Tuesday, October 28, 2008
UTM Moving Party
Hey - hopefully this doesn't mess anything up too much, but do to compatibility issuses and a couple of other things, Under the Mattress is officially becoming a Blogger blog until further notice. Free blogging platforms often leave much to be desired, but with our present goals and situation they way they are, this is the way it's going to be. Hopefully we'll be able to make the transistion smoothly and everyone can find us again. Go ahead a shoot us an e-mail if you've got any questions! Things are a bit 'ugly' right now, so if you see some random code or a malfunctioning script, that's why - we're working to get it all nailed down this week, hopefully by tomorrow. In the meantime, check out our RSS feed and tell your friends!
Paper or Plastic?
When your friendly grocer asks this question, they're usually wondering what kind of grocery bag you want to take your graham crackers and applesauce home in. While UTMGal and I were waiting in line waiting to check out with our milk and bread, I noticed something I hadn't seen before. Tucked in between the king-size Snickers, the bubblegum and the batteries was financial advice. That's right - financial advice. We were shopping at a Smith's (which is owned by Krogers) and I picked up three financial advice pamphlets titled:
- 1-2-3 Rewards MasterCard (0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 12 months)
- Pet Insurance (Because pets are family, too)
- Identity Theft Protection (You need more than a shredder)
I thought they were advertisements for another company, but nope, the website listed on the front of the pamphlets is: www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/finance (check the link for a picture of all of the different brochures and advice they offer.)
They include loans and other types of insurance.
So... would you take financial advice from your grocery store? After reviewing the pamphlets, it looks like the services Smith's offers are bare bones, and not always essential. For example, take the pet care brochure, which features this quote:
The lesson from this? Don't get sucked in to whatever offers show up in front of you - and just because something costs less than $20 a month doesn't mean that it's a good deal. It's important to do your research and take some time just before you sign up for something that will save you $10 on groceries or get you 20 cents off a fill-up of gas (both of these offers are made in the brochures.)
- 1-2-3 Rewards MasterCard (0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 12 months)
- Pet Insurance (Because pets are family, too)
- Identity Theft Protection (You need more than a shredder)
I thought they were advertisements for another company, but nope, the website listed on the front of the pamphlets is: www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/finance (check the link for a picture of all of the different brochures and advice they offer.)
They include loans and other types of insurance.
So... would you take financial advice from your grocery store? After reviewing the pamphlets, it looks like the services Smith's offers are bare bones, and not always essential. For example, take the pet care brochure, which features this quote:
"Cinnamon, just like a kid, had an unexpected injury. Having PetFirst insurance (the pet insurance Smith's offers) enabled me to concentrate on her well-being and recovery. Instead of the $1,000 cost, 90% was paid for insurance! Now I can spend my money spoiling Cinnamon! I highly recommend PetFirst!"Now I understand loving your pet - my family had an old cocker spaniel while I was growing up and as she got older and older and started to lose her sight and hearing we collectively mourned and were very said when she died. But is it worth $29.95/month for a cat or $39.95/month for a dog? (the price for premium care) In a year you'll have forked over $479.40 - enough for almost for any kind of basic dog a family would like. This is obviously a luxury for those who don't look at price tags. We run into similar situations with both the credit card (which has a rate of 12.24%) and the identity theft protection, which costs $11.99/month (for a yearly total of about $144). Both products are readily available from other locations for better prices.
The lesson from this? Don't get sucked in to whatever offers show up in front of you - and just because something costs less than $20 a month doesn't mean that it's a good deal. It's important to do your research and take some time just before you sign up for something that will save you $10 on groceries or get you 20 cents off a fill-up of gas (both of these offers are made in the brochures.)
Howdy Everybody!
We're glad you've made it to Under the Mattress. We know we're the new kid on the block, so when we say thanks for coming, we mean it.
We've got new visitors finding us everyday - we've already had a 150% increase in visitors since yesterday. Most of you are checking out Glenn Beck's long (and detailed) informational e-mails where he talks about the economy. If it's your first time Under the Mattress, don't leave thinking that's all we've got to offer! We just posted our first book review, a look at "You're So Money," by Farnoosh Torabi, and we've also posted our weekly link round up which includes some great ideas for cheap Halloween costumes.
If you're liking us so far, just wait and see what we've got planned for the future. Want us to come to you? Hey - we can do that. Just check out our quick and easy subscriptions page and you can have the UTM feed delivered daily to your inbox, RSS reader, or just about anything else that can catch us. We've noticed it's a bit quiet in the comments feed out there (we can hear the comment crickets chirping) - we want you to talk to us, tell us what you want more of and less of - and we'll try and make it happen! (You never know what'll happen if you comment at UTM - our first brave commenters may find it worth their while....) Check it all out, make yourselves comfortable and look around.
