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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

Economic Collapse 101: How to Prepare for Water Supply Disruptions

By Len Penzo

Clean running water is something we all take for granted. After all, there's nothing easier than going to the nearest tap, turning the handle, and being instantly greeted with as much potable water as you can drink. Water is ridiculously cheap ...

Continue reading Economic Collapse 101: How to Prepare for Water Supply Disruptions

33 Comments January 18, 2021

How Home Crowdfunding May Let Millennials Live the American Dream

By Corazon Gritar

American millennials are making the news once again. This time, it's because the demographic as a whole can't afford to purchase homes. According to a survey by Apartment list, a staggering 80% of millennials, those born between the years 1980 and ...

Continue reading How Home Crowdfunding May Let Millennials Live the American Dream

7 Comments January 21, 2021

3 Important Tax Deduction Rules You Should Always Remember

By Sabado Domingo

The best way to maximize your deductions and increase your tax return is to hire a tax consultant to help you go through everything. However, if you decide to do it on your own, you can still get a number of deductions as long as you remember the ...

Continue reading 3 Important Tax Deduction Rules You Should Always Remember

Leave a Comment January 20, 2021

5 Ways You Can Save Money on Groceries This Week

By Anum Yoon

For many people, the grocery bill is one of their largest monthly expenses. Fortunately, you can easily save money on groceries this week -- and every week after that -- with a little pre-planning and a lot of creative frugality. Nix the ...

Continue reading 5 Ways You Can Save Money on Groceries This Week

2 Comments January 19, 2021

Black Coffee: Painting the Town Red

By Len Penzo

It's time to sit back, relax and enjoy a little joe ... Welcome to another rousing edition of Black Coffee, your off-beat weekly round-up of what's been going on in the world of money and personal finance. Okay, let's get right to it this week ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: Painting the Town Red

16 Comments January 16, 2021

5 Ways the Oil Industry Affects the US Economy

By Tex Freitag

When you invest in the oil sector, you're taking a stake in an industry that everyone needs -- so you need to know how to track these unique investments, when they change, and why. The US economy ebbs and flows with the oil industry. Then again, ...

Continue reading 5 Ways the Oil Industry Affects the US Economy

1 Comment January 15, 2021

An HVAC Professional Teaches High School Students About the Field

By Corazon Gritar

While most people are gearing up for the winter weather with warm clothes and jackets, one high school teacher is hoping to teach his students about the ins-and-outs of a homeowner's winter lifeline, better known as the HVAC system. According to ...

Continue reading An HVAC Professional Teaches High School Students About the Field

7 Comments January 14, 2021

The Fastest Way to Improve Your Credit Score

By Sabado Domingo

There are few things in life that follow you the way that your credit does. Your credit score is essentially a score that represents your standing in the business world, and this has a direct impact on many major purchases and loans. Whenever you ...

Continue reading The Fastest Way to Improve Your Credit Score

4 Comments January 13, 2021

How to Determine How Much Rent You Can Really Afford

By Len Penzo

Moving to a new home is almost always an exciting time. And when it comes to finding a new place to live, affordability is usually one of the top considerations for any renter. Frankly, when you stop to think about it, "How much rent can I reasonably ...

Continue reading How to Determine How Much Rent You Can Really Afford

3 Comments January 12, 2021

A Simple Test to Know If It’s Better to Rent or Buy a House

By Len Penzo

This weekend my friend and I got into a discussion regarding the housing market; he was wondering whether current prices were still cheap enough to justify buying a new home. "That's a good question," I told him, "We could ask my Magic 8-Ball, but ...

Continue reading A Simple Test to Know If It’s Better to Rent or Buy a House

26 Comments January 11, 2021

Black Coffee: Enter the Dragon

By Len Penzo

It's time to sit back, relax and enjoy a little joe ... Welcome to another rousing edition of Black Coffee, your off-beat weekly round-up of what's been going on in the world of money and personal finance. Here's hoping I don't get banned from ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: Enter the Dragon

23 Comments January 9, 2021

How to Measure Your Performance as a Trader or Investor

By Tex Freitag

If someone asked you to rate yourself as a trader, how would you evaluate yourself? Would you consider yourself to be highly successful, mediocre or needing a lot of improvement? Do you even know how to evaluate yourself at this moment? Let's ...

