All The Simple Dollar
401(k) plan: Is it ever a good idea to make an early withdrawal?401(k) plan has $38,000 and reader has $11,000 in credit card debt. But early withdrawal from 401(k) plan comes with hefty penalties. See question No. 1 in the reader mailbag.
Personal finance: It's rarely black and white聽Every person out there has different income levels, different debt levels, different retirement accounts at work, different stress levels, different risk tolerances, and so on. All those issues matter.听That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 personal finance.
Clean and green: Replacing your old showerhead is a double winIf you have an older showerhead, replacing that showerhead will save you a lot of money even if you invest in a very expensive showerhead that provides a great shower experience.
Efficient heater insulation puts dollars back in your pocketInsulating an inefficient hot water heater can cut the cost of running that heater by 5 percent to percent. Depending on the model, that can save you anywhere from $5 to $20 per year. It's not a lot at first, but all those bills eventually start to add up.
Family vacations on a budget: Yes, you can have it all.Vacations can be a lot of fun, but they can also be really expensive, and one of the biggest travel expenses is food. Our personal finance guru shares some tips to ensure that this summer your family eats well, while staying under budget.
Using '16 ounce cup' logic to reduce your personal spendingMayor Michael Bloomberg's proposed ban on large sugared drinks has got our personal finance expert thinking about limits. The less you listen to immediate impulses, he says, the more you鈥檒l do for your long term financial health.
How a switch-based power source will save you moneyHooking up home appliances like televisions and lamps to plugs contrilled by switches isn't just a convenient novelty: it's a simple way to see big savings on your power bill.听
A strategy for using LED light bulbsLED light bulbs are the way of the future, but right now the technology is new and the light quality isn't great. But by using them in addition to a few strategically placed incandescent bulbs, you can enjoy good light quality and still benefit from the LED's outstanding cost benefits.
Starting a side business doesn't have to break the bankIt doesn't have to cost much, but a successful side business does take up a lot of time. Before launching, make sure you're willing to make that commitment.
Properly used, a programmable thermostat cuts energy costsIf your household adjusts the temperature in your home, particularly in a clear pattern, a programmable thermostat (used properly) can really save you money, and pays for itself after just a few months of use.
To play or not to play: Is that Powerball ticket worth it?Lotteries exist to turn a profit. If you spend $1 on a lottery ticket, the lottery is going to keep at least some portion of that money. But just how bad a deal is it? Our personal finance analyst weighs in.
Graduation gifts: Consider the investment routeGraduation gifts like savings bonds and mutual funds can be good alternatives to cash. Graduation gifts are question one in this week's mailbag.
Want a deal? Consider a refurbished model.Refurbished models can save you a lot of money with minimal risk, but you have to be a bit careful when doing it.
To cash in on a rebate, fill it out immediatelyRebates work brilliantly 鈥� for companies, that is. But filling them out and mailing them back right away reduces the chance you'll forget about the rebate and lose out on discounts.
Save big by asking about returned itemsWhen a store accepts a returned or open-box item, they have to do something with it. Often, you can get these products for a fraction of the original price.
Buying a discounted floor model: dos and don'tsYou can buy display models of products like digital cameras and DVDs for a deep discount, but beware the risks.
Student loans: Pay them off, or invest elsewhere?Student loans at currently low interest rates should be paid off as quickly as possible, because there aren't many better investments out there. Student loans are question one in this week's mailbag.
Before you buy, do your research. Lots of it.You've decided exactly what you want. Now shop around some more.
Making a big purchase? Knowing what you want pays off.When going shopping for any reasonably expensive item, make a list of the features you actually need before you go and stick to it.
Want the newest iPhone? Wait six months.Newly released products are exciting, but having the patience to wait for a markdown will pay off big in the long run.
