More Archives - Super Saving Tips

Time Flies…It’s Blogiversary #6!

May 22, 2020 May 22, 2020

Although time seems as if it has stood still since March of this year, the truth is that it hasn’t. It might feel like March something, but I couldn’t help but notice that the calendar actually says May 22nd and that means something special to me. Pandemic and all, it’s Super Saving Tips’ Blogiversary #6!

It's hard to believe, but it's blogiversary #6 for Super Saving Tips! Here's a bit about what it's been and will be, and a big thank you to the readers!

Celebrating six years and beginning year number seven…can you believe it? I find it hard to believe myself. As I publish today, I have reached another milestone and that is post number 600 now totaling almost 1,000,000 words (mostly spelled correctly thanks to my wife and auto-correct…spelling was never my strong suit). How many words would a million fill up anyway? More than a book that’s for sure.

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The Impact of Coronavirus on our Economy

May 1, 2020 May 1, 2020

The total number of coronavirus cases in the United States has now exceeded well over one million. The American death toll, over 60,000 now (that we know of), has surpassed that of the Vietnam War…in just 2 months. But today’s post is not about the horrendous health impacts of the virus so far, but the economic impacts yet to come.

Recent reports about our the future of our economy are hopeful, but are they grounded in reality? Things may never be the same again.

The bad news is that our economy was reported this week to have shrunk by nearly 5% in the first quarter, the worst performance since the recession of a decade ago and probably the forerunner of a much steeper collapse in the second quarter that could be the worst one since the Great Depression, 90 years ago!

But in spite of these things, the White House on Wednesday declared its response to the crisis “a great success story”.

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11 Important Things I Wish I Knew at 21

April 24, 2020 April 24, 2020

As we grow up and take more and more responsibilities on in our lives, sometimes we can’t help but look back and say to ourselves, “Gee, I wish I had known or learned about that when I was younger!”

There are many things I wish I knew when I was younger. Here's just eleven of those lessons and why they're so important.

There are times I reflect on my life and wish I had known a few more things about life and even personal finance back in my youth. It certainly would have smoothed out some of those bumpy roads I experienced in life when I was first getting started out.

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What’s in the Cards and Stars for Your Financial Future?

April 21, 2020 April 20, 2020

Many years ago the late great Steve Allen (of whom I was and still am a huge fan) made me chuckle with a one liner that went like this. When he was asked: “What sign were you born under?”, he responded: “Rooms for Rent!” So today, despite the serious issues we are facing, I thought it might be time to look at the world in a little different way.

Can astrology and tarot cards tell you something about your financial future? Learn more about these practices and what they have to say about your path.

Believe me I get it: the world is a pretty scary place right now. It doesn’t really matter where you live or what you thought life was going to be like for you and your family, it’s now different. And even worse, it’s not just different, it’s frighteningly different. Health worries are scary. And then there’s the financial scariness, too. If you had a job, will you have it again? Will your retirement plan stay afloat? What will happen to your home, and your credit? Did I leave anything out? If so, then I guess the big question is, “What is in the cards and the stars for your financial future?”

Food, More

Places That Help with Food During the Coronavirus Pandemic

March 24, 2020 April 25, 2020

One of the big concerns, among the many other concerns we have during the coronavirus pandemic, is about getting food. Although there is no real food shortage, shoppers are stripping stores of staples and straining the process of restocking. It is very apparent that many people are afraid that if they don’t stock up and even horde food, they may run out over time while we are hunkered down in our homes. Others who have lost their livelihoods due to the restrictions may find it difficult to afford to buy food, while seniors and other vulnerable people may be worried about going out to shop. That’s why it’s more important than ever to know about places that help with food.

Places that help with food have become critical during the coronavirus pandemic. Here is a list of places where you can get help or give help and donate.

The closing of our borders because of the spread of the virus, especially to the south and Mexico, is going to create a shortage of workers who pick and process the fresh fruits and vegetables we will need shortly, but for the moment that is not the problem.

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Money Can’t Buy Happiness, Can It?

February 28, 2020 February 27, 2020

Why is “green” so “mean”? You will have to forgive the pun that starts off this post. The “green” I refer to is your money and since we are approaching the big green holiday of St. Patrick’s Day, I thought I’d ease into that green subject.

They say money can't buy happiness, but a lot of people seem to try anyway. Here's more on the complicated relationship between money and happiness.

There are a lot of things in life that are green, from the shamrocks abounding on the holiday to the fields of tall grass out in the countryside and the frog on the pond as well as hundreds of other things you can think of that are green. It can be a beautiful, fun sight and even a cool refreshing smell or taste! But it’s not always.

Although we may remain keen for green, it often gives us more social anxiety than real satisfaction. Face it, if you are like most people, money is on your mind if not 24/7, then at least every waking moment of your day! Sometimes “green” can be really mean…mean and stressful.

Income and Career, More

How Your Life and Career Parallels Baseball

February 14, 2020 February 10, 2020

This post was originally published on March 17, 2015 and was updated on February 11, 2020.

Several years ago, I wrote a post about one of my very favorite subjects. It was kind of a twist on getting yourself prepared for your life and career, but looking at it from an unusual view: comparing the parallels to your being a success in life to that of being a success in baseball!

Life is like baseball: the trajectory of a baseball career is much like the phases we go through in life. Learn what it means for your career and finances.

As we here in the Northeast pine for warmer temps and bluer skies, we know that spring is just around the corner and that soon the flowers will return and getting out in the sunshine will be an everyday affair again. Whenever my mind thinks spring, it can’t help but drift to what it always does this time each year… baseball.

More, Personal Finance

Are Personal Finance Blogs Really Important?

January 17, 2020 January 16, 2020

I’m not the kind of person who thinks of himself as really important. I mean, yes I am important to my family and friends, but I mean important in the sense that I should be treated “special” in some way when it comes to discussing and writing things about personal finances. I don’t get much recognition or praise and that’s fine. Sure, it would be nice, but I am happy that so many have reached out to me over the years with comments and views and that number has kept on growing every year. Thank you so much. But I don’t do it for attention. Why I write is based on a couple of things:

Recently some people have suggested that personal finance blogs are repetitive and boring. But they are really important. Here are two reasons why.

I think that sharing my money experiences in life—both the good and bad—can help others
I have definite opinions about money habits that make sense if you apply them to yourself