I need a prepaid cellphone service in NYC that is NOT Virgin Mobile. Looking to pay about $10 a month. Don't need lots of fancy telecom doo-dads. Just need decent reception and reliable service and voicemail. What are my options? How about Verizon? Are they any good? [more inside]
posted by jason's_planet on Nov 4, 2009 - 11 answers

What are some good low risk ways to invest $30k for about a 3 month period? [more inside]
posted by trbrts on Nov 4, 2009 - 8 answers

If you had the opportunity to start over, what would you do? [more inside]
posted by helios410 on Nov 2, 2009 - 19 answers

I'm an American who's just bought a lovely home in the EU. Yay! Now I have to make regular mortgage payments while still living and working in the US. How do I transfer money over to our EU bank account on a regular basis as cheaply as possible?... [more inside]
posted by finitejest on Oct 30, 2009 - 9 answers

I live in an apartment with no lease and pay rent to my (dishonest) roommate. How do I minimize my financial losses when I move out? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 26, 2009 - 20 answers

A friend and I have been asked to present sessions at a conference, and we're not sure exactly how much to charge. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 26, 2009 - 3 answers

What are my rights with my insurance company? [more inside]
posted by btkuhn on Oct 23, 2009 - 6 answers

As a follow-up to this question I asked last week... What *practical* things have you done as a loved one of friends or family that were struggling financially or were stuck in a cycle of poverty. Have you loaned money? Paid bills? Helped them write a budget? Let them move in? Bought them groceries? Filled up their gas tank? There must be other things I'm not thinking about. What advice would you give to a parent whose adult child was floundering?
posted by jeffreyclong on Oct 22, 2009 - 14 answers

Need to transfer modest amounts of money from UK to a US bank account every 2-3 months. What would be the most cost-effective way to do so? [more inside]
posted by moiraine on Oct 22, 2009 - 10 answers

Best way for a hobbyist photographer to sell prints? In NYC. [more inside]
posted by kathrineg on Oct 22, 2009 - 11 answers

What can I expect (mostly financially) from raising hens as pets? [more inside]
posted by middleclasstool on Oct 21, 2009 - 66 answers

I need a new job, and I need one by the end of the year, because I'm very close to walking out of the one I have now. Help me, hive mind, as I'm at my wits end. What the hell can I do that's in Philadelphia, doesn't require a car, isn't sales, and pays around $30k? [more inside]
posted by SansPoint on Oct 20, 2009 - 22 answers

What are ways to estimate what a car and car insurance would cost me if I moved to San Francisco? [more inside]
posted by scazza on Oct 20, 2009 - 6 answers

Is there a way to order and mail a British Postal Order online? [more inside]
posted by Senor Cardgage on Oct 10, 2009 - 10 answers

A friend of mine wants to open a business, and is looking for information on business loans or grants specifically for women. [more inside]
posted by firei on Oct 10, 2009 - 3 answers

My girlfriend is a PhD student and is wondering how much general lab work (not related to research) is normal for a student (not a lab employee). Her PI does not pay her anything, all her income (stipend, lab expenses) come from other sources like grants. She is not paid extra for doing the general lab work. [more inside]
posted by mallow005 on Oct 7, 2009 - 28 answers

Our deficit and our debt are at record levels, even compared to WWII. Then, the debt was financed internally, not by other countries, so the interest we could pay was lower and the money was recycled in the U.S. Now, the debt and deficit are mostly financed by other countries through bond offerings and the like. And as they grow, those debtor countries will want higher interest rates on repayments, which drains money out of the U.S. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind on Oct 5, 2009 - 4 answers

What would be a fair price to ask? Per hour? Square foot? Give me some input. [more inside]
posted by bobertdude on Oct 4, 2009 - 8 answers

How to recover/break MS Money password? [more inside]
posted by asuprenant on Oct 3, 2009 - 3 answers

I served on grand jury duty and received a check today for the standard $40 a day. However, I had told the court previously that my job did not dock my pay, so I should not receive a check for my service. Should I cash it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 2, 2009 - 32 answers

I want to start using a spreadsheet to track and reconcile my various accounts. How do I start? [more inside]
posted by reenum on Sep 30, 2009 - 9 answers

Help me figure out my options for a small (~$4000) student loan. [more inside]
posted by rossination on Sep 30, 2009 - 7 answers

How should I best handle moving in with my boyfriend? [more inside]
posted by belau on Sep 28, 2009 - 38 answers

US Friend would like to send UK Friend some money (lets say $100, but could be more). How to best do this so UK Friend gets the most she can out of the money? [more inside]
posted by sandra_s on Sep 27, 2009 - 13 answers

What's the best way for me to help out some friends who are in financial difficulty right now? [more inside]
posted by drzoon on Sep 25, 2009 - 35 answers

What could one piece of eight have purchased in Boston in 1777?
posted by aiko on Sep 23, 2009 - 9 answers

What should we do with our money? [more inside]
posted by Tarumba on Sep 20, 2009 - 21 answers

How can I figure out the minimum amount to keep in my checking account? [more inside]
posted by odi.et.amo on Sep 19, 2009 - 11 answers

How readily does Mint add new banks? [more inside]
posted by marylucycraft on Sep 19, 2009 - 13 answers

We deposited two USD checks to open a new Scotiabank account that are being held for quite a long time. Is there any way we can reduce the hold time? [more inside]
posted by setanor on Sep 15, 2009 - 13 answers

