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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

Black Coffee: The Price of Financial Security

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 ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: The Price of Financial Security

July 15, 2023

Slow Drivers in the Left Lane: A Vexing Problem

By Len Penzo

In North America the left lane is designated for passing and the highway's fastest traffic. Unfortunately, there are too many slow drivers in the left lane who feel entitled to cruise there as long as they're traveling the speed limit. This selfish ...

Continue reading Slow Drivers in the Left Lane: A Vexing Problem

July 13, 2023

A Mechanic Reveals How to Avoid Costly Car Repairs

By Tony

You don't have to be a car mechanic to know that cars are expensive. Most people also understand that cars are not only expensive to buy - they're expensive to operate and maintain too. As a car mechanic for more than 20 years, I know this better ...

Continue reading A Mechanic Reveals How to Avoid Costly Car Repairs

July 12, 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 ...

Continue reading The Best and Worst Dollar Store Deals

July 10, 2023

Black Coffee: Sharp-Dressed Men

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. ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: Sharp-Dressed Men

July 8, 2023

Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 18

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: Since I felt well and energetic during the last months of my pregnancy, 1957, I decided to answer an ad in the Washington Post ...

Continue reading Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 18

July 6, 2023

Drive-By Movie Review: The Good German

By Len Penzo

This is a review of the 2006 movie The Good German starring George Clooney, Tobey Maguire, and Cate Blanchette Plot Summary: While in post-war Berlin to cover the Potsdam Conference, an American military journalist is drawn into a murder ...

Continue reading Drive-By Movie Review: The Good German

July 5, 2023

4 Things To Consider When Shopping For Your First Home

By Corazon Gritar

Buying your first home can be an exciting time. That being said, shopping for your first home is also incredibly stressful. If you're not used to looking at houses for sale on the real estate market, you can easily be overwhelmed. So where do you ...

Continue reading 4 Things To Consider When Shopping For Your First Home

July 4, 2023

Can Money Buy Happiness? Here’s How to Get the Most Joy from Your Spending

By Len Penzo

Most financially responsible people experience a bit of euphoria -- along with a genuinely-satisfying sense of accomplishment -- whenever they save money. However, when it comes to spending, those good feelings aren't always a sure thing. So, can ...

Continue reading Can Money Buy Happiness? Here’s How to Get the Most Joy from Your Spending

July 3, 2023

Black Coffee: Are We Having Fun Yet?

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 ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: Are We Having Fun Yet?

July 1, 2023

The Most Important Power Tool a Household CEO Can Own

By Len Penzo

There are more than eight-million victims of identity theft in the United States every year; on average they lose $750 per incident and spend 59 hours of personal time closing fraudulent accounts. You can reduce your risk of identity fraud by ...

Continue reading The Most Important Power Tool a Household CEO Can Own

June 29, 2023

Top and Bottom US Federal Income Tax Rates Since 1913

By Len Penzo

And you thought tax rates on regular income were outrageous today. Consider how high the top and bottom income tax rates for both were 80 years ago. Yikes! In 1944 and 1945, taxpayers handed over 94% of their hard-earned income to the federal ...

Continue reading Top and Bottom US Federal Income Tax Rates Since 1913

June 28, 2023

Is Pet Insurance Worth It?

By Anum Yoon

Pets enrich our lives by providing welcome companionship and loyalty through our toughest days, as well as our happiest ones. What would you do if yours got sick? Are you prepared to bear the financial burdens of veterinary visits and the associated ...

Continue reading Is Pet Insurance Worth It?

June 27, 2023

A First-Time Buyer’s Guide for Gold and Silver

By Jesse Gernigin

As economic turmoil around the world continues to increase, more and more people are buying gold and silver for wealth protection. Gold and silver are insurance against currency collapse, although some people buy them as investments too. If you're ...

Continue reading A First-Time Buyer’s Guide for Gold and Silver

June 26, 2023

Black Coffee: Pennies from Heaven

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 a wonderful week. ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: Pennies from Heaven

June 24, 2023

When Should You Consider a Home Warranty?

By Enero Febrero

A home warranty is a service plan or contract providing coverage for repairing and replacing major appliances and systems in your home. Once you have one, you can have peace of mind when home appliances like freezers, air conditioning (AC), and ...

Continue reading When Should You Consider a Home Warranty?

June 23, 2023

Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 17

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: Apartment in Arlington, Virginia August 1957 was eventful. We found a one-bedroom apartment in Arlington close to Route 50; ...

Continue reading Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 17

June 22, 2023

A Summer Budget Plan for Building a Healthy Christmas Fund

By Sabado Domingo

Although the development of excellent budgeting skills is important throughout the year, utilizing restraint and prudence with respect to personal finance is particularly important during the months that proceed the Christmas season. As the summer ...

Continue reading A Summer Budget Plan for Building a Healthy Christmas Fund

June 21, 2023

How To Save Money on Moving Expenses

By Corazon Gritar

House prices and rental costs remain incredibly expensive. But whether you're buying a new home or renting, moving costs can be incredibly daunting too. So how can you save money on moving expenses? Here are several ways to cut down on moving costs ...

Continue reading How To Save Money on Moving Expenses

June 20, 2023

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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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Black Coffee: The Good Ol’ Days
Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 24
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