company retirement account...

Managing my $ and I bought the bag

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 15:38:16 PST

Thanks, Kashi - I think you're right and I bought the bag. It really is fabulous and I've never seen a bag like it.
Back in the U.S. is interesting. I've spent almost $100 my first day home. Ouch! Had to change the title for my car, $14, faxed an important document long distance,...

SOLD! & Shoulder Bag - Dare to Spend?

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 02:26:28 PST

SOLD THE HOUSE!!! Yes! We sold the house! Okay, so the ink isn't dry, yet, and won't be until two months from now, but at least we've got an offer that's legally binding! Woooohoooooooo! Just a few more hoops to jump through: the inspection, the appraisal, and the buyer's financing....

Spending Today

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 07:27:18 PST

Fellin' good with a 50� note still in my pocket. I spent 10.30� on groceries yesterday and ate in for supper. Spent 1.20� for the bus last night and this morning... 2.10� for some rolls and a big bottle of water for lunch today.
Brittany asked if I used any software to track my...

Cheap Weekend �!

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 02:34:11 PST

I've only budgeted 100� for this week and the weekend turned out to be quite affordable. 13� at the grocery store that included a housewarming gift. Spent 4.95� on tulips for another housewarming present. Other than that, though, I was fairly conservative in not spending anything.
Figured...

City Life in Spain

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 23:47:47 PST

I'm currently living in a very conservative city and nylons are the norm until summer hits. Well, this weather is too hot for nylons on my bulging belly (even the low cut ones) so I didn't wear any today. If I have any more glances from men checking out my legs, I'm going to knock...

Expensive Travels

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 05:33:44 PST

Hello Everyone,
Had to start tracking my spending in Europe after spending 100� the first week I was here on just food and admissions to museums. Ouch! I felt before I left that I had a pretty good grasp on where I spent my money, but watching that much money float through my fingers...

Travel

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 06:52:36 PST

Has anyone figured out, yet, why logging in on the front page doesn't work for the whole site? I still had to log in under the blog pages...
So, today's the day - heading off across the Atlantic and am going to try to spend as little money as possible. I have money in cash to pay...

The IRA shuffle

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 17:13:55 PST

Thanks, baselle, for the link to MorningStar's article on TIAA-CREF. I believe that I, too, will be moving my account from there.
My traditional IRA only had $2300 in the account and after looking at Vanguard's web site, an individual needs $3000 minimum for the IRA account rollovers....

Selling real estate

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 06:56:03 PST

Our housing market is really starting to break open right now and everyone has convinced me that I need to put the house on the market before I leave. I've been really rotten to DH and DS about them leaving clothes in piles on the floor, leaving the kitchen a mess and not picking...

Earning my worth warning boring

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 18:47:29 PST

Using "Overcoming Underearning" the book, this is just an entry for me to keep straight what it is I want and where I'm at. Easier for me to find again than entering in a paper journal

To start:
What DO I want?

*I want to stop using debt - even though it gets paid off monthly...

Travel Expenses and Silly Musings

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 06:43:51 PST

I leave in about 9 days for Spain and trying to figure out how I'm going to be frugal while there. Found a shared apartment for 350 Euros for the month, but doesn't include washer/dryer. So laundry will be an expense. Also, I don't want to eat out and I have kitchen access, so I'll...

Taxes, Cost Basis, and a Raise

grnscubydriver@yahoo.com (Jorge) — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 12:04:45 PST

Worked on taxes more this morning and all I have to say is that I am a wuss and TurboTax is my friend. I could have handled a simple 1040EZ, but when I start adding in interest and dividend income and figuring stock sales, etc., I'm out of my league. I'm learning a lot and I hope...