Want an iPad with that Refund?

Tax day is bearing down on us which brings us into tax refund season. We are also in new season of gadget lust. This one is the iPad edition. I’m not receiving a tax refund, which is a good thing. (Why? Because it means I didn’t extend an interest-free loan to our money-sucking government.) I’m also not buying an iPad, also a good thing. (Why? Because it shows I’m not an Apple fanboy.) Read more

Las Vegas Interlude

I arrived in Las Vegas yesterday, accompanied by Mrs. ToughMoneyLove, our three sons, and one son’s significant other. We are here for four nights. It’s a combined celebration of family birthdays, particularly son number three who turned 21 last month. Read more

Consumer Spending Successes or Excesses?

Although it’s hard for Mr. Tough Money Love to concede that any spending is a financial “success”, I’ve decided to go for it regarding two events that occurred over the weekend. You can jump my case after you read if you think I deserve it. Read more

Please Send Sezmi to Save Me Money

Another competitor to the Comcast Cable monster has launched. If it works – I want it. The service is Sezmi and it has officially launched in Los Angeles with Best Buy as its retail partner. It claims to be a $20/month alternative to cable and satellite TV. This does not include the cost of broadband Internet, which you must have to use the Sezmi service. Also needed – a Sezmi DVR box to download and record your desired programs. Read more

Bargain Babe Anniversary Giveaway

Mr. ToughMoneyLove is not big into the giveaway scene beyond giving away my version of the hard truth.  However, I do appreciate bloggers who provide value to their readers in short and to-the-point posts.  Bargain Babe is one of those.  So I’ve decided to help her celebrate her first blogoversary by promoting her giveaway. Read more

Compare Spending with Your Peers

I just learned about the launch of a new site that allows visitors to compare their spending habits with their peers. The exact sources of the spending data are unknown but it is broken down by age group, marital/kid status, income, and geography. Read more

Hard Truth Week in Review – Bad Knee Edition

It’s been a little quiet here at ToughMoneyLove. I had some outpatient surgery on my knee last Friday and have been groggy since then from the pain medication. Read more

‘Tis the Season to be Saving

The retailers are nervous about the final outcome of the Christmas selling season. Do they have reason to be concerned? It seems that they do. Read more

Black Friday Spenders: Wasting Away in Hamsterville

I ignored Black Friday – and shopping altogether – this year. Instead, I enjoyed time with family. Mr. ToughMoneyLove shopped on Black Friday once. My oldest son and I decided a few years ago to snap up some needed tech bargains at Best Buy. We arrived early (but not before hundreds of others looking to score bigger deals), bought a few things on our list, went home, and fell back asleep by 7:00 AM. I won’t be doing that again anytime soon, if ever. It’s rare these days that I would want or need to buy something that would be deeply discounted on Black Friday. Read more

Lifestyle Changes by Design

Tomorrow Mrs. ToughMoneyLove and I are joining two of our sons (and a wonderful significant other) in a 600 mile one-day car trip to a Thanksgiving get-together with extended family. Read more

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