Below is an email sent to the editor of Kipligner's Personal Finance Magazine.
In regards to the story "The New Rules of Credit Cards" in the July 2009 issue.
I've had at least 5 credit card accounts closed in the past year (one was opened in 1996) because of inactivity. I thought my credit score would drastically drop like your article states. As it turns out, my credit score has actually gone up to 832! Maybe closing inactive accounts isn't as bad as what we are led to believe.
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June 08, 2009
June 01, 2009
Book Review
The Gospel According to The Simpsons by Mark I. Pinsky
Being a fan of The Simpsons, I was excited to read this book. The purpose of the book is to examine the spiritual aspect of the show.
The book starts out interestingly enough, by evaluating some of the characters and their spirituality. However, toward the end of the book, the author seems to spend most of the chapters giving the story line of several episodes without actually analyzing or thoroughly evaluating the spiritual side of the show.
The worst part of the book was the concluding chapter. It seemed to be just a bunch on quotes from other people with no real point.
Whether you enjoy or hate The Simpsons television series, this is one book you can skip.
This review is based on the first edition of the book. I have an updated edition that I will read at some point in the future.
.
Being a fan of The Simpsons, I was excited to read this book. The purpose of the book is to examine the spiritual aspect of the show.
The book starts out interestingly enough, by evaluating some of the characters and their spirituality. However, toward the end of the book, the author seems to spend most of the chapters giving the story line of several episodes without actually analyzing or thoroughly evaluating the spiritual side of the show.
The worst part of the book was the concluding chapter. It seemed to be just a bunch on quotes from other people with no real point.
Whether you enjoy or hate The Simpsons television series, this is one book you can skip.
This review is based on the first edition of the book. I have an updated edition that I will read at some point in the future.
.
May 27, 2009
Book Review
Matthew 24-28: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary
MacArthur provides thorough Scriptural commentary throughout this book. There are many great lessons to be learned from this text. MacArthur provides a great description of a spiritual tradgey (Matthew 26:36-46) as well as a great view of the command to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:16-20).
MacArthur's commentaries are mainly expository. Meaning, he takes scripture and explains it with other scripture. His expository style, however, is easy to read and understand. He does digress into other scripture or theological topics at times, but I believe he does this so anyone reading this commentary would be able to understand the other scriptural passages that he references.
I would highly recommend The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series to anyone looking for an in-depth Biblical explanation of Scripture.
.
MacArthur provides thorough Scriptural commentary throughout this book. There are many great lessons to be learned from this text. MacArthur provides a great description of a spiritual tradgey (Matthew 26:36-46) as well as a great view of the command to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:16-20).
MacArthur's commentaries are mainly expository. Meaning, he takes scripture and explains it with other scripture. His expository style, however, is easy to read and understand. He does digress into other scripture or theological topics at times, but I believe he does this so anyone reading this commentary would be able to understand the other scriptural passages that he references.
I would highly recommend The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series to anyone looking for an in-depth Biblical explanation of Scripture.
.
May 22, 2009
A letter to Money Magazine
Below is a letter I sent to the editor of Money magazine regarding an article in their June 2009 issue.
I was excited to see an article about the associated costs of living a faithfully religious lifestyle
("The Price of Faith" June 2009).
The Jewish and Muslim families seemed to adhere to their religion strictly and faithfully. The Christian family seemed to also, but the closing statement caught me off guard.
"'We used to feel that if we just did our jobs using the gifts God gave us, we would be taken care of financially' says Kent. Now they know it's up to them to take care of themselves."
If that is how the Koeman family really feels, I think the authors could have and should have found a more faithful family to represent Christianity.
My question to the Koeman family is this: When you were "poor" only making around $30,000 a year, did God not provide for you?
Maybe they didn't have everything they wanted, but I'll bet God gave them what they needed! Too bad they didn't realize it.
.
I was excited to see an article about the associated costs of living a faithfully religious lifestyle
("The Price of Faith" June 2009).
The Jewish and Muslim families seemed to adhere to their religion strictly and faithfully. The Christian family seemed to also, but the closing statement caught me off guard.
"'We used to feel that if we just did our jobs using the gifts God gave us, we would be taken care of financially' says Kent. Now they know it's up to them to take care of themselves."
If that is how the Koeman family really feels, I think the authors could have and should have found a more faithful family to represent Christianity.
My question to the Koeman family is this: When you were "poor" only making around $30,000 a year, did God not provide for you?
Maybe they didn't have everything they wanted, but I'll bet God gave them what they needed! Too bad they didn't realize it.
.
May 18, 2009
Letter to the Editor of Smartmoney
Below is a letter to the editor of SmartMoney Magazine.
