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Where the F Did All My Money Go?

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Sometimes, I find myself to be a little bit bored. Retirement can do that to you, and so a few days ago I got out some paper and started to jot down some numbers. I tried to figure out how much money I have earned and spent over the last 50 years or so. Where does the money go? It’s kind of amazing and also kind of scary too that I can actually remember all of this crap. What does that say about me, my money, and my life? For one, I may be a freaking money savant…or am I just a mentally ill moron? Um, let’s go with savant, ok?

At some point, most of us wonder "where does the money go?". Make sure you're spending money one what you truly value...most of the time.

A Rainy Wednesday and This is What I Choose to Do?

So I sat down and began to put numbers on paper to try to figure it all out. I thought hard about how much money I have earned over the course of my lifetime and wondered how and where I have spent it all, leading me to this fundamental question: Where the fu¢k did all the money go?

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Upcoming Improvements to Medicare Benefits for 2019

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It’s hard to believe, but it’s that happy time again for those who have Medicare benefits and use Medicare Advantage plans when the open enrollment period begins on October 15th and ends on December 7th 2018 for 2019. You’ll get the hint I am certain when you begin seeing the massive advertising, mail, and phone calls about it starting any second, but this time around there is something to actually celebrate.

Usually the news about Medicare coverage has to do with increasing costs, but surprise, there are some improvements coming to Medicare benefits in 2019!

The good news just ahead for Medicare recipients are some potentially big savings. The over 60 million people who currently participate in the program (which has been around for over 50 years now) benefit from lower administration costs than private insurers have and that is despite the losses from fraud which it suffers from. But for 2019, things are about to get even better.

It’s rare that I can report to you that there’s such good news, but with very little fanfare and parades, this is the case thanks to the passing of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, signed into law last February. The bill covers a lot of important and even controversial spending changes as it always does, but when it comes to changes that are lowering the cost to our healthcare and affect Medicare then bravo and thank you are in order! Continue reading

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Is There A Funny Side to Money?

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When I say “funny money”, what do you think of? The first thing I believe most people would say is that the term funny money refers to counterfeit money, you know the kind you see in those old TCM classic films about the mobsters in the 1930’s and 40’s and how they would steal or counterfeit bucks that they then used for just about anything they wanted. Except for one big thing and that’s paying for a get out of jail free card. Jail is if course where they all eventually wound up, at least they do in the movies!

Laughter is the best medicine, even when it's money problems that ail you. Take a look at these funny money quips and maybe it will give you a smile.

Most of us will never come into contact with bogus money and even if we did, would we ever notice it? Probably not because the methods of making it have improved over the years and besides who of us actually carries any cash around these days as the use of cash has become less and less every year. Fake money therefore has become pretty undetectable in the 21st century.

Funny Money May Be Hard to Find But the “Funny” About Money Isn’t

I was thinking about this today. The subject of money is mostly a very serious matter and one that is written about in volumes every day, but it is also frequently mentioned as part of the punchline in a joke. That joke can absolutely make you grin or chuckle so much when you hear it, and it might just be because what is being mocked illustrates our overwhelming obsession with and about it. So I thought just for fun, I’d try and put together some of the funniest lines ever spoken about our money. So here is a compilation of funny, quick, short one liner jokes and sayings all about money. Continue reading

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12 Fake Myths People Believe About Car Insurance

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There’s no shortage of wrong information out there about car insurance. Unfortunately, making decisions based on car insurance myths can and will complicate your life and cost you money. “Millions of Americans really could use a refresher on what insurance does and does not cover,” says senior analyst Laura Adams of InsuranceQuotes.com. And there aren’t just one or two fake facts out there circulating about car insurance either. There are many and that list seems to grow longer all the time, adding onto itself year after year. So much so, that you may actually fear insuring your auto and make a wrong or stupid decision when you do!

There are lots of car insurance myths that people mistakenly believe, and it could be costing you money. Here are 12 myths and the truth behind them.

Whether you are young or old, rich or poor, or just someplace right in the middle, you probably believe some of these ridiculous fake facts. You might have passed on bad info to someone else, like your kids or your friends. So here are 12 fake facts to rethink and get clear on to save yourself some grief and some money on car insurance next time you purchase it! Continue reading

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Anticipating Social Security COLA 2019 – Where are we headed?

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It’s once again the time of year that we are anticipating information about the Social Security COLA (cost of living adjustment) for 2019. So, this is more of a “heads up” rather than a “super saving tip” you might say, for the over 60 million Social Security recipients in the US and even those who have relocated abroad.

Retirees and other SS recipients are trying to anticipate whether there will be a Social Security COLA 2019. Read on for my predictions.

