Melissa Batai, Author at Dinks Finance

About Melissa Batai

Melissa is a writer and virtual assistant. She earned her Master’s from Southern Illinois University, and her Bachelor’s in English from the University of Michigan. When she’s not working, you can find her reading a good book, cooking, or traveling. She resides in New York where she loves the natural beauty of the area.

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Why We Never Lease Vehicles

Posted on April 25, 2023 - 3:55 am by Melissa Batai

Pretty girl sitting in the driver's seat of a car holding out car keys

Young Woman standing in the door of a car

My husband and I had two cars—one was a 2004 model with 239,000 miles, and the other was a 2013 model with 107,000 miles. Both have been paid off for years, which is our strategy—buy new, reliable cars and keep them until they die. However, we recently purchased a new 2022 vehicle, and I’m amazed at how technology has improved since I bought my new car in 2004. I love the backup camera and the blind spot detection. Driving a new car for the first time in 18 years, I could understand why people lease vehicles—they get the most recent models with the latest technology. However, despite that perk, the disadvantages of leasing keep us committed to our current car-buying strategy.

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How to Spark Your Spouse’s Interest in Investing in Your Hobby

Posted on April 18, 2023 - 11:01 am by Melissa Batai

Man walking through a field with a bow and arrow for deer hunting.

Woman painting an abstract picture

Hobbies can be an excellent way to relax and engage in an enjoyable activity. In addition, investing in your hobby is one of the best ways to spend your hard-earned money. However, for some couples, too much time spent on a hobby can breed resentment and anger. Yet, it doesn’t have to be that way; you can spend time on your hobby and maintain a healthy marriage.

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How To Avoid Blowing Savings

Posted on April 11, 2023 - 12:57 pm by Melissa Batai

Man and woman sitting on a couch in front of a computer holding a credit card.

Picture of a pile of money

We’ve used You Need a Budget (YNAB) for about ten years. As part of the YNAB system, I have line items for monthly expenses, but I also have sinking funds for annual or semi-annual expenses such as car insurance and property taxes and for irregular expenses such as medical expenses, car and home repairs, and home improvement. Beyond that, we have an emergency fund, but I must take steps to avoid blowing our savings.

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5 Reasons Why Couples Should Book Their Travels with Costco

Posted on April 4, 2023 - 9:40 am by Melissa Batai

Picture of water and a rocky shore

Costco is a great store to shop and snag deals from toilet paper to alcohol to everyday groceries. And while you’re there, don’t forget to fill the gas tank. Costco’s gas station regularly sells gas for 15 to 40 cents less than other gas stations in the area. But that’s not the end of the savings Costco offers. Don’t forget to check out their insurance, car-buying assistance, and travel packages. If you don’t know yet, Costco travel for couples is one of the best-kept secrets. Yes, Costco is in the travel business, and booking with them can save you money and land you extra perks.

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The Biggest Mistake We’ve Made in Our Lives

Posted on March 28, 2023 - 11:11 am by Melissa Batai

Middle aged man trying to comfort middle aged woman with hands over her face.

Man holding his head with his hands. He looks perplexed.

My husband and I are firmly entrenched in midlife. We’ve been married for over 20 years, and by most accounts, we’re successful. My husband and I have a nice home, two cars, and jobs we enjoy. However, lately, we’ve felt an uneasiness about our lives. We couldn’t place why for a while, but after some reflection, we’ve discovered the biggest mistake we’ve made in our lives.

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Is There Money in Comic Books? Here’s How to Get Started

Posted on March 21, 2023 - 6:44 am by Melissa Batai

Stack of comic books

What kid didn’t love reading comic books? They’re an integral part of many people’s childhoods, but often, people disregard comics as they grow up. However, you don’t have to. For some, comics make a valuable collection. Even better, there’s good money in comic books, especially if you know what to look for. As you get older, you may find your hobby shifts from reading comic books to collecting them.

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Dealer Add-ons that Made Our Car Purchase More Expensive

Posted on March 14, 2023 - 12:36 pm by Melissa Batai

Picture of two hands--one handing the keys to a car tothe other.

Woman at a Car Dealership Talking to a Female Sales Woman

My husband and I have been in the market for a new car for some time now. We had saved enough money to cover at least two-thirds of the price of the vehicle, or so we thought. However, we then met with the sales manager, who offered us several programs to protect our car, if we were willing to pay. Ultimately, we did opt for some, though we refused many dealer add-ons.

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Should Couples Sign Up for Life Insurance Even if They Have Plans on Migrating?

Posted on March 7, 2023 - 4:17 am by Melissa Batai

Person with a Laptop on a Deck Looking Out over a European body of water with houses in the distance

City Square in a European country

Life insurance is essential, even if you don’t have kids. If you’re married or have a significant other, your life insurance policy can pay for your funeral expenses and assist your loved one left behind with daily expenses. In addition, the policy payout can help replace a portion of the income you would have made over several decades if you had lived. While you may know life insurance is essential, you may wonder if it’s worthwhile if you don’t plan on living in the United States in the future. Should you still buy life insurance before migrating to another country?

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How We Keep Our Credit Score above 800

Posted on February 28, 2023 - 11:33 am by Melissa Batai 1

Woman returning a credit card to a customer

My husband and I have maintained a high credit score for the last few years. Previously, our credit score was in the mid to upper 700s, but we’ve bumped up to the 800s. Our higher score has helped us pay lower interest rates when borrowing. In addition, we can easily borrow when we need to. Here’s how we keep our credit score above 800.

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What To Do When Your Spouse Pawned Jewelry Behind Your Back

Posted on February 21, 2023 - 4:25 am by Melissa Batai

Spouse Pawned Jewelry Behind Your Back

Most marriages involve adults who love and care for one another. However, that dynamic can sometimes skew, especially if one spouse is dealing with an addiction or is abusive. If you’re married to someone like that, you may feel like you’re living with someone you must protect yourself from.

Unfortunately, if you live with someone with an addiction, you may find your spouse pawned jewelry behind your back, used your credit cards without permission, or stole your identity. If any of these events occur, you have several decisions to make.

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