Katie McCaskey : Geezeo.com

By Katie McCaskey Last updated: Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:53am PDT
  • When to use credit and when to use debit

    By Katie McCaskey, on Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:06am PDT

    By Katie McCaskey, Geezeo.com

    When should you use your credit card, and when should you use your debit card?

    This question is more complicated than it first appears. For example, some people exclusively use their credit card to pay for expenses. They feel this is more secure. Plus, in some instances this means they collect cash back or other incentive points. But this strategy requires a lot of diligence so that the balance can be paid in full at the end of the month. Otherwise you can seriously harm your credit score thanks to a growing debt balance.

    day 76 - credit cards

    day 76 - credit cards

    Image by JudeanPeoplesFront via Flickr
    Read More »

  • Are online retirement calculators misleading?

    By Katie McCaskey, on Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:46am PDT

    View of Monte Carlo

    View of Monte Carlo

    Image via Wikipedia

    By Katie McCaskey, Geezeo.com
    Ah, the idea of retirement in sunny Monte Carlo…. It appeals to many people. It almost doesn’t matter if you’re referring to the place on the French Riviera or the version in Las Vegas.

    Isn’t that interesting, considering the vast differences between life on the Mediterraean Sea or The Strip?


    So it comes as some delicious irony that the calculation used in many retirement calculators is an algorithm developed in the 1960s and called “Monte Carlo”. Monte Carlo is responsible for creating the data you get when you enter your age, expected retirement date, and current accumulated assets in any number of online calculators.


    So what’s wrong with that? Well, potentially it means you could end up at what you consider the “wrong” Monte Carlo in retirement.

    Read More »

  • Are You Losing it All in Monte Carlo?

    By Katie McCaskey, on Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:52am PDT

    By Katie McCaskey, Geezeo.com

    Ah, the idea of retirement in sunny Monte Carlo…. It appeals to many people. It almost doesn’t matter if you’re referring to the place on the French Riviera or the version in Las Vegas.

    Isn’t that interesting, considering the vast differences between life on the Mediterraean Sea or The Strip?

    View of Monte Carlo

    View of Monte Carlo

    Image via Wikipedia
    Read More »

  • Social investing 101

    By Katie McCaskey, on Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:29am PDT

    By Ann Logue, author, Socially Responsible Investing for Dummies (Wiley, 2009)

    Some people are afraid to invest because they think it might be immoral. They don’t want to encourage excessive greed, contribute to environmental damage, or make choices that go against their religious convictions.

    And here’s the thing: they don’t have to.

    Setup for Tour by

    Setup for Tour by

    Image by Hans and Carolyn via Flickr
    Read More »

  • Reasons your credit score is more important than ever

    By Katie McCaskey, on Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:52am PDT

    By Katie McCaskey, Geezeo.com

    Most people know that good credit is key to financial health. Few realize that now more than ever strong credit is important. As the economy struggles you’ll need to work harder to prevent a credit score downward spiral.

    An example of street markets accepting credit ...

    An example of street markets accepting credit ...

    The “Secret Sauce” Formula is Still Secret
    Consumer advocates are angry that the algorithms used to determine credit scores are still top secret. You might be peeved about this, too. Read More »

  • How to Be the Family CFO: 4 Simple Steps

    By Katie McCaskey, on Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:15am PDT

    Imagine this scenario. In your twenties you work for a small start-up company. You work your way up the ladder as the company grows. In addition to salary increases you collect more and more stock options, too. Then, just as you turn 30 your company sells — making you incredibly wealthy in the process. So wealthy, in fact, that you decide to retire! Whoo-hoo!

    FamilyCFOSnider.jpg

    That’s what happened to author Kim Snider… but the story didn’t end there.

    Read More »

  • Overcome this major financial mistake

    By Katie McCaskey, on Mon Mar 9, 2009 9:09am PDT

    By Katie McCaskey, Geezeo.com

    Many people make a major mistake when it comes to their personal finances.

    What’s the mistake? Not using a portion of your income for the greater good. Yes: this is a major mistake. Why? Finding the discipline and willingness to contribute to charity is a financial skill with great dividends.

    Read More »

prev123456next

About This Author

Content Strategy Director Geezeo.com, a free personal finance software site.