Good morning, Apexians. It is I, your charming host, J.D. Roth, and I’m back with another round-up of interesting money stories from around the interwebs. Let’s dive right in.
Who scams the scammers? Meet the scambaiters. [The Guardian] — “In this environment, scambaiters seem like superheroes – but is the story that simple? What motivates people like Okumura? How helpful is their vigilantism? And has a scambaiter ever made a scammer have a change of heart? Batman became Batman to avenge the death of his parents; Okumura became a scambaiter after her mum was scammed out of $500.”
The truth about those dollar stores. [Consumer Reports] — “What critics and fans can agree on: Dollar stores are changing the way we shop. And given that they appear to be here to stay, it pays to know how to shop there, whether they are your only option, or one of many. Our six-month investigation provides insights that can help you navigate their aisles.” [See also CR‘s companion stories: How to be a smart dollar store shopper and Are dollar stores worth the trip?]
How to stop comparing yourself to others and love who you are. [Making Sense of Cents] — “Whether you are trying to reach your financial goals, working towards your dream career, wanting to travel more, start a family, or something else, here are ways to stop comparing yourself to others and be happier with your life.”
The pursuit of childhood joy. [The Retirement Manifesto] — “What if we were intentional in the pursuit of childhood joy? Could it be one of the tricks to living a more enjoyable life? I believe so, and I encourage you to give it a try.”
And…say what? I haven’t posted a fun non-financial video all week? Has the world gone mad? Quite possibly. And as proof, here is a mind-blowing mash-up of Hall and Oates with Nine Inch Nails: “I Can’t Get Closer for That”. Wow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxRpZGQnXcI
Trust me. This works far better than it should. It’s insane. (And because it includes NIN’s “Closer”, it’s raunchy. You have been warned.)
Come back tomorrow for more great stories about personal finance — and a video that’s a lot less strange than that one…