Mighty Bargain Hunter

Roundup for week of 3 June 2007

June 10th, 2007 | by mbhunter |

Weekend’s almost over, so I have to type fast for this week’s roundup:

• Consumerism Commentary is upgrading his expenses as he upgrades his crib.  (He’s deciding to continue to rent, for which which I can see the benefits over buying now.)
• Five Cent Nickel serves up five reasons (courtesy of MSN) to avoid the 0% balance transfer game.  (It’s a matter of risk and reward.  Even though I can probably afford to do 0% arbitrage, I don’t because I’m not organized enough.)
• Free Money Finance is discouraged by reports of laxness in Christians tithing.  (Parishioners want their religion, but they want it cheap.)
• All Financial Matters answers a reader’s question about taking on a jumbo mortgage.  (He advises against throwing more than half of one’s net income at housing.  Wise advice!)
• Blueprint for Financial Prosperity addressed a Wii little problem.  (I could use the exercise with a Wii but Pac Man Championship Edition is more my style.)
• The Sun’s Financial Diary is a MyPoints maven.  (I use MyPoints too; they’re legit and they send out the redeemed rewards quickly.)
• The Binary Dollar advocates using an age-based 529 college plan.  (These aren’t all bad but I like a little more control over allocations.)
• Lazy Man and Money thinks the time is right to join Prosper.com.  (I’ve been a lender for about a year now.  If you really do research it can probably pay off but there are always risks.)
• Money Smart Life had over a 1900% return on a fund over the past four years and wonders if it’s time to take some profits.  (Yeah — sell half! )
• Money, Matter, and More Musings with money mind mumbo-jumbo.  (Case in point is Deal or No Deal.)
• The Digerati Life describes four ways to invest in real estate.  (The picture is awesome — looks like a giant game of Jenga™! 
• Generation X Finance says “Now kids: Be sure and Read the Fine Print on your Loan!”  (A friend signed up for a refi and didn’t realize that it was an interest-only ARM.  Ouch!)
• Blogging Away Debt serves up a quick way to reduce your grocery bill.  (It’s probably not what you think!)
• And finally Pro Bargain Hunter passes on a SnapFish deal good ’til the end of the month!

I extend a hat-tip to well-trafficked The Simple Dollar and Saving Advice for linking to my post on how to buy someone out!

Thanks to Clever Dude as well for including my eBay shipping charges post in this past week’s Carnival of Personal Finance!

Enjoy!