Comments on: Spare Change: Help a Reporter Edition http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/ Common sense advice on money saving tips, how to get out of debt, high interest savings accounts, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, money management and more. Wed, 22 May 2013 13:17:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Andrew @ Money Crashers http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1061822 Andrew @ Money Crashers Fri, 31 Dec 2010 23:26:55 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1061822 Awesome interview JD...GRS readers, you're learning from an amazing guy with some truly unique views and tips! Awesome interview JD…GRS readers, you’re learning from an amazing guy with some truly unique views and tips!

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]]> By: Brandon Carpenter http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1050972 Brandon Carpenter Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:46:18 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1050972 I would like to help a reporter. I have been affected by the recession, loosing my job of 11 years, with a 10 year old at home. My wife is now the primary income earner, she is a CPA in the public sector. Let me know. I would like to help a reporter. I have been affected by the recession, loosing my job of 11 years, with a 10 year old at home. My wife is now the primary income earner, she is a CPA in the public sector.
Let me know.

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]]> By: Karen http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1050342 Karen Mon, 27 Dec 2010 13:41:25 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1050342 Hi JD, My family nearly fits the profile of the second request. In 2008, my husband was laid off after 34 years at the same company, so I have been the breadwinner since then. We have two children living at home, the elder is 20 and the younger was 19 in November. It's been a challenge to say the least, but thanks in part to your blog, we've managed to survive on 1/3 of our former income. Hi JD,
My family nearly fits the profile of the second request. In 2008, my husband was laid off after 34 years at the same company, so I have been the breadwinner since then. We have two children living at home, the elder is 20 and the younger was 19 in November. It’s been a challenge to say the least, but thanks in part to your blog, we’ve managed to survive on 1/3 of our former income.

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]]> By: Peggy http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1046882 Peggy Sat, 25 Dec 2010 11:32:00 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1046882 I too live in the Twin Cities, and avoid credit cards like the plague. I too live in the Twin Cities, and avoid credit cards like the plague.

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]]> By: Kathryn http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1045952 Kathryn Fri, 24 Dec 2010 23:01:56 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1045952 I read your interview with Money Crashers, and I just want to say I really appreciated your candor about your struggle with charitable giving. It helped me better understand how the way we're raised can have a huge impact on how we view that issue. And I completely sympathize with your desire to give to individuals, not big organizations. It's harder to gloss over things like hunger, poverty, and disenfranchisement when you can put a face on them. I read your interview with Money Crashers, and I just want to say I really appreciated your candor about your struggle with charitable giving. It helped me better understand how the way we’re raised can have a huge impact on how we view that issue. And I completely sympathize with your desire to give to individuals, not big organizations. It’s harder to gloss over things like hunger, poverty, and disenfranchisement when you can put a face on them.

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]]> By: Scott Jensen http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1045832 Scott Jensen Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:21:16 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1045832 My wife and I would qualify to talk to the first reporter. We live in the Twin Cities area and stay away from credit cards. So far we have never found a good enough reason to use them. We are very open about our finances and would love to talk a reporter about it. P.S. Great Blog, my wife and I love your articles. My wife and I would qualify to talk to the first reporter. We live in the Twin Cities area and stay away from credit cards. So far we have never found a good enough reason to use them. We are very open about our finances and would love to talk a reporter about it.
P.S. Great Blog, my wife and I love your articles.

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]]> By: J.D. Roth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1045722 J.D. Roth Fri, 24 Dec 2010 19:10:13 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1045722 <b>@Kevin (#16)</b> Ha. Sounds like <i>you</i> need to learn to find beauty even in mediocre blog posts. :) @Kevin (#16)
Ha. Sounds like you need to learn to find beauty even in mediocre blog posts. :)

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]]> By: Anne http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1045572 Anne Fri, 24 Dec 2010 17:42:12 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1045572 Kevin - agreed. Kevin – agreed.

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]]> By: Chett Daniel http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1044412 Chett Daniel Fri, 24 Dec 2010 05:31:22 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1044412 J.D., A great resource for reporters and bloggers alike is HARO (Help a Reporter Out) They can be found at http://www.helpareporter.com/ It is an online resource that allows reporters to post topics searching for subject matter experts. So, if you blog about food and you want to be considered an "expert" you can contact the reporter in the posting. In return they reference you in the article and provide a backlink to your site. There are a lot of large reputable publications on HARO as well as many different regional media outlets. J.D.,

A great resource for reporters and bloggers alike is HARO (Help a Reporter Out)

They can be found at http://www.helpareporter.com/

It is an online resource that allows reporters to post topics searching for subject matter experts. So, if you blog about food and you want to be considered an “expert” you can contact the reporter in the posting. In return they reference you in the article and provide a backlink to your site. There are a lot of large reputable publications on HARO as well as many different regional media outlets.

