Prepaid Debit Cards: American Express

There's been alot of talk about prepaid debit cards lately.  My wife just got an American Express Prepaid Debit Card. 

THE GOOD: 

·         Free transfers from a bank account (2-3 days). 

·         1 free ATM withdrawal per month. 

·         Free Roadside Assistance.

·         Direct Deposit coming soon.

THE BAD:   

·         You can accumulate reward points like a traditional AE Cared.

·         If you add to the card using a MONEYPACK card, there is a $4.95 fee.  

THE UGLY:  

·         I ain't buying no mo' stinking MONEY PACK cards for her.  There is currently a promotion-- AE will re-imburse the 1st $4.95 fee. (beautiful)

I'm going to order one for myself, not as an alternative to having a banking account, but for the convenience of having roadside assistance, REDBOX Rentals (1 free rental per CC), etc.  I will load small amounts of money on the card and use it for emergencies or for when it's more convenient to use AE vs. MC/VISA.  i.e., my water bill can no longer be paid with my VISA Debit card; they will charge a 2% fee.  If I use AE, then no fee.... and that's a no brainer!!

Is Marriage in Crisis?

This headline from the WSJ got my attention and I had to respond….

 

I didn’t think so until last night.  I went to Target last night and saw a t-shirt with a picture of a bride and groom, like the characters on top of a wedding cake, and below the couple were the following words: “Epic Fail”.  Not exactly sure were the term “Epic Fail” came from but I have been hearing it a lot lately.  I didn’t think it was cute or funny, I actually took offense.  I’d be the first to have a sense of humor and a fair share of sarcasm, but don’t attack me or any institution that I belong to, without a valid reason or even a blanket reason.

 

Is marriage challenging and difficult?...yes and yes.  Marriage forces you to compromise.  Marriage forces you to place your spouse’s needs above your own. 

 

Excuse my bad grammar, but “marriage ain’t for err ‘body.”  Some people are better off being single.  No harm done. Likewise, there are some people who are better off with a companion.  Can couples be companions without being legally married?  Of course.  It happens all of the time; yet being Husband and Wife is very different than being boyfriend and girlfriend. Being married is not the same as “going steady”.

 

There is nothing wrong with being single. No one should be rushed or forced into a lifelong commitment unless that’s what he/she wants. There is nothing wrong with being married. While I’m trying to provide a life for my wife and children, don’t give me grief for trying to love well…. For striving to be a good husband and father.  The married man is not a sucker!!  He ain’t missing out on nutin’.

 

There is a problem when those that play house act as if cohabitation is better than or equal to matrimony. That’s a problem….better yet, an “epic fail.”

facebook's IPO/media kit

4 panel prospectus......ENOUGH SAID !!

I wouldn't be suprised if FACEBOOK stock hit $1k on it's Intial Public Offering.

who can afford "beats by dre"?

When Dr. Dre's studio quality headphones hit the market in 2008...they marketed it as if they were 10x better than any other headphones.

Initially, I thought this would be big hit with producers, high profile musicians, entertainers, and professional athletes....you know...people that can afford to spend $300 for a pair of headphones.

I was mistaken...better yet, I was wrong. I see high school and college students rocking them, even, middle school kids walking around town like they are famous....which leads me to this question...in this tough economy...how are people, especially kids, affording these high end headphones?

Are parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles shelling out 300 + tax (140 used + tax) for headphones?

Maybe, I have 3 kids and student loans that keep me working around the clock. And the little disposable income that I have goes to camera equipment or my wife (that's another blog post for another time).

who can afford to spend this kind of money on headphones unless you can afford studio time with dr. dre to get a real beat by dre?

Or

maybe I'm been mistaken differently....knockoffs beats ??

"quote of the day" 1 feb 2012

None of this stuff (investing, personal finance or saving) is rocket science.
-Dave Ramsey

Managing money should not be that
difficult as long one has enough
to manage. I'm taking new reigns
in 2012 and I'm optimistic.