There is an old story that goes something like this: A father said to his daughter, “You have graduated with honors, here is a Jeep I bought many years ago. It is pretty old now. Take it to the used car lot and see how much they offer you for it.” The daughter went to […]
My Tiny Bitcoin Investment Lost 64% of Its Value
Last month, I told you about how you hardly ever get something for nothing. Nevertheless, I received this email from Venmo in August 2021: I’m curious like everyone else, so I nabbed the free opportunity to dip my pinkie toe in the digital currency waters. I bought $5 of bitcoin. A couple weeks later, Venmo […]
I Take a Commission for My Matchmaking
A neighbor knew I like to cycle, so before he moved out of town, he gave me an ancient Raleigh bike that had been languishing in his basement. It was mummified by a thick layer of caked-on dust. The tires were so dry rotted, I had to bear down to get it to roll. I […]
Can a College Student Get a Summer Job during a Pandemic?
Does your college student have a summer job? Mine does, but it wasn’t easy. With 40M+ Americans out of work, the competition for summer work – or any work at all – hasn’t been this fierce since the Great Depression. So there is zero shame in not getting a summer job, or having one fall […]
I Put $30,000 into the Stock Market Last Week
I received a text from my niece last week: “I know you’re the finance guy…do you deal much with the stock market? Is now a time to invest?” My reply: “Heck yeah! Now’s a good time.” The Dow Jones Industrial Average had lost over 35% of its value in about a month. Which made me […]
My Worst Ever Thrift Store Flip
I found this cool Mr. Potato Head shirt for $3 in a thrift store: I loved that shirt. I felt great wearing it and I got a ton of compliments on it. I was wearing it when I went out to Applebees with my brother Joe. We were sitting there minding our own business, when […]
Are You Investing in Porn Without Knowing It? Socially Responsible Investing from a Christian Perspective
If you’re like me, you have a Trump-caliber wall erected between Sunday and the rest of the week. On Sunday morning, we have an intense and sometimes-moving worship experience, followed by attending adult Sunday school or teaching the 3rd-5th graders’ class. Come Monday, it’s back to work and kids’ activities, without much reflection on whether […]
What Is the Return on Investment of Personal Finance Blogging?
In February 2016, I read an article in the New Yorker about how Mr. Money Mustache retired at 30 and makes $400,000 a year from his blog. It made me sit up and take notice. And actually snicker a little, because he can’t spend any of it (as it would destroy his frugal reputation). But […]
Selling Unused Household Items Is a Win-Win
If possible, I like to score a win-win. That applies to relationships, but also making money. Can you make a living while also making a positive impact on the world? Can you earn a paycheck while being a good Christian witness? A few notches lower on the significance scale, but a win-win nonetheless: Can you […]
1% Cash Back is the Only Incentive Program I Need
Since August, 2015, I have deposited $507.38 in checks into my personal savings account from my Citi MasterCard. This cash isn’t a refund of an over payment or a credit due to a product return. It’s the money I’ve earned from the credit card’s 1% cash back on all purchases. I’m not a big believer […]