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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

Why It Doesn’t Always Pay to Do It Yourself

By Len Penzo

With the current economic malaise continuing to strain household budgets, it's no wonder that a growing number of people have decided to stretch their incomes by taking on more do-it-yourself tasks. As a result, thrifty folk from all walks of life ...

Continue reading Why It Doesn’t Always Pay to Do It Yourself

January 5, 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 ...

Continue reading Why You Should Use Comparison Sites

January 4, 2023

The 5 Best Smart Phone Budgeting Apps

By Ahmad Raza

A good smartphone isn't cheap, especially if you care about special features and hardware capabilities. Of course, the better the mobile phone is, the more you'll have to pay. These days a top of the line iPhone can run more than $1000. However, they ...

Continue reading The 5 Best Smart Phone Budgeting Apps

January 4, 2023

9 Smart Business Tips for Freelancers

By Mikey Rox

Freelancing is a great gig if you can manage it, but it's not as easy as it looks. For instance, when you're just starting out as a freelancer you may forgo contracts to get a gig. But what happens if the client skips out without paying? How do you ...

Continue reading 9 Smart Business Tips for Freelancers

January 3, 2023

Dear Friend: Here Are 41 Reasons Why I’m NOT Lending the Money

By Len Penzo

The conventional wisdom is that you should never lend money to friends or family. For me, that old saw was reinforced after I read a curious article in the Huffington Post that attempted to explain why our friends and family often fail to repay ...

Continue reading Dear Friend: Here Are 41 Reasons Why I’m NOT Lending the Money

January 2, 2023

Black Coffee: Decisions, Decisions

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. Another busy week is crossed off the ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: Decisions, Decisions

December 31, 2022

Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 4

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: "Greetings Letter" from the Army In late 1951 during the Korean War, Dave received his "Greetings" letter, the draft notice ...

Continue reading Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 4

December 29, 2022

How to Manage and Take Advantage of Your Bankroll When Betting Online

By Tex Freitag

The world of online sports betting can be lucrative, but it can also be dangerous if you don't know how to manage your bankroll. That's why today we're going to look at how to manage and take advantage of your bankroll when betting online. We'll ...

Continue reading How to Manage and Take Advantage of Your Bankroll When Betting Online

December 28, 2022

When Credit Card Companies Fight, Travelers Should Rejoice

By Craig Ford

We all know competition is good. It's good for we, the people. For instance, I tend to closely watch offers in an effort to get free travel with credit cards. And I've noticed there have been some outstanding credit card sign up bonuses over the ...

Continue reading When Credit Card Companies Fight, Travelers Should Rejoice

December 28, 2022

Lower Your Heating Bill with this Home Winterization Checklist

By Anum Yoon

Saving on your heating bills during the winter is easier than many think. While some may claim substantial savings can only occur after an entire heating system revamping or a lofty project, you can lower your home heating bill by doing just a few ...

Continue reading Lower Your Heating Bill with this Home Winterization Checklist

December 27, 2022

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 ...

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

December 26, 2022

Black Coffee: The Last of the Big Spenders

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: The Last of the Big Spenders

December 24, 2022

A Surefire Way to Teach Kids the Value of Money

By Len Penzo

One of the more difficult jobs any parent faces is teaching their kids the value of a dollar. Sadly, some kids never learn that money doesn't grow on trees. It may seem cruel, but parents who aren't afraid to let their kids spend their money on ...

Continue reading A Surefire Way to Teach Kids the Value of Money

December 22, 2022

Surprising Survey Results Highlight Attitudes of Young Drivers

By Enero Febrero

As the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the road safety charity, Brake, work together to revise the existing learning-to-drive system, one survey suggests that the task of improving the habits and attitudes of young drivers may be ...

Continue reading Surprising Survey Results Highlight Attitudes of Young Drivers

December 21, 2022

7 Body Language Tips That Will Boost Your Chances of Getting a Job

By Mikey Rox

When it comes to getting a job, understand this: Hiring managers aren't just listening to what you say during interviews. They're also observing how you walk, talk, sit, and use your hands, among other body language expressions. CareerBuilder notes ...

Continue reading 7 Body Language Tips That Will Boost Your Chances of Getting a Job

December 20, 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 ...

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

December 19, 2022

The Thermostat Isn’t the Only Tool for Saving Money on Your Utility Bills

By Len Penzo

Despite the conventional wisdom, there is at least one study out there that has concluded that opposites really don't attract -- at least when it comes to successful relationships. If that's so, then perhaps my marriage is on borrowed time because ...

Continue reading The Thermostat Isn’t the Only Tool for Saving Money on Your Utility Bills

December 19, 2022

Black Coffee: ‘Tis the Season

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: ‘Tis the Season

December 17, 2022

Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 3

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: Skating at the Riverside Roller Rink was our favorite date plan, and we eventually bought our own skates instead of renting ...

Continue reading Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 3

December 15, 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 ...

Continue reading 3 Ways to Reduce Your Calling Costs

December 14, 2022

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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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