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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

The Best Household CEOs Understand the Importance of Saying ‘No’

By Len Penzo

By most accounts, there are more than 250,000 words in the English language. Of course, I have my favorites. For example, I've always been quite fond of platypus; I smile every time I hear myself say it. For some reason, there happens to be ...

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49 Comments August 10, 2026

Black Coffee: That ’70s Show

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 ...

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2 Comments August 8, 2026

Why Your Paycheck Math Is Probably Wrong

By Sabado Domingo

falling behind

Most people know roughly what they earn. They know their salary, their hourly rate, the number on the offer letter. What they don't know — and what quietly costs them thousands of dollars every year — is whether the government is taking the right ...

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Leave a Comment August 12, 2026

The Pros and Cons of Taking Social Security Early

By Mikey Rox

Nobody knows exactly how long Social Security will last, but for the time being you're still entitled to what the government has stashed on your behalf over the course of your life. So at least for now, the dilemma is not if you'll receive your ...

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10 Comments August 11, 2026

How to Increase the Security of Your Business

By Corazon Gritar

According to a report by the National Association of Small Businesses, the top three challenges of running a business are economic uncertainty, the cost of health insurance benefits, and a decline in customer spending. However, with the rise in ...

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8 Comments August 6, 2026

The 4 Best Exterior Home Improvements to Invest In

By Corazon Gritar

Exterior improvements can make a property more attractive, more comfortable, and easier to maintain over time. The right upgrades can also help protect the structure from weather, wear, and everyday use. However, not every project has the same value, ...

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Leave a Comment August 5, 2026

FSBO: I Sold My Home On My Own in 1997. Would I Do It Again?

By Len Penzo

Longtime readers may remember that I’ve sold exactly one house in my lifetime. It was 1997. I began with a real estate agent, moved on to a second real estate agent, and eventually decided that disappointing service was the only feature included with ...

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1 Comment August 4, 2026

4 Smart Home Improvement Projects That Save Money in the Long Run

By Sabado Domingo

There are some things you can purchase or install in your home that will help save you money over the long run. Planning ahead for these opportunities can give you the best perspective on what will save you money in the future -- even if there is an ...

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7 Comments August 4, 2026

My 18th Annual Cost Survey of 10 Popular Brown Bag Sandwiches

By Len Penzo

If you're like most people, it's been hard not to notice the increase in your monthly grocery bill since the pandemic. After a huge run-up in prices for everything from gasoline to food - and despite the latest consumer price index showing that ...

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4 Comments August 3, 2026

A Pictorial Timeline Explaining How the US Dollar Was Born

By Jeff Desjardins

Today, we all know the US dollar as an iconic currency that is recognizable to people around the world. And while we've previously looked at the buying power of the US dollar over time, as well as important events like the Great Depression, we have ...

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2 Comments July 30, 2026

5 Ways Smoking Negatively Affects Your Finances

By Anum Yoon

It's not likely you'll be able to find anyone in the United States who has escaped the message that smoking is hazardous to your health. After all, there's a Surgeon General's warning on every pack. And children learn about the negative effects of ...

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5 Comments July 28, 2026

4 Good Reasons Why Some Quarters Are Painted Red

By Len Penzo

Every once in awhile I'll come across something a bit arcane that will catch my eye and really make me wonder. For example, consider the pattern on the back of this cat: I know; I can't believe it either. I'll never forget the time I ...

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46 Comments July 27, 2026

Black Coffee: Shopping for Answers

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 ...

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7 Comments July 25, 2026

The Ticking Time Bomb In Your Annual Tax Bill

By Antonio Fortunato

tax time bomb

There's a ticking time bomb in our federal and state income tax laws. And this time bomb virtually guarantees most individuals will see their annual income tax increase by $5000 or more! In many cases, you could pay significantly more income tax each ...

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Leave a Comment July 23, 2026

10 Famous People Who Went Bankrupt

By Mikey Rox

Being rich and famous can set you up for life – and well beyond that – but it also can make otherwise smart people do really stupid things with their money. Just ask MC Hammer, who very famously filed for bankruptcy after spending his estimated $33 ...

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3 Comments July 21, 2026

18 Facts You Didn’t Know About the National Debt

By Len Penzo

I know that Halloween is still several months away. However, it won't be long before people will once again be looking for ways to scare the pants off unwitting friends and family members. One way to do that without having to dress up like a ghost ...

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24 Comments July 20, 2026

Home Investments: 4 Roofing System Improvements Worth Considering

By Corazon Gritar

roofing system improvements

Your roof is one of the most important protective systems in your home. It shields the structure from rain, wind, heat, snow, debris, and changing seasonal conditions. Because roofing problems can affect insulation, ventilation, interior comfort, and ...

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4 Comments July 15, 2026

Why Vehicle Maintenance Investments Usually Pay Off

By Corazon Gritar

Owning a vehicle is one of the biggest financial commitments most people make outside of housing. And yet many drivers still treat maintenance as an afterthought. Oil changes get pushed back, strange noises get ignored, and warning lights get ...

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Leave a Comment July 14, 2026

8 Stupid Fees Consumers Hate to Pay (But Often Do Anyway)

By Len Penzo

In this tough economy, businesses of all types continue to nickel and dime us to death with add-on charges. Needless to say, they want you to believe that those fees are necessary to cover the additional costs of doing business; pizza delivery fees ...

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July 13, 2026

Black Coffee: A Fiat Fiesta

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. ...

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July 11, 2026

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