No Free Loans

I received my Tax Refund yesterday – a whole $100! I try to keep my refund as low as possible. It’s part of my philosophy of not “lending” money to government or companies for free. I don’t like giving free loans. So at the beginning of the year I estimate my taxes, and then I have only what I think I will need taken out – I keep the rest. This allows me to have more income during the year, and allows me, if I am good, to put more into savings and earn interest. I do the same with companies – that is why I recently opened an online checking account – I was tired of my local bank having my money for free. At least now I get a little interest.

Not only do I try not to give “free loans”, but I try to get free loans for myself. For example, my cell phone provider allows me to put my bill on credit card. I pay it off every month, but I get a “float”. More importantly, I get cash back for paying a bill.

None of this will make me rich, but a penny saved…