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 Money Talks - ABC's of Building Credit |
| College Graduates Enter the World of Credit at a Difficult Time |
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By: Gail Cunningham,
Recent college graduates are undoubtedly anxious to get on with their lives and do very grown-up things such as enter the workforce, buy a car and upgrade from dorm life to a nice apartment. The reality is that it’s going to take credit to achieve ...
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Negotiating Know-How  |
| Looking for a more flexible work schedule or a bigger paycheck? Trying to get your kids to eat their veggies? These steps will sharpen your ... |
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| From Fired to Flush |
| A growing number of women who’ve been laid off are turning desperation into inspiration by finding their passion and becoming their own boss.
Christine ...
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| 5 Tips: Grocery Saving Strategies |
| Although most people would agree that they’d like to save money at the grocery store, the reality is that most busy mothers are challenged to ... |
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| Top Tax Breaks | |
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Getting a grip on the most overlooked deductions can save you time, frustration and...oh, right, money.
April is the month when many of us feel like everything is taxed—particularly our patience. But filing your return can help put closure on a year in which most everyone saw assets or income shrink. Our easy money-saving tips will aid you in finding every deduction you’re entitled to for last year and may give you some ideas for 2010, too.
Think Green
You get a 30 percent credit for installing storm windows, skylights, insulation and more, says ...
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| How to Shop for Kids' Shoes | |
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The do's, don'ts and must-haves for your little ones this Spring.
As women, we see shoe shopping as a form of therapy. Kids see it as a form of torture. Here’s how to make sure your squirmy, are-we-done-yet shoppers get footwear that fits.
We swoon over sandals, pine for a new pair of pumps and gladly skip lunch to attend a to-die-for shoe sale. But our kids, not so much. Even though they need new footwear every few months (lucky little creatures), they just don’t grasp the sheer delight that ...
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| Holiday Shopping: Spend Less This Season | |
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Along with all that good cheer come extra expenses. But some working moms are saving money on gifts-and even the kids are saying ho-ho-ho.
The recession has meant that Cynthia Shoss is passing down family heirlooms—and the stories that go with them—earlier than she’d planned. For Cynthia, an attorney in New York City and mother to Lucy, 20, sharing family lore is a priceless gift. “Lucy lost one grandmother three years ago, and the other is in her late eighties,” Cynthia says. “It’s important that she hear the family stories while someone who can still tell them is able to do so.” For the ...
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| Teaching Kids About Money | |
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Working moms share their secrets about the best ways to help kids learn the value of a dollar, feel empowered and start on the road to financial independence.
Angela Amico Olchaskey thought she could use the economic crisis as a springboard to educate her daughter, Kiley, 9, about money, but her plan hasn’t worked out so well. “I’m finding it very hard,” admits the Manchester, NJ, legal secretary. “Mainly because I have spending issues of my own.” Angela admits that she likes to shop—a lot. So much, in fact, that when she recently took her daughter to see Confessions of a Shopaholic , Kiley turned to her as ...
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| What's Your Life Worth? | |
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Why you need life insurance and which type is right for you
Finding the right life insurance policy can be so time-consuming and confusing that many working moms skip getting this coverage. But should something happen, you don’t want to leave your family unprotected. Here’s a primer on putting this safeguard in place.
When Gail Quinn was 12 years old, her uncle died suddenly at age 42, leaving behind a stay-at-home wife and six children. “I remember their life changing drastically overnight. My aunt had to go back to work, and ...
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| School's Open: Think Carefully! | |
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It's that time again!
Here’s a round up of some of our back-to-school stories that can help you save money, make good choices or stay on top of latest trends:
Frugal Shopping Tips by Suddenly Frugal’s Leah Ingram
How to find a great School
How to Advocate for Your Child and School
Educating a Gifted and Learning Disabled Child
MySpace — the New Study Hall?
From Our Blogs:
Back ...
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| When Women Outearn Men | |
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Tips to protect your marriage while you navigate this new path.
As more working moms bring home fatter paychecks than their partners, couples are discovering an uneasy shift in traditional roles.
When Gina Weaver’s son, Sam, was born, she and her husband, Eric, decided that he’d wait to return to work until their child started school full-time. Seven years later, Gina continues to support her family on her social worker’s salary. “Our original plan was that my husband would return to work, but that hasn’t happened, mostly because he hasn’t ...