Continue reading How to Measure Your Performance as a Trader or Investor

1 Comment January 8, 2021

4 Strategies to Help You Avoid Bankruptcy

By Sabado Domingo

Though many people find themselves on the brink of bankruptcy because of massive medical expenses or unexpected job loss, there are others who end up there because of reckless spending habits and a failure to plan for the future. It is all too common ...

Continue reading 4 Strategies to Help You Avoid Bankruptcy

Leave a Comment January 7, 2021

The Best Personal Finance Book I’ve Ever Read

By Len Penzo

It seems like every week I get at least one note in my inbox asking me about personal finance books and a suggestion for which one to buy. Well ... The other day somebody asked me to recommend a personal finance book they could give to their ...

Continue reading The Best Personal Finance Book I’ve Ever Read

8 Comments January 6, 2021

How to Use Credit Card Chargebacks to Get Refunds from Stubborn Vendors

By Anum Yoon

Not every merchant goes by the mantra, "The customer is always right." Therefore, even if you've received a fraudulent charge or want to return a piece of merchandise, they may not let you -- and you may not get your money back. Fortunately, ...

Continue reading How to Use Credit Card Chargebacks to Get Refunds from Stubborn Vendors

6 Comments January 5, 2021

My Cola Taste Test: Is Coke Really Better Than Pepsi?

By Len Penzo

People have been enjoying cola-flavored soft drinks ever since 1886 when the first glasses of Coca-Cola were being served up for five cents each (about $1.44 in today's dollars) at a local Atlanta pharmacy. Today, soft drinks are a key part of a ...

Continue reading My Cola Taste Test: Is Coke Really Better Than Pepsi?

40 Comments January 4, 2021

Black Coffee: A Thief In the Night

By Len Penzo

It's time to sit back, relax and enjoy a little joe ... Welcome to another rousing edition of Black Coffee, your off-beat weekly round-up of what's been going on in the world of money and personal finance. Well ... the New Year is here -- but ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: A Thief In the Night

24 Comments January 2, 2021

What is a Rewards Credit Card?

By Len Penzo

A rewards credit card is specifically targeted at people who want a bonus in exchange for using the card; so the more you purchase, the more rewards you earn. Common rewards include: Cash dividends. With these cards, for every dollar you spend, ...

Continue reading What is a Rewards Credit Card?

2 Comments December 31, 2020

How to Get the Most from Your Gym Membership and Avoid Burning Out

By Mr. Credit Card

The missus and I joined a sports club many years ago and we have absolutely no regrets about it. So I want to share my thoughts on how we get the most from our gym membership every year. While it's true you can get fit for little or no money, the ...

Continue reading How to Get the Most from Your Gym Membership and Avoid Burning Out

4 Comments December 30, 2020

5 Ideas for Tackling Debt If You Retire with a Mortgage

By Delan Cooper

According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute, outstanding mortgage balances among the elderly have risen by 142% in the last 20 years. Even if you're not yet elderly and thinking about retiring, this is alarming news. If you're considering ...

Continue reading 5 Ideas for Tackling Debt If You Retire with a Mortgage

5 Comments December 29, 2020

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Recent Posts

  • How Home Crowdfunding May Let Millennials Live the American Dream
  • 3 Important Tax Deduction Rules You Should Always Remember
  • 5 Ways You Can Save Money on Groceries This Week
  • Economic Collapse 101: How to Prepare for Water Supply Disruptions
  • Black Coffee: Painting the Town Red
  • 5 Ways the Oil Industry Affects the US Economy
  • An HVAC Professional Teaches High School Students About the Field
  • The Fastest Way to Improve Your Credit Score
  • How to Determine How Much Rent You Can Really Afford
  • A Simple Test to Know If It’s Better to Rent or Buy a House

Disclaimer

This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and the content herein should not be mistaken for professional financial advice. In fact, making investment decisions based on information published here, or any other website for that matter, is more than unwise; it is folly. This website accepts advertising in the form of monetary and other compensation; as such, topics of discussion are occasionally influenced by these advertisers. Sometimes, an article may also include affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, this blog earns a commission if you click through and make a purchase (for example, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases). Remember, you and you alone are responsible for the decisions you make in life, so please contact an independent financial professional for advice regarding your unique personal situation.

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