Free From Broke

A Personal Finance Blog for Regular Folks

Glen Craig

Budgeting for Christmas Shopping Before it’s too Late

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Yes, it is only just Fall and the leaves are barely starting to change color but before any of us realize it, the snow will be on the ground and Jingle Bells will be playing at the mall (OK, the holiday music will start once Halloween is over).

Budgeting for Christmas shopping now may sound like a chore but it can be the life line you need to avert debt.

Typically when a person goes Christmas shopping and there is no budget, then this gives the illusion of having no limits – and no limits often leads to January credit card bills that hurt.

According to a Gallup poll in 2013, Americans polled expected to spend about $700 for gifts during the holiday season.  Do you have that in your savings, ready to spend on gifts?

Designing a budget helps you to avoid that steep downhill in January; and this helps to keep the happiness of the Christmas holidays lasting well into the new year.
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TD Ameritrade Online Stock Trading Review

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Stock trading has come a long way in just over a generation and TD Ameritrade has been a part of that history for more than forty years. It was only thirty years ago that stock trading was still done by calling a stock broker who called a specialist who took part in an auction process that would eventually result in you, the client, owning stock.  Although this still happens today, much of the stock trading now takes place using computer technology.

To see how computers have had a remarkable effect on the investment markets, in 1961 the New York Stock Exchange reached trading days of 4 million shares sold.  Today, because of new technology, over 4 billion shares are traded on some days.

Because of this new technology, much larger volumes of trades can now take place and more trades means more business for brokers.  That extra demand has given rise to a virtually endless supply of online brokers that made the stock market accessible to all consumers at a price they can afford.

In the following TD Ameritrade review, we’ll see what makes this broker tick and why they may be a good fit for your investing needs. [Read more…] about TD Ameritrade Online Stock Trading Review

9-11-01 Ten Years Later

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If you normally stop by Free From Broke to read about different aspects of personal finance, well I’m not going to talk about that here.  Let me apologize in advance.  Feel free to move on to another site if you don’t want to hear about 9/11.  Really, I don’t mind.  (just come back tomorrow)

Ten years ago we had an attack on our way of living that changed our lives forever.  I know mine was changed.  How?  I can’t say entirely.  After ten years I still can’t pinpoint everything I feel about that fateful day.  I’m just going to write out some things in my head I’ve thought about.  Bear with me.
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PerkStreet Financial 5% Cashback Powerperks September 2011

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PerkStreet Financial, the online checking account, have released their September 2011 5% cashback Powerperks.  For those who don’t know PerkStreet yet I suggest you check out my PerkStreet Review.  We’ll wait.  All caught up?  Good.  So you know, PerkStreet offers cashback on their debit card spending (pretty rare for a checking account and for some, better than receiving an interest rate on checking).  You always get between 1% and 2% on your debit card spending.  On top of that, every month they select specific categories and retailers where you can earn 5% cashback.  The selections usually revolve around a seasonal theme, which makes the categories both practical and fun.

For September, PerkStreet wants to help you get your family and home ready for the Fall season with cashback on clothes, home goods, and more at the following retailers: [Read more…] about PerkStreet Financial 5% Cashback Powerperks September 2011

Should You Start Your Own Business?

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Do you ever find yourself dreaming of having your own business? I think most people do at one time or another (that is, those who aren’t already self-employed).  Striking out on your own to blaze an independent career path is an integral part of the American Dream.  But is being your own boss something for everyone to pursue?  Should you start your own business?

You probably should be self-employed if…

Being self-employed requires, as much as anything else, a different mindset.  What makes up that mindset?
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