Kropotkin’s Ninety-Nine

Mutual aid needs to be profitable for those who engage in it. As a practical exercise in mutual aid economics, Sarwark Enterprises will operate a private investment fund of no more than 99 individual investors and business operators from around the world. Ninety-nine thousand dollars will be placed into a fund. That fund can invest…

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The $1,000 Challenge

There are only two ways to improve your financial situation.  You can bring in more money or you can stop spending as much money.  In my quest to do the latter, I read The $1,000 Challenge: How One Family Slashed Its Budget Without Moving Under a Bridge or Living on Government Cheeseby Brian J. O’Connor.…

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Facing the truth on the debt limit

David Friedman has a very good post on The Debt Limit and Default that makes two essential points for cutting through the hyperbole in the news about the risks of not raising the country’s debt limit.  (1) Our government takes in enough revenues to make all interest payments on existing debt and (2) even defaulting…

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Why I Cancelled My PNC Bank Credit Card

My wallet is one credit card lighter this morning.  I cancelled my PNC Bank Visa that I’ve had since it was still National City bank.  Their business practice of charging exorbitant fees with zero grace period is not something I want to support with my purchase dollars. The facts are these:  Back in January, my…

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Peer to Peer Lending with Lending Club

Inspired by Mr. Money Mustache, I’ve decided to add peer-to-peer lending to my investment portfolio.  I opened an account with Lending Club and just invested in my first two notes today. The way it works is that Lending Club acts as a loan originator and servicer for consumer loans.  They then allow investors to fund…

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The perils of not using your credit cards

  A credit card company just sent me a letter informing me that: We have closed your AT&T Universal Rewards Card due to the length of time that has passed since it was last used.  Please destroy all cards and convenience checks in your possession. I guess it’s cool that I have my life together…

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