BA

My turn

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:15:14 PST

Soooo, how about this recession eh? I recently found out that my entire work site is shutting down. I had suspected that it might happen for a while, but now, it's been made official.

Since the time of the announcement, they said we've got about six months. I guess I took a little...

Sweet freebies

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:19:59 PST

Considering how easily things can go wrong in life, it's always good to count your blessings.

For example, my employer will cover a pair of shoes per year, and when my current shoes fell apart, I got a new pair for free! Well, that is, when the employer refund comes back. Oh yeah,...

Curious case

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:04:30 PST

When it comes to movies, I'm a typical guy with typical tastes. However, once in a while, I would step outside my comfort zone and try something new. So, that's how I ended up renting "The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons" on Redbox for $1.

Although it had some awkward moments,...

Fennel

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:16:19 PST

When I decided to cook soup with a crockpot, rather than the usual onions, I decided to take a chance on something called a fennel?

Truth to tell, I didn't even know what it was when I saw it. The grocery store didn't have a name printed for it or anything. All I knew was...

Fantasies

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:06:45 PST

Through a co-worker, I found out yet another fantastic-looking hotel in Thailand. This one is called the Sarojin. Just look at these pictures!

Of course, I still love the way the Buri Rasa looks. Woot!

Considering the level of quality, the cost of these hotels are actually...

Fall quickies

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:11:52 PST

Dentist
I just got back from a dentist appointment. My teeth would have slight shooting pains whenever I drink something very cold, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to go have a check up. It's fully covered by insurance anyway.

But when I got there, they were also talking about how...

Big Wins need a reality check

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:32:08 PST

You may or may not be aware of a growing camp or group or movement called the "Big Wins".

Their idea is that it's best to focus on the big stuff. The low-hanging fruit. The stuff that will make the biggest financial difference with the least amount of effort. Like your mortgage,...

Strangely Creepy 2009

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:34:35 PST

Hello! Welcome to the 2009 edition of Strangely Creepy! I'm your host, BA, here for yet another round of lively talks with... myself regarding matters of the strange and creepy kind.

So BA, temperatures are dropping now. Are you ready for Jack Frost to come a'knocking?
Ugh, no. As you know, I'm reluctant to just turn up the heat. I do turn it up when the kids are with me, but it seems like a colossal waste when it's just myself.

Righty...

Podcasts

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:25:17 PST

A nice list of financial podcasts.

Yep. That's all I've got right now.

Bought Walmart bonds

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:06:15 PST

This isn't exactly exciting or anything, but I decided to go ahead and buy a batch of Walmart bonds. I needed a certain amount of bond position anyways, and Scottrade will buy them for you for free. Plus, there's no expense ratios involved, and I think Walmart bonds are pretty solid.

The...

Intolerance

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:44:38 PST

Very negative post. Please ignore if you don't want to hear me whine.

I was hanging out with a buddy of mine, and somehow we ended up talking about Obama's health care. This buddy of mine is convinced that the health care plan is going to fail somehow. I won't get into the details,...

Oct09 net worth

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:20:20 PST

Um... this can't be right. This month is, by far, the biggest jump I've ever had since I started tracking my net worth.

Why? I'm not sure! In fact, I just triple-checked my numbers because I simply don't believe it!

Hmm. For one thing, it appears that my stock positions did...

Earnings season is over

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:09:22 PST

Well, for me and my stock positions anyway. The GDP quarterly report just came out, and it's beaming with happy news.

The bulls claim that this is the first sign of a fundamental economic recovery. A real green shoot. The bears, however, believe that this Indian summer is the...

Dinnerware debate

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:57:28 PST

I don't know what's wrong with me, but I thought you guys might find this funny. I'm a guy, but here I am looking through dinnerware sets. This seems kind of pretty to me, though maybe not entirely practical and is too thematic:

Anyways, I still live very much like a bachelor,...

Pondering LASIK

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:10:18 PST

Does anyone have LASIK? If so, how was your experience?

I am considering it, but it's so much money!

And to be perfectly honest, I can't justify it as a need either. I don't think. It may seem like an useful life improvement, but the truth is, I could also live with just glasses...

First time gambling

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:37:59 PST

After thinking about the matter, I decided that there was no perceivable harm in revealing where I went to visit some friends. We hung out at Atlantic City for a weekend.

I don't personally care for gambling, but I've also never gambled before in my life. So, out of morbid...

Mixed bag quickies

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:18:58 PST

Half stock market talk.

* By now, who has not heard of "jobless recovery"? Are we in one though? Who has been working extra hours rather than seeing their employers hire new people?

Hopefully,...

Mini-Tender Offer?

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:02:07 PST

I have a stake in Proctor Gamble, and Scottrade is telling me that there is a Mini-Tender offer for it?

The details are scant. It's non-mandatory, cost for the transaction will be $25, offer expires on Nov 5, and here's a link to the SEC for basic information about it.

That's...

Freedom K

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:18:45 PST

This is interesting. Fidelity, my 401(k) provider, is changing my selected Target retirement Freedom fund to a new series called Freedom K funds.

I wonder why?

Whatever it is, they've revamped the entire product line, so it must be a big deal on their end. However, according...

Hanging out with friends

tab5365@Gmail.com (Broken Arrow) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:53:14 PST

I got a chance to hang out with a couple of friends, one of which I have not seen for a long, long time! It was great to catch up on old times and see how they're doing.

This old friend I haven't seen for a while is a great guy. Really great guy. He's also probably going to be...