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]]> By: John http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1043762 John Thu, 23 Dec 2010 23:04:20 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1043762 JD> Still, it seems pretty clear to me that whatever the Bush administration did screwed things up in a big way. A lot of people blame President Obama for the present economic crisis, but he didn’t create it. His administration has done a piss-poor job at dealing with it — no question — but his policies didn’t get us into this mess. The blame for that rests with the previous administration. I’m not sure why so many people ignore this. The Administration the actually did contribute to the down turn was the Clinton administration. They were the ones that pushed for banks to lower their requirments for signing loans. At the time "to help families get into a home" which helped everyone buy more house than they could afford with ridiculous terms like zero down and ARMs. Name one thing the Bush administration did to contribute to the recession. Remember this entire recession started with the real estate bubble bursting. JD> Still, it seems pretty clear to me that whatever the Bush administration did screwed things up in a big way. A lot of people blame President Obama for the present economic crisis, but he didn’t create it. His administration has done a piss-poor job at dealing with it — no question — but his policies didn’t get us into this mess. The blame for that rests with the previous administration. I’m not sure why so many people ignore this.
The Administration the actually did contribute to the down turn was the Clinton administration. They were the ones that pushed for banks to lower their requirments for signing loans. At the time “to help families get into a home” which helped everyone buy more house than they could afford with ridiculous terms like zero down and ARMs.
Name one thing the Bush administration did to contribute to the recession. Remember this entire recession started with the real estate bubble bursting.

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]]> By: Kevin M http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1043222 Kevin M Thu, 23 Dec 2010 17:37:53 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1043222 You're right, JD, that was a good interview. For what it's worth, I completely agree with your politics (on that question at least). You’re right, JD, that was a good interview. For what it’s worth, I completely agree with your politics (on that question at least).

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]]> By: Kevin http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1043212 Kevin Thu, 23 Dec 2010 17:30:13 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1043212 "To what do you contribute your amazing success?" Is Trent Hamm editing MoneyCrashers now? Sorry for the nitpick, but that should be "To what do you <b>attribute</b> your amazing success." As written, it makes no sense. Also, the "35 Gifts Your Children Will Never Forget" was just lame. I was expecting some actual memorable gifts, not sentimental fluff like "Intentionality" and "Finding Beauty." *gag* "Hey Timmy, what did Santa bring you? Discipline? Yaaaaay!!" “To what do you contribute your amazing success?”

Is Trent Hamm editing MoneyCrashers now?

Sorry for the nitpick, but that should be “To what do you attribute your amazing success.” As written, it makes no sense.

Also, the “35 Gifts Your Children Will Never Forget” was just lame. I was expecting some actual memorable gifts, not sentimental fluff like “Intentionality” and “Finding Beauty.” *gag*

“Hey Timmy, what did Santa bring you? Discipline? Yaaaaay!!”

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]]> By: Katie http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1043102 Katie Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:52:02 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1043102 I am a wife bringing home all the money! We have exactly one child under 18 too! I would be willing to chat. I am a wife bringing home all the money! We have exactly one child under 18 too! I would be willing to chat.

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]]> By: J.D. Roth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1043082 J.D. Roth Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:35:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1043082 <b>@Nicole (#11)</b> Agreed. I don't venture into economics much here, as you know, but when I do, I'm pretty diligent about research precisely because I <i>know</i> it's one of my weak areas. And I try to keep my opinion out of most economics pieces. The prime example of this is my two-part series on taxes: <a href="http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/08/24/understanding-the-federal-budget/" rel="nofollow">understanding the federal budget</a> and <a href="http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/08/31/the-truth-about-taxes/" rel="nofollow">the truth about taxes</a>. I spent days researching those posts, and tried to find non-partisan sources of information (which is much more difficult than you might imagine). When I wrote those articles, I tried to present just the facts, and steered clear of editorializing even in the presentation of the data. I don't know if I succeeded, but I tried. So, I steer clear of economics and politics whenever possible. I know my opinions aren't popular. They're neither right nor left, so everyone thinks they're crazy -- even my wife! :) @Nicole (#11)
Agreed. I don’t venture into economics much here, as you know, but when I do, I’m pretty diligent about research precisely because I know it’s one of my weak areas. And I try to keep my opinion out of most economics pieces.

