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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

18 Fun Facts About Money That You Probably Didn’t Know

By Len Penzo

You probably already knew that, long before the ubiquitous paper currencies we use today to pay for goods and services existed, man used various items as a medium of exchange including cowrie shells, leather, amber, rice, salt, thimbles and even ...

Continue reading 18 Fun Facts About Money That You Probably Didn’t Know

11 Comments March 1, 2021

Black Coffee: More Pie In the Sky

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. It was a week where both stocks and ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: More Pie In the Sky

13 Comments February 27, 2021

9 Important Strategies to Help You Manage Financial Risks

By Len Penzo

Internationally-known daredevil Karl Wallenda earned his fame by performing acrobatic acts high above the ground -- without a safety net. For years, Wallenda had performed his dangerous stunts countless times without incident, but on March 22, ...

Continue reading 9 Important Strategies to Help You Manage Financial Risks

30 Comments February 22, 2021

Black Coffee: Parasites and Leeches

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: Parasites and Leeches

20 Comments February 20, 2021

25 Examples of Shrinkflation That No Longer Fool Consumers

By Len Penzo

Not too long ago I was preparing a recipe from an old cookbook that called for a couple of 7-ounce cans of tuna. After looking in the pantry, I was happy to see that I had exactly two cans of tuna -- until I remembered that tuna was one of the ...

Continue reading 25 Examples of Shrinkflation That No Longer Fool Consumers

43 Comments February 15, 2021

Black Coffee: It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

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: It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

16 Comments February 13, 2021

How Do I Choose the Best Balance Transfer Credit Card?

By Len Penzo

A balance transfer credit card is a great way to consolidate debts spread across multiple credit cards by transferring them to a single credit card account. The most important consideration in choosing the best one for you depends on how you plan to ...

Continue reading How Do I Choose the Best Balance Transfer Credit Card?

2 Comments February 12, 2021

The 10 Worst Things I Ever Bought

By Len Penzo

Most of us have no trouble remembering the best things we ever bought. The worst things are another matter. Anyway, here's my list. How does it compare to yours? 1. My first house Purchase Date: 1990 Purchase Price: $114,000 Inflation ...

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78 Comments February 8, 2021

Black Coffee: Paper Lies and Broken Promises

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. Let's get right to this week's ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: Paper Lies and Broken Promises

25 Comments February 6, 2021

The Real Secret to Becoming Rich as a King

By Len Penzo

I've always loved chess; I started playing the game at the tender age of seven and quickly fell in love with its intoxicating combination of tactics and strategy. Although I don't play chess as much as I'd like today, whenever I have the opportunity ...

Continue reading The Real Secret to Becoming Rich as a King

9 Comments February 3, 2021

The Big Secret the Banking Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know

By Len Penzo

Because lending money costs a bank absolutely nothing, banks are fundamentally unlike any other business in some ways. Yes, lending money costs the banks nothing. Think about it: Thanks to fractional reserve banking, the banks get to create the ...

Continue reading The Big Secret the Banking Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know

7 Comments February 1, 2021

Black Coffee: Damn the Torpedoes

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. Another busy week is crossed off the ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: Damn the Torpedoes

27 Comments January 30, 2021

I’m Stumped: 7 Perplexing Money Questions Without a Good Answer

By Len Penzo

Did you know that back in 2013, then British Prime Minister David Cameron offered $1.54 million to the first person who could solve mankind's greatest challenge? He did. However, before the challenge could officially begin, he had to wait for an ...

Continue reading I’m Stumped: 7 Perplexing Money Questions Without a Good Answer

44 Comments January 25, 2021

Black Coffee: A Land of Confusion

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. Let's get right to this week's ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: A Land of Confusion

26 Comments January 23, 2021

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

37 Comments January 18, 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

17 Comments January 16, 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

27 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

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

9 Comments January 6, 2021

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Recent Posts

  • 18 Fun Facts About Money That You Probably Didn’t Know
  • Black Coffee: More Pie In the Sky
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  • Should You Consider A Pre-Settlement Loan In a Personal Injury Case?
  • What Barfing Out of a Bus Window Teaches Us About Managing Money
  • 7 High-Paying Tech Jobs That Desperately Need Women
  • 9 Important Strategies to Help You Manage Financial Risks
  • Black Coffee: Parasites and Leeches
  • Responsible Casino and Gambling Tips: How to Stay Within Your Budget
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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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