Finacial Holiday Gifts Idea
December 16, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
1. The book that explains how Wall Street really works
Why: “Where Are the Customers’ Yachts?” is a gem by former stockbroker Fred Schwed Jr. Written in 1940, it’s just as eye-opening about the vagaries of the investment landscape today as it was then. Plus, it’s hilarious. You’ll learn that you don’t know nearly as much as you think you do about stocks and bonds — but then again, neither does anyone else.
Where to get it: Amazon.com, $13.57.
2. A receipt organizer
Why: Admit it — you waste hours every year prowling through paper piles and desk drawers for charitable-gift receipts, medical bills, and other tax-related documents. The fix: an organizer reserved specifically for sorting and stowing all this paperwork as it arrives. The reward: no more missed write-offs — and (relative) peace in your household come tax season.
Where to get it: MoleskineUS.com. Go ahead and splurge on the $32.25 Folio A4 Portfolio — it’s so well built and luxurious, it makes tax preparation almost sexy.
3. Cash out of thin air
Why: State treasuries contain about $33 billion in unclaimed funds, such as old dividend checks, dormant bank accounts, or refunds you forgot you were owed (or never knew about at all). But to get your dough, you’ve got to search for it. Average claim for those who collected in a recent year: a whopping $900.
Where to get it: Start at unclaimed.org to check each state you’ve lived in. Also look up your name on missingmoney.com (not all states are covered). Cost: about $2 to get your claim-form signature notarized.