As per usual, we already do have some clues as to where we are heading. Although the final decision for COLA for 2019 won’t be announced for another six weeks or so, here’s what I foresee as to what will happen. Brace yourself for it because it may not be good news. Good news is often hard to find when it comes to COLA and cost of living calculations. Continue reading

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Why Are Easy Money Decisions So Hard to Make: Paralysis by Analysis

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Have you ever stopped to think about what goes on inside your head when it comes to decision making, especially when those decisions involve money? Is it that people are simply afraid, confused, or are they just generally terrible decision makers?

If you suffer from paralysis by analysis when making easy money decisions, there may be a reason behind it. Let's see what science says about these choices.

Is it really way too “Easy to Be Hard”? Kind of like the band Three Dog Night sang back in 1969, though they weren’t talking about money decisions. But what the heck, I need a 60’s song about this time of day anyway, so why not this one? (I do just love sneaking these great oldies into the post even when they are just here to amuse myself!) Continue reading

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NEW *Updated* List of 100+ Amazing Senior Discounts

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Today is August 31, 2018 and I have just updated my Super Saving Tips senior discounts list effective right now so it’s bigger and better than ever. Bonus: You don’t have to be 65+ to take advantage of a lot of these discounts as many retailers and services recognize 50 as the line for discounting to “seniors”. I love AARP: If you are the spouse of an AARP card holder (who is age 50+), you can get the discounts they offer no matter what your age. My own wife at 48 gets them!

I've updated my comprehensive list of senior discounts, with everything from dining to groceries and shopping to travel. For many, you don't have to be 65!

 

Many of your favorite places to shop and dine are offering these special discounts. Regardless of whether you feel like eating fast food or a steak dinner, shopping at high end specialty stores or major discount operations, keep this list handy but do keep in mind that these deals may vary based on location. Oh, and don’t forget to ask for the discounts! You may not ever be proactively offered discounts just because you are standing in line at the checkout, so ask!
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Geoarbitrage: The Power of Money Depends on Where You Live

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I have always earned my living in the greater New York City metropolitan area, technically here in suburban central NJ (and as the late great Rodney Dangerfield often said, “we don’t get no respect!”). Because of that fact, I have always known that living around here was way more expensive than most other places and the purchasing power of a buck got you significantly less here than, say, someplace in the southern part of the USA. That’s always been one of the big downsides of living in this area.

Geoarbitrage is taking advantage of the fact that your financial power depends on where you live. In retirement, this becomes especially important.

This fact is verified every year by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis that has been measuring this phenomenon since 2013. It recently published its latest data and using this info, the Tax Foundation demonstrates the real value of what $100 buys you in every state in the Union. It revealed once again that the power of your money really does depend on where you live. I’ll tell you more about that in a bit.
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I Would Do Anything to Save Money, But I Won’t Do That

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Back in 1970, Joni Mitchell, the classic folk artist, wrote her famous ode to environmental protection and lost love, “Big Yellow Taxi”, which includes the following lyrics:

They took all the trees and put ’em in a tree museum
And then they charged the people a dollar-and-a-half just to see ’em
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

 

Hey farmer, farmer, put away the DDT now
Give me spots on my apples, but leave me the birds and the bees, please!
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

There's a lot of things I'd do to save money, but one thing I don't want to skimp on is environmental protection. We need to protect our planet!

I’m Not a Political Pundit
(I just play one in my living room)

And I am by no means a “saint” either. In fact, I am positive that there are lots of things that someone could point to that are things I’ve done which are questionable or borderline stepping on the toes of somebody else’s principles and ethics (not many, but some). Continue reading

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How I Saved $148.21 Shopping Today

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Today was a pretty good day. In fact, any day when I save more than I spend, and spend almost nothing on top of it, is a good day. I make a lot of notes and save a lot of info every day that I can use to help save money on shopping and then I strike! Think of it like it is war and you will have a better understanding of how it makes me feel to win the money battle that we all have to fight. So when I tell you that today, I saved $148.21, I hope you get the same feeling that I have when we are winning the war!

To save money on shopping, I strategically plan my use of sales, rewards, loyalty programs, and coupons. You can do it too!

Shopping, Like Any Battle, Starts With a Good Plan

As I said, I am always looking for deals, coupons, and specials that can help me save my money on the things I use. In retirement, it’s ultra-important and I have to admit I have the free time to check out all the possibilities. I haven’t exactly calculated how much impact all of my dedication has saved me for the entire year, but I can tell you that I have saved double-digits regularly on my monthly expenses because of it. If you can do even a little planning and fact finding, you will save like that too! Continue reading