5 Crazy Money Ideas That Just Might Work

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As far as taxes go, what I do is try to net as close as I can to not owe much or not get back much. I detour the extra cash to my savings account. This year alone I saved 11K. I've taken a big vacation and to small big weekend vacations, the fridge is always stocked, have nice clothing, helped both the adult kids on big events, and bought a new Tacoma too. All on 51K per year self and wifes 42K salaries. And that savings is after the purchases, it's still in the bank.

James of AZ 11:27AM November 25, 2011

I am no financial expert however I know i dont need an mba to know that overpaying the I.R.S. has got to be close to the worst advice ever. Put your money somewhere that it will earn at least a little interest , or at least build ones credit strength ; savings or money market account . Good by .
Jerry Hensley
Atlanta

Jerry Hensley of GA 1:26AM September 30, 2011

I totally agree on the insurance ideas! Sure, buying life insurance on your parents can seem a bit morbid, but not any more so than buying it on yourself to protect your kids. My spouse is 21 years my senior and he asked me to purchase it on him. It's nothing more than a good gamble. I also buy life insurance on my kids, not because I expect something to happen, but because buying it now (while they are 6 and 8) gives me the great rates they won't get when they are older. When they are 18 I gift them the policy completly paid for, something to leave to their children without the expense to their pocketbook!

Kathleen Morton of MO 12:00PM September 28, 2011

I used to agree with the experts about tax refunds. But that was when interest rates were actually paying something on savings.
Considering how little these accounts [and CDs] are paying in interest, getting a big tax refund sounds pretty good. It's forced savings; I'm not hit with a huge tax bill in April [which has happened several times and has been devastating]; and it's a nice "surprise" and offer peace of mind [something rare these days] that I've already settled up with Uncle Same come 4/15.
I'm forfeiting a miniscule 1% [if I'm lucky & the rate is that high] in interest by not having the money in an i nterest-earning account. Money, which if I'm honest, would have leaked away, bit by bit, and never made it into any account.

DFC of MD 1:30PM August 19, 2011

Not only do I get money back for whatever i need I don't have to worry about comming up with any cash i might owe them if i didn't over pay

michael shane of NJ 6:41PM August 17, 2011

IRS Refund. For real? What do you care if the government makes intrest off of your overpaying. I do just that, I don't miss the extra cash as to me it is nominal. When I get the lump sum back on my refund, then it means something for my family and myself. Think "Vacation". nuff said :)

VZ of TX 4:50PM August 16, 2011

Maybe the people criticizing this, should actually read it. They are "crazy" ideas. This isn't for everyone.

Kim of IN 12:28PM August 09, 2011

This doesn't sound like someone who graduated from Amherst.

Sebastian of MA 8:53PM July 31, 2011

How did the author of this article ever get to be a personal finance editor for USNews? It is painfully obvious that she has never taken a college level course in business or economics.
If we cared enough to google her, we would probably find that she flunked out of journalism with an incomplete minor in home economics from an obscure 2 year technical college with ridiculously low admission standards.

Ethan of MA 1:53AM July 31, 2011