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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

Are You Prepared for Managing Money and Other Responsibilities?

By Mr. Credit Card

I have an 11-year-old son who is clamoring for a cell phone. But cell phone aside, my son has been getting an allowance and, quite often, Granny tops off his piggy bank during Christmas and his birthday. I've observed some very interesting things ...

Continue reading Are You Prepared for Managing Money and Other Responsibilities?

September 15, 2025

13 Items to Keep in a Fireproof Safe

By Len Penzo

For some people, it's tough letting go. Of anything. Take my wife, for instance; she saves everything. The other day the Honeybee showed me her baseball ticket from our very first date way back on September 24, 1995. And if I ever feel oddly ...

Continue reading 13 Items to Keep in a Fireproof Safe

September 1, 2025

7 Signs That the Home You Want to Buy or Rent Has a Pest Problem

By Sabado Domingo

So you think you found the home of your dreams? Well, that potential dream home could easily turn out to be a nightmare if you don't pay attention during the house hunting process. After all, it's easy to overlook a pest problem; many new home buyers ...

Continue reading 7 Signs That the Home You Want to Buy or Rent Has a Pest Problem

August 27, 2025

9 Movie Theater Extras That We Could All Do Without

By Len Penzo

Let me tell you, sometimes this working-for-a-living thing isn't all it's cracked up to be. For the past couple of weeks I've been in one of those high-pressure do-or-die phases that requires me to be at the office from six in the morning to six at ...

Continue reading 9 Movie Theater Extras That We Could All Do Without

August 25, 2025

4 Ways Social Media Use Makes You Vulnerable to Identity Fraud

By Anum Yoon

Most of us use at least one form of social media to stay in touch with friends and family we don't get to see every day. Whether it's Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, or Instagram, social media gives us the ability to share updates with all our friends ...

Continue reading 4 Ways Social Media Use Makes You Vulnerable to Identity Fraud

August 19, 2025

How to Navigate Selling Your Home When a Property Chain Breaks

By Sabado Domingo

Selling a home can be stressful, but when a property chain breaks, it can feel like everything is falling apart. If you’re in the middle of a sale and suddenly hear that the buyer has backed out – or the person buying their home has – it can leave ...

Continue reading How to Navigate Selling Your Home When a Property Chain Breaks

August 14, 2025

Outdoor Living: What to Consider When Buying a Vacation Home

By Corazon Gritar

No matter where your family lives, there is no arguing that natural spaces are often more appealing. Fresh air, sprawling lakes, and abundant wildlife offer an escape from everyday distractions, so it's no wonder that 37% of families say that ...

Continue reading Outdoor Living: What to Consider When Buying a Vacation Home

August 12, 2025

Why Do We Honor Kids Who Never Missed a Day of School?

By Len Penzo

The other day my daughter, Nina, got hit with a 24-hour flu bug that had her kneeling over the toilet all morning long. I felt bad for her, and don't know for sure where she picked it up, but that's not important. Right now I'm just waiting with ...

Continue reading Why Do We Honor Kids Who Never Missed a Day of School?

August 11, 2025

Still Renting? Here Are 5 Signs You’re Ready to Buy a House

By Katie Bassett

Calling all renters! Let's take a look at all of your previous living situations. By now, I'm sure you have dealt with your fair share of landlords, both extremely accommodating as well as a few uncooperative. You've forked over several down ...

Continue reading Still Renting? Here Are 5 Signs You’re Ready to Buy a House

August 6, 2025

Family Business Partnerships: How to Keep Them 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 ...

Continue reading Family Business Partnerships: How to Keep Them from Tearing the Family Apart

August 5, 2025

My 17th 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 over the past four years. After a huge run-up in prices for everything from gasoline to food - and despite the latest consumer price index showing that ...

Continue reading My 17th Annual Cost Survey of 10 Popular Brown Bag Sandwiches

August 4, 2025

Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons That Every Homeowner Needs to Know

By Anum Yoon

The reverse mortgage is a financial option that has been around for decades, but relatively few people ever use them. However, the truth is, many people in their sixties and older end up with a majority of their wealth tied up in their home, while ...

Continue reading Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons That Every Homeowner Needs to Know

July 29, 2025

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 ...

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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

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