The prime example of this is my two-part series on taxes: understanding the federal budget and the truth about taxes. I spent days researching those posts, and tried to find non-partisan sources of information (which is much more difficult than you might imagine). When I wrote those articles, I tried to present just the facts, and steered clear of editorializing even in the presentation of the data. I don’t know if I succeeded, but I tried.

So, I steer clear of economics and politics whenever possible. I know my opinions aren’t popular. They’re neither right nor left, so everyone thinks they’re crazy — even my wife! :)

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]]> By: elisabeth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1043042 elisabeth Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:12:48 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1043042 I should probably read the article before commenting, but at first thought the idea that you shouldn't give a nice gift for fear that someone will get hooked on spending more than they should is just bizarre to me. Let's say I have a choice of giving a beautiful artist-made pillow as a gift, or a cheap barely-designed pillow that is say, half the price. If I can afford the thing of beauty, I think I should give it. The recipient may agree that it is beautiful and seek out other beautiful objects. Maybe he/she will save to get them, or find them used. Is there really more danger a person will immediately become addicted to credit just because they begin to appreciate nicer things than if they just are influenced by consumer culture? I should probably read the article before commenting, but at first thought the idea that you shouldn’t give a nice gift for fear that someone will get hooked on spending more than they should is just bizarre to me.

Let’s say I have a choice of giving a beautiful artist-made pillow as a gift, or a cheap barely-designed pillow that is say, half the price. If I can afford the thing of beauty, I think I should give it. The recipient may agree that it is beautiful and seek out other beautiful objects. Maybe he/she will save to get them, or find them used. Is there really more danger a person will immediately become addicted to credit just because they begin to appreciate nicer things than if they just are influenced by consumer culture?

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]]> By: Shawn G http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1042962 Shawn G Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:20:26 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1042962 J.D., in your interview with money crashers they asked you about setting goals. One piece of advice I received before running my first marathon was in relation to goal setting. After training for several months, I had a goal time that I really wanted to meet. What I was told was to set three goals. The A goal was the time that I'm really running for. The B goal would be a bit slower, but still a good time. The C goal was a time that I knew I could beat and if I did beat it I would still have accomplished a goal. So with your weight loss as an example your A goal could have been 50 lbs. Your B goal 40 lbs., and your C goal 10 lbs. When it came to running the race, I was definitely faster than my C goal, and just a couple minutes shy of my B goal. I left that race knowing I had done my best and was happy with my time. If I had only been running for my A goal, I would probably have left bummed out, but as it was I left happy. J.D., in your interview with money crashers they asked you about setting goals. One piece of advice I received before running my first marathon was in relation to goal setting. After training for several months, I had a goal time that I really wanted to meet. What I was told was to set three goals. The A goal was the time that I’m really running for. The B goal would be a bit slower, but still a good time. The C goal was a time that I knew I could beat and if I did beat it I would still have accomplished a goal. So with your weight loss as an example your A goal could have been 50 lbs. Your B goal 40 lbs., and your C goal 10 lbs.

When it came to running the race, I was definitely faster than my C goal, and just a couple minutes shy of my B goal. I left that race knowing I had done my best and was happy with my time. If I had only been running for my A goal, I would probably have left bummed out, but as it was I left happy.

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]]> By: Nicole http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1042872 Nicole Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:27:51 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1042872 Left a comment on the money crashers interview. I hope that if you do ever venture into talking about macroeconomics on this site (which I hope you don't) that you do as much research on the topic as you do on the personal finance topics you discuss before making suggestions. What seems like common sense at first can be completely the wrong thing to do when you are looking at countries rather than at people. There's informed opinions and uninformed opinions and the latter can be dangerous. Left a comment on the money crashers interview. I hope that if you do ever venture into talking about macroeconomics on this site (which I hope you don’t) that you do as much research on the topic as you do on the personal finance topics you discuss before making suggestions.

What seems like common sense at first can be completely the wrong thing to do when you are looking at countries rather than at people. There’s informed opinions and uninformed opinions and the latter can be dangerous.