While I agree that e*trade is a pretty good brokerage firm overall, ("Finding the Best Fit" June 2009) the article left out one huge mistake e*trade pulled on some of its clients.
In March, e*trade abruptly terminated their line of mutual funds. This of course forced investors to liquidate their holdings, no doubt many at huge losses. How's that for customer service!
I have yet to read any analysis about this from any newspaper or magazine source, probably because e*trade advertises in most major publications (including your own).
.
While I agree that e*trade is a pretty good brokerage firm overall, ("Finding the Best Fit" June 2009) the article left out one huge mistake e*trade pulled on some of its clients.
In March, e*trade abruptly terminated their line of mutual funds. This of course forced investors to liquidate their holdings, no doubt many at huge losses. How's that for customer service!
I have yet to read any analysis about this from any newspaper or magazine source, probably because e*trade advertises in most major publications (including your own).
.
May 12, 2009
Lasagna anyway you cook it!
While I was shopping the other day I noticed in the pasta area there were two types of Lasagna, oven ready and regular.
I needed to know the difference, so I started my sleuthing.
First, the obvious. Both were branded with the Great Value label. The oven ready box is blue. The regular box is red.
Next, I observed the price. $1.49 for each. Interesting.
What about the size of the box? The regular box is 16 ounces and the oven ready box is only 12 ounces.
That's it! The weight is different, therefore, it must be because the ingredients are different making one box heaver than the other.
Upon looking at the ingredients they were identical.
So then what is the difference between regular lasagna and oven ready lasagna?
Apparently you get 4 ounces less of the oven ready lasagna for the same price as a regular box!
Remember you read it here first at Doe Valley, the place that answers those tough questions simply by thinking.
.
I needed to know the difference, so I started my sleuthing.
First, the obvious. Both were branded with the Great Value label. The oven ready box is blue. The regular box is red.
Next, I observed the price. $1.49 for each. Interesting.
What about the size of the box? The regular box is 16 ounces and the oven ready box is only 12 ounces.
That's it! The weight is different, therefore, it must be because the ingredients are different making one box heaver than the other.
Upon looking at the ingredients they were identical.
So then what is the difference between regular lasagna and oven ready lasagna?
Apparently you get 4 ounces less of the oven ready lasagna for the same price as a regular box!
Remember you read it here first at Doe Valley, the place that answers those tough questions simply by thinking.
.
May 11, 2009
Book Review
Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge
This book is co-authored by John and Stasi Eldredge. Sometimes it is clear who is writing, other times it is not.
Overall the premise of the book is for women to be captivating. Their hearts should provide the invitation to romance so they can let their true beauty shine forth all the while having an adventure throughout their lives.
“What Wild at Heart did for men, Captivating will do for you” is the caption on the back of the book. When I read the caption, I was a little annoyed because “Wild at Heart” did nothing for me. In fact, I though the book was wrong, so I had little expectation for this book.
As I started reading, however, I found this book to be better in places than “Wild at Heart.” The places I found myself enjoying were when Stasi wrote. I found myself usually disagreeing with John’s writing.
This book is an okay read, but could have been better if Stasi would have wrote the whole book. As with “Wild at Heart” the theology is a little off in places and the authors seem to use more movie and cultural references than scripture to prove their point. Sometimes (as with “Wild at Heart”) the scripture is interpreted in a weak or liberal way to further attempt to substantiate their point.
This is another book you can safely skip.
.
This book is co-authored by John and Stasi Eldredge. Sometimes it is clear who is writing, other times it is not.
Overall the premise of the book is for women to be captivating. Their hearts should provide the invitation to romance so they can let their true beauty shine forth all the while having an adventure throughout their lives.
“What Wild at Heart did for men, Captivating will do for you” is the caption on the back of the book. When I read the caption, I was a little annoyed because “Wild at Heart” did nothing for me. In fact, I though the book was wrong, so I had little expectation for this book.
As I started reading, however, I found this book to be better in places than “Wild at Heart.” The places I found myself enjoying were when Stasi wrote. I found myself usually disagreeing with John’s writing.
This book is an okay read, but could have been better if Stasi would have wrote the whole book. As with “Wild at Heart” the theology is a little off in places and the authors seem to use more movie and cultural references than scripture to prove their point. Sometimes (as with “Wild at Heart”) the scripture is interpreted in a weak or liberal way to further attempt to substantiate their point.
This is another book you can safely skip.
.
April 27, 2009
Book Review
Teaching to Change Lives by Howard G. Hendricks
This book provides seven ways to help you be a better teacher. The book is geared toward teaching the word of God, but could be applied to any subject.
