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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

Drive-By Movie Review: The Taking of Pelham 123

By Len Penzo

This is a movie review of the 2009 remake of The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta. Plot Summary: Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning ...

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11 Comments February 22, 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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2 Comments February 21, 2023

Can You Get a Personal Loan Online? Here’s What You Should Know

By Tex Freitag

Personal loans are a helpful way to finance something. It is flexible; so almost whatever it is you need, they can cover it. There are different lenders you can get one from, but the more popular ones as of recently being online lenders. They provide ...

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February 20, 2023

Debit or Credit: Which One Is Better?

By Len Penzo

"What kind of dressing would you like on your salad?" For most people, it's a simple decision -- but not for me. I don't know why, but when my server presents that question I usually tense up and act like I've just been asked the million-dollar ...

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February 20, 2023

Black Coffee: It’s Your Nickel

By Len Penzo

It's time to sit back, relax and enjoy a little joe ... Welcome to another rousing edition of Black Coffee, your off-beat weekly round-up of what's been going on in the world of money and personal finance. Well ... another busy week is behind us. ...

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February 18, 2023

The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 8

By RD Blakeslee

The following was written by my late wife Elaine. She wrote a long book, a diary really, from which this is one passage: The Detroit Institute of Art staff took an interest in me, their youngest co-worker, and enjoyed hearing about "my fiance's ...

Continue reading The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 8

February 16, 2023

A Few Thoughts from Aunt Doris: Well … It Didn’t Seem Funny at the Time!

By Aunt Doris

Every once in awhile, almost everyone says or does something so goofy or dumb that they wish the floor would just open and swallow them whole. When that happens to you, don't despair; it will eventually become an amusing incident. Lord knows I've ...

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February 15, 2023

Wondering How to Teach Your Kids About Taxes? Consider the ‘Parent Tax’

By Lance Cothern

Paying taxes is something your kids will have to deal with as adults. So why wait to teach your kids about taxation and earning money until after they get their first job? You shouldn't. Teach your kids by charging them the "Parent Tax." The Parent ...

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February 14, 2023

18 Personal Finance Facts You Didn’t Know About US Presidents

By Len Penzo

Sitting US presidents may be considered the most powerful men in the free world, but they still put their pants on one leg at a time. And while some American presidents were financially successful during their lives, there were others who encountered ...

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February 13, 2023

Black Coffee: The Love & Money Edition

By Len Penzo

It's time to sit back, relax and enjoy a little joe ... Welcome to another rousing edition of Black Coffee, your off-beat weekly round-up of what's been going on in the world of money and personal finance. I hope everybody had an enjoyable week. ...

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February 11, 2023

Why You Should Never Put Miracle Whip on a Tuna Sandwich

By Len Penzo

You should never put Miracle Whip on a tuna sandwich. Why? Because while mayonnaise is considered a condiment, any decent chef knows that, technically, it's a sauce. Beautiful in its simplicity, mayo is nothing more than egg whites, oil, lemon juice, ...

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February 9, 2023

How to Earn More: 4 Tips That Can Help You Get a Salary Raise

By Tex Freitag

If you’re struggling with your daily expenses, it may be time to re-assess your salary. A survey by Bankrate.com reveals that 55% of employees have incomes that have not kept up with rising household expenses, despite the high inflation rates. Though ...

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February 8, 2023

Divorce Can Not Only Hurt Your Heart, But Your Credit Score Too

By Corazon Gritar

Marriage is considered to be a rite of passage for most Americans -- although it's not all wedded bliss. The unfortunate truth is that 40% to 50% of marriages in the US end in divorce. In fact, approximately 827,000 divorces happen every year. And ...

Continue reading Divorce Can Not Only Hurt Your Heart, But Your Credit Score Too

February 8, 2023

What Is an IRS Offer in Compromise?

By Sabado Domingo

Are you facing a mountain of unpaid tax debts? If so, you might consider working with a tax attorney to apply for an offer in compromise (OIC) with the IRS. This tax settlement option allows debt holders and the IRS to agree on a manageable ...

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February 7, 2023

8 First-Time Investing Tips for Couples

By Mikey Rox

There are milestones to which most couples look forward and for which they prepare -- such as getting married -- but the same can't always be said for making joint investments. What you do with your money is an important and impactful consideration ...

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February 7, 2023

How to Know If You’re Dating a Deadbeat

By Len Penzo

Are you afraid you may be romantically attached to a financially irresponsible person? Or maybe you're unsure about how to know if you're dating a deadbeat. These are both serious situations that require immediate attention. I'm very fortunate that ...

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February 6, 2023

Black Coffee: Par for the Course

By Len Penzo

It's time to sit back, relax and enjoy a little joe ... Welcome to another rousing edition of Black Coffee, your off-beat weekly round-up of what's been going on in the world of money and personal finance. I’ve got another busy weekend ahead of ...

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February 4, 2023

The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 7

By RD Blakeslee

The following was written by my late wife Elaine. She wrote a long book, a diary really, from which this is one passage: When I graduated from The High School of Commerce in June of 1952, Dave was home on furlough and he went with me to a ...

Continue reading The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 7

February 2, 2023

Three Reasons Why Credit Unions Are a Great Choice for a Car Loan

By Sabado Domingo

Are you in the market shopping for a new car? If so, then this article is for you. After you've selected your dream car, the next step is to secure a way to finance your purchase. Don't know where to start? We're here to help. Consider getting a car ...

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February 1, 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

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Recent Posts

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  • Black Coffee: Pushing the Panic Button
  • The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 10
  • 3 Ways That Make Credit Cards Vulnerable to Fraud
  • Common Financial Mistakes in Manufacturing (and How to Avoid Them)
  • Blind Taste Test: Does Bottled Water Really Taste Better Than Filtered Tap?
  • Black Coffee: Banking on the Future
  • Behind the Science of Defining What’s Truly Priceless

Disclaimer

This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and the content herein should not be mistaken for professional financial advice. In fact, making investment decisions based on information published here, or any other website for that matter, is more than unwise; it is folly. This website accepts advertising in the form of monetary and other compensation; as such, topics of discussion are occasionally influenced by these advertisers. Sometimes, an article may also include affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, this blog earns a commission if you click through and make a purchase (for example, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases). Remember, you and you alone are responsible for the decisions you make in life, so please contact an independent financial professional for advice regarding your unique personal situation.

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