# dollarsandsensela.com > AI-optimized mirror of dollarsandsensela.com containing 50 pages totalling 33,945 words of clean markdown content, structured data, and semantic HTML. Original source: https://dollarsandsensela.com/. Last updated: 2026-06-12T13:13:52.282Z. Each page is available as HTML (with JSON-LD structured data) and Markdown (text-only, ideal for LLMs and RAG). ## Homepage - [site-root.html](/content/site-root.html) (1 words) ## Articles & Blog Posts - [blog/spendingcut/index.html](/content/blog/spendingcut/index.html) (1 words) - [blog/jobofworking/index.html](/content/blog/jobofworking/index.html) (1 words) - [Ep.83- Geico's Extended Warranty is 80% Cheaper Compared to the Dealership](/content/blog/geicombi/index.html): If you want to protect your new luxury car you just bought with an extended warranty, look no further, Geico’s extended warranty, Mechanical Breakdown Insurance, trumps all others. It is cheaper than all other options by at least 80%. Go straight to Geico. That’s it!, If you want to protect your new luxury car you just bought with an extended warranty, look no further, Geico’s extended warranty, Mechanical Breakdown Insurance, trumps all others. It is cheaper than all other options by at least 80%. Go straight to Geico. That’s it! (1,093 words) - [Ep.64- The Ins and Outs of Buying a Rental Property In L.A.](/content/blog/investmentproperty/index.html): The ins an outs of buying a rental property in L.A (5 min read), The ins an outs of buying a rental property in L.A (5 min read) , Discover & share this Animated GIF with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs. (1,261 words) - [blog/federalreserve2020/index.html](/content/blog/federalreserve2020/index.html) (1 words) - [blog/tichomes/index.html](/content/blog/tichomes/index.html) (1 words) - [blog/covidlayoff/index.html](/content/blog/covidlayoff/index.html) (1 words) - [Ep.94- How to Manage Money in a Looming Recession](/content/blog/valuepreservation/index.html): Ep.94. How to manage money in a looming recession, you ask? In my opinion, you should set value preservation (protect your hard-earned money), instead of rent-seeking (chasing high returns) as your primary goal. There are four actionable steps to help you achieve value preservation: seek job securit, Ep.94. How to manage money in a looming recession, you ask? In my opinion, you should set value preservation (protect your hard-earned money), instead of rent-seeking (chasing high returns) as your primary goal. There are four actionable steps to help you achieve value preservation: seek job security, rebalance your 401k, beef up an emergency fund, and take calculated risks. However, out of all, you should make your job security as your number 1 priority, because no investment return can easily replace the salary of a full-time job. (1,424 words) - [Ep.72- How to Build a Personal Finance Budget](/content/blog/budget2019/index.html): Want to have control over your finances? Dollars & Sense LA has the perfect the budget tool to help you with it (5 min read), Want to have control over your finances? Dollars & Sense LA has the perfect the budget tool to help you with it (5 min read) (839 words) - [Ep.86- How to Reflect on Your Finances in the New Year: Ask Yourself These 8 Questions](/content/blog/financialhealthchecklist/index.html): Is your New Year’s resolution to improve your finances in 2020? If so, ask yourself the following 8 questions, as these questions will help you reflect, provide the advice and resources that can lead to concrete actions you can take., Is your New Year’s resolution to improve your finances in 2020? If so, ask yourself the following 8 questions, as these questions will help you reflect, provide the advice and resources that can lead to concrete actions you can take. (1,595 words) - [blog/riskevaluation/index.html](/content/blog/riskevaluation/index.html) (1 words) - [Ep.90- Why We Pay Less on Marginal Tax at $150K Than We Do at $50K](/content/blog/progressivetax/index.html): Ep. 90. Tax season is here! Typically we believe that the more money we make, the higher the marginal tax is. What if I told you your marginal tax is actually lower at $150k than it is at $50k? This is true. As a single filer, your income taxes actually become lower between $133K and $173K, all bec, Ep. 90. Tax season is here! Typically we believe that the more money we make, the higher the marginal tax is. What if I told you your marginal tax is actually lower at $150k than it is at $50k? This is true. As a single filer, your income taxes actually become lower between $133K and $173K, all because of how social security tax works. (563 words) - [blog/investblack/index.html](/content/blog/investblack/index.html) (1 words) - [blog/moneypyramid/index.html](/content/blog/moneypyramid/index.html) (1 words) - [blog/defundthepolice2020/index.html](/content/blog/defundthepolice2020/index.html) (1 