The Cost of Being Green
I love the Om Money column in the Yoga Journal magazine. It's the first thing I read in every issue. The column features a question from a reader answered by two money experts. A previous column prompted me to write Unsure About Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) last year. Here's another good question in the September 2008 issue:
I strive to be "green," but organic food is expensive. I have to work more hours (and do less yoga) to afford it. How can I balance personal and planetary welfare?
Stories from Strapped: Conclusion
Are you glad the Stories from Strapped series is finally coming to an end? In the last five weeks, we read some stories in the book Strapped: Why America’s 20- and 30-Somethings Can’t Get Ahead by Tamara Draut.
- Stories from Strapped: College Education
- Stories from Strapped: Paycheck
- Stories from Strapped: Debt
- Stories from Strapped: Housing
- Stories from Strapped: Child Care
Those real-life anecdotes are supposed to support the author's case for why America's 18-to-34 generation can't get ahead. As you probably figured out by now, I'm not impressed by the stories. Example after example, I see big gaps between expectations and economic means.
International Markets On Sale
In case you haven't noticed, international markets are having a good summer sale right now. In just three months, Vanguard FTSE All World ex US Index Fund (VFWIX or VEU) is down 20% while the S&P 500 is only down by 11%.
The sale on emerging markets is even better. Vanguard Emerging Markets Index Fund (VEIEX or VWO) is marked down by 24% in the last 3 months.
Stories from Strapped: Child Care
This is part 5 in the Stories from Strapped series. Previous posts in the series are:
- Stories from Strapped: College Education
- Stories from Strapped: Paycheck
- Stories from Strapped: Debt
- Stories from Strapped: Housing
Chapter 5 in Strapped: Why America's 20- and 30-Somethings Can't Get Ahead by Tamara Draut is And Baby Makes Broke. Basically the author says the younger generation can't get ahead because child care costs too much.
Microsoft Live Search cashback Program
Thanks to Jonathan at My Money Blog for the heads up on Microsoft's Live Search cashback promotions, I got a one-year subscription to Financial Times newspaper through Magazine.com at a really good price. The regular subscription price at ft.com is $298. Magazine.com discounted it by 50% to $149. Now I'm getting another 70% off to $45. What a deal! Thank you Microsoft!
Microsoft has done a very good job for its cashback program. Rebate sites like FatWallet and eBates have been in business for a long time by Internet standard. These sites are paid when you make a purchase through a special link to their affiliated merchants. The rebate sites then share with the users a part of the affiliate payments they receive from the merchants. Microsoft's program operates under a similar model, but Microsoft has gone a few steps beyond what other rebate sites have done.
1. Immediate rebate confirmation . After you make a purchase, the rebate amount is confirmed immediately, within seconds or minutes. This may depend on how the merchant reports the sale to Microsoft but the technology is there if the merchant chooses to use it. I was able to see my rebate in my Live Search cashback account right away.
Stories from Strapped: Housing
This is part 4 in the Stories from Strapped series. Previous posts in the series are:
- Stories from Strapped: College Education
- Stories from Strapped: Paycheck
- Stories from Strapped: Debt
Chapter 4 in Strapped: Why America's 20- and 30-Somethings Can't Get Ahead by Tamara Draut is The High Cost of Putting a Roof Over Your Head. No need to explain. The author says the younger generation can't get ahead because housing is too expensive. I'm only interested in the stories.
Defiant Sheriff and Government's SIV
Here are some interesting old news stories I found recently.
He's Taking Law Into His Own Hands To Help Broke Homeowners (Wall Street Journal) – Via Credit Slips. A sheriff refuses to kick out foreclosed homeowners. A sheriff simply doesn't possess the power of a judge. Well intentioned, but I think Mr. Green clearly crossed the line.
Subsidized in the City (Newsweek) – Thumb up for a 25-year-old girl from a wealthy family wanting to live on her own in New York city.
Struggling In Ohio As The Economy Tightens (NPR) – Via FatWallet. For some reason NPR changed the title of the article after I bookmarked it. It used to be "For Some Ohioans, Even Meat Is Out Of Reach."
Sending Money to an International Country
For reasons I won't go into details, I need to send $100 to someone in Mexico. I'm not in a big hurry. The money doesn't have to be there in minutes or hours, but I don't want it to take weeks or months either. Obviously I'm interested in reliability and cost, both in fees and the hit on the exchange rate. What are my options?
1. Mail a check. A check in the mail probably takes a week to get there. Then my recipient can take it to their bank and have the bank collect it. I don't know how long that will take. I'm guessing another week or two. So total 2-3 weeks. In terms of cost, there is only postage (< $1) on my side. The recipient's bank perhaps will charge a small amount for collecting a check from the U.S. but I imagine it will be minimal too. This is probably the lowest cost option but it will take longer than I'd like.
2. Western Union or MoneyGram. I can also use Western Union or MoneyGram. These services let me transfer money almost instantly. The going rate is about $10-15 for my $100 transfer, more for higher amounts. The cost is too high for me.
Stories From Strapped: Debt
How do you like the stories from Strapped series so far? These stories get better and better. Previous posts in the series are:
Chapter 3 in Strapped: Why America's 20- and 30-Somethings Can't Get Ahead is Generation Debt. I think we all know what that means. The author says the younger generation can't get ahead because they have too much debt. Now, the stories:
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