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| New Help Repaying College Loans | |
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A federal plan may help millions of families pay back school loan debt based on what they earn.
Working mom Gina Weaver just got some good news about the $25,000 in student loans she still owes, and the $20,000 her husband owes, thanks to a new federal program that caps monthly payments based on income and family size. “We have lots of student loans,” says the Baltimore social worker and mom to Sam, 7. “I’m applying for loan forgiveness.”
Gina is among millions of borrowers who could benefit from a new income-based student loan repayment plan (IRB) ...
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| Easy Ways to Make Extra Cash | |
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Our readers share their top tips for making extra cash--starting with cleaning out the closets.
Many families are finding new twists on yard sales and online auctions to pocket money from items they’d otherwise toss. Read on for the best lessons in loot.
When Kathy Lesko’s employer asked her to start taking off one unpaid week each month to help cut costs at the semiconductor company, she panicked—until she saw an opportunity. “When I figured out how much money we weren’t going to have coming in, I got creative,” says the Austin, TX– area ...
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| It Pays to Talk About It | |
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The financial chats you should be having.
When we get together with the girls, money questions are more likely of the “How did you find that fabulous Fendi on sale?” variety than “Which mutual fund are you in?” Here's why girl talk should shift from Prada bagd to personal investment accounts.
Talking about how we spend and invest our money is up there with politics and religion in the don’t-go-there-if-you-want-to-keep-this--friendship category. Yet the silver lining of the economic crisis is that-we’re reminded how critical it is ...
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| Recession Rescue Tips | |
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A month to get your fiscal act together
Spring is the perfect time to clean up your financial house as well as the one you live in. With the IRS breathing down our necks, Congress has dubbed April Financial Literacy Month. It almost sounds funny in the middle of the country’s worst economic crisis. But there is help. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) says working moms are no different than others. Many of us could have a little extra money in each paycheck.
According to ...
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| Financial Freedom Your Way | |
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Get over your money fears and start planning your financial future. It's easier than you think!
Though many working moms hold the family’s purse strings, they’re afraid (make that terrified ) of long-term planning. Here’s how to face your fears about money so you can gain financial freedom.
Barbara Stanny knew that her husband was a compulsive gambler, yet she sat back while he managed their family’s finances for 15 years. After all, he was a financial advisor and she could barely balance the checkbook. “I felt terrified and stupid about money,” says the mother ...
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| Avoid Hidden Fees | |
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Credit card companies are slipping in higher fees than ever before, at a time when consumers can least afford them. These days, it pays to read the fine print-then shop around for a better deal.
Last year, Lisa Blystone enjoyed a jaunt to Niagara Falls with her husband, Scott, and daughters Emma, 12, and Margaret, 10. But the Marcellus, NY, research scientist was surprised when she received her credit card statement, which included an additional charge of $19.50, representing a 3 percent fee for her purchases in a foreign country. “I was so unhappy that I called to complain,” she says. “The customer service representative said I had agreed to the fee when I signed ...
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| Keep Your Money Safe | |
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Don't panic. Instead, follow or experts' advice for balancing bucks and keeping investments safe.
With all the bad news coming out of Wall Street, you may be wondering what you can do to protect your money. The first step: Breathe.
Jean Lewis used to laugh when her grandfather insisted on hiding his savings under his mattress. “He lived through the Depression and always distrusted banks,” says Jean, a graphic artist in Santa Fe, NM, and mom to Charlotte, 10. But the upheaval on Wall Street has made Jean wonder whether her grandfather had ...
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| A Raise in a Recession? | |
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You've been working hard, making your company lots of money--but can you ask for a raise in this economy?
When the talk of the day swirls around downsizing, hiring freezes and pay cuts, asking for a raise might feel like an exercise in futility, if not downright foolishness. The state of the economy, however, shouldn’t be the first thing you consider when deciding if the time is right to request a salary bump. “The No. 1 factor to consider is your value to the company,” says syndicated columnist Bob Rosner, MBA, of Work place911.com. “How easy are you to ...
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| Speaking to Kids About Money Problems | |
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"Mom-in-Chief" author Jamie Woolf offers coping strategies for financial difficulties in your home.