The seven methods are summarized below:
1. Teachers never stop learning.
2. People learn differently – so teach them differently.
3. The most effective learning comes from involvement.
4. To communicate your subject you must know it well, believe it, and live it.
5. Teaching is from the heart, meaning your whole self.
6. Effective teaching is motivating.
7. Preparation of both teacher and student makes for the best learning experience.
The author dedicates one chapter each to the above mentioned topics. There is also an introductory chapter at the beginning and summary chapter at the end. At the end of each chapter there are some reflection type questions to ponder.
Overall, this is a good book and a worthwhile read if you are interested in improving your teaching.
.
This book provides seven ways to help you be a better teacher. The book is geared toward teaching the word of God, but could be applied to any subject.
The seven methods are summarized below:
1. Teachers never stop learning.
2. People learn differently – so teach them differently.
3. The most effective learning comes from involvement.
4. To communicate your subject you must know it well, believe it, and live it.
5. Teaching is from the heart, meaning your whole self.
6. Effective teaching is motivating.
7. Preparation of both teacher and student makes for the best learning experience.
The author dedicates one chapter each to the above mentioned topics. There is also an introductory chapter at the beginning and summary chapter at the end. At the end of each chapter there are some reflection type questions to ponder.
Overall, this is a good book and a worthwhile read if you are interested in improving your teaching.
.
April 08, 2009
Book Review
Matthew 16-23: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary
MacArthur provides thorough Scriptural commentary throughout this book.
MacArthur's commentaries are mainly expository. Meaning, he takes scripture and explains it with other scripture. His expository style, however, is easy to read and understand. He does digress into other scripture or theological topics at times, but I believe he does this so anyone reading this commentary would be able to understand the other scriptural passages that he references.
I would highly recommend The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series to anyone looking for an in-depth Biblical explanation of Scripture.
.
MacArthur provides thorough Scriptural commentary throughout this book.
MacArthur's commentaries are mainly expository. Meaning, he takes scripture and explains it with other scripture. His expository style, however, is easy to read and understand. He does digress into other scripture or theological topics at times, but I believe he does this so anyone reading this commentary would be able to understand the other scriptural passages that he references.
I would highly recommend The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series to anyone looking for an in-depth Biblical explanation of Scripture.
.
April 06, 2009
Book Review
Wild at Heart by John Eldredge
Wild at Heart claims to be a spiritual/christian living type book to help men discover who they are meant to be and help women understand what men need to be like.
Basically the author calls the men in churches today a bunch of sissy's or wimps. To be a real man they need to be wild and adventuresome; to follow their boyhood dreams; men need to fight!
The author quotes many other people throughout the book (which to me often times don't seem to fit in to what the author is trying to get at). He also uses movies to reference what real men should be like (like Hollywood knows what a real man is!).
The author does make an attempt to use scripture to prove his point. Often times, however, he seems to twist the scriptural interpretation to help prove his point. In reality, there are many correct scriptural references that prove the exact opposite of the author's point!
Overall, I cannot recommend this book for various reasons.
First, I believe the author to be wrong about Christian living. I won't go into detail about why, but you can read other reviews on Amazon that further discuss this.
Second, the book just isn't well wrote. There are many long paragraphs that don't seem to make sense. They are just a bunch of sentences piled together. In other places, the author seems to realize this problem and would just (seemly at random) split the paragraph into two paragraphs, neither of which make sense.
The scary part is the fact that this has been a best seller among christian books.
This is one book you can safely skip!
.
Wild at Heart claims to be a spiritual/christian living type book to help men discover who they are meant to be and help women understand what men need to be like.
Basically the author calls the men in churches today a bunch of sissy's or wimps. To be a real man they need to be wild and adventuresome; to follow their boyhood dreams; men need to fight!
The author quotes many other people throughout the book (which to me often times don't seem to fit in to what the author is trying to get at). He also uses movies to reference what real men should be like (like Hollywood knows what a real man is!).
The author does make an attempt to use scripture to prove his point. Often times, however, he seems to twist the scriptural interpretation to help prove his point. In reality, there are many correct scriptural references that prove the exact opposite of the author's point!
Overall, I cannot recommend this book for various reasons.
First, I believe the author to be wrong about Christian living. I won't go into detail about why, but you can read other reviews on Amazon that further discuss this.
Second, the book just isn't well wrote. There are many long paragraphs that don't seem to make sense. They are just a bunch of sentences piled together. In other places, the author seems to realize this problem and would just (seemly at random) split the paragraph into two paragraphs, neither of which make sense.
The scary part is the fact that this has been a best seller among christian books.
This is one book you can safely skip!
.
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