A Meteoric Roundup

Another week, and time for another roundup starting with Kevin Mercadante‘s 10 Ideas For a Home Business. For many, it’s just a small difference in income that’s needed to make ends meet. Frugal only goes so far, in the long run, it’s income and building wealth that matters. Continued education leading to a better job might be a longer term goal, but short term, getting some part time income working from home is a great start. Read Kevin’s list and see if one of these ideas appeals to you.

Ron at The Wisdom Journal recently wrote H&R Block vs TurboTax: Cat Fight. It’s interesting to see what two marketing firms can do when they go after each other. And Ron got it right, it’s now a regular cat fight. Check out how the sparks are flying. Meanwhile, I have articles published at both sites. And I’d like to remain neutral in this skirmish. Just like Hertz and Avis in car rentals, there’s room for more than one Tax Preparation Software or storefront tax service.

A couple weeks back I wrote an article on how to Bet on Apple at 9 to 2. Let me spell out how this works. It’s done with options, and involves buying a $500 call, while selling the $600 call on Apple, both expiring in Jan 2015. The cost to do this was $22 (as of today, it’s up to $25) and if Apple closes over $600 by Jan ’15, the spread is worth $100. Options trade on 100 shares of stock, so the smallest amount to enter this trade is now $2500 plus commission. Note – I don’t call this investing. It’s gambling, plain and simple. Will Apple rise 30% in just under 2 years? It might, or it might not. But I believe the odds are better than the 4 to 1 odds the house is offering me.

At Graduated Learning, Stephanie wrote And the Snow Kept On Falling, about the storm we enjoyed in the Northeast last weekend. What struck me was the picture she posted.

Her picture is on the right, and on the left is from my article about The Paradox of Choice. A startling contrast, and a testament to how people feel compelled to buy bread and milk before every storm. Keep in mind, we were plowed out after two days. Those who shop once a week could have skipped the special visit altogether.

At Len Penzo’s site, Jason Bushey will tell you the 3 Things You Should Never Pay For with a Credit Card (and One You Always Should.)  I have to admit, I was expecting to see hookers and drugs hit that list, but Jason’s mind was not in the gutter.

Interesting that the Mighty Bargain Hunter had an article this week on a new derivative - Binary options: Another fork in the Yellow Brick Road? An interesting article about a product I think I can live without.

Let’s wrap it up with Miranda Marquit’s 50/30/20 Budget. It got me thinking about how we have our budget divvied up at our house. Saving more, and spending on want quite a bit less than this budget suggests. Check out Miranda’s article and let her know how your budget compares.

Regarding the title – The Planet Earth avoided disaster as Asteroid 2012 DA14 missed destroying the world by 17,150 miles, damn close in astronomical terms. But Russia wasn’t so lucky, by coincidence a meteorite hit Russia ans injured over 1000 people, destroying a huge number of windows by its shock wave. My prayers are with these poor people who probably thought this was the apocalypse.