http://gremlingolfer.savingadvice.com One Gen-Xer's Blog About the Journey to Financial Freedom info@savingadvice.com Patrick en-us http://gremlingolfer.savingadvice.com/2007/06/24/401k-vs-roth-ira-my-take_27568/ I have recently been reading many articles pertaining to the advantages of a Roth IRA. [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roth_IRA[url]. I began to weigh the my options as far as where to park my retirement funds. <br /> <br /> After contributing my maximum 15% to my 401k the last 2 years.... Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:06:03 PST (Patrick) http://gremlingolfer.savingadvice.com/2007/06/20/this-is-why-i-have-an-emergency-fund_27435/ Nearly every personal finance advice site has the same advice on a few subjects, and almost all the time having an emergency fund is one of these tips. After all, you never know when something is going to come up and you'll need the money.<br /> <br /> Last week someone came in the back slider... Wed, 20 Jun 2007 09:14:15 PST (Patrick) http://gremlingolfer.savingadvice.com/2007/06/12/selling-stuff-on-ebay_27151/ After reading a few other blogs where the authors sold multiple items on Ebay and made a nice profit I decided to try my hand at the eBay game.<br /> <br /> Over the last 10 years I ahve built up a pretty impressive library of books for a 25 year old. I love to read and I love to read on MANY... Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:48:48 PST (Patrick) http://gremlingolfer.savingadvice.com/2007/06/08/what-are-your-luxuries_27024/ Ok since we all sit around our computers and type to eachother about how frugal we all are, certainly we all ahve some luxuries in life that make our lives sane.<br /> <br /> For me, I play golf. And not just out on Saturday afternoons with the boys, drinking beer and talking sports. I play... Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:07:00 PST (Patrick) http://gremlingolfer.savingadvice.com/2007/06/08/happy-weekend-yall_27016/ Is there anyhting better than a nice weekend in June? Methinks no.<br /> <br /> Saved $25.48 last night at the grocery store by looking for sales. Plus the Giants won! <br /> <br /> Straight into the $20 challenge pot. Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:58:47 PST (Patrick) http://gremlingolfer.savingadvice.com/2007/06/07/is-the-bull-market-over_26982/ Well it looks like the market is on its way to its 3rd straight triple digit loss.<br /> <br /> Is this simply a correction like the one we saw in February or is the market trneding towards a long term downturn?<br /> <br /> It seems to me at soem point consumer confidence and consumer spending will ahve... Thu, 07 Jun 2007 09:16:50 PST (Patrick) http://gremlingolfer.savingadvice.com/2007/06/06/if-you-had-to-choose_26951/ I will give you a purely "hypothetical" situation (and by hypothetical, I mean my exact situation) and ya'll tell me what you would do.<br /> <br /> I have about $2,600 in credit debt that is being charged 0% interest and will continue to do so until January of 2008.<br /> <br /> If you had $400 of discretionary... Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:55:59 PST (Patrick) http://gremlingolfer.savingadvice.com/2007/06/06/my-challenge-money-guidelines-and-progre_26934/ -$1 for a S.F. Giants Win<br /> -$1 for a No Spending Day<br /> -$1 for a No Credit Card Day<br /> -$1 for a No Alcohol Day<br /> -$1 for a No Junk Food Day<br /> -All Savings from a Coupon Book<br /> -50% of EBAY Profits<br /> -Loose Change (including all $1 bills) at End of Month.<br /> -Savings at Grocery Store for sales.<br /> <br /> My... Wed, 06 Jun 2007 08:31:56 PST (Patrick) http://gremlingolfer.savingadvice.com/2007/06/05/seeing-as-how-i-am-a-20-challenge-newbie_26886/ What are some of the things people contribute to their challenge?<br /> <br /> I currently have 6 "events" that contribute to my challnge:<br /> <br /> -S.F. Giants wins ($1)<br /> -No Spending Day ($1)<br /> -No Credit Card Day ($1)<br /> -50% of my EBAY profits<br /> -Coupon Savings at the Grocery Store<br /> -Loose change... Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:32:15 PST (Patrick) http://gremlingolfer.savingadvice.com/2007/06/05/credit-cards-how-many-is-too-many_26884/ Seeing as how we are in the midst of a "national savings epidemic", I started looking at my savings habits (which are rapidly improving) and my usage of credit cards.<br /> <br /> I opened my 1st credit card 7 years ago, at the age of 18. Of course, my parents said that it was only to be used... Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:28:07 PST (Patrick) http://gremlingolfer.savingadvice.com/2007/06/01/building-savings-the-sporting-way_26735/ I know a poster here (the name escapes me) puts $1 in her $20 Challenge stash everytime the Braves win, and I thought this was a fun way to save and root on your team.<br /> <br /> The S.F. Giants have 25 wins right now, so I will start with $25, and add $1 for every win here on out. They are... Fri, 01 Jun 2007 09:10:36 PST (Patrick) http://gremlingolfer.savingadvice.com/2007/06/01/what-to-do-with-60000_26733/ Ok, I am opening this up to all of you.........<br /> <br /> I have $60,000 sitting in a 12 month CD right now that comes due in August. It is currently earning about 4.90%. <br /> <br /> The security of the low-risk CD is nice, however, part of me knows I should have it in something a little riskier.<br /> <br /> I... Fri, 01 Jun 2007 08:56:04 PST (Patrick) http://gremlingolfer.savingadvice.com/2007/06/01/to-all-my-money-saving-friends_26732/ I have been reading all of your blogs for about 6 months now, and thought it time to start my own.<br /> <br /> Not only is it fun (and maybe a bit narccistic) to have your own blog, but it certainly helps you keep your financial goals if you put them out there for everyone to see.<br /> <br /> I am 25... Fri, 01 Jun 2007 08:52:09 PST (Patrick)