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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

What Is a Prepaid Credit Card?

By Len Penzo

A prepaid card offers an easy way for people who want to buy things using plastic -- but without the need for a bank account or credit card. In fact, they're used exactly like a normal credit card, but they rely on funds that are preloaded by you, ...

Continue reading What Is a Prepaid Credit Card?

1 Comment October 28, 2020

How to Prepare for Retirement Medical Costs in 4 Easy Steps

By Sabado Domingo

How much should a person save for healthcare and medical expenses in retirement? To give you an idea, a 65-year-old couple retiring in 2020 could expect to spend nearly $300,000 throughout their retirement on these expenses alone. This does not ...

Continue reading How to Prepare for Retirement Medical Costs in 4 Easy Steps

2 Comments October 27, 2020

7 Ways to Improve Your Financial Outlook Before Winter Sets In

By Mikey Rox

Summertime, with all its outdoor fun and activities, can do a considerable amount of damage to your budget -- but there's no reason to panic because autumn is a great time to concentrate on getting your financial situation back on track. Here are ...

Continue reading 7 Ways to Improve Your Financial Outlook Before Winter Sets In

6 Comments October 27, 2020

8 Store Brand Items That Are Superior to Their Name Brand Twins

By Len Penzo

Even though buying store brands is a great way to save money on your grocery bill, many people refuse to try them because they believe they're automatically inferior to their name brand counterparts. That can be a costly assumption. Since my ...

Continue reading 8 Store Brand Items That Are Superior to Their Name Brand Twins

37 Comments October 26, 2020

Black Coffee: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

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. Let's get right to this week's ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

17 Comments October 24, 2020

4 Money-Saving Tips for First-Time Homeowners

By Corazon Gritar

Buying a home is a huge achievement, but it can leave many first-time homeowners financially scrambling. For first-time homeowners, this can unfortunately lead to more financial strife than they're prepared for. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways ...

Continue reading 4 Money-Saving Tips for First-Time Homeowners

1 Comment October 23, 2020

7 Tips University Students Can Take Advantage of to Save Money

By Enero Febrero

College time is an expensive period of life. Lots of students have to pay for their tuition or repay credits. In addition, the rental fees are going up from year to year. Even if you are not a party person and dedicate all the time you have to study, ...

Continue reading 7 Tips University Students Can Take Advantage of to Save Money

Leave a Comment October 23, 2020

Why Bragging About What You’re Going to Buy is Super Lame

By Paula Pant

A few months ago, my roommate and I were bonding over appetizers and drinks at a tapas restaurant when two men approached us. "Excuse me, ladies, can we join you?" It was the type of venue where strangers regularly chat with strangers filled ...

Continue reading Why Bragging About What You’re Going to Buy is Super Lame

13 Comments October 22, 2020

Prepaid vs. Secured Credit Cards: What’s the Difference?

By Len Penzo

On the surface, prepaid and secured cards look a lot alike, but there are two key differences that you need to be aware of: Credit reporting. Unlike prepaid cards, secured credit cards are primarily used to help people build credit. That's because ...

Continue reading Prepaid vs. Secured Credit Cards: What’s the Difference?

1 Comment October 21, 2020

Planning a Wedding? Here Are 9 Ways to Ensure You’ll Pay Too Much

By Mikey Rox

For most people, getting married is one of the happiest milestones of their life -- until they get the bill. Last year, the average cost of a US wedding was a whopping $33,901 -- which is why one-third of couples go into debt to afford their big ...

Continue reading Planning a Wedding? Here Are 9 Ways to Ensure You’ll Pay Too Much

3 Comments October 20, 2020

18 Frightening Facts You Didn’t Know About Halloween

By Len Penzo

I love Halloween. It's one of my favorite holidays -- and based upon its mass appeal, apparently I'm not alone. In fact, even though the wicked economy continues to put a scare into most people, when it comes to celebrating what was originally ...

Continue reading 18 Frightening Facts You Didn’t Know About Halloween

23 Comments October 19, 2020

Black Coffee: The Wolf at the Door

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. First off, I want to thank everyone ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: The Wolf at the Door

15 Comments October 17, 2020

5 Tips That Can Help You Reduce Large Medical Debts

By Corazon Gritar

Medical bills within the United States have climbed to shocking heights. Where in the past medical bills were more affordable, now they can be difficult for people to afford even with great health insurance. And it doesn't just take a severe illness ...

Continue reading 5 Tips That Can Help You Reduce Large Medical Debts

2 Comments October 16, 2020

What Can I Do to Improve a Low Credit Score?

By Len Penzo

A low credit score can affect your life in more ways than you might think -- which is why it's important to maintain the highest score possible. If your credit score is less than optimal, here are the most effective ways to help you increase that ...

Continue reading What Can I Do to Improve a Low Credit Score?

4 Comments October 15, 2020

5 Ways to Avoid Outspending Your Income in Retirement

By Sabado Domingo

Everyone looks forward to their golden years as a wonderful time of relaxation and enjoyment. It's a time to revel in the fruits of your labor, or volunteer if you feel like it. The last thing you want to do is to outspend or outlive your income in ...

Continue reading 5 Ways to Avoid Outspending Your Income in Retirement

4 Comments October 14, 2020

Is Pet Insurance Really 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 Really Worth It?

11 Comments October 13, 2020

How Does a Secured Credit Card Work?

By Len Penzo

Secured credit cards are primarily used to help people build credit. Like any other regular credit card, a secured credit card comes with a credit line; as such, any payment activity is reported to the major credit bureaus. However, unlike a typical ...

Continue reading How Does a Secured Credit Card Work?

Leave a Comment October 12, 2020

The Pros & Cons of Freezing Your Credit Report: Is It Really Worth It?

By Len Penzo

The humongous data breach in 2017 by Equifax that exposed the sensitive personal information of nearly 146 million Americans, greatly increased the risk of identity theft and financial fraud for those affected. Most people realize it's a risk that ...

Continue reading The Pros & Cons of Freezing Your Credit Report: Is It Really Worth It?

33 Comments October 12, 2020

Black Coffee: Rest in Peace, Dad

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. There are far, far better things ahead ...

Continue reading Black Coffee: Rest in Peace, Dad

29 Comments October 10, 2020

What Is a Trademark and Why Is It Important?

By Enero Febrero

As the world becomes more digitized, it is important for everyone to protect their identity. This means not only taking the steps to ensure that sensitive personal information is protected, but also information concerning creations. Whether you ...

Continue reading What Is a Trademark and Why Is It Important?

Leave a Comment October 9, 2020

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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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