First Person: Even Middle Class Americans Can Get the 15% Federal Income Tax Rate

I was no Warren Buffett or Mitt Romney. Ten years ago, like many middle class Americans, I was in the 25% federal income tax bracket. However, my effective tax rate was slightly less than 15%. I believe even now middle class Americans can legally pay a low income tax rate without using any sophisticated tools known only to a tax professional (which I am not). I itemized my deductions and what helped me was owning my house, saving for retirement, investing in the stock market, and helping a family member. Read more here...

Viridian Update: Switching to an Independent Energy Provider Didn't Cut My Utility Costs

I have had an independent electricity provider (Viridian) for 15 months now. Did I save money by lowering my electric bill? Read more here...

 

		Viridian	PSE&G	% Diff
2010	Oct	$0.1062	$0.1186	10%
	Nov	$0.1144	$0.1159	1%
	Dec	$0.1142	$0.1156	1%
2011	Jan	$0.1154	$0.1163	1%
	Feb	$0.1191	$0.1197	0%
	Mar	$0.1260	$0.1263	0%
	Apr	$0.1223	$0.1235	1%
	May	$0.1103	$0.1101	0%
	Jun	$0.1178	$0.1173	0%
	Jul	$0.1206	$0.1156	-4%
	Aug	$0.1255	$0.1173	-7%
	Sept	$0.1202	$0.1132	-6%
	Oct	$0.1123	$0.1109	-1%
	Nov	$0.1108	$0.1132	2%
	Dec	$0.1104	$0.1130	2%
2012	Jan	$0.1166	$0.1145	-2%

First Person: Should We Convert Our Heating System From Oil to Natural Gas?

At current prices, even after factoring in high upfront conversion costs, I believe it makes sense to make the switch from imported heating oil to domestic natural gas for savings up to 90%. Read more here...

Target Is Targeting Showrooming, But I Am Not Worried

Target is taking measures to thwart "showrooming," when customers browse for products in store, but then buy online or at a cheaper competitor.  Read here why I am not worried. In fact I am excited about a potential new service!

10 Ways I Stretch Baby's Clothing Budget Without Making Sacrifices

Stretching baby's wardrobe budget is not about skimping. It is somewhat about reigning in the urge to splurge , but more importantly, it is about reducing waste. Here are ten rules I shop by. Read more here...

Taj Mahal Travel Articles

A bit of a departure from my usual fare, here are a few travel articles based on my trips to India.

Taj Mahal: Avoiding Tourist Guides, Protecting Your Wallet and Preserving Your Sanity

Don't ruin your visit to the Taj Mahal. My guide on how to avoid tourist guides, protect your wallet and make your Agra trip memorable and beautiful.

Taj Mahal--Local Travel Tips

This article discusses local travel tips regarding the last leg of getting to the Taj Mahal, including visiting hours, parking, tickets and what not to bring.

Alsisar Haveli: A Gem of a Heritage Hotel in Jaipur

Tourists looking to stay at a heritage haveli in Jaipur, Rajasthan India should check out the gorgeous, well appointed and budget-friendly Alsisar Haveli.

Beige Book Takeaway: New York Rebounds Ahead of the New Year

On January 11, the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) released the first bimonthly Summary of Commentary on Current Economic Conditions report (the Beige Book) of 2012. Read my takeaway here...

When Paying a Premium was Worth It

A story how an expensive purchase was really not that expensive when I did some back of the envelope math. More here.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-person-paying-premium-worth-172600807.html

Home Improvement for Renters?

Does it make financial sense to undertake home improvements and easy repairs if you don't own the place? As a renter, I thought it didn't. In retrospect, some easy and inexpensive repairs and improvements to my rented apartment would have vastly improved my quality of life as a renter. Read more here...

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-person-home-improvement-renters-190111719.html

Charity or Scam?

Not all charities are legit, and even qualified ones may not deserve a donation. Here are some ways I protect myself from scammers disguising as charities. Read more here

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-person-charity-scam-180838514.html