Recent content by dinodino

I'm going to second the suggestions to build a fund equal to 6-12 months' worth of living expenses. Once you've done that, kill your debt as quickly as you can. Dave Ramsey's podcasts and books would be good for motivation for this. I disagree with Dave's $1000 emergency fund "baby step," as...

What's the word? Thunderbird! What's the price? Fifty twice!

Your logic is faulty. If you want high yields you have to accept high risks.

Yes, the CEO can see everyone's contribution. It's all detailed in the compensation plan reports. For small businesses, the CEO is often the plan administrator as well (I was).

Basically, our elected officials are scum and have no regard for the Constitution or the taxpayers. That's it in a nutshell.

Great, Guys, thanks for the input. Sounds like it's okay as is, and we'll leave it at that.

Hi, All, My in-laws have a variable annuity with Transamerica, and I am inclined to advise them to cancel and take the surrender value. I am worried about institutional risk (never mind what I think about annuities, which is a whole separate issue). What do you folks think? Thanks, Dino

The numbers don't work at $1500 per month rent. I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole at that price. Also, prices are still falling up there and you will need to hold it for longer than five years. I agree with the other posters who pointed out that what the neighbor paid for his house is...

To the OP: retiring now sounds like a no-brainer to me. However, with the property market softening in Singapore (I don't know about the others), I would not feel comfortable holding all that real estate. I would sell it and diversify, but that's just me.

EverBank is here in Jax. I was a happy Compubank customer, but they were bought out by Netbank and turned into a bunch of shysters. Everbank have taken over Netbank and I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole, based on my experience with Netbank.

Come on up to Jax. We have at least one authentic Chinese restaurant (frog congee, etc.) and tons of the regular Americanized ones. This is a very nice place to live.

I would like to hear more about your plans...I am 38 and want to do the same thing.

Use your cash instead of the HELOC...your emergency fund is there for this type of thing.

BMW lease and camera gear on credit? Please. This guy deserves everything he gets. I'm unable to muster up a tear...

Take the check to his bank and bring some cash with you. Ask them if it will clear--if it will, cash it right then. If it won't, ask how much the account is short and then deposit that much in cash and cash the check in the same transaction.