While we’d like to think that our children are immune to the news reports swirling around focused on our country’s current economic straits, recent studies have shown that attempting to shield children from financial hardships may actually do them more harm than good. Jamie Woolf, founder of The Parent Leader and author of the new book Mom-in-Chief , provides us with the tips and tools she’s learned over her years running workshops and observing good business managers. And as a ...
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| Recession-Proof Your Life | |
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Here's how to keep your family finances strong in a weakening economy.
Financial experts may still be debating whether we’re in a recession—technically defined as at least two consecutive quarters of declining gross domestic product—but don’t tell that to Brooke Fairman, a vice president at the Bank of America in Providence, RI, and mother of 6-year-old Kinzie. For Brooke, as for many moms trying to keep their kids in milk and eggs, their cars filled with gas and their homes heated, there’s no debate. “Are you kidding? Of course we’re in a ...
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| Nine Tools to Brighten Your Financial Future | |
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Shortcuts to streamline your financial life
Whoever said ignorance is bliss couldn’t have been referring to bank account numbers and gas prices. No matter how hard I try to ignore them, the numbers (or what I imagine them to be in my state of ignorance) loom over me as my once-healthy savings account steadily shrinks. To combat the tightening feeling in my chest, I’ve decided to stop ignoring my numbers and, instead, figure out just what I need to financially survive and (fingers crossed) thrive now—and ...
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| Money Ruining Your Marriage? | |
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If fights about finance are wrecking the romance, check out our experts? money management tips, from weekly meetings to that old standby, listening.
When Gail Liberman married Alan Lavine, she was the spender and he was the saver. “He never understood the rationale of eating dinner out, given the cost,” she says. But these days, Alan occasionally splurges on a fancy dinner date. As for Gail, she’s learned to pay cash when shopping to be more aware of the money she spends, and she has amped up her monthly contributions to savings and retirement accounts. “A marriage could be facing a ticking bomb ...
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| Taking the High Road | |
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Wondering whether green investing is for you? Our experts field questions about this popular approach.
New York City schoolteacher Steuart Osha tries to do her part for the environment. She drives a fuel-efficient car, uses energy-saving lightbulbs and buys mostly locally grown organic produce for her 4-year-old son, Pavan. Lately, as she awaits the birth of her daughter, she’s become curious about “green” investing. “Kids force you to think about the future,” she says.
“It dawned on me that maybe we could invest in ways that help the planet, instead of contributing to the ...
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| Your Money Tree | |
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Want to make the most of that stash of cash (say, your tax refund)? We consulted financial experts for tips on the best ways to make your bankroll grow.
Kirsten Berger, a children’s book designer in Peekskill, NY, and mother to 4-year-old Gabriel, says she’s not exactly sure what a mutual fund is. And because she’s expecting twins next month, it’s highly unlikely that she’ll find the time to learn anytime soon. She describes her husband, Ian, an English teacher, as “worse than me when it comes to money.”
Yet each year, when the Bergers get their tax refund—last year’s refund was about $4,000—they begin to think about ...
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| College Saving Savvy | |
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We help you assess your options so you can start saving now.
By the time your baby turns 18, you can either send her to college or buy a small island.
As you watch your toddler read her first book, upside down, thoughts of her freshman year in college may seem hazy. But the sooner you start socking away funds, the better your chances of getting her there. It will cost about $440,000 to send a baby born today to a four-year private college. The tab for a state school is ...
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| Return Season Is Here | |
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Stores are limiting what they'll take back. Make sure you don't get turned away at the counter.
Whether you miscalculated your teenager's musical tastes (who knew Blink-182 is so yesterday?) or received something that just isn't "you," stores are getting tougher about what they'll allow you to return for either a refund or store credit. "Retailers walk a fine line between making customers happy and getting socked with piles of used merchandise they can't resell," says Lauren Freedman, president of the E-tailing Group, a Chicago retailing consultancy. Don't want to get stuck with that yellow ceramic rooster ...
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| Online Shopping | |
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Five easy tips to make the most out of your shopping options this holiday season.
We all know it's coming: the holiday season. This brings with it the stress of a major caloric increase, sugar-high kids and the in-laws coming to visit, plus you still have to get going on the shopping! Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Grinch and I love the holidays, but all too often we find ourselves so consumed by the imminent frustration of navigating over-crowded malls, dealing with tired, overworked sales people, circling endlessly for parking, and the ...
