Notes:

Latest blog posts from The Budgeting Babe

Should I reduce my 401k contribution while the economy tanks?
Here's a question. I'm currently putting 10% of my salary into my 401k. Given how craptacular the stock market is doing right now, and that my fund is actually going down instead of up and hasn't made any money this year - has actually been steadily losing money - would it make sense to lower my... Read more...
Published 4 hours ago

New Web Link: Savvy Sugar
Hey gang, br /br /Today I added a new Web site to the "Best Web Sites" page of the blog. It's called a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/"Savvy Sugar/a and it takes a similar approach to finances for fun-loving ladies. Good to see more folks getting in the game! span class="fullpost"br /br /Be sure... Read more...
Published a day ago

1 in 6 Homeowners "Under Water"
Wow. Just how deep does this thing go? The Wall Street Journal says:br /br /"The relentless slide in home prices has left nearly one in six U.S. homeowners owing more on a mortgage than the home is worth, raising the possibility of a rise in defaults -- the very misfortune that touched off the... Read more...
Published 3 days ago

You Win! Blockbuster is more expensive, and I'm a cheap-o
OK, I clearly paid too much for B's post-surgery DVD selections, LOL! You guys were kind enough to point out that recent TV seasons were available much cheaper on Netflix and also pointed out that the library is a great resource for videos and DVDs. And I thank you for that! Blockbuster isn't the... Read more...
Published 3 days ago

My week in sleep, Cubs losses and travel
I'm feeling uninspired today... probably has to do with last night's Cubs game... so I thought I'd share a few high/low points of my week. Here goes:br /br /span style="font-weight: bold;"Monday/spanbr /a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"... Read more...
Published 5 days ago

Time to Remember What Money Can't Buy
In this time of financial worry, maybe it's worth remembering some of the joys money can't buy. Here are mine. span class="fullpost"br /br /ulliThe simple beauty of sitting outside, surrounded by nature/li/ululliMy friends' ability to cheer me up any time, no fancy dress or flashy night out... Read more...
Published 2 weeks ago

Saw this one coming: WaMu (my bank) goes down in flames
Less than five years since opening my accounts with WaMu, the bank is no more. Here's the message I got when I visited WaMu today:br /br /WaMu Customers, Welcome to JPMorgan Chase! br /br /We're proud to welcome you to one of the nation's largest banks; as of September 25, 2008, JPMorgan Chase... Read more...
Published 2 weeks ago

Common Cents Contest Winners!
Thanks to all my girls who entered the book giveaway. You guys are talented, insightful and inspiring women. And readers Michelle, Rachel (aka Little Miss Moneybags) and Kimberly are receiving free copies of “Common Cents: How the Economy Really Works” by economist Nancy Kimelman.... Read more...
Published 2 weeks ago

My thoughts on the economic mess
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the economic situation. Here are a few of mine. I'm weary to share because I really feel like I'm wading in dangerous waters here, but I think dialog is really important, too. Here it goes... span class="fullpost"br /br /INFORMATION GAP: From what I... Read more...
Published 2 weeks ago

Question of the Day
How are you guys feeling about the economy? Scared? Confused? Confident? br /Do you feel like you know enough to keep up with what's going on? I'm interested in your opinions, o' faithful readers. Read more...
Published 2 weeks ago

I hit the wall... literally.
a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hAd8QJ-Q4SY/SNUuZIA2YqI/AAAAAAAAAKg/bEpTnLssy2k/s1600-h/Car+dents+1.jpg"img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"... Read more...
Published 3 weeks ago

Free Book Giveaway for the Best Budgeting Babe (or Boy)!
a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hAd8QJ-Q4SY/SNHFOifWIVI/AAAAAAAAAKY/qNGNlXaMJrA/s1600-h/Common+Cents.jpg"img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;"... Read more...
Published 3 weeks ago