I've saved up about $80,000 over the past few years, with no debts, loans, or mortgages. It's always been my dream to travel the world, and I've been planning to take my money and run off for the next few years, hopefully figuring out how to run an independent software business in the process. However, I don't know much about investing, and for all I know there might be a better use of my savings right around the corner. (Two questions about investing inside.)
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 29, 2013 -
20 answers
Some time after my second niece was born, I started sticking a couple of bucks a month into a savings account I set up for each girl. I've been plugging along for years, and now they are 9 and 12, and I have about $600 for each of them. I'd like to figure out a better way to save/invest the money than what I've been doing so far.
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posted by Neely O'Hara
on Apr 18, 2013 -
10 answers
In a nutshell; how much does the USA owe for "debt incurred in past wars", are there easy to understand figures for which wars specifically, and who does it owe it to?
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posted by Wordshore
on Apr 6, 2013 -
7 answers
Making student loan payments stirred this question. I am trying to figure out a few things, specifically surrounding 3-day loan payoffs, payments that are scheduled but not withdrawn immediately, and interest that accrues in the meantime.
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posted by occidental
on Feb 28, 2013 -
7 answers
Hello Hivemind,
I will be entering grad school this fall and am in the process of applying for a research fellowship. The application states that you must submit a statement of interest that includes primary and collateral research interests, as well as career objectives. It should not exceed 3 pages. I am very aware that this is different than my statement of purpose, which I used when applying to grad school. However, I have several questions. My first question is, what are collateral research interests? Is this like a secondary line of research interests? If I had more research experience and was published, etc, I could see making the three pages. But, I only have a senior thesis and junior thesis. So I was thinking that I might explain why I am interested in the fellowship and mentors I might like to work with, as well as answering the above questions. Thanks
posted by TRUELOTUS
on Feb 11, 2013 -
5 answers
I like a guy but I don't think of myself as attractive. Obviously, he is attractive to me, but I also think he is considered attractive by most people. People tell me that you should always aim for your own attractiveness-level, so I'm wary about this already. Plus I really don't know how to talk to him because I've placed him on this pedestal and I am completely in awe. How do I approach him?
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posted by madsy
on Jan 18, 2013 -
27 answers
I'm considering taking online courses/doing a part time degree in English for interest reasons. Will this be worth it?
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posted by Paper rabies
on Jan 3, 2013 -
10 answers
I'd like science-, scientist-, or engineering-related book recommendations for a 9th grade student reading at a 6th-7th grade level.
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posted by Salvor Hardin
on Sep 27, 2012 -
9 answers
I need some help with student loans. I took loans out in 2008 and 2009. Two subsidized and two unsubsidized. Now I'm on half-time school deferment and I'd like to take advantage of this!
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posted by your mom's a sock puppet
on Aug 27, 2012 -
4 answers
You have been in a healthy relationship for a long time? Help me figuring out how to feel and what to do about a conflict of interest between my partner and me concerning a third person.
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 20, 2012 -
21 answers
I am a Systems Engineer. I work with models and simulations and do a lot of work with Excel and Bespoke modelling tools and massive massive piles of data. I'm pretty good at it, most of the time.
But, what else could I do (preferably in or near London) ?
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posted by Just this guy, y'know
on May 17, 2012 -
3 answers
PersonalFinanceFilter: Given the near-zero interest rates these days, what's the best strategy to use to allocate savings?
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posted by hot soup
on Mar 5, 2012 -
18 answers
True or False: If you're supposed to receive a refund from the IRS, but you file an extension and submit it at the very last, the IRS has to pay you the interest that has accrued on your refund, just like you'd have to pay any interest to the IRS if you owed taxes.
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posted by chara
on Feb 21, 2012 -
8 answers
Are there any credit cards out there that still charge interest on the outstanding balance rather than the total balance?
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 26, 2012 -
5 answers
Assuming that you
could buy a house outright, for cash, why would you get a mortgage? A conversation got me researching this recently. Many articles suggest that if the interest rate is low, a mortgage is better. Yet I can't for the life of me figure out why paying low interest is better than paying no interest. A person with a 30-year mortgage usually ends up paying about 2 times the principal. School me, financial mefites.
FYI: this is just a curiosity. I'm in no position to actually do this in reality.
posted by the jam
on Jan 6, 2012 -
48 answers
[Canada Tax Filter] If my parents loan me money to pay back a non-government student line of credit from a bank, and I pay them a portion of the principal each month, are there any negative tax implications?
