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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

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 ...

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

July 15, 2025

Breaking Down the Cost of Saying Goodbye: My Journey with Funeral Planning

By Tex Freitag

Hey there, friends. Let’s talk about something most of us avoid until we absolutely can’t – planning for the inevitable. A few months ago, I found myself sitting at my kitchen table, coffee in hand, staring at a stack of bills and a notebook titled ...

Continue reading Breaking Down the Cost of Saying Goodbye: My Journey with Funeral Planning

July 14, 2025

Exploring the Cons of Informal Borrowing

By Enero Febrero

Informal borrowing often seems like an attractive funding option for investors looking to finance a new real estate project. After all, it’s a quick and easy solution when cash is tight, and there’s often no paperwork, no credit checks, and no ...

Continue reading Exploring the Cons of Informal Borrowing

July 14, 2025

Debunking Common Legal Myths About Nursing Home Debt

By Sabado Domingo

Nursing homes are long-term medical care communities for older adults who need round-the-clock, hands-on care from medical staff. Older adults with dementia, mobility conditions, or other disabilities often reside in nursing homes for safety and ...

Continue reading Debunking Common Legal Myths About Nursing Home Debt

July 9, 2025

Good Personal Finance Habits Everyone Should Follow

By Len Penzo

There are good habits and there are bad habits - and I have a lot of bad habits. For example, I tend to bite my nails when I get stressed out. I also have a penchant for opening the cupboard to get a drinking glass -- then walking away and leaving ...

Continue reading Good Personal Finance Habits Everyone Should Follow

July 7, 2025

A Tried-and-True Wealth Creation Guide

By Sabado Domingo

falling behind

You work hard day after day. However, you feel that instead of working for your money, you could make money work for you. It's likely that you know people with lots of free time and can afford to take an occasional day off. They may have the same ...

Continue reading A Tried-and-True Wealth Creation Guide

July 2, 2025

Is It Okay to Eat Food Past Its Expiration Date?

By Len Penzo

This weekend, I was pouring a little half-and-half into my cup of coffee (not Folgers) when I saw something extremely disturbing: The creamer was 34 days beyond its expiration date. Yes, 34 days. Of course, the first thought that immediately ...

Continue reading Is It Okay to Eat Food Past Its Expiration Date?

June 30, 2025

A Realistic Price Breakdown: How Expensive is California?

By Tex Freitag

cost to live in California

Many people dream of living in California. Considering it’s one of the most expensive states, however, some fear their dream may never come true. However, the average cost to live in California depends on the numerous financial aspects of making the ...

Continue reading A Realistic Price Breakdown: How Expensive is California?

June 27, 2025

How Do New Windows and Doors Help Your Finances Long-Term?

By Corazon Gritar

Upgrading your windows and doors is one of the most cost-effective home improvements you can make to enhance both the aesthetic appeal and the energy efficiency of your property. While the upfront cost might seem significant, these improvements can ...

Continue reading How Do New Windows and Doors Help Your Finances Long-Term?

June 18, 2025

An Introductory Guide to Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning

By Anum Yoon

What happens when people die -- or are dying -- is a subject of intense debate. For you it might be a matter of faith or science. What's less debatable: If you prepare properly, the people you leave behind will have an easier transition. Several ...

Continue reading An Introductory Guide to Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning

June 17, 2025

What’s the Best Way to Give a Financial Gift?

By Anum Yoon

When it comes to gifts, we all know it's the thought that counts -- which is why there are certain self-described gift-giving mentors who don't encourage financial gifts. Of course, those same folks have probably been on the receiving end of monetary ...

Continue reading What’s the Best Way to Give a Financial Gift?

June 10, 2025

The 10 Best Things I Ever Bought

By Len Penzo

The other day my son Matthew was extolling the virtues of the laptop computer that he recently bought with his own money. "This is the best thing I ever bought, Dad!" I just nodded my head and smiled.  The truth is, if I took a moment to ...

Continue reading The 10 Best Things I Ever Bought

June 9, 2025

5 Ways to Save Money on Moving Expenses

By Enero Febrero

Moving to a new home is stressful enough without additional financial worries. Especially when it comes to how to save money on moving expenses. After all, there are many costs involved in the moving process. For example, you may need to hire ...

Continue reading 5 Ways to Save Money on Moving Expenses

June 4, 2025

Wedding Planning 101: Here’s How to Ensure You’ll Pay Too Much

By Mikey Rox

For most people, getting married is one of the happiest milestones of their life -- until they get the bill. Then again, that's to be expected if you fail to master Wedding Planning 101. Last year, the average cost of a US wedding was a whopping ...

Continue reading Wedding Planning 101: Here’s How to Ensure You’ll Pay Too Much

June 3, 2025

A New Homeowner’s Guide to Smart Electrical Use

By Corazon Gritar

Becoming a new homeowner comes with many exciting changes and challenges, one of which is managing your home’s electrical use. From understanding your utility bills to planning future upgrades, smart electrical practices can save you money, reduce ...

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May 27, 2025

How to Raise Your Kids to Be Financial Failures

By Len Penzo

There are a handful of questions out there that simply defy explanation. For example: Who built Stonehenge and what was it for? Why isn't the word "phonetic" spelled the way it sounds? Why can't women put mascara on with their mouths ...

Continue reading How to Raise Your Kids to Be Financial Failures

May 19, 2025

How Smart Menu Planning Can Reduce Your Annual Grocery Bill by $1000

By Len Penzo

If you google the term "world's toughest question" you'll come across a panoply of potential candidates: What is the meaning of life? What is the secret of happiness? How can I get rich quickly? Why does the line you're in always move ...

Continue reading How Smart Menu Planning Can Reduce Your Annual Grocery Bill by $1000

April 28, 2025

Why I Prefer a Spreadsheet to Track Expenses & Manage My Finances

By Len Penzo

I admit it; I still use a spreadsheet to track expenses. In fact, I've been diligently managing my personal finances and tracking household expenses for almost 30 years. How diligent, you ask? Well, I can tell you that my cable bill in February ...

Continue reading Why I Prefer a Spreadsheet to Track Expenses & Manage My Finances

April 21, 2025

Home Appraisal Impacts on Your Mortgage: Tips for Budgeting

By Sabado Domingo

Buying a home is thrilling. It's also a financial puzzle. One key piece? The home appraisal. It might not get as much attention as your credit score or interest rate. However, there are home appraisal impacts nevertheless, as they can make or break ...

Continue reading Home Appraisal Impacts on Your Mortgage: Tips for Budgeting

April 9, 2025

This Blue Fruit Cuts $400 Off My Grocery Bill Every Year

By Len Penzo

Have you ever wondered why there aren't very many blue fruits or vegetables in nature? I know I have. In fact, most fruits and vegetables that people usually offer as examples of azure produce are actually purple. And, no, blueberries aren't blue; ...

Continue reading This Blue Fruit Cuts $400 Off My Grocery Bill Every Year

April 9, 2025

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