words) - [blog/index.html](/content/blog/index.html) (1 words) - [Ep.59- Financially Speaking: Winter Is Coming](/content/blog/winteriscoming/index.html): Thoughts on where we are headed with our economy and what we can do about it . (4 Minute Read), Thoughts on where we are headed with our economy and what we can do about it . (4 Minute Read) , Discover & share this Animated GIF with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs. (849 words) - [blog/mbacalculator/index.html](/content/blog/mbacalculator/index.html) (1 words) - [blog/bizpanera/index.html](/content/blog/bizpanera/index.html) (1 words) - [Ep.88- How I Got $8,000 Off on a Brand New BMW X3](/content/blog/bmwdeal/index.html): Ep. 88. How I got $8,000 off on a brand new BMW. The key to getting a great deal on new cars is to directly speak to a fleet manager, aka an Internet manager, because he/she can apply the fleet discount, and he/she does not get paid on the final sales price., Ep. 88. How I got $8,000 off on a brand new BMW. The key to getting a great deal on new cars is to directly speak to a fleet manager, aka an Internet manager, because he/she can apply the fleet discount, and he/she does not get paid on the final sales price. (1,019 words) - [blog/buybird/index.html](/content/blog/buybird/index.html) (1 words) - [blog/taxesitemized/index.html](/content/blog/taxesitemized/index.html) (1 words) - [blog/taxesstandarddeduction/index.html](/content/blog/taxesstandarddeduction/index.html) (1 words) - [blog/iml/index.html](/content/blog/iml/index.html) (1 words) - [Ep.79- How the Fed Created the Looming Recession It's Trying to Prevent](/content/blog/federalreserverecession/index.html): Ep. 79. Worried about a recession? This article explains why the Federal Reserve is the reason we have a looming recession in the first place., Ep. 79. Worried about a recession? This article explains why the Federal Reserve is the reason we have a looming recession in the first place. (1,214 words) - [blog/trackspendingmint/index.html](/content/blog/trackspendingmint/index.html) (1 words) - [blog/coronavirusstocks/index.html](/content/blog/coronavirusstocks/index.html) (1 words) - [Ep.69- Best $5 LA Coffee Shops to Do Work In](/content/blog/bestlacoffeeshops/index.html): Coffee shops are a great place for people to do work in. Here are the best $5 coffee shops that are perfect to spend hours on your computers. (5 min read), Coffee shops are a great place for people to do work in. Here are the best $5 coffee shops that are perfect to spend hours on your computers. (5 min read) , Discover & share this Animated GIF with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs. (983 words) - [Ep.82- How to Refinance Your Mortgage in 2 Weeks with No Fees](/content/blog/twotypesoflenders/index.html): It's a great time to refinance your mortgage because interest rates are at a historic low. There are two types of lenders that can help you. The best way to refinance your mortgage fast and with no cost is to go through a lender that will end up selling your loan, not holding it., It's a great time to refinance your mortgage because interest rates are at a historic low. There are two types of lenders that can help you. The best way to refinance your mortgage fast and with no cost is to go through a lender that will end up selling your loan, not holding it. (974 words) - [Ep.89- How to Find a Great Deal on a Car Lease](/content/blog/rodolease/index.html): Ep. 89. If you plan on leasing a car, you should absolutely use Rodo to gauge what a good deal for your specific car looks like in your area. After that, you can potentially get an even better deal by asking your local dealership to beat the best offer from Rodo., Ep. 89. If you plan on leasing a car, you should absolutely use Rodo to gauge what a good deal for your specific car looks like in your area. After that, you can potentially get an even better deal by asking your local dealership to beat the best offer from Rodo. (575 words) - [Ep.77- The Next Tech Bubble is 2-3 Years Away](/content/blog/nexttechbubble/index.html): Ep. 77. We are in a tech bubble, and it is likely to pop in the next 2-3 years, because, as VC money is drying up, all the unprofitable companies have nowhere to turn, but an IPO. It will be their blessing in the short term, but doomsday in the end., Ep. 77. We are in a tech bubble, and it is likely to pop in the next 2-3 years, because, as VC money is drying up, all the unprofitable companies have nowhere to turn, but an IPO. It will be their blessing in the short term, but doomsday in the end. (1,052 words) - [Ep.75- 401K vs. IRA vs. Roth IRA vs. Regular Investments - What's Best For Retirement?](/content/blog/retirementstrategy/index.html): Ep. 75. Your optimal retirement strategy depends on your income. But first you need to know what are 401k, IRA, Roth