Let’s look at the cheapest to most expensive car brands to maintain long term. A car is both a necessity and a luxury. With ongoing maintenance costs, ideally, we own the cheapest car brand to maintain that’s also a joy to drive. Amidst a recent whirlwind of car maintenance expenses with my trusty nine-year-old Range […]
Cheapest To Most Expensive Car Brands To Maintain Long Term Read More »
Since middle school, I’ve embraced frugality, largely influenced by my parents’ thrifty habits. They drove aging cars, donned the same clothes for decades, and preferred water at restaurants. Today, I drive a nine-year-old car, opt to repair rather than replace my belongings, and typically stick to water with a lemon slice when dining out. It’s
Giving A Gift Card Is The Best Way To Help Frugal People Spend Read More »
Contrary to popular belief, the Federal Reserve does not exert complete control over mortgage rates. Instead, it influences them, with the bond market determining the subsequent course of action. The Federal Reserve oversees the Fed Funds rate, which represents the overnight lending rate for banks and stands at the shortest end of the yield curve.
Components That Affect Mortgage Rates The Most Read More »
Recently, I received a capital distribution from a private real estate fund, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The experience brought me both joy and relief from being house rich cash poor, prompting me to share it in the hope that it might inspire you to invest more for your future. After
Capital Distributions From Private Real Estate Investments Are Wonderful Read More »
Unlike buying a primary residence, where I believe you should buy one as soon as you can afford to, purchasing a vacation property is a different matter. Nobody needs to buy a vacation property; it’s a luxury expense that everyone can do without. Chances are, you won’t use your vacation property enough times a year
Don’t Buy A Vacation Property Until After You Have Children Read More »
After delving into the exorbitant prices of new luxury cars, I’ve come to the realization that a larger segment of the population is purchasing such vehicles than I initially thought. This trend poses a significant problem for those striving for financial freedom, which is why I’ve come up with the House-To-Car Ratio guide. I see
The Right House-To-Car Ratio For Financial Freedom Read More »
In 2007, I had a dream of taking my future family on a ski vacation. I was an avid snowboarder and my wife enjoyed the tranquility of Lake Tahoe. After receiving a good bonus, I bought a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo at Everline Resort in Palisades. Our son came ten years later, but we didn’t go
Family Ski Vacations: The Cost Could Break The Bank! Read More »
Tipping has become increasingly pervasive, leaving many wondering how much to tip without feeling like a miser. To alleviate this dilemma, I’ve crafted a tipping guide to help you navigate gratuities with confidence. This guide not only suggests appropriate tip amounts but also explains the rationale behind them. In the past, tipping was a discretionary
A Tipping Guide To Counteract Tipflation And Feel Great Again Read More »
The rich are frequently criticized for not contributing their fair portion of taxes. However, when examining income taxes, it becomes evident that the wealthy actually contribute more than their fair share. Here’s a chart displaying the proportion of income taxes paid by different income groups from 2001 to 2021. In 2001, the top 1% contributed
The Rich Pay More Than Their Fair Share Of Income Taxes Read More »
During the global financial crisis in 2008 – 2009, I expected the San Francisco Property Assessor Office to automatically lower my property tax bill. After all, home prices had topped out at the end of 2006 and had declined about 5% a year for three consecutive years. Instead of receiving a property tax bill reduction,
Downgrade Your Property Statistics Online To Lower Your Property Taxes Read More »
