I took a cash advance from a credit card last week. I had never done that before. I’m very happy I was able to do it. I’m also very happy with the cost and the efficiency of how it was done, even though I borrowed at 39,608% APR. I had been in the process of […]
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$0.30 Surcharge for a Plastic Grocery Bag
This is another story from my vacation in Ireland. I bought some fruits, yogurt, and bakery from a convenience store. The clerk asked me if I wanted a bag for what I bought. I said "Sure." because that’s the way it is in the U.S. Then I noticed there was a charge for 0.22 Euro […]
Signed Mortgage Refinance Documents
I signed the documents for my mortgage refinance yesterday. A recap for the process since the beginning (sorry for lack of updates when I was on vacation): Week 1. Found a good rate. Filled out application. Week 2. Locked rate. Signed disclosure documents. Faxed supporting documents. Week 3. Home appraisal. Decided against waiving escrow for […]
BBG Communications: $27 for a 1-Minute Phone Call
I survived driving on the left in Ireleand, its narrow, winding, and bumpy roads, and what must be more than 300 roundabouts. The GPS maps for Europe I bought for $110 turned out to be a good investment. My vacation would have been much more stressful without the GPS. As far as money is concerned, […]
Rental Car Insurance Options
By the time you read this, I’ll be on vacation in Ireland. I will rent a car and drive around the country. Naturally I don’t want to expose myself to losses resulting from a car accident while I drive a rental car in Ireland. I did some research in rental car insurance. I’m sharing this […]
Is an Escrow Waiver Fee Worth It?
Last week was week 3 for my mortgage refinance. Here’s what happened in week 3 with a brief recap for week 1 and week 2: Week 1. Found a good rate. Filled out application. Week 2. Locked rate. Signed disclosure documents. Faxed supporting documents. Monday May 4, 2009. An appraiser came and did an appraisal. […]
Mortgage Broker vs Mortgage Lender
My mortgage refinance process is continuing. Here’s what happened in week 2 with a brief recap of week 1. Week 1. Found a good rate at National Mortgage Alliance (NMA). Received quote on GFE. Filled out application online. Monday 4/27/2009. Rate lock confirmed. 4.5% for 15-year fixed. Lender credit covers all closing cost. Escrow waiver […]
Quit Obsessing with the Credit Score
I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: dear media, please quit obsessing with the credit score. Last week’s episode of the NPR program Marketplace Money was about credit and credit scores. One of the stories was The power of FICO. It featured Pete Deibel of Winter Park, FL (emphasis added by me): […]
Waiting For a No Cost Mortgage Refinance
Ever since late last year, there have been numerous news reports about the mortgage rate going to 4.5% or the mortgage rate reaching historical lows. The headlines read Treasury mulls plan to lower mortgage rates to 4.5% (CNN, 12/4/2008), Mortgage Rates Fall to Another Record Low (Fox, 4/2/2009), and so on. Then how come I […]
Upselling at the Post Office
I went to the post office to mail my tax returns yesterday. While the postal clerk was placing the certified mail stickers and printing the receipt, I noticed a printout under the glass on the counter. The title the page said FY 2009 Mystery Shop Script. It’s the instructions to the clerks for what they […]