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]]> By: lostAnnfound http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1042722 lostAnnfound Thu, 23 Dec 2010 12:03:16 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1042722 Great interview at Money Crashers Great interview at Money Crashers

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]]> By: Suzie Bee http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1042522 Suzie Bee Thu, 23 Dec 2010 10:24:26 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1042522 I love the link to 35 presents children will never forget. I'm starting to become much more thoughtful about presents and try to give experiences, especially ones I can share with the recipient. I love the link to 35 presents children will never forget. I’m starting to become much more thoughtful about presents and try to give experiences, especially ones I can share with the recipient.

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]]> By: James Wear http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1041852 James Wear Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:28:49 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1041852 My wife brings home the bacon at my house! And while I do not believe in playing victim to the economy, I will admit it has played a role in my decision-making process for my career path. I just recently started my own blog (TheBlogSoGoodItDoesntNeedAName.com) where one of the things I am going to write about is being a Stay-At-Home Dad, including money issues, so feel free to pass my name on to that reporter! My wife brings home the bacon at my house! And while I do not believe in playing victim to the economy, I will admit it has played a role in my decision-making process for my career path. I just recently started my own blog (TheBlogSoGoodItDoesntNeedAName.com) where one of the things I am going to write about is being a Stay-At-Home Dad, including money issues, so feel free to pass my name on to that reporter!

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]]> By: Evan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1041652 Evan Thu, 23 Dec 2010 03:27:12 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1041652 Thanks for the mention! I can only help the post helps someone out there Thanks for the mention! I can only help the post helps someone out there

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]]> By: Amanda http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1041632 Amanda Thu, 23 Dec 2010 03:17:28 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1041632 I agree with the globe article. I recall a reader question about giving designer bags to her nieces form a consignment store. Was it on this site or simple dollar? Anyway I said it might be a bad idea to get young ones liking nicer stuff. Bad start! I agree with the globe article. I recall a reader question about giving designer bags to her nieces form a consignment store. Was it on this site or simple dollar? Anyway I said it might be a bad idea to get young ones liking nicer stuff. Bad start!

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]]> By: Emily Ellsworth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1041302 Emily Ellsworth Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:29:48 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1041302 We definitely fit the second description. I've been the primary wage earner for the last 2 years. You can certainly pass along my email address. Thanks! We definitely fit the second description. I’ve been the primary wage earner for the last 2 years. You can certainly pass along my email address. Thanks!

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]]> By: J.D. Roth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1041282 J.D. Roth Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:19:15 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1041282 Sara, Sara, Sara. You're only stating half of my position! It's "cut spending and raise taxes". But you're right: There's a reason I avoid politics here. GRS readers have diverse opinions, and have other places to discuss the subject. :) Sara, Sara, Sara. You’re only stating half of my position! It’s “cut spending and raise taxes”. But you’re right: There’s a reason I avoid politics here. GRS readers have diverse opinions, and have other places to discuss the subject. :)

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]]> By: Sara http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1041262 Sara Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:07:09 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1041262 JD, very good interview over at Money Crashers. However, I'm so glad I don't have to read your politics here ("raise taxes"?!?!) -- otherwise, I'd have to stop reading my favorite blog! Also, I love doing my taxes as early as possible, too. It drives me crazy to wait for the January statements to come in! JD, very good interview over at Money Crashers. However, I’m so glad I don’t have to read your politics here (“raise taxes”?!?!) — otherwise, I’d have to stop reading my favorite blog!

Also, I love doing my taxes as early as possible, too. It drives me crazy to wait for the January statements to come in!

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]]> By: Tara @ Deal Seeking Mom http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1041252 Tara @ Deal Seeking Mom Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:06:36 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1041252 Hey JD, I fit the bill for the second family request. Feel free to pass my email address on -- thanks! Hey JD, I fit the bill for the second family request. Feel free to pass my email address on — thanks!

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]]> By: J.J. http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/12/22/spare-change-help-a-reporter-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-1041122 J.J. Wed, 22 Dec 2010 23:18:53 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=59082#comment-1041122 My wife and I only use credit cards for online purchases (rare- mostly holidays) and to secure the occasional hotel room/car rental but always have the cash to pay it off in full. We don't use credit cards for any other reason and never carry a balance. We live in the Twin Cities and we'd be happy to talk about it. My wife and I only use credit cards for online purchases (rare- mostly holidays) and to secure the occasional hotel room/car rental but always have the cash to pay it off in full. We don’t use credit cards for any other reason and never carry a balance. We live in the Twin Cities and we’d be happy to talk about it.

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