IRA and regular investment. In this article, you will find out which ones are for you., Ep. 75. Your optimal retirement strategy depends on your income. But first you need to know what are 401k, IRA, Roth IRA and regular investment. In this article, you will find out which ones are for you. (1,209 words) - [Ep.71- A Free Phone Is Never A Good Deal, Unless You Need to Add New Lines](/content/blog/freephonedeal/index.html): Every year, we see free phone deals on Black Friday, well into the Holiday season. Did you know, it’s never a good deal to get the “free” phone, unless you actually need to add people to your plan? (5 min read), Every year, we see free phone deals on Black Friday, well into the Holiday season. Did you know, it’s never a good deal to get the “free” phone, unless you actually need to add people to your plan? (5 min read) (949 words) - [Ep.81- 10 Things About Money You Should Know Before Turning 30](/content/blog/10financerules/index.html): Ep. 81. The 10 things about money you should know before turning 30. It touches housing, student debt, savings, budgeting, retirement planning, traveling, credit monitoring and more!, Ep. 81. The 10 things about money you should know before turning 30. It touches housing, student debt, savings, budgeting, retirement planning, traveling, credit monitoring and more! (774 words) - [Ep.84- How to Pick a Good Health Insurance Plan](/content/blog/healthplanselection/index.html): It's time for health plan enrollment. A good health insurance plan has three major pillars. It fits your personal needs, provides excellent benefits, and it should be affordable. Here's a simple framework that can help you understand our health plan, thus making an informed decision., It's time for health plan enrollment. A good health insurance plan has three major pillars. It fits your personal needs, provides excellent benefits, and it should be affordable. Here's a simple framework that can help you understand our health plan, thus making an informed decision. (1,436 words) - [Ep.96 - Federal Reserve's Lending Facilities Explained in Plain English](/content/blog/federalreservefacilities/index.html): Ep.96. During the Covid crisis, the Federal Reserve has created 10 facilities to pour trillions of dollars into the markets, in hopes of increasing market liquidity. You may have heard of terms like “Commerical Paper Funding Facility” or “Primary Dealer Credit Facility”. They sound more complicated, Ep.96. During the Covid crisis, the Federal Reserve has created 10 facilities to pour trillions of dollars into the markets, in hopes of increasing market liquidity. You may have heard of terms like “Commerical Paper Funding Facility” or “Primary Dealer Credit Facility”. They sound more complicated than they are. This article will explain them in plain English. (278 words) - [Ep.58- A Fast Way to a High Paying Job: Coding Bootcamps](/content/blog/techbootcamp/index.html): Do you want to change your career or up your salary? There may be an alternative to going back to graduate school. (4 Minute Read), Do you want to change your career or up your salary? There may be an alternative to going back to graduate school. (4 Minute Read) , Discover & share this Animated GIF with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs. (1,029 words) - [Ep.78- Why the Fed is at a Crossroad Between a Stock Bubble or a Housing Bubble (Hint: the Inverted Yield Curve)](/content/blog/invertedyieldcurve2019/index.html): Ep. 78. It’s all over the news that that we have an inverted yield curve. It means people are already preparing for a storm, and it’s putting the Federal Reserve at a cross road between a stock recession and a housing bubble., Ep. 78. It’s all over the news that that we have an inverted yield curve. It means people are already preparing for a storm, and it’s putting the Federal Reserve at a cross road between a stock recession and a housing bubble. (997 words) - [Ep.80- A City-Centric Definition of Middle Class](/content/blog/citymiddleclass/index.html): Ep. 80. When we talk about being middle class, we can all picture the white picket fence, the family vacation and maybe a pension plan. But this definition is decades old, and not in touch with the current time. With the elimination of pension, changing workplace arrangement, rising college tuiti, Ep. 80. When we talk about being middle class, we can all picture the white picket fence, the family vacation and maybe a pension plan. But this definition is decades old, and not in touch with the current time. With the elimination of pension, changing workplace arrangement, rising college tuition costs, and the insane housing prices, we should attempt to redefine what represents the modern middle class better than the white picket fence, while staying focused with the core principals of stability and respectability. (829 words) - [Ep.70- 5 REASONS