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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

Dealing With a Deceased Person’s Money and Property

By Sabado Domingo

Not too many people know what to do with a person's estate when they die. What can make matters even worse is that filing paperwork, taking an inventory, and locating legal documents are going to be the last things you want to think about at such an ...

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June 16, 2022

Can You Afford a Home?

By Enero Febrero

Purchasing a home is one of the bigger moments in many people's lives, whether or not they have purchased on in the past. But with rising home prices and interest rates, it can seem less and less affordable to acquire your own home. There are a few ...

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June 16, 2022

4 Things Everyone Should Do After Buying a New Home

By Sabado Domingo

Buying a new home is one of the most exciting and expensive things you are likely to do within your lifetime. Spending time researching the area you want to move to, finding the dream property, and then actually getting an offer accepted feels like ...

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June 1, 2022

A Memorial Day Tribute from Aunt Doris: Shaken — Not Stirred

By Aunt Doris

Living in the heart of London during World War II and the Blitz, I came so near to "kicking the bucket" (or as we say, "falling off me perch") more times than I can count. When the war started, I was an 18-year-old civil servant working at a ...

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May 26, 2022

9 Indispensable Financial Tips for Teens & Twentysomethings

By Len Penzo

I hate to admit this, kids, but I used to think my parents were really dumb. A few peas short of a casserole. All foam, no beer. Dumber than a box of hair. I get it; most teenagers and young adults already know everything about anything. But as ...

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May 23, 2022

Yes, You Can Afford It!

By Tex Freitag

Do you ever ask yourself, when considering a major purchase: "Can I afford that?" It's a relevant question in an era when inflation is taking its toll on household income and people are finding it harder to get good jobs. However, the good news is ...

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May 20, 2022

100 Words On: Why It’s Not Poor Etiquette to Put Ketchup on a Hot Dog

By Len Penzo

There are plenty of food snobs out there who insist that it is sacrilegious to put ketchup on a hot dog. That assessment is echoed by The National Hot Dog Council which proclaims that ketchup should never be put on a hot dog by anyone over the age of ...

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May 19, 2022

The 6 Most Valuable Grocery Store Products

By Len Penzo

When it comes to utility, not all grocery items are created equal. If value can be defined by versatility then, some grocery items offer a lot more bang for your buck than others. Sure, everybody knows about the incredible and legendary ...

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May 16, 2022

5 Pointers to Help You Pick the Right Home Loan

By Enero Febrero

Home loans are the only way that most people around the world today can afford to buy homes. This is especially true for real estate in expensive locales from San Francisco to New York -- and even homes in a city like Mumbai. With the high prices ...

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May 4, 2022

What Is a Home Warranty and Do You Need One?

By Sabado Domingo

Taking care of your home can be tough and many things can go wrong. Home appliances are the first to go and can take large amounts of money to repair and replace. This is where home warranties come in! Home warranties can provide you with the funds ...

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May 3, 2022

Grandfather Says: Grandfather’s House and Custom Built Stairs

By RD Blakeslee

In the first article in this series, Grandfather talked about building your own house. Here's his during the build: And here's where Grandfather lived while his house was being built: When he was younger he and his friends (most now ...

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April 28, 2022

A Few Thoughts from Aunt Doris: The Same … But Different

By Aunt Doris

When I came to this country I said to myself, "At least I don't have to learn another language!" Well, yes and no. Just like there are difference between American and English hand gestures, our languages are slightly different too. There's the ...

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April 27, 2022

Grandfather Says: The Early Birds

By RD Blakeslee

The following is a true story, only names are changed to protect the guilty. Grandfather used to be visited by Clyde and his wife Penelope, from time to time. They always showed up early, before Grandfather was ready for them and Grandfather had ...

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April 14, 2022

House Hunting Tips: Finding The Perfect Starter Home

By Sabado Domingo

If you've just received approval from a lender for a mortgage loan and you're ready to buy your first home, there are several valid reasons why you should consider a starter home. Instead of battling to afford your dream home right away, choosing a ...

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March 31, 2022

5 Areas to Cut Your Spending in 2022

By Enero Febrero

Saving money is a goal shared by many and a good resolution to make - no matter what time of the year it is. However, it isn't uncommon for vows to waste less money go awry after only a month or two of making them. The good news is it's never too ...

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March 28, 2022

The Great Paper Towel Test: What Brand Is Your Best Value?

By Len Penzo

The paper towel is one of the greatest inventions ever and, frankly, I think too many of us take them for granted. Think about it: They're not only invaluable for cleaning up spills and other messes, but the best ones can also handle tough jobs ...

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March 28, 2022

How a Broken Washing Machine Fixed My Finances

By Steven Quinlan

Readers: I received a message from a reader in the United Kingdom, which I found to be very inspiring. He graciously accepted my request to share his story with you. -- Len Last November my washing machine died. Because I make decent money - the ...

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March 22, 2022

What’s the Fastest Way to Pay Down the Mortgage Early?

By Len Penzo

Vanilla or chocolate? Credit or debit? House Hunters or Property Brothers? Some questions can be answered with relative ease by almost everyone. On the other hand, when it comes to paying down mortgages early, a much more perplexing ...

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March 14, 2022

Grandfather Says: Introducing the Art of Grandfather’s Wife, Tatjana

By RD Blakeslee

His wife, Tatjana van Beckhoven Blakeslee, has been an inspiration and helpmate to him for the last twelve years. In addition to being a first-class gardener, interior decorator and gourmet cook, her career in fine art has been notable and is ...

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March 10, 2022

Grandfather Says: A Wintry View of My Raised-Bed Vegetable Garden

By RD Blakeslee

Today I thought I would share a photo of Grandfather's garden area, comprised of raised beds, a cold frame (far right), surrounded by an eight-foot-high electric fence (evidenced by the white poles). Behind the garden (farthest away in the ...

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March 3, 2022

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