An HVAC system is a meaningful investment and important part of your house, and it offers many a financial lesson that can be applied to a broader base. My HVAC has already taught us to beware of something too good to be true and consider worst-case scenarios when making decisions. It’s not done teaching, though, […]
When All Else Fails Read More »
I’ve seen my fair share of adversaries over the years. In terms of the threat to me, though, one of them beats the others pretty handily. He’s worse than the bully who beat me up once in kindergarten. Worse than my worst boss, or fiercest rival, or even that wasp that stung me in the
TGIF: Your Greatest Enemy Read More »
In what is already being heralded as the greatest HVAC-inspired personal finance series in the history of the internet, I’ve shared the lesson that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. And the lessons keep coming! I pay over $400 for annual HVAC maintenance (albeit for 3 units) and that may
What\’s the Worst That Can Happen? Read More »
Yesterday my HVAC guy came out for my seasonal checkup. That, in and of itself, makes for a fascinating update. But there are tons of broader financial lessons to be learned from my humble HVAC system. It’s like a metaphor or something. Since all homeowners should have HVAC service on their minds right now, the
If It Seems Too Good to Be True… Read More »
As assets go, cars are pretty poor ones. They depreciate rather quickly, and a lot of their value is tied up in bells and whistles unrelated to their primary purpose (getting from point A to point B). But as a source of liabilities, cars are pretty impressive. You can only finance them with after-tax debt.
Please pardon me – I stepped away for a mere moment. I know, however, you were in excellent company. Like the host of a Parisian salon in days of old, I brought together in you, my readers, guests of impeccable taste, razor-sharp wit, and brilliant insight. By introducing so many wide and varied topics of
Summer Endeth, the Blog Resumeth Read More »
Earlier this week, in an instant, my net worth dropped by $28,000. I didn’t smash up an Apple store (though that would have been fun) or share 100 bottles of Cristal with some homeless folks under a bridge (funner!), or buy a Trefecta bike and forget to lock it up at the store (not fun
TGIF: A Big Blow to My Net Worth Read More »
I knew that when I started a finance blog, there was a chance for contentiousness somewhere down the road. I didn’t realize, however, that my recipe for hamburgers would be ground zero. My burgers have been declared “the best in the universe”. But I’ve found, through minutes and minutes of research, that my recipe flies
Building the Best Burger in the Universe Read More »
Conference calls are always a hoot. Last week I was on a really fun one. The top guy on the call asked for every functional area to give a brief update and identify their top priorities. I missed the memo that it was opposite day. As we went around the call, each team’s update read
This election season has been a special treat. Not only do I get to see democracy in action, I’m also getting some outstanding economics lessons from a brilliant billionaire businessman who went to Wharton. (That’s right – I’ve scooped one of the most closely held secrets ever: Donald Trump did indeed go to Wharton. Take
It’s Time to Make Me Great Again Read More »