Category: General Topics

Answer: About 17 percent according to a report by the Tax Foundation. This figure is based on the average U.S. wireless bill and includes the amount for federal, state and local taxes and fees. Larger metros not surprisingly have higher than average wireless taxes on their residents. In New York City…

In this blog I mainly write about topics related to saving, making and spending money. But I don't write often enough about giving away money. Especially to people less fortunate than most. This was highlighted to me recently when I was at a downtown 7-Eleven where a number of people…

A pretty important debate is taking place at the highest levels of influence in America and it is around the roll-out of free Wi-Fi across the nation. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) supported by major technology companies wants to create a high-speed Wi-Fi network across the nation that will allow consumers…

Busy week ahead as investors brace themselves for another wild ride in the markets. Personally, my 401K and investment portfolio have had their 2011 gains wiped out and are down over 10%. I keep telling myself not to sell in panic, but the fear of further falls is unsettling to say…

I recently visited some friends for dinner at their new apartment in a large 300 unit complex. After dinner, when I got back to where I had parked I saw the parking space was empty. After a feeling of utter dread and panic, I frantically searched around thinking that perhaps…

Demand for luxury cars is returning around the world and especially in Wall Street as firms add jobs for the first time in two years and offer guaranteed payouts to attract top bankers. The return of big pay checks and even bigger bonuses (up 17 percent to $123,000 last year)…

We all procrastinate and it is the number reason for us not doing the things we want to get done. I am also guilty of procrastinating on things that I should have done. In this post, I will explore the reasons why I procrastinate, highlight some stuff that I have…

Financial Records Like me I am sure you get tons of bills and statements in the mail or delivered electronically. Most times you just action and then toss them. But you may in fact be creating legal or tax issues by not keeping certain documents. Where possible you should try and…

The BP oil spill has been a non-stop news item and most people are probably tired of hearing and reading about this environmental disaster due to corporate negligence.  I am not going to delve into the issue, but it was kind of morbid to read that people and companies are…

Money doesn't buy happiness? Tell that to Hollywood where money is business and box office receipts are what matter! In all seriousness, the old saying might be true, but it doesn't stop most of us from trying. And, so here are the top ten movies about people trying to get rich, and in many…

Doh! I just received a speeding ticket in the mail after getting booked by an automated speeding camera while driving through Maryland a couple of weeks ago. After doing some research on automated speeding cameras I found that more and more states (90%) are using fixed speeding camera's because they…

Bloomberg, along with the WSJ, bring us an interesting viewpoint on the US automakers path down bankruptcy and the debate on who really cares. Living outside Detroit, I do feel sorry for the personal and financial tragedy that many are facing due to the bankruptcy of the automakers, but from…

When I was younger and whenever my mother took me to the doctor or a professional like her banker, accountant or stock broker, she would always say: "Don't worry son, you're in good hands, these people are super smart." Well, lets take a look at some of these "smart" professionals…