negotiation tactics & feeling strange: haggling down your credit card rate September 18, 2007

I called two weeks ago to request our credit card rate be reduced; they complied with a one percentage point reduction.
I’m torn on this whole issue. Because for the sake of true blue ownership — I knew the terms of this card and used it anyway, fully aware. [...]

edelman’s financial planner, part 2: integrity trumps a short-term sale September 12, 2007

Last week’s Edelman rep owns a completely different philosophy.
After a few hours of reviewing our situation, he offered to draft an official financial plan – an $800 service. But he immediately said directing that $800 toward our debt pay off would be his first recommendation … vs investing it [...]

Edelman’s financial planner, part 1: my credit card & the taj mahal September 10, 2007

In my quest to find a financial planner for my family, I met with one last week from Ric Edelman’s firm. I’ve read a few of Ric’s books & appreciated his no-nonsense style & wit. I theorized associates working for his company would espouse similar credibility.
And that proved [...]