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posted by dobie
on Dec 28, 2011 -
5 answers
US savings accounts have poor interest (~1%). UK savings accounts are better (~3-4%). Aside from the economics for this that I likely don't comprehend, as a UK citizen working in the US, is there some way of moving money easily, getting an international account, or getting a good savings account in the US?
posted by paulesque
on Nov 18, 2011 -
19 answers
Is it a really bad idea to open a 0% interest card and transfer the balance while home shopping?
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posted by Prairie
on Nov 3, 2011 -
2 answers
Home Loans Question: How can we possible afford the mortgage on a 500k house with only ten percent down?
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posted by 2legit2quit
on Sep 26, 2011 -
36 answers
My dream co-op financed--maybe. In my limited knowledge, the "five by five loan" sounds suspiciously like an ARM, although the lender swears it isn't. So what is it exactly?
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posted by Prairie
on Sep 23, 2011 -
22 answers
Why does NPR always refer to the US Federal interest rate as "near zero" rather than a specific amount? Googling shows it's between 0 and 25 basis points. What is the exact amount, and why is it not referred to exactly?
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posted by odinsdream
on Sep 2, 2011 -
20 answers
I owe lots of money because I went to law school. I have a great job, so paying my loans back should not be the end of the world. If I can figure out how to do it. Can you help me figure out how to do it?
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posted by prefpara
on Sep 1, 2011 -
14 answers
Is it stupid to pay off my low interest private loan before my quite a bit higher government consolidated loans?
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posted by sully75
on Sep 1, 2011 -
11 answers
I have a line of credit at 10% annual interest with my local not-for-profit credit union. BMW of Seattle is currently advertising new cars at 1.9% APR. I don't know much about finances or economics, and I don't plan to buy a BMW, but I understand that the loan is unsecured, while the car is secured debt and not a big risk for the lender, but isn't that a huge difference for someone with a perfect credit score? Why the discrepancy?
posted by halogen
on Jun 17, 2011 -
12 answers
Went on two great dates with a girl I really liked. Texted for a third date and didn't get a response. Move on? Or reach out one last time?
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posted by anonymous
on May 16, 2011 -
31 answers
I need some house buying help, and advice about whether to pay off my loans now or save more for the down payment.
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 26, 2011 -
16 answers
When I used to do testing for the State Employment service we had what we called a general "interests inventory" test ("Would you rather collect butterflies or draw a picture of a building?") We would give it to young people to help determine what areas of work they might like to pursue.
Is there a current, free online test like that?
My nephew wants to try to begin to set his son on a career path (freshman in high school) but the young man doesn't seem interested in anything special.
Thanks.
posted by Tullyogallaghan
on Jan 18, 2011 -
4 answers
Can someone explain to me how buying residential real estate in a major/expensive U.S. metropolitan area makes any sense whatsoever? I'm really not seeing it right now (and yet I would love to join the landed gentry).
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posted by Admiral Haddock
on Jan 4, 2011 -
45 answers
I have been fortunate enough to unexpectedly inherit £35,000 from a relative who died prematurely. What should I do with it? Caveats inside.
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 6, 2010 -
7 answers
I need help calculating a construction interest payment schedule that is likely to follow a bell-curve.
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posted by jefficator
on Nov 10, 2010 -
1 answer
My parents are loaning us $10,000. Should we save it or use it to pay down credit cards?
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posted by fantoche
on Oct 1, 2010 -
42 answers
I have about 56,000 in private student loans from Citibank. They are at a variable interest rate. The interest rate right now is, of course, very low. When interest rates inevitably go back up, these loans are going to get very expensive. I have been unable to find anyone who will consolidate or refinance these loans.
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posted by troublemenot
on Sep 3, 2010 -
11 answers
I'm considering an online bank for the higher rates of return available on a large sum of cash that I've been saving, but I'm sort of a Luddite, and I would appreciate your input.
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 18, 2010 -
18 answers
I just received a statement from a medical facility stating I owe them a couple hundred bucks plus $100+ in interest. Date of service is supposedly 10/06. I am in California. This is the first bill I have received, and I have lived at this address for over 4 years.
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posted by 6:1
on Aug 8, 2010 -
5 answers
Please help me think through a financial decision involving a mortgage refinance and an auto loan.
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posted by BlahLaLa
on Aug 4, 2010 -
9 answers
Mathfilter: How do I figure the total value of interest at a per-month rate, compounded monthly, with monthly contributions?
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posted by AV
on Jun 9, 2010 -
17 answers
Despite the lender explicitly loaning me something interest-free and with no firm repayment date, I would like to offer a fair interest rate when I am able to repay them in the future. I'd like your help in figuring out what that rate would be, and your confirmation that I am applying the concept of compound interest correctly.
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 25, 2010 -
14 answers
