HOW: Barri Leiner and Marie Moss were fast friends. Both flea market fiends, the two shared a love for finding and decorating with unique, vintage pieces – as well as a passion for writing. “Having just left the corporate world of marketing and publishing and wanting to pursue projects on our own,” says Leiner, “we marched ourselves into Stewart, Tabori & Chang with Polaroids and a proposal in tow and walked out with a two-book deal.”
Their books were a hit, and the pair began traveling from their homes in New York and Chicago to trunk shows and book signings around the country — but it wasn’t just their books that gained attention. More…
This week, a few quick questions about planning for college:
1: In your house, who helps your child(ren) with homework?
a) Me
b) My husband
2: Who helps your child(ren) research college choices?
a) Me
b) My husband
3: Who helps with the college application process?
a) Me
b) My husband
4: Who’s in charge of planning financially for college?
a) Me
b) My husband
According to a recent survey of more than 1,700 American parents from OppenheimerFunds, these answers are as follows. Question 1: you 83%, your husband 55%; Question 2: you 89%, your husband 62%; Question 3: you 87%, your husband 62% and Question 4: you 65%, your husband 85%.
In other words, we women are in there – fully participating, even leading the charge, at every step of the way – until it comes time to pay the bills. More…
You’ve heard me talk a lot about HAMP — the Home Affordable Modification Program launched by the Obama Administration. Now, however, they’ve added a new facet of the plan that you should know about — Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives, or HAFA, which begins on April 5. If you’re underwater on your mortgage, this program is designed to help you. How does it work? Well, yesterday on the Today show, I talked a little bit about HAFA, and what it means for you. Watch the video below for some answers!
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!
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…
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…
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…
WHO: Barri Leiner and Marie Moss
This week, a few quick questions about planning for college:
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
WHO: Luca Cusolito
In Saturday’s 
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
