http://money-and-investing.dogberrypatch.com Learning to Master Money, Destroy Debt, and Increase Investments! Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:45:21 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Thanks to a reader, Leigh, I have now fixed the ability to leave comments again. Somehow the Math Comment Spam Protection plugin was blocking all comments from non-registered reader. At first I could not figure out what the problem was because I could leave comments. It was ... http://money-and-investing.dogberrypatch.com/archives/comments-broken-now-fixed/ [CNNMoney.com](http://money.cnn.com/2008/02/14/news/economy/bernanke_paulson/index.htm?section=money_topstories) reports that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke both acknowledged problems with the U.S. economy but that the recent series of interest rate cuts and the forthcoming economic-stimulus tax rebates will keep the economy out of a recession this year. We can only hope. http://money-and-investing.dogberrypatch.com/archives/no-recession-according-to-treasury-and-fed-heads/ ::iimageright("OrmanWomenMoney.jpg","Women and Money"):: Today, February 14th, Only! Until 8pm Eastern time, Oprah is offering a [free e-copy](http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200802/tows_past_20080213.jhtml) of best-selling author Suze Orman's 274 page book, ::amazon("0385519311","Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny")::. The book is available in English or Spanish. From the first chapter: > I never thought I'd ... http://money-and-investing.dogberrypatch.com/archives/free-274-page-suze-orman-ebook/ ::iimageright("TaxPig.gif","Tax Savings"):: Up to this point it appeared that you would either receive $300 or $600 (double for married) as part of the economic stimulus plan. $300 if you owed no taxes, $600 if you did. According to the fact sheet just released by the IRS, ([FS-2008-15](http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179095,00.html)) this is ... http://money-and-investing.dogberrypatch.com/archives/300-to-600-variable-economic-stimulus-calculation/ ::iimageright("money.jpg","Money"):: Looks like the economic stimulus package is just waiting for the President's signature to go into effect. Details of the tax rebates will still be worked out but if you qualify, single tax filers can receive rebates of as much as $600. Joint filers can receive rebates of up to ... http://money-and-investing.dogberrypatch.com/archives/tax-stimulus-vs-smart-money/ ::iimageright("Warranty.jpg"."Extended Warranty"):: If you've bought anything electronic from a chain store like Best Buy, Circuit City, Staples, etc, you were asked (repeatedly) to purchase an "extended warranty", aka a service agreement, service contract, or maintenance agreement. Hopefully you declined but if not, or are tempted to do so in the future, ... http://money-and-investing.dogberrypatch.com/archives/extended-warranty-deal-or-no-deal/ ::iimageright("CreditCards.jpg","Credit Cards"):: According to an article today in the [Wall Street Journal](http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB120217434152042887-lMyQjAxMDI4MDAyNTEwNzU0Wj.html), credit card companies have begun to tighten up their credit card offers. Some companies, like Citigroup are requiring higher credit scores, some are lowering the credit lines they offer. These stricter rules are more than likely due ... http://money-and-investing.dogberrypatch.com/archives/card-games-credit-card-companies-tighten-up/ ::iimageright("FlyingDollar.gif","Flying Dollar"):: Televangelists and financial gurus on TV have much in common. Many TV preachers promise their audience wealth and prosperity if they will follow their directions and send in a love gift to support their business ministry. These TV preachers can be entertaining, but actually following their advice not only will ... http://money-and-investing.dogberrypatch.com/archives/gospel-of-prosperity-televangelists-of-finance/ ::iimageright("checklist.jpg","Financial Checklist"):: I have let my finances slide for almost a year. In an effort to get back on track I have created a checklist of items I need to work on to get back on track to being financially fit. Right now I am not sure if I could ... http://money-and-investing.dogberrypatch.com/archives/financial-fitness-checkup/ ::iimageright("FinancialFitness.jpg","Financial Fitness"):: Each of us needs to be living within our means. Not only that, we need to be saving at least 10% of what we earn. This savings is not for future purchases either but for investing. Investing for your future. This money earns you money ... http://money-and-investing.dogberrypatch.com/archives/financial-fitness-invest-in-yourself/