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Recent blog posts
- Finally got an E-ZPass
- Why a progressive sales tax sucks only slightly less
- On to Stage 2: Net Investable Assets
- Just wrote my first covered call
- When increased spending = cutting the budget
- Carnival of Debt Reduction participation
- I am (mostly) short-term debt free
- The safest banks in the world
- How government makes things worse
- Capitalism 2.0 - not really capitalism
Welcome to Money $ Liberty, where personal finance and personal freedom collide. If you haven't visited before, please take a look at what this site is all about. Feel free to look around and make comments. Enjoy!
Finally got an E-ZPass
curtis — 14 May 2009 - 5:21pm
So, I finally broke down (in the metaphorical sense) and got myself an E-ZPass. For those who don't know, E-ZPass is an RFID-based electronic system for paying tolls on various state and interstate roads, bridges, etc. E-ZPass is currently accepted in a number of Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Mid-West states. Other states have similar systems, such as Massachusetts' "Fast Lane" (compatible with E-ZPass) or California's "FasTrak."
Why a progressive sales tax sucks only slightly less
curtis — 9 May 2009 - 10:02am
While I was flipping through the latest issue of Forbes, a particular article caught my eye. It was called "A Tax Even Libertarians Can Love" by Robert H. Frank. Given that I consider myself a libertarian, I could not pass up the chance to take a gander at such an evasive, incredulous creature.
On to Stage 2: Net Investable Assets
curtis — 6 May 2009 - 3:36pm
Almost two years ago, I wrote about the different types of financial wealth calculations and which one a person should focus on depending how far along he or she is on their financial journey. My thesis is that one should focus on the lowest numbered calculation and determine an appropriate goal before moving on to the next calculation. The progression I proposed was:
Just wrote my first covered call
curtis — 5 May 2009 - 7:47pm
I've been wanting to try some options trading for awhile, but have not gotten around to doing it until now. I just finished entering my first covered call.
This is something of a big step for me. I've been "in the market" since about August 2006, and semi-actively trading for about two years. A little while ago, my step-father told me about his regular use of covered calls to generate income and bring down the cost basis of his investments, and I thought it sounded like a neat idea.
When increased spending = cutting the budget
curtis — 5 May 2009 - 6:52am
A clever YouTuber (would that be a Potato 2.0?) came up with a brilliant way to demonstrate the effect of Obama's proposed "cuts" of $100 million compared to the $3.5 trillion proposed budget. (Thanks to Randy Barnett at the Volokh Conspiracy for sharing.)
Carnival of Debt Reduction participation
curtis — 4 May 2009 - 9:10am
The Carnival of Debt Reduction: It’s A Marathon, Not A Sprint Edition! is up over at Man vs. Debt, and they've added a link to my post about being (mostly) short-term debt free.
Take a look at the carnival and some of the great posts about fighting debt.
I am (mostly) short-term debt free
curtis — 1 May 2009 - 8:36am
Today marks the first paycheck I've received that I do not have to put money toward old credit card debt. And boy, does that feel good.
It's been more than two years since I started a concerted effort to pay down my debt completely. Like many journeys, I haven't exactly taken a straight path. I meandered a bit, threaded my way between the trees, climbed over some logs, splashed in a creek, pushed through nettle-bushes, wound around.... Okay, I suppose you get the picture. Despite my diversions, there's always been one general direction, one destination, one goal. Now, I've reached it.
The safest banks in the world
curtis — 29 April 2009 - 8:05am
Ever thought of keeping your money in Bank of Tokyo - Mitsubishi UFJ? Or maybe the National Bank of Kuwait? If not, you might want to think again – according to CNBC's Safest Banks in the World, these two financial institutions are members of an elite list of exceptional banks.
How government makes things worse
curtis — 28 April 2009 - 8:36am
The Wall Street Journal published an opinion piece today slamming government regulators for forcing Bank of America to acquire Merill Lynch. Before I get into my tirade, let me disclose that I own Bank of America stock, and have owned some of it for quite awhile.
Capitalism 2.0 - not really capitalism
curtis — 18 April 2009 - 10:57pm
The newest chic is to call everything "2.0," as though adding a major version number actually changes anything. Of course, sometimes it changes things completely.
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