As the mother of two growing teenagers, I’m always on the lookout for ways to keep our household’s food costs down, while keeping our household’s food healthy. And this time of year, that’s not so hard – local produce is abundant, and that very often makes it cheaper.
But the choice of where to buy that produce has always overwhelmed me a little bit. Last year, I joined a local CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture. If you’re not familiar with the concept, it basically involves buying a share in a local farm. Then each week – or every two weeks, depending on the plan you sign up for and the farm you purchase it from – you receive a box brimming with produce. I was able to experiment with vegetables (kale, swiss chard) that I probably wouldn’t pick up in my local grocery store. But it had its downfalls – one week, we got a single ear of corn, which is hard to make use of in a family of four. More…
Some major U.S. retail chains have started to offer some incentives to their customers to boost spending. Sam’s Club is offering some small business loans, Target is giving discounts to their card members, and Toys R’ Us is encouraging customers to earn interest on their holiday shopping savings. Want to learn more about these programs and how they work? Watch my clip from the TODAY show yesterday!
“I talked to Credit Solutions today. Are they a well trusted company to go with for debt solution?” – Mica
Mica,
No, no, no. Do you know how I know this? I went on the website of the company — Credit Solutions — looked into the about the company menu and found that they are based in Dallas, Texas. Then I googled, “Credit Solutions, Dallas, BBB.” I was looking for the Better Business Bureau report on this company. It came up right on top. And it is NOT pretty. The BBB gives this company an F (and yes, that’s on a scale of A to F just like school). The BBB said this: More…
My friend Jeff Yeager knows all about living happily within his means, so I was excited when he agreed to write a post here on my blog to share some of his research and experience on the topic. Check out his post below, and for even more “Cheapskate” tips, check out his new book, The Cheapskate Next Door.
“Sure, we could afford to spend more, but why would we? It wouldn’t make us any happier.”
Those are the words I’ve spent the last two and a half years traveling the country to hear. It’s a simple but rare statement, given that nearly half of all Americans say that they literally live paycheck-to-paycheck and have little if any savings. How can some people live not only within their means, but substantially below their means, even when their incomes are often less than the national average? And here’s the biggest question of all: How can some of those same people insist that they are happier – joyous really – because of their thrift and frugality?
Lizandra Vega’s new book, The Image of Success: Make a Great Impression and Land the Job You Want, is a great resource for today’s job-seeker, so I was excited when she agreed to write a guest post for my blog and share some effective and low-cost interview tips. I hope you enjoy — and get that job!
As if the pressure of looking for a job when you’re on a tight budget or unemployed isn’t enough; with bills piling up and other financial responsibilities waiting to be met, you have to worry about looking your best? It’s difficult to justify making any wardrobe purchases during a time when money is better spent on practical life and death matters. Still, appearance stands for the “A” in the ABCs of finding a job and unquestionably the first of many components by which you are evaluated during a job interview. More…
This morning on TODAY, I encouraged viewers to break one of their longstanding financial habits by ditching paper bills, and start paying them online instead. Research shows that people who go paperless are happier — they’re more satisfied customers, save time and money, eliminate the clutter that inevitably builds up on kitchen surfaces, and feel better about parting with that cash each month. I can hear you saying, “but won’t that put my identity at risk?” Don’t worry — I also provided some tips on how to keep your identity safe and secure when putting financial information online. Watch the clip below to learn more about why going paperless could be a great option for you.
Who doesn’t want some extra cash? Whether you inherited your grandmother’s jewelry or no longer have a use for your designer suits, you can make money by selling things in your own closet. This morning on TODAY, I shared the stories of two women who were able to sell some of their clothes and jewelry — and also provided some tips on how to make sure you get the most out of what you have to offer. Watch the clip below!
I got an e-mail message from Amazon.com last week. Seems the order I placed for a t-shirt – one of those screened to look like a tuxedo – had been canceled. “Damn it,” I muttered to myself. “Somebody got me.” I found my way to the “Contact Us” section of Amazon, put the order number in the subject line and typed a quick note along the lines of: “Regarding this order, I didn’t place it. And I didn’t cancel it. Suspect identity theft and fraud.”
It was right about then that my 15-year-old son came through the door. “You didn’t order a tuxedo shirt through Amazon did you?” “Yes,” he stammered, sure I was going to be mad he did so without asking permission. “But then I canceled it.” How could this happen? Very easily. More…
Today, we use the internet for everything from paying bills to buying groceries and re-stocking our wardrobes. But are we putting ourselves at risk having so much of our personal and financial information online? Watch the clip below from NBC’s Today for the facts — and some tips to keep your identity secure and your money safe.
It is definitely true that necessity is the mother of invention. Nothing will force you to new heights of creativity like lack. If most of us are honest we spend money the way we do because we have it and we can. But what happens when you don’t have it? When your “cans” don’t stretch far enough to cover your “wants?” That’s when the power of relationships comes into play big time. More…
As the mother of two growing teenagers, I’m always on the lookout for ways to keep our household’s food costs down, while keeping our household’s food healthy. And this time of year, that’s not so hard – local produce is abundant, and that very often makes it cheaper.
“I talked to Credit Solutions today. Are they a well trusted company to go with for debt solution?” – Mica
“Sure, we could afford to spend more, but why would we? It wouldn’t make us any happier.” 
As if the pressure of looking for a job when you’re on a tight budget or unemployed isn’t enough; with bills piling up and other financial responsibilities waiting to be met, you have to worry about looking your best? It’s difficult to justify making any wardrobe purchases during a time when money is better spent on practical life and death matters. Still, appearance stands for the “A” in the ABCs of finding a job and unquestionably the first of many components by which you are evaluated during a job interview. 
I got an e-mail message from Amazon.com last week. Seems the order I placed for a t-shirt – one of those screened to look like a tuxedo – had been canceled. “Damn it,” I muttered to myself. “Somebody got me.” I found my way to the “Contact Us” section of Amazon, put the order number in the subject line and typed a quick note along the lines of: “Regarding this order, I didn’t place it. And I didn’t cancel it. Suspect identity theft and fraud.”