We've got new visitors finding us everyday - we've already had a 150% increase in visitors since yesterday. Most of you are checking out Glenn Beck's long (and detailed) informational e-mails where he talks about the economy. If it's your first time Under the Mattress, don't leave thinking that's all we've got to offer! We just posted our first book review, a look at "You're So Money," by Farnoosh Torabi, and we've also posted our weekly link round up which includes some great ideas for cheap Halloween costumes.
If you're liking us so far, just wait and see what we've got planned for the future. Want us to come to you? Hey - we can do that. Just check out our quick and easy subscriptions page and you can have the UTM feed delivered daily to your inbox, RSS reader, or just about anything else that can catch us. We've noticed it's a bit quiet in the comments feed out there (we can hear the comment crickets chirping) - we want you to talk to us, tell us what you want more of and less of - and we'll try and make it happen! (You never know what'll happen if you comment at UTM - our first brave commenters may find it worth their while....) Check it all out, make yourselves comfortable and look around.
"You're So Money" Book Review
Alright - the moment you all (well, at least me) have been waiting for - our review of Farnoosh Torabi's book "You're So Money" (Live Rich, Even When You're Not)!
If you want to pick up You're So Money: Live Rich, Even When You're Not
from Amazon.com, check it out!
Who the Book is For: This book is a great primer for those just getting their feet wet (college students, recent grads, those just starting out on their own). It covers quite a bit of topics in a real, humorous, and informative way. "You're So Money" is a great introduction to all things money. The book covers things like purchasing cell phones, buying cars and houses, 401ks and IRAs. Basically - if you don't know anything about finance, money, budgeting, or you're just not comfortable when things start getting "mathy" or "technical," you should check this book out.
Who is the book not for? The book covers a lot of topics lightly, so anyone looking for deep technical information, deep explanations, or information that isn't available to everyone should probably try another source. The book is also light-hearted and modern, and is definitely geared towards a younger audience. (References to texting, iPods, etc., might throw off an older generation).
Whatcha might not know: The book also includes a forward and investing tips (part of a chapter) from Jim Cramer, an investing guru, host of CNBC's "Mad Money," and a co-founder of thestreet.com.
What's In the Book?
Here are the chapter headings:
1. Life is Good
2. No More Debt Drama
3. Banking in Bed and Scoring
4. Rich People Dress Good
5. Accessorize Right
6. Lucky Money
7. Adults Only!
8. Homeward Bound
9. Cruise Control
10. Social Cents
11. Because Life Happens
12. Getting Covered
13. Just Say No!
14. Money is Everywhere
Would We Buy the Book? We did! Actually, we own the book, but we 'won' it on a contest on Geezeo, our online budgeting site (more on that later).
Basically... this is a great introduction to the financial world for those with little or no experience. We enjoyed the book. It's written towards a college-age generation, and the lessons it teaches ring true. Check this book out if you need some basic information to get you started, and good specific advice on transactions that might be coming your way in the future (cell phones, cars, apartments...) grab a copy!
If you want to pick up You're So Money: Live Rich, Even When You're Not from Amazon.com, check it out!
We're working on our next review.... want a hint? Let's just say it's about... money... :)
If you want to pick up You're So Money: Live Rich, Even When You're Not
from Amazon.com, check it out!What They Say (the back of the book): "Finally a savvy, realistic finance book for those of us who love our Starbucks mocha lattes and Razr cell phone but don't want our Jimmy Choo shoes or Bose headphones buried under a pile of burgeoning debt. Twenty-something financial reporter Farnoosh Torabi tells you that you can satisfy your sophiscated tastes and achieve financial bliss.Does the book deliver on it's promise? We give it four stars out of five. The book does offer tips on getting you to your financial need-wants (as the book calls them) like an HDTV or an Audi, but the solution is nothing earth-shattering - it's just cutting back on other things. This is a good book people need, because often, instead of cutting back, people end up using more and more credit and bringing on more debt.
The Key: Prioritizing your expenses according to what you want to most - splurging when you can and saving on other things. From sensible grocery shopping (yes, you can have your organic yogurt and eat it, too!) to cyberbanking, empower yourself to live a guilt-free Gucci and gadget-clad good life without sacrificing financial security"
Who the Book is For: This book is a great primer for those just getting their feet wet (college students, recent grads, those just starting out on their own). It covers quite a bit of topics in a real, humorous, and informative way. "You're So Money" is a great introduction to all things money. The book covers things like purchasing cell phones, buying cars and houses, 401ks and IRAs. Basically - if you don't know anything about finance, money, budgeting, or you're just not comfortable when things start getting "mathy" or "technical," you should check this book out.
