The Finance Buff

2017 2018 401k 403b IRA Contribution Limits

August 16, 2017 8 Comments

Although inflation continues to be low, it was enough to finally push up the 401k and 403b contribution limit in 2018 by $500. The IRS hasn't officially announced these limits. I'm always able to accurately project these numbers due to the nature of averages and the rounding rules. 401k/403b/457 Elective Deferral Limit 401k/403b/457 contribution limit will go up by $500 from $18,000 in 2017 to $18,500 in 2018. If you are age 50 or over, the catch-up contribution limit will stay the same at [...]

Advice-Only: The Best Model For Financial Advice People Need And Want

August 8, 2017 39 Comments

I had a problem with my air conditioner. Even though the thermostat was switched to OFF inside, the "engine" outside continued running. I noticed the problem when I heard noise outside the window. I don't know how long it ran continuously before I [...]

Last Year’s Flagship Phone vs This Year’s Budget Phone

August 1, 2017 12 Comments

A smartphone has become a must-have for many people. I have one. So does everyone I know. Between the two major camps, iPhone and Android, iPhone gets more news coverage. Whenever Apple releases a new iPhone model, it's all over the news. Whenever [...]

The Homeless Retired Early

July 25, 2017 7 Comments

[A reader pointed out to me that many homeless actually work, sometimes at multiple jobs. I apologize. It goes without saying many homeless didn't choose to be homeless and they don't prefer that way. Still the point is the spectrum of lifestyles is [...]

Why Reward Flights Or Hotel Nights Are Not Free

July 18, 2017 36 Comments

Comments from reader msf on the previous post Keep Your Airline Miles Active Via Online Shopping Portals gave me the idea for this post. You keep your airline miles active because one day you want to redeem those miles for a flight. Putting aside the [...]

Getting A Lost Gift Card Replaced

July 11, 2017 2 Comments

Whenever I buy a gift card at a grocery store the cashier always hands me a small receipt separate from the regular receipt. I'm told it's the activation receipt. It serves as a confirmation that the gift card now has value on it. Without activation, [...]

Money Market Fund vs High Yield Savings Account

June 27, 2017 15 Comments

Money market fund yields stuck at 0.01% for several years after the financial crisis. Some fund companies had to pump money into the funds out of their own pocket just to keep the yield at 0.01%. Meanwhile some banks kept their high yield savings [...]

Keep Your Airline Miles Active Via Online Shopping Portals

June 20, 2017 7 Comments

When you fly you earn airline miles. They used to be based on the distance of your flight. Now the big three airlines in the U.S. -- American, Delta, and United -- all switched to giving you miles based on your ticket price. The miles you receive [...]

My Smartest Financial Decision

June 6, 2017 4 Comments

This post is sponsored by Alliant Credit Union, where I’m a customer. All opinions are strictly my own. I made many financial decisions all these years, some smart, some disastrous. Thinking back, I would say my smartest financial decision was [...]

The Finance Buff

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