Liquid Blog — Liquid

Starting in the 80's, the American consumer has been caught up in, well, consuming. As a matter of fact, the consumer makes up over 67% of our economy. What has really taken hold is the increase in our standards; more than ever, starting a couple of decades ago, we all want high-end items, and with the rise of credit, that has been possible for most to attain.

PostedAugust 17, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesSaving Money

TagsAppliances, Car, Frugality, Movies, Renting, Textbooks

Although the Dow Jones Industrial average posted a 125-point gain on Friday, it was down a bit for the week. The massive drops on Monday and Wednesday of 635 and 520 points respectively, indicate that the market feels exactly what businesses and consumers are already thinking: we could be headed for another recession.

PostedAugust 14, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesCareer & Economy

TagsEconomics, Employment, Frugality, Government

Yeah, I know, ANYTHING quick and easy can't be all that good. No matter how good or bad your credit score, you need to be following these simple strategies.

PostedAugust 12, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesCredit & Debt

TagsCredit Cards, Credit Score

No one truly knows what the full impact of the downgrade will mean; we are in unprecedented territory. The stock market is plummeting as I write this. For sure, it will mean an increase in interest rates on debt issued by the US, which in turn, means an increase in interest rates for the rest of us.

PostedAugust 10, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesCareer & Economy

TagsBanking, Interest Rates, Jobs, Taxes

I started taking swimming lessons the summer after I turned four and I took for the next two summers. It wasn't that I forgot how during the nine intervening months, I think my mother needed some place to deposit me on those summer mornings. I was a pest, and still am.

PostedAugust 7, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesCareer & Economy

TagsExercise, Health, Life, Special Olympics, Swimming

My late father was in the Oil Business; he was known as a "Wildcatter." He drilled oil wells on speculation, in areas not known to be oil fields. Gambling was in his blood; it served him well. At the time I was born, my father was a wealthy man. We lived in an 8,000 square foot home on five acres of land in Dallas, Texas. Life was great.

PostedAugust 5, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesSaving Money

TagsChildren, Frugality, Life, Personal Story

Identity theft is life-changing; you are no longer yourself when it comes to your credit because someone has taken over your "credit life." That doesn't mean they start paying your bills; oh no, they start charging food, clothes and gasoline to a credit card in YOUR NAME. The good credit you've built up over the years is destroyed and it could be years before you totally eradicate the ramifications.

PostedAugust 3, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesCredit & Debt

TagsCredit Cards, Credit Score, Fraud, Identity Theft, Loans, Renting

Can you imagine how paralyzing it would be to open your credit card statement and find charges that you didn't make?

PostedJuly 31, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesCredit & Debt

TagsCredit Cards, Credit Score, Fraud, Identity Theft

People who live in glass houses, shouldn't throw stones. Not only do most Americans criticize the government for escalating the federal deficit, but according to the most recent polls, they are in favor of increasing the ceiling. Most people understand how catastrophic it would be if the government didn't raise the ceiling.

PostedJuly 29, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesCredit & Debt

TagsCredit Cards, Frugality, Government, Loans

I've often thought if criminals used their cunningness and channeled it to something positive, they could make a ton more money in the legitimate venture. Today, criminals will install surveillance equipment on ATM's in order to skim cutomers' information. You walk up to the ATM, insert your card, enter you PIN, and your banking information has been skimmed.

PostedJuly 27, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesCredit & Debt

TagsBanking, Credit Cards, Technology, Travel

Last year over eight million Americans were victims of identity theft. It seems as though our wallets are recepticles for any small thing that'll fit. We literally carry our lives in our wallets; many of those things are important to the smooth functioning of our lives, and those are the kind that are financial in nature.

So, if you don't want to fall prey to an identity theif, take a look at your wallet.

PostedJuly 24, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesCredit & Debt

TagsCredit Cards, Fraud, Identity Theft, Walle

Our parents are our role models; we develop our sense of ethics, our dispositions, and even our eating patterns based on their behaviors. Did you ever consider that you developed your financial habits from your parents as well?

PostedJuly 22, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesSaving Money

TagsChildren, Financial Literacy, Parents, Spending

Although there's still a lot of uncertainty in the housing market, the drop in home prices has made home ownership very alluring. However, you may think you don't qualify for a mortgage. It might not be as bad as you think.

PostedJuly 20, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesCredit & Debt

TagsCredit Cards, Credit Score, Employment, Interest Rates, Jobs, Loans, Mortgages, Real Estate, Recession

With any partnership, whether it be in business, a friendly relaionship, or marriage, it's imperative to communicate. No one can read minds, and when we think we can, often we're wrong. We need to know what the other person is thinking.

PostedJuly 18, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesSaving Money

TagsCommunication, Financial Planning, Marriage

Money is there to be spent. Sometimes we spend because we have to (food, gasoline and utilities.) Sometimes we spend because we want to (vacations, Starbucks and iPads.) Regardless, the only use for money is to spend it.

PostedJuly 17, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesSaving Money

TagsFinancial Planning, Frugality

It has never been easier save money online. There are a whole slew of websites dedicated to giving you better deals then you'll find in any retail store. And most websites have a "promo code" box where you can get discounts just for taking the time to look.

PostedJuly 15, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesSaving Money

TagsCoupons, Deals, Discounts, Frugality

Last holiday season spending on traditional gift cards reached a record $91 billion. Enter the new improved gift card: the DIGITAL card.

The market for digital cards has doubled in the last three years as more and more shoppers and those who love to bear gifts are taking notice.

PostedJuly 13, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesCredit & Debt

Ah yes, that first time away from home at school. So much free time, so many things to discover, and so much freedom! All these really cool "activities" cost money, so you start spending it; and this is money you don't even have. But, wait! I can put these expenses on my new credit card; they were handing them out like candy, along with a free t-shirt next to the Student Union.

PostedJuly 10, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesCredit & Debt

TagsCollege, Credit Cards, Interest Rates, Student

Saving for your child's education is something some people start when their child is born, which isn't a bad idea. It's always good to get a head start, especially when considering inflation. Over the past several years tuition inflation has been more than double general inflation.

PostedJuly 9, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesSaving Money

TagsCollege, Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes

There are several provisions of the 2009 Credit Card Act that are intended to help consumers. Whether these provisions are changing consumers behavior is another matter.

PostedJuly 8, 2011

AuthorMax

CategoriesCredit & Debt

TagsCredit Cards, Credit Score, Interest Rates, Loans, Mortgages