Who is the book not for? The book covers a lot of topics lightly, so anyone looking for deep technical information, deep explanations, or information that isn't available to everyone should probably try another source. The book is also light-hearted and modern, and is definitely geared towards a younger audience. (References to texting, iPods, etc., might throw off an older generation).
Whatcha might not know: The book also includes a forward and investing tips (part of a chapter) from Jim Cramer, an investing guru, host of CNBC's "Mad Money," and a co-founder of thestreet.com.
What's In the Book?
Here are the chapter headings:
1. Life is Good
2. No More Debt Drama
3. Banking in Bed and Scoring
4. Rich People Dress Good
5. Accessorize Right
6. Lucky Money
7. Adults Only!
8. Homeward Bound
9. Cruise Control
10. Social Cents
11. Because Life Happens
12. Getting Covered
13. Just Say No!
14. Money is Everywhere
Would We Buy the Book? We did! Actually, we own the book, but we 'won' it on a contest on Geezeo, our online budgeting site (more on that later).
Basically... this is a great introduction to the financial world for those with little or no experience. We enjoyed the book. It's written towards a college-age generation, and the lessons it teaches ring true. Check this book out if you need some basic information to get you started, and good specific advice on transactions that might be coming your way in the future (cell phones, cars, apartments...) grab a copy!
If you want to pick up You're So Money: Live Rich, Even When You're Not
from Amazon.com, check it out!We're working on our next review.... want a hint? Let's just say it's about... money... :)
Welcome Tip'd Friends! (and Weekly Links)
Hey - UTMGuy here - looks like we've been getting quite a bit of traffic from Tip'd, the social news site for financial news and information. Welcome, friends! We've seen 37 of you in just a short while. We're glad you're here and hope you come back soon. To get our content delivered to you, check out our RSS and email subscription links on the right, or visit our subscription page.
Now for the links of the week (from what we've been reading).
Halloween is just around the corner (one week from tomorrow!) Don't get left costume-less - check out FrugalDad's Cheap Halloween Costumes post. I think my favorites are the spa girl and the bunch of grapes. Great costume - no cost.
If you're interested in CD's and other information about potential bank fees and problems, check out this post from the Bank Deals Blog. I hadn't visited this site before, but it looks like a great source of bank-specific information, so I'll probably check it out again soon.
One of our old favorites, Budgets are Sexy, had two great posts this week. The first deals with a tried and true method of saving, paying yourself first. While included in many financial advice books, this advice is really, really underrated. We can only spare about 10% of our combined income each month, but it adds up faster than you think. J. Money has great advice for viewing the savings just as you would a bill you have to pay to another company, which might help you pay it. His second post, which I just found today, deals with emergency funds. More specifically - the question of whether or not it's ok to use them. J. answers an e-mail from a reader and has some great advice - a good read.
GetRichSlowly features an insightful post that talks about different ways to cut back on household products in an effort to save money.
Broke Grad Student links to some good articles in a post titled "25 Resources to Help You Get Through the Financial Crisis."
We're excited you're here and hope the information we enjoy is interesting to you, too. If you like this, make sure and tell your friends - we could all use a few extra bucks!
[digg=http://digg.com/business_finance/Weekly_Links_Cheap_Halloween_Costumes_and_More]
Now for the links of the week (from what we've been reading).
Halloween is just around the corner (one week from tomorrow!) Don't get left costume-less - check out FrugalDad's Cheap Halloween Costumes post. I think my favorites are the spa girl and the bunch of grapes. Great costume - no cost.
If you're interested in CD's and other information about potential bank fees and problems, check out this post from the Bank Deals Blog. I hadn't visited this site before, but it looks like a great source of bank-specific information, so I'll probably check it out again soon.
One of our old favorites, Budgets are Sexy, had two great posts this week. The first deals with a tried and true method of saving, paying yourself first. While included in many financial advice books, this advice is really, really underrated. We can only spare about 10% of our combined income each month, but it adds up faster than you think. J. Money has great advice for viewing the savings just as you would a bill you have to pay to another company, which might help you pay it. His second post, which I just found today, deals with emergency funds. More specifically - the question of whether or not it's ok to use them. J. answers an e-mail from a reader and has some great advice - a good read.
GetRichSlowly features an insightful post that talks about different ways to cut back on household products in an effort to save money.
Broke Grad Student links to some good articles in a post titled "25 Resources to Help You Get Through the Financial Crisis."
We're excited you're here and hope the information we enjoy is interesting to you, too. If you like this, make sure and tell your friends - we could all use a few extra bucks!
[digg=http://digg.com/business_finance/Weekly_Links_Cheap_Halloween_Costumes_and_More]
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