This morning’s Money 911 tackled all sorts of topics. Watch the video below for information on what types of investments are right for you, how to pay back debt effectively, and more!
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My wife and I have a disorganized stack of things that came in the mail — bills, receipts, bank statements, and others. I know we need to keep things organized, but I’m not sure what we should be keeping. Help! - Edward, Texas
You’re not alone — in fact, because so many people have a tough time keeping their finances organized, I recently launched a line of money organization products at Target (like the folders at left) — which I’m sending you a sample of in the mail! When it comes down to it, though, so much mail comes into the house every day – I understand your confusion on what is important, and what really isn’t. First, you need to invest in a filing cabinet or portable box (personally, I prefer using a portable box with hanging files – that way, I can pay my bills and file them away where I want and when I want). Get some hanging files and manila folders, and then break them down. More…
This week, I invited one of my favorite sources on work/life balance – something we’re all striving for – to write a guest post about finding a job that works with your hectic schedule. Allison O’Kelly is CEO of Mom Corps, a flexible-employment staffing service. The company provides employers who are looking for part-time workers with a pool of candidates, and professionals with flexible job opportunities.
In today’s economy, it’s hard enough to find a job – let alone, a flexible one that suits your needs both as a professional and a working mom. But don’t despair – in actuality, this may be one of the BEST times to land the flexible gig you need to finally achieve and maintain some form of life/work fit.
While the economy has definitely taken a toll on the job market, it has also forced us companies and employees to reevaluate how we work – and we have seen flexibility placed at the forefront of this change. When companies couldn’t afford to reward and entice employees with bonuses or raises, they were forced to get creative and offer flexible work schedules, four-day work weeks, sabbaticals, and telecommuting options instead. When workers could not find full-time, traditional positions, they in turn started freelancing, contracting, and even interning. Both corporations and workers have seen the benefits of workplace flexibility in terms of morale and profits, and the average 9 to 5 has been redefined during the recession.
So how can you find a flexible job that matches your skill set and experience? More…
WHO: Luca Cusolito
WHAT: Lollibomb Beauty – Vegan and handcrafted bath, body, and cosmetic products.
WHERE: Fort Lauderdale, FL
WHEN: 2006
HOW: Sitting behind a desk in a commercial real estate office, Luca Cusolito needed a diversion. She was busy – working a desk job while simultaneously pursuing a college degree – but, as she says, “the siren song of business ownership was calling me.” Having done some research, Cusolito discovered Etsy.com – an online retailer featuring thousands of unique, handmade products. “I was immediately smitten by the spirit of the handmade movement and all the inspirational people that sold their DIY creations,” says Cusolito, and with an idea for unique cosmetics, she launched Lollibomb. More…
In Saturday’s New York Times, Alina Tugend tackled the complicated subject of choosing. More options, she pointed out – and the research backs her up – don’t necessarily benefit consumers, job-seekers, even daters looking for someone to share their lives. Having a plethora of options, she points out, seems to have two distinct downsides. One, it makes those people who do eventually choose less happy with their picks; they wonder if the grass would have been greener on the other side. Two, and more dangerously, it stops others from choosing at all.
I’m worried about the second group – in particular where their money is concerned. In the same section of Saturday’s paper, Ron Lieber wrote about keeping your money safe from the next bubble. (Yes, there will be one. The only real questions are when? And in what?) His story pointed out how some financial advisers are starting to employ more complicated – more diversified – strategies in order to protect their clients’ interests. In other words, more choices – precisely the stumbling block that will keep too many people from investing at all. More…
You asked, we answered! Today on NBC, the Money 911 panel discussed everything from home renovations to 401(k)s — watch the video below to learn more!
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Shortly after finishing this morning’s Money 911, I checked in with my colleague Michael Falcon. He’s responsible for much of the work that has gone into this site — and as well as the Debt Diet Online and many of the other projects I’m involved in. But he also spent years working in the retirement industry, most recently running the retirement business at Merrill Lynch. He had a bone to pick with one of the answers — and he has a very valid point. Here’s what he had to say. More…
I have credit card debt of $80,000 after helping to support a family member in need. In the past, I haven’t had problems paying the required monthly payments. However, a promised company bonus did not come through and credit card companies have doubled their interest rates and monthly requirements, making it difficult. I can pay each month, but money is really tight now. I want to pay these off, and wonder if I should just keep plugging along, or try a debt settlement arrangement. What do you advise? – Allison, Wisconsin
It’s hard to pass on helping a family member or friend in a time of need – but sometimes, it can have a major impact on your own life. That means making a choice about the type of changes you are willing (and able) to make in your life. Below, I’ve listed your three main options – and given you some insight into the pros and cons of each.
Cutting down. When you have debt like this that you need to repay, sometimes it’s possible to slow your spending and free up some additional money each month. Now, that’s not to say it’s easy. Making lifestyle changes like this one can be a challenge – but you’ll save your credit score, and learn some new budgeting strategies that will stay with you and keep you out of debt in the future. More…
About four mornings a week, I lace up my running shoes and hit the pavement – either by myself, or with a girlfriend. It’s a time for me to relax and de-stress in the middle of a busy week. Plus, it’s free, and requires very little equipment.
But right about this time of winter, I start to lose my motivation. It’s cold. It’s dark. And, at least in my neck of the woods, it has snowed entirely too much this winter. That’s why this article in the March issue of ShopSmart, a magazine put out by the folks at Consumer Reports, caught my eye.
It’s about fitness freebies, free or very cheap tools to help you recover your motivation to sweat. The best part? Most don’t require you to leave the comfort of your warm, cozy living room, and many are customizable to your time frame – important for busy moms like us. I talked to the editor of the piece, Jody Rohlena, about her favorites of the lot, then added one or two of my own tips. More…
WHO: Alyson Hoag
WHAT: Authentic Beauty
WHEN: 2008
WHERE: Atlanta, GA
HOW: As a department store makeup artist, Alyson Hoag saw beautiful women come to her counter each day. They’d look in a mirror, after having makeup put on, and start talking about eye lifts and nose jobs… things that Hoag didn’t like to hear at all. “I had been sitting on an idea I had that could transform the way the beauty industry does business,” says Hoag. From where makeup is sold to the environmental impact of an eye shadow, Hoag developed an idea for a beauty business that would encourage women to use makeup to enhance their features – not cover them up.
Fully aware that she was far from business-savvy, Hoag began to educate herself using as many resources as possible. After taking seminars, meeting with business coaches and potential investors, Hoag developed a plan – and began executing it. More…
What’s your definition of great customer service – the kind of customer service that would lead you to recommend the business to your friends, not to mention give it additional work yourself? Mine, if I defined it a week ago, would have been something like this: Make sure the customer has what she needs, when she needs it, with as little hassle as humanly possible. Now it includes a postscript: And, when possible, throw in a little surprise.
Let me explain. I just returned from a week’s vacation – a little tanned, a lot rested – ready to tackle the list of things that come with taking a week off: grocery shopping, many loads of laundry, opening and answering the pile of real mail that seems to be shrinking every year and opening and answering the stack of e-mails that seems to be growing. Oh, and I had to follow up on the car.
The week before I left, I hopped into my relatively new Volvo wagon to drive my kids to school. We’d gotten some snow, but the roads were cleared, the white stuff piled on the side. As I rounded the corner from my street to the next, I hit the curb on the passenger side. More…
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Here are some organizations that can help with everything from managing debt to saving for college or retirement.