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| Shop Smart | |
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Score huge savings on cars, vacations and even groceries by knowing the right time to buy.
If you're like most moms, the adage "shop till you drop" isn't lost on you. In fact, the average woman spends almost 400 hours shopping each year, according to a recent study. Whether you're buying groceries or toys, chances are a lot of time goes into looking for deals. But you can cut down on all those hours spent bargain hunting by shopping at the right time of year, as retailers follow rules that determine when their products go ...
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| Your Body, Your Budget | |
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Getting fit can cost a fortune. Shape up - don't shell out.
When it comes to fitness, summer is truth-telling time. Gone are the sweaters and parkas that gently disguise winter Buddha bellies; in their stead come all-too-revealing miniskirts, swimsuits and sundresses. How to wrestle an untamed body into summer shape without breaking the bank? Start by evaluating your budget, schedule and (most important) commitment level, says Liz Neporent, wellness consultant for Goldman Sachs and coauthor of The Fat-Free Truth . "Exercise has tremendous health benefits," she says. "But immediately buying a ...
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| Weed Out Debt | |
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Back-to-basics strategies to ring in a financially fit new year
What's at the top of your New Year's resolutions list? Forget losing weight. Instead, imagine how great you'll feel when you shed excess debt and button up your family's finances—with breathing room to spare. Whipping your finances into shape is as important as taking charge of your career, your health and, yes, even your waistline. But the average American family is awash in as many as 20 different financial obligations, including bank accounts and credit cards, plus bills for electricity, ...
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| Cheer on the Cheap | |
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Keep your holiday spending more in the green, less in the red.
Sometime in late January, it comes—the dreaded holiday shopping
hangover. Predictably, you make that vow, "I'll never overspend again!"
But then, ten months or so later, after you get that first whiff of
pine and see that look of awe in your toddler's eyes while passing the
toy aisle, you're tossing around credit cards like a Hilton sister.
After all, it's the holidays. So before you fall under the "Silver
Bells" spell, consider these strategies for curbing holiday spending
even as your spirit soars.
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| Identity Theft Strategies | |
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Protect yourself against pharming, phishing and other ID scams
When Sheila Gordon's electricity was unexpectedly shut off a decade
ago, it opened her eyes to a crime that's growing across the nation:
identity theft. Several months before, someone got hold of her Social
Security number and used her name to have utilities turned on at
another residence. The identity thief never paid the bills, and Sheila,
then a recently divorced new mother, paid the price.
Though it took only a couple of days for her utilities to be turned
back on, it took ...
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| Outsource Your Chores | |
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Think it's Too Expensive to Outsource Your To-Do List? Think Again.
Working mothers are constantly wishing that they could be in (at
least) two places at once—especially when Spot has to go to the vet on
the morning of the school play. Since cloning capabilities are still a
ways off, Stacey Hall, 47, a real estate agent and mom of two,
discovered another solution: outsourcing.
After her second child was born, she started farming out all of the
mandatory household duties like laundry and time-consuming errands like
vet appointments. "If I try to do ...
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| Online Tag Sale | |
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Turn your family's castoffs into cash--fast. No backyard needed.
After the holidays most homes are overflowing with piles of
presents. But as you go to stow them, you run into gifts from holidays
past: clothes that haven't left their hangers in years, the clunky
camera replaced by a credit-card-thin digital, the stroller that your
kindergartner now shuns. Time to make room for the new by cashing in on
the old.
A yard sale can't happen until spring, but it also might not be worth
the hassle, says Peter Walsh, organizational consultant for The
Learning ...
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| Afterschool Programs | |
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Clever Afterschool Options That Fit Every Budget and Schedule
For Emily Smith-Lee, 38, an attorney from Sharon, MA, the limited hours
of most afterschool programs didn't fit with her work schedule. "I
needed the flexibility of an at-home caregiver for my two kids," Emily
says. Luckily, a neighbor with two similar-aged children felt the same
way. "Once we decided to do something together, it was a no-brainer."
The four grade schoolers now share a part-time nanny—all for about $300
per family per week.
Because of the needs of parents like Smith-Lee, afterschool options are
more ...
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