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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

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The 9 Biggest Rules for Dating on a Budget

By Mikey Rox

For most people, dating is fun. However, dating isn't cheap, and depending on what you two like to do, it can take a sizable toll on your finances. Back in the day, taking your date to a fancy restaurant and an extravagant activity meant you ...

Continue reading The 9 Biggest Rules for Dating on a Budget

February 2, 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

January 25, 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 ...

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January 18, 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 ...

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January 12, 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 ...

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January 4, 2021

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 ...

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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 ...

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December 29, 2020

5 Ways to Ring in the New Year by Cleaning Out Your Financial Garage

By Mark Fried

It's amazing how much stuff piles up in a family garage over the years. The stacks get higher every year because, presumably, the items within them hold value. It becomes harder to throw anything away. While ignoring all those old bicycles, ...

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December 28, 2020

3 Great Hobbies That Are Investments Too

By Tex Freitag

When most of us think about investments, we aren't imagining anything very interesting. However, your hobbies can also be great investments. Here are three hobbies that may have hidden sources of income down the road: Xeriscaping If you own ...

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December 25, 2020

Grandfather Says: Memories of a Budding Shipwright

By RD Blakeslee

Grandfather has written before about stone and wood -- this one's about water. Specifically, bodies of water and how he's enjoyed them over the years. Described earlier were Cape Hatteras on the shores of the Atlantic; the Lynn canal between ...

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December 24, 2020

8 Ways to Keep a Family Business From Tearing the Family Apart

By Mikey Rox

Thinking about going into business with a family member? Tread lightly; one disagreement could rip that relationship to shreds. Fortunately, you can give yourself the best chance of success by following a few key tips that are designed to keep a ...

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December 22, 2020

A Few Thoughts from Aunt Doris: How to Make the Perfect Cup of Tea

By Aunt Doris

We English do love a good cup of tea (or, as we like to say, a cuppa)! I'm not talking about that panther pee they serve in most restaurants here in the States. You know -- a thick cup with a tea bag on the side! Oh, no! Here's how to make a ...

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December 18, 2020

4 Rules for Cashing Out Your 401k When You’re In a Financial Pickle

By Mikey Rox

There may be times in life that you'll fall into financial hardship, and it's wise to plan ahead for the inevitable. An emergency fund -- that is, a generous amount of cash in your savings or another account -- is ideal for dealing with these ...

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December 15, 2020

6 Ways to Protect Yourself Financially In Case of Serious Injury

By Sabado Domingo

If you have been seriously injured, you're no doubt feeling overwhelmed with the number of decisions that need to be made. It can be helpful to keep a list of items that need to be addressed and cross them off one at a time. Regardless of your ...

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December 11, 2020

Caught Ya! My Teenager’s Sly Attempt to Get His Own Credit Card

By Len Penzo

Last month we found a letter in our mailbox from Discover credit cards that was addressed to my teenage son, Matthew. Now why would Discover be contacting my son? You know, the mere thought of a credit card in my 14-year-old son's hands really ...

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December 7, 2020

100 Words On: Why You Should be a Parent, Not a Best Friend

By Len Penzo

Whether they know it or not, children depend on their parents to say "no" and make tough or unpopular decisions for their benefit. Unfortunately, it's impossible to effectively enforce rules and boundaries without running your household like a ...

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November 26, 2020

Money, Freedom, and a Lesson on the Importance of Saving

By Len Penzo

One of money's best characteristics is its ability to bestow freedom upon those who possess it. Unfortunately, the amount of freedom that money provides is directly proportional to the amount of cash available -- not only in our wallet, but in our ...

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November 2, 2020

18 Frightening Facts You Didn’t Know About Halloween

By Len Penzo

I love Halloween. It's one of my favorite holidays -- and based upon its mass appeal, apparently I'm not alone. In fact, even though the wicked economy continues to put a scare into most people, when it comes to celebrating what was originally ...

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October 19, 2020

14 Unconventional Money Moves That Are Smarter Than You Think

By Len Penzo

Life doesn't always turn out as you might expect it to. The truth is, many things in life often defy all sense of logic. For example, there was a time when a reasonable person watching Justin Bieber sing on a city sidewalk for spare change would ...

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October 5, 2020

Greed Is Good: 7 Surprisingly Wise Rules of Acquisition

By Tex Freitag

Before we begin, let's make one thing clear: superhero movies and space operas are not science fiction -- they are science fantasy at best, and I'm not very sure about the "science" part in most cases. True science fiction is not always ...

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September 18, 2020

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