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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

Black Coffee: The Road to Ruin

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. I hope everybody had an enjoyable week. ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: The Road to Ruin

5 Comments June 10, 2023

The Ethics of Found Money: Should You Keep It?

By Len Penzo

should you keep money you find on the ground?

Is it okay to keep money found on the ground? I mean ... What are the ethics of found money? The reason I bring this up is because last week, while walking in a parking lot, I found a $10 bill laying on the pavement. And the feeling that came over ...

Continue reading The Ethics of Found Money: Should You Keep It?

155 Comments June 5, 2023

Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 16

By RD Blakeslee

The following was written by my late wife Elaine. She wrote a long book, a diary really, from which this is one passage: An important P.S. to my Oldsmobile story: On December 13, 2000, the news came out that "Oldsmobile is coming to the end of the ...

Continue reading Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 16

3 Comments June 8, 2023

Shadow Inventory and Mortgage Rate Impacts on the Housing Market

By JR Diamond

The housing market across the country has been on fire over the past decade. Prices remain elevated; but many people insist that's because there aren't enough homes available. But is this really the case? Does shadow inventory impact the housing ...

Continue reading Shadow Inventory and Mortgage Rate Impacts on the Housing Market

10 Comments June 7, 2023

The 4 Worst Ways to Pay Down Debt

By Anum Yoon

Debt may be a part of life, but that doesn't make it suck any less. If you're deep in debt, you're probably looking for ways to retire it. Or at least pay it down enough to improve your credit report. Whatever the reason, there are smart ways to ...

Continue reading The 4 Worst Ways to Pay Down Debt

4 Comments June 6, 2023

Black Coffee: The Sky’s the Limit

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. I've got another busy weekend ahead of ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: The Sky’s the Limit

18 Comments June 3, 2023

The Difference Between Real Wealth and Paper Wealth

By Len Penzo

Whenever destroyers appear among men, they start by destroying money, for money is men's protection and the base of a moral existence. Destroyers seize gold and leave to its owners a counterfeit pile of paper. This kills all objective standards and ...

Continue reading The Difference Between Real Wealth and Paper Wealth

5 Comments June 1, 2023

Savings Tips for High School Grads: 6 Ways to Kick-Start Your Savings

By Sabado Domingo

Congratulations! If you haven't graduated already, it won't be long before you can finally say that you've passed every subject, and survived countless teachers from hell. And maybe even a pretty wild campus life! But you're now entering a new era: ...

Continue reading Savings Tips for High School Grads: 6 Ways to Kick-Start Your Savings

Leave a Comment May 31, 2023

Shopping In the Modern Age: Does the Internet Encourage Overspending?

By Corazon Gritar

The US is a consumer nation. Although we have always been driven by capitalism and encouraged to spend our hard-earned money on a wide variety of products, the creation of the Internet has changed our behavior. With the shift away from ...

Continue reading Shopping In the Modern Age: Does the Internet Encourage Overspending?

4 Comments May 30, 2023

9 Ways to Ensure Your Road Trip Sucks

By Len Penzo

I love summer. It's my favorite time of the year. Well ... after spring and autumn. I know. That may not sound like a ringing endorsement, but it's true. Anyway, one of my favorite things about summer is our annual family vacation; my favorites ...

Continue reading 9 Ways to Ensure Your Road Trip Sucks

39 Comments May 29, 2023

Black Coffee: Tick Tock Goes the Debt Clock

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. I hope everybody had a wonderful week. ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: Tick Tock Goes the Debt Clock

21 Comments May 27, 2023

Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 15

By RD Blakeslee

The following was written by my late wife Elaine. She wrote a long book, a diary really, from which this is one passage: Back to Work and Back to College My bosses at Oldsmobile knew I planned to keep my job as long as Dave was in school, about ...

Continue reading Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 15

7 Comments May 25, 2023

How to Determine If Your Artwork Is Valuable

By Gayle Tate

When Marvin Gaspar came to my office for his appointment to discuss an appraisal, I had little clue where I would end up on the roller coaster ride he was about to take me on. Marvin was a claims adjuster from an insurance company who wanted an ...

Continue reading How to Determine If Your Artwork Is Valuable

17 Comments May 24, 2023

6 Ways to Clean Out Your House for Cash This Spring

By Mikey Rox

Spring cleaning time is almost here. With that in mind, before you start tossing out perfectly good, re-sellable items, why not take inventory of all the goodies you've got and determine the best method of sale? After all, you may as well recoup some ...

Continue reading 6 Ways to Clean Out Your House for Cash This Spring

4 Comments May 23, 2023

12 Good Reasons Why You Should (and Shouldn’t) Pay Off Your Mortgage Early

By Len Penzo

Do I think you should pay off the mortgage early? You may as well ask me if I think it is a good idea if you paint your living room sage green. For many years I believed that paying off your mortgage was an absolute no-brainer. Then I did a ...

Continue reading 12 Good Reasons Why You Should (and Shouldn’t) Pay Off Your Mortgage Early

127 Comments May 22, 2023

Black Coffee: Food for Thought

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 ... another busy week is behind ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: Food for Thought

36 Comments May 20, 2023

Why Lazy People Shouldn’t Automate Their Finances

By Len Penzo

Millions of successful household CEOs automate their finances in order to save time and money, and help them reach their financial goals. For example, prepaying your utility bills, the mortgage and other loans helps eliminate late fees and postage. ...

Continue reading Why Lazy People Shouldn’t Automate Their Finances

May 18, 2023

Benefits for Businesses That Allow Employees to Work from Home

By Enero Febrero

According to Strategic Business Insights, the trend toward working from home and the virtual workplace is still continuing to increase. Of course, working from home offers significant benefits in terms of a business's ability to work with employees ...

Continue reading Benefits for Businesses That Allow Employees to Work from Home

2 Comments May 17, 2023

Teens and Credit Cards: 9 Ways You’ll Pay Later for Giving Them One Now

By Mikey Rox

I'm not a parent, so I won't presume to tell you how to raise your child. However, I can tell you that when it comes to teens and credit cards, putting plastic into their hands is a mistake that you both could end up paying for well into the ...

Continue reading Teens and Credit Cards: 9 Ways You’ll Pay Later for Giving Them One Now

9 Comments May 16, 2023

The Most Important Insurance We Never Buy

By Len Penzo

It's ironic, but bankers and fiscally irresponsible governments despise gold and silver. Why? Because precious metals demand accountability, that's why. In short, gold-backed currencies force responsible governments to live within their means. That ...

Continue reading The Most Important Insurance We Never Buy

34 Comments May 15, 2023

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Recent Posts

  • Black Coffee: The Road to Ruin
  • Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 16
  • Shadow Inventory and Mortgage Rate Impacts on the Housing Market
  • The 4 Worst Ways to Pay Down Debt
  • The Ethics of Found Money: Should You Keep It?
  • Black Coffee: The Sky’s the Limit
  • The Difference Between Real Wealth and Paper Wealth
  • Savings Tips for High School Grads: 6 Ways to Kick-Start Your Savings
  • Shopping In the Modern Age: Does the Internet Encourage Overspending?
  • 9 Ways to Ensure Your Road Trip Sucks

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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