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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

The Handy Dandy Guide of Practical Christmas Gifts Under $25

By Mikey Rox

There are plenty of presents you can give for the sake of giving gifts, but you'll get more mileage out of a practical approach. For all those hard-to-buy-for friends, relatives, and co-workers, consider this list of Christmas gifts under $25 that ...

Continue reading The Handy Dandy Guide of Practical Christmas Gifts Under $25

November 21, 2023

802 Reasons Why Cash Is More Thoughtful Than Gift Cards

By Len Penzo

Did you know that in China it's taboo to give a clock as a gift? Yep. You should also never give your Chinese friends umbrellas or knives. At least you shouldn't if you want to stay in their good graces. The Chinese aren't the only ones who ...

Continue reading 802 Reasons Why Cash Is More Thoughtful Than Gift Cards

November 20, 2023

5 Key Points to Consider Before Signing a Contract

By David Bakke

It's not uncommon to see offers like these on a daily basis: "Get a new iPhone for only $99; requires two-year contract," or "Get DIRECTV for only $59.99 a month for six months; requires a one-year commitment." These teasers may sound great, but ...

Continue reading 5 Key Points to Consider Before Signing a Contract

November 8, 2023

Why Thanksgiving Never Falls On November 29 or 30

By Len Penzo

In 1863, President Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November to be a day for "thanksgiving and praise." It's a tradition that managed to stay that way until 1939 when worried retailers begged President Franklin Roosevelt to make Thanksgiving a ...

Continue reading Why Thanksgiving Never Falls On November 29 or 30

November 1, 2023

8 Ways to Make a Great Budget Thanksgiving Dinner

By Anum Yoon

Thanksgiving is filled with family, friends, good food and football. But it can also be filled with expenses -- especially if you're having Thanksgiving dinner at your house. The good news is there are plenty of ways to cook and enjoy a delicious ...

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October 31, 2023

How Much Should You Spend on a New or Used Car?

By Corazon Gritar

It's no secret that buying a car is an important decision, largely because of just how expensive cars can be. The costs don't end once you drive off the lot, either. Maintenance, insurance, gas, repairs, and more can translate to major expenses over ...

Continue reading How Much Should You Spend on a New or Used Car?

October 24, 2023

The 5 Worst Store Brand Grocery Products

By Len Penzo

Yes, buying store brands is a great way to save money on your grocery bill -- but the truth is, sometimes you're better off sticking with the name brand product. Long-time readers who have been following my blog probably know that, since my first ...

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October 9, 2023

The Intentional Obsolescence Scam: How It’s Robbing You Blind

By Mikey Rox

This may come as a shock, but some of the most trusted brands to which you're loyal are selling you things that are designed to break or otherwise become useless after a period of time. There's a name for this shady practice -- planned or intentional ...

Continue reading The Intentional Obsolescence Scam: How It’s Robbing You Blind

July 11, 2023

The Best and Worst Dollar Store Deals

By Len Penzo

You may be surprised to learn that, when compared to other markets, not everything sold at a dollar store is a bargain. So, what are the best and worst dollar store deals? Well, to find out, I recently took a little shopping trip and compared the ...

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July 10, 2023

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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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

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

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 ...

Continue reading 36 Amazing Uses for Plastic Grocery Bags

January 23, 2023

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