[LUconn]

Does that really work? It's plastic.

[SumItUp]

Does that really work? It's plastic.

It will if you put it in a cup of water.

[flamesbball84]

similar to what TD said...

before you even get a credit card if that's the route you decide to take, sit down and prepare a BUDGET. make sure uou have the money to cover all your monthly bills (rent, cable/satellite, phone, internet, etc.) and other necessities, such as food, then pay that off with the credit card.

assuming you have money left over after that, you should save some of it to invest in the stock market (rather it's you actually doing the buying and selling of stocks or putting it into something like an IRA, doens't matter), or if you prefer a safer investment, a Certificate of Deposit at your bank would be a good option.

then the rest is spending cash, if you want to buy something and don't have the available cash to cover it, don't buy it and certainly don't put it on your credit card. basically, the only spending that should go on the credit card is necessities, anything else should be covered exclusively by cash because if you don't have the cash for it you can't get it unless you decide to charge it then put yourself in debt.

[mrmacphisto]

I noticed an interesting marketing strategy by a local car company that was advertising on TV yesterday. Their slogan was:

"Lose your job, return the car."

That certainly takes the pressure off of deciding whether to buy a big SUV, doesn't it?

Brought to you by Hyundai- its a national marketing campaign they've started

http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/05/autos/h ... /index.htm

either way, you're still buying a Hyundai

Hey, times are tough.

[Fumblerooskies]

NOTHING wrong with Hyundais. They have pretty much shed their image they had back in the 90's of being the Korean version of Yugo. The 2000 Elantra, for example, was a highly rated car even in crash test ratings. Hyundai is also the parent company of Kia.

[phoenix]

My in-laws just bought a new Hyundai minivan, and it's a NICE van. The ride is smooth, it's got a bunch of power for a van, and they got a good deal. I'd get one if I found a decent price on it.

[RubberMallet]

hyundai's are making some of the most reliable cars on the road now and are being built right.

i will be in the market for a new vehicle probably this fall and the new genesis has made my list of cars to look at along with the G8 gt/ TL

[mrmacphisto]

hyundai's are making some of the most reliable cars on the road now and are being built right

I keep hearing that and think there must be something to it, although I had to inwardly chuckle a few years ago when a used car salesman told my brother that Hyundais are the second-most reliable car on the road today after Lexus.

[BJWilliams]

Thanks for the advice on credit cards guys. Ive heard many a story about people geting a card and saying theyd only use it for emergencies and one hting often leads to another and next thing you know youve got way too many cards and WAY too much debt

[4everfsu]

I never had a credit card until years ago, and what got me started in debt was using it to buy Christmas presents. If you get a card, don't use it to buy presents unless you know you can pay it off in a month. I rather live a stress free life (from credit card worries) then trying to make family happy at Christmas time.

[mrmacphisto]

I never had a credit card until years ago, and what got me started in debt was using it to buy Christmas presents. If you get a card, don't use it to buy presents unless you know you can pay it off in a month. I rather live a stress free life (from credit card worries) then trying to make family happy at Christmas time.

Word.

[Hold My Own]

Hopefully Im going to need some construction work dones...doing it now means I should be able to get it CHEAP...I hope...

[jmdickens]

Try to invest in oil......

[jmdickens]

I think those of us under 30 should really pay attention to what is going on here.....

The Political class in this country has ruined our economy. I understand that in a capitalist society there are winners and there are losers; however, government intervention is 100% the problem with our currently slow economy. Luckily, things in Texas are starting to speed up again, and I am getting the chance to really divulge my time into making money. My money will be hidden from our government at all costs....My career goal is to become a tax attorney, and I know some will throw me under the bus, but you guys should do likewise.

*hide your money offshore if greater than 150K, even though it has a greater chance of being stolen

*if under 100k in savings, but it in a Roth-IRA account...it has a better tax advantage

If you save money in a 401(k) or an IRA, the government will match your money as much as 50 percent. If you are single and you make $15,000 or less, you get a
50 percent match from the government of up to $1,000. If you're married, the maximum you can earn to get the credit is $50,000 combined. If you're married and
your earn $30,000 combined, you get the maximum benefit. So, as you make more money, the match goes down.

*if you are older, start giving to your family in cash to keep the government from collecting a business tax.

*if you own a home and have lived there less than two years you can sell it and avoid paying capital gains taxes....(that will save you money)

*Anything you buy for work that is required is good for deductions...Ex, cell phone.

*If living in Canada, file for a TFSA...Tax Free Savings Account

* And last, hide all money from the govt from the wealth envious political class.....

[NJLibertyboy]

I noticed an interesting marketing strategy by a local car company that was advertising on TV yesterday. Their slogan was:

"Lose your job, return the car."

That certainly takes the pressure off of deciding whether to buy a big SUV, doesn't it?

Brought to you by Hyundai- its a national marketing campaign they've started

http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/05/autos/h ... /index.htm

either way, you're still buying a Hyundai

Hey, I take offense to that. I drove a 2005 Hyundai Sonata for 4 years before it got totaled when someone took the trunk off of it. It drove great and in the four years I had it, I never had to take it to the shop for anything other than an oil change. My friend has one too, got it around the same time I did, no problems for him either. It also had an awesome warranty that I never had to use. Stop hatin'.

[Realist]

Huh, some of the anti credit card stuff seems a little off the wall.

Just be responsible. You can actually make money by using credit cards that are reward cards. Just put your purchases on the card, then pay it off every month. Get money for using the card, get free air miles, get free cruises.

Just don't spend more than what you have to pay off the card at the end of the billing cycle.


Credit can work very much in your favor if you are responsible enough to use it correctly.

[flamesbball84]

Huh, some of the anti credit card stuff seems a little off the wall.

Just be responsible. You can actually make money by using credit cards that are reward cards. Just put your purchases on the card, then pay it off every month. Get money for using the card, get free air miles, get free cruises.

Just don't spend more than what you have to pay off the card at the end of the billing cycle.


Credit can work very much in your favor if you are responsible enough to use it correctly.

we already know that, giving advice to BJ though since it sounded like he wasn't confident in his ability to control his spending with a credit card.

[BJWilliams]

The advice is appreciated. Really when I was thinking about getting a card I was planning on using it for fairly small purcheses like getting a tank or two of gas that I know I can easily pay off quickly. I figure if I do set a budget but also set a cap on how much something could be before putting it on the card then I should be fine.

[jcmanson]

Credit can work very much in your favor if you are responsible enough to use it correctly.

True, but stats show the majority of Americans aren't responsible enough.