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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

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Shopping In the Modern Age: Does the Internet Encourage Overspending?

By Corazon Gritar

The US is a consumer nation. Although we have always been driven by capitalism and encouraged to spend our hard-earned money on a wide variety of products, the creation of the Internet has changed our behavior. With the shift away from ...

Continue reading Shopping In the Modern Age: Does the Internet Encourage Overspending?

May 30, 2023

Effective Negotiating Tactics Everyone Should Know

By Len Penzo

I have always believed that one of the most important life skills that every person should have mastered before setting out on their own is the ability to successfully negotiate. Of course, that requires one to have a firm grasp on the most effective ...

Continue reading Effective Negotiating Tactics Everyone Should Know

April 24, 2023

Is the $5 Bill the New $1 Bill?

By Charles Hugh Smith

From Charles Hugh Smith's Of Two Minds blog: It's starting to feel like a $5 bill is the new $1 bill. Everything that could be purchased with one or two dollars not that long ago is now $5 or even $10. A few days ago I was enjoying the Butte ...

Continue reading Is the $5 Bill the New $1 Bill?

April 5, 2023

Are Energy Efficient CFL Bulbs Worth Paying More For?

By Len Penzo

The other day my home's incandescent 60-watt porch light bulb finally gave up the ghost, so I ran down to my favorite hardware store to pick up a new one. Upon arriving, the choice I had to make was whether to buy a new incandescent bulb, or an ...

Continue reading Are Energy Efficient CFL Bulbs Worth Paying More For?

March 20, 2023

Blind Taste Test: Does Bottled Water Really Taste Better Than Filtered Tap?

By Len Penzo

Does bottled water taste better than filtered tap? You'd certainly think so, based on the number of people who drink it today. And that's too bad because, compared to tap water, the bottled stuff is absurdly expensive. It also generates a lot of ...

Continue reading Blind Taste Test: Does Bottled Water Really Taste Better Than Filtered Tap?

March 13, 2023

This Little Trick Can Save Big Money On Your Food Bill

By Len Penzo

Are you looking for ways to save money on your food bill? It may be easier than you think. Consider this: In 2013, I spent $13,788 on groceries for our four-person household. In 2022, that number climbed to $17,101. In case you're wondering, that ...

Continue reading This Little Trick Can Save Big Money On Your Food Bill

March 6, 2023

How to Have a Beautiful Wedding AND Exotic Honeymoon for $5000 – or Less!

By Kacy

The average cost to have a wedding is now $29,000. That's some serious dough - especially for couples looking to have a beautiful wedding and honeymoon for $5000 or less! I know getting married is supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime event, but is ...

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March 1, 2023

Why Buying Gasoline In the Morning Can Save Money

By Len Penzo

I’ve already written about the folly of trying to save a few cents per gallon when shopping for gas. But did you know there are times when you don’t get exactly what you pay for when you fill up your gasoline tank at the local station? It’s not ...

Continue reading Why Buying Gasoline In the Morning Can Save Money

February 27, 2023

What is the ‘Pink Tax’?

By Anum Yoon

Ladies: Watch out for the Pink Tax. What is the pink tax? You probably won't see any news about it in the papers, as it's nothing Congress has passed or proposed. If you're a woman, though, chances are you've experienced it or maybe even noticed it ...

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February 21, 2023

Bad Habits That Make You a Target of Credit Card Fraud

By Len Penzo

Credit card fraud is much more common than you might think. In fact, it is a multi-billion dollar industry for the criminals who choose to undertake such nefarious work. Of course, there are two big reasons why credit card fraud is so widespread: 1) ...

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February 1, 2023

Why Extended Warranties Sometimes Do Make Sense

By Len Penzo

The conventional wisdom out there is that it's rarely advantageous to consider an extended warranty unless it's for an automobile. Don't believe it. The truth is, when it comes to extended warranties, things aren't always quite so black and white. ...

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January 26, 2023

36 Amazing Uses for Plastic Grocery Bags

By Len Penzo

I've been a big defender of plastic grocery bags for a long time. In fact, last year I challenged readers to tell me why the humble plastic bag is still maligned by so many people. Now I may be just a wee bit biased, but I think I made a very ...

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January 23, 2023

Why Extended Warranties for New Tires Are A Waste of Money

By Len Penzo

A while back I bought four new tires for my old car. The tires came with a pro-rated 65,000-mile guarantee and were $74 each, or just under $300 for the entire set. As the salesman was tallying the bill he asked if I'd like to purchase the ...

Continue reading Why Extended Warranties for New Tires Are A Waste of Money

January 16, 2023

Tips for Budgeting a Wedding

By Corazon Gritar

Budgeting for a wedding can seem like an overwhelming task. Most people need help figuring out where to begin. However, it doesn't have to be stressful. This article will help you break down every part of budgeting a wedding into manageable parts. ...

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January 9, 2023

Why You Should Use Comparison Sites

By Sabado Domingo

Shopping online has become increasingly popular in recent years, with consumers able to purchase a wide range of products and services from the comfort of their own homes. While this is convenient and oftentimes easier than shopping in physical ...

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January 4, 2023

Scientists Say This Clever Trick Can Help You Break Your Overspending Habit

By Len Penzo

The other day I was reluctantly helping the Honeybee clean out her our closet -- and having a thoroughly miserable time doing it, I might add -- when I came across a couple of old Discover magazines. I canceled my subscription to Discover years ...

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December 26, 2022

4 Online Shopping Mistakes You’re Making and How to Avoid Them

By Corazon Gritar

Shopping online is a convenient way to get the products you want. Instead of having to go to the store, you can have them delivered right to your home. However, there are certain precautions you need to take when shopping online or you might end up ...

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December 19, 2022

3 Ways to Reduce Your Calling Costs

By Sabado Domingo

Everybody loves a cheap phone bill. But keeping in touch with family and friends on the phone can get very expensive if not handled properly. So with that in mind, here's how many savvy shoppers reduce their calling costs both domestically and ...

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December 14, 2022

Here’s How to Take Advantage of Everyday Sales for Everyday Items

By Enero Febrero

Every month, you have to buy items for yourself and your household that are not very expensive on their own. But if you added up the cost of all these things together, they'd amount to a big bill. Most people always look for ways to save, either by ...

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November 30, 2022

9 Great Gift Ideas for People Who Have Everything

By Len Penzo

I always struggle when it comes to finding great gift ideas for people who have everything. My family draws names every year as part of our annual Christmas gift exchange. It's typically done a year in advance, on Christmas Day, long after all the ...

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November 21, 2022

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