A charity gave me $1,000 USD they raised for me after a drunk driver wiped me and my motorcycle out. I am 56 yrs. old, sick from cancer and will be losing my job in December. I have little savings and will have to work at whatever my body lets me do, and probably lose my health insurance. I plan on selling my home and its contents and downsizing to a studio apartment. I have no credit card debt but hold two mortgages, both will be a wash at the sale. What is the best bang for my buck for this $1000 in this economy? A CD? Online savings account? Any suggestions?
posted by ~Sushma~ on Sep 15, 2009 - 14 answers

How did rich European gentlemen on a "grand tour" of Europe in the 18th Century manage their finances? I can't imagine they carried enough money (or gold) to support months or years of travel--was there a system of banks they could use? Or credit notes? Also, how did they arrange to get their packages shipped home?
posted by mstillwell on Sep 13, 2009 - 9 answers

We live in San Diego. We have 140k in cash after an inheritance, a mobile home we can't afford, crappy jobs, and have never had this much money ever. How do we best invest this money? [more inside]
posted by veritas on Sep 11, 2009 - 35 answers

So, I have a roommate. We were friends before living together, and for the most part we get along fine. We've had some arguments, but we seem to have gotten past them. Now I'm just feeling frustrated by some nit-picky things she does and I want to know if I should address them at all, and how not to be insulting or irritating. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 11, 2009 - 40 answers

LivingAbroadFilter: What can I, in particular, do to avoid conversion fees from USD to EUR? [more inside]
posted by PaulingL on Sep 9, 2009 - 15 answers

What would you do with an extra $600 a month? [more inside]
posted by little_c on Sep 3, 2009 - 33 answers

How safe is it to deposit plain old cash into a bank's ATM? [more inside]
posted by Askiba on Aug 29, 2009 - 26 answers

What do 'normal' finances look like for university-educated, aspiring upper-middle class married couples who don't have kids yet and don't truly feel like adults? [more inside]
posted by kitcat on Aug 27, 2009 - 21 answers

Is there anything similar to Mechanical Turk on the Internet? [more inside]
posted by VC Drake on Aug 25, 2009 - 5 answers

When someone invites you to dinner or a party at their house, is there a tactful way to indicate that you can't bring anything, or to prevent them from asking? [more inside]
posted by venividivici on Aug 25, 2009 - 20 answers

The AC of my Mercedes Benz 2002 stopped working so we took it to a well known Used Car Dealership for a check up. They charge me $150.00 just for the check up and gave me an estimate of about $3,000 to fix it (basically they said all the system had to be replace it). I didn’t want to spend that kind of money so we took it one of those ‘basic repair shop’ chains and they fixed it by changing a $25.00 sensor. I want my $150.00 back, I live in Florida and don't know if I am entitled to a refund? If I am, what is the best way to ask for it? I’m pissed at them but I want to behave civilized and effective.
posted by 3dd on Aug 24, 2009 - 24 answers

I'm starting my first day as a college frosh tomorrow. I want to take full advantage of everything the college experience has to offer-- like student discounts! But repeated Googling has failed me; I can't seem to find a directory of local business or events that offer student discounts! I live in Arlington, TX. Can the hive-mind point me towards any comprehensive directories for student discounts in the area?
posted by ShawnStruck on Aug 23, 2009 - 9 answers

In twenty-five years i'll be retiring with my minimal social security benefits and medicare to keep me briefly going. I've got no savings right now, but I'm almost done paying my debts. I rent. I want somewhere tiny, a bungalow with a kitchen, perhaps a tiny garden, stonking bandwidth, maybe near a lake, maybe near a wood, but really not so much. I just want to whittle sticks, greet neighbours, not climb stairs, and hack on code. I don't mind renting again until i die. Where should I move in the US, and when? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 22, 2009 - 6 answers

Help me prioritise my career / accomodation / other goals - they all appear to be short term! [ideally UK MeFi people]. Anon because contains detailed career / personal issues. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 16, 2009 - 3 answers

Money and family. It gets sticky. Moving towards financial independence, and wondering how other people deal with money and their families. What's the rub? [more inside]
posted by Rocket26 on Aug 16, 2009 - 61 answers

Like a lot of people at the moment I am unemployed and finding the job hunt to be a bit more difficult than usual. I'm a 3d animator, I was thinking about what my options are and hoping metafilter could offer some advice. People often talk of taking a career change to do something more fullfilling, I think I am the opposite, I want to become more employable. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 13, 2009 - 5 answers

Can I buy MOTORS LIQ CO (MTLQQ) AKA General Motors stock? If yes, Would you guys recommend to buy the stock? Whatever your answer I need to know the reason. Thank You
posted by omaralarifi on Aug 13, 2009 - 20 answers

I'm looking for a financial coach, someone who can help me develop better financial habits. Does such a thing exist? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 12, 2009 - 12 answers

I'm looking for software or an application to help me keep track of my expenditures...but I want to be able to enter those expenditures myself. [more inside]
posted by rikhei on Aug 12, 2009 - 11 answers

Last minute Japan travel: after making an error with timing I need to arrange one-way travel from Tokyo to Kumamoto quite quickly. What are the cheapest options? I have looked into flights and trains (for the 17th of August) and both seem expensive (about £200-£250 a ticket). I am in the UK at the moment. Would it be worth waiting until we arrive in Japan? Perhaps trying to get last minute flights at the airport? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Aug 11, 2009 - 17 answers