Credit Where It’s Due
While the focus of the news this past week has rightly been the financial irresponsibility of large lenders and government regulators, we thought it was important to recognize that a large and growing number of Americans are showing greater financial responsibility in 2008. Less than a year ago, Netbanker estimated that the total number of Americans using new online personal finance tools was just 400,000. That number has grown dramatically this year. There are over 450,000 Americans using Mint.com alone right now, with thousands more using other solutions launched by creative Web 2.0 companies and even a couple of big US banks. We think that’s cause for some optimism on two fronts:
1. Innovation is finally being applied to one of the US’s most fundamental national and personal issues: managing and saving money
2. Americans are showing that they’re willing to adopt new technologies to solve this difficult problem, and take action. Nine out of 10 Mint users tell us that they’ve been helped by our service. And half say they’ve changed their spending as a result.
We were delighted to be named the top Personal Finance Tool by Lifehacker this week, from among a number of exciting new products in this space. There’s a similar competition sponsored by the Industry Standard this week. If you’re a Mint user interested in voting for us; we thank you for that. But we feel strongly that the real win for all of us right now is to make sure you are using some tool to understand, manage and save money in this economy.
Check us out, check out our worthy competitors and start using your selected service regularly. You’ll find it easier to apply and stick to the fundamentals of financial fitness outlined in Aaron’s post last week. Read and follow that advice to keep your focus on the long term and keep yourself on track to reach your financial goals.
Organize your financial life.
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Thank you for providing useful information about finance.Most of them are looking for short term goals instead of long term benefits.I hope this information reaches and helpful for everyone.
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Dear Congress,
As, a, taxpaying American, I am hereby, requesting my portion of the bailout be mailed directly to me, therefore, cutting out the middle man, mainly—for profit businesses on Wall Street. At this particular time, until questionable business practices are remedied, I decline “credit” from poorly structured business, lending and financial sources. The use of their credit system comes at too high a price (with front and back-end costs) and, is not properly regulated. To regulate this industry would take too long a time; a quicker remedy would be, sending out installment checks to taxpayers to cover their costs related to non-government regulation practices and oversight.
In addition, I feel, I can better utilize and manage my installment of taxpayer money being offered up as remedy to bad business. I’m better skilled and have my own self interest and community in mind and can help, directly, stimulate the economy. If I owe on my student loan, I can now pay it. If I am being foreclosed on, then the lump sum will help me pay my mortgage. If I don’t have transportation or gas money for work, I can now afford it with my taxpayer money. If I have an idea for a business that will create jobs or other opportunities for Americans, I now will have seed money. If I am a single parent wanting to add on to my career skills, I can now open doors to my own future. If I am approaching retirement with no retirement plan, I can start working towards a feasible goal. If I lost my job and unemployment is running out, I now have money to live on until I find employment.
In short, I could better bring my financial picture and future into focus utilizing my own skill-set and catering remedy directly to improving my financial foundation, with a cash installment, not more credit. Sometime in the future, when government functions in effective regulation and oversight, in addition to remedying the problems in the before mentioned industry…only, then I will be seeking new mortgages, car and business loans using credit.
Thank you, for your time and consideration, and, I look forward to, as, millions of other Americans, in receiving, my taxpayer financial bailout installment.
Sincerely,
Your constituent
Name
Address
Phone
i have gained tons of knowledge and money management skills from your wonderful site, im looking forward to the future of this site.
Mint.com has made me make myself acountable for my personal finances which I was carelessly ignoring before in my life. It has allowed me to open up my creativity in my life to both take control and express my lessons to other people. Thanks Mint.com