THIS BARBERSHOP IN A WEWORK IS MY L.A. FAVORITE](/content/blog/favoritebarbershop/index.html): 5 Reasons The Bord Room is my favorite barbershop in L.A. You can also find an exclusive 20% discount code in the article. (5 min read), 5 Reasons The Bord Room is my favorite barbershop in L.A. You can also find an exclusive 20% discount code in the article. (5 min read) (715 words) - [Ep.91- Does Marriage Really Save You on Taxes? It Depends on Income Disparity](/content/blog/marriagetaxes/index.html): Ep. 91. A lot of my friends got married recently or are about to get married. I have been told that people believed marriage would save them on income taxes. Is this true? Well…. Marriage will save you on income taxes if the couple makes very different incomes. On the other hand, if they make the, Ep. 91. A lot of my friends got married recently or are about to get married. I have been told that people believed marriage would save them on income taxes. Is this true? Well…. Marriage will save you on income taxes if the couple makes very different incomes. On the other hand, if they make the exact same wages, there are no savings at all. Follow me through the case studies to understand if marriage impacts your taxes or not. (553 words) - [Ep.65- Are You Ready to Buy An Investment Property? Find Out With This Checklist](/content/blog/investmentreadiness/index.html): Are You Ready to Buy an Investment Property? Use This 5 Question Checklist to Gauge Your Readiness.(5 min read), Are You Ready to Buy an Investment Property? Use This 5 Question Checklist to Gauge Your Readiness.(5 min read) , Discover & share this Animated GIF with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs. (998 words) - [Ep.85- A Serendipitous Way of Saving 60% on Seat Upgrades from Virgin Australia](/content/blog/savingsvirginaustralia/index.html): Ep. 84. This is a story about how I serendipitously saved 60% on seat upgrades with Virgin Australia. Sometimes, there are special discounts that have not been written about on the Internet. It may just take a call to uncover it all., Ep. 84. This is a story about how I serendipitously saved 60% on seat upgrades with Virgin Australia. Sometimes, there are special discounts that have not been written about on the Internet. It may just take a call to uncover it all. (790 words) - [Ep.63- We Are Our Future Past... For About 2 Years](/content/blog/ourfuturepast/index.html): If you want to learn about how someone got to where he/she is, ask what they did for the past 2 years (3 min read), If you want to learn about how someone got to where he/she is, ask what they did for the past 2 years (3 min read) , Discover & share this Animated GIF with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs. (704 words) - [Ep.97 - 3 Lessons I Learned From a Wrong Market Prediction](/content/blog/covidlessons/index.html): Ep.97. I made a stock market prediction in Ep.92, believing the disappointing Q1 earnings season would trigger a market selloff. Ultimately, it turned out to be incorrect. I reflected deeply on this experience and summarized my post-mortem learnings into 3 key lessons., Ep.97. I made a stock market prediction in Ep.92, believing the disappointing Q1 earnings season would trigger a market selloff. Ultimately, it turned out to be incorrect. I reflected deeply on this experience and summarized my post-mortem learnings into 3 key lessons. (872 words) - [Ep.62- If You Don't Know Where You're Going, Any Bus Will Take You There.](/content/blog/anybuswilltakeyouthere/index.html): My view on why one MUST have a clear goal, in order to save. (3 Minute Read), My view on why one MUST have a clear goal, in order to save. (3 Minute Read) , Discover & share this Animated GIF with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs. (525 words) - [Ep.61- Rule of Thumb on How Much House You Can Afford](/content/blog/houseruleofthumb/index.html): A simple rule of thumb on how much house you can afford. (3 Minute Read), A simple rule of thumb on how much house you can afford. (3 Minute Read) , Discover & share this Animated GIF with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs. (384 words) - [Ep.60- 5 Big Moments You Realize You Aren't Poor Anymore](/content/blog/youarenotpoor/index.html): 5 big moments you realize you are not poor anymore. (3 Minute Read), 5 big moments you realize you are not poor anymore. (3 Minute Read) , Discover & share this Animated GIF with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs. (473 words) - [sitemap-xml.html](/content/sitemap-xml.html) (6,970 words) ## Resources - [Full Page Index](/index.html): Browse all cached pages with rich metadata - [About This Cache](/content/about.html): Methodology, technical details, and usage guidelines - [XML Sitemap](/sitemap.xml): Machine-readable sitemap for crawler discovery - [Robots.txt](/robots.txt): Crawler directives