I often receive questions from divorced mothers who are having trouble getting child support out of their ex-husbands. I think this is something that happens all too often (and it works both ways – I also get letters from fathers who are trying to collect from their ex-wives) so I thought I’d address it here.
This question isn’t easy to answer, because child support laws vary pretty widely by state. Across the board, however, the district or state attorney is required to help you collect if you’re owed money, so that’s where I want you to start if you fall into this kind of situation. Once you’ve spoken to them and they’ve confirmed the court’s orders, they’ll serve your ex with papers. He’ll be required to contact their office to arrange a payment schedule. More…
HOW: While we’re still fighting to lower unemployment and stabilize the housing market, at least one business sector is going strong. GreenBiz’s semi-annual “Green and the Economy” survey shows that companies are willing to spend money on products and services that will help them be green and eco-conscious – and Frank Zammataro is taking advantage. After leaving Wall Street in 2000, Zammataro was looking for a new project – and after 9/11, an idea for a business spurred while he looked at New York City water towers. More…
This morning, the Money 911 experts panel tackled some of your tough money questions. After a job loss, what can you do with your fully-vested pension? How can you begin to build credit? What can you do when you’re struggling to make your mortgage payments? For the answer to these questions — and a few more — check out the clip below!
Lending standards have gotten tougher in the past couple of years, and banks are starting to dig a little deeper into their customer’s finances before they give out loans. However, some expecting parents are being turned down for mortgages, and credit score requirements have gotten even stricter. This morning on the Today Show, I talked with Matt Lauer about some of the surprising things that might hold you back from getting a loan — and how to prepare yourself before you apply.
My mom and I own a salon and day spa and like many businesses are having trouble paying off our credit card debt. We have several credit cards that we have made hardship payment arrangements with, but one of our cards was turned over to an attorney and the court awarded a judgment “by default.” What options, if any, do we have to settle this debt ($11,600), and can they garnish our business account to collect this debt? — Anonymous
The very first thing I want you to do is watch the Today Show segment that I did on this subject. It’s not only happening to you. It’s happening to many people — and many small business owners. More…
New research shows that in our tighter economy, people are starting to feel better about saving than spending! How can you get that feel-good boost in your day to day life? Waiting for sales, cooking from scratch, and learning how to (conveniently) use coupons are just a few of the ways I highlighted this morning on the Today Show. Watch the clip below!
It’s not new news that kids are a big investment. According to estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it’ll cost parents anywhere between $205,460 and $475,680 to support a child born in 2009 until they’re 17 – estimates that do not include college tuition (an expense I’ll be facing in the next few years). And it’s not just money you’re expending, it’s time. The financial impact, researchers note, corresponds with the time spent on kids and their various activities.
The mother of a tennis player and a horseback rider, I know all too well what a new racket or pair of riding boots will set me back, in both minutes and dollars. But after a recent conversation with a friend, who’s three children participate in a collective 13 extracurricular activities, including (but not limited to) youth hockey, lacrosse, ballet, and swimming – I feel like I might be getting off easy. More…
The jobs picture is pretty dismal. The official national unemployment rate is still at a relatively high 9.5% – and the underemployment rate at a more alarming 16.5%. But that’s not all of it. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than five applicants for every job. It now takes 35 weeks on average to get a job. And 45% of people have been out of work more than a half year. At the beginning of the recession it took 17 weeks and only 17% of people were out of work more than a half year.
Are there any bright spots? A few, says Mark Zandi of Moody’s Economy.com. More…
HOW: It took a belated Christmas card, a blindside of a breakup, and a lack of motivation for Jen Bilik to launch a business. An odd combination, but for a passionate writer who suddenly found herself dabbling in graphic design, having an unexpected inspiration to try something new wasn’t an unfamiliar feeling. After leaving her in-house publishing career to freelance on her own, Bilik tried her hand in a few different projects for about six years (a period she refers to as “the abyss”). One of her projects, a children’s book, was simply not More…
The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently shared some scary numbers: Unemployment is at 9.5%. Underemployment is at 16.5%. It takes, on average, 35 weeks to find a job — and 45% of the unemployed have been out of work for more than six months. With rates like these, it’s hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel. My column this week on wowowow.com, like my recent Today Show segment, will hopefully be just that. From geographic regions that are hiring to the specific sectors that are showing growth, I broke down where to look for jobs — and how to set yourself apart from the competition when you’re applying.
I often receive questions from divorced mothers who are having trouble getting child support out of their ex-husbands. I think this is something that happens all too often (and it works both ways – I also get letters from fathers who are trying to collect from their ex-wives) so I thought I’d address it here.
WHO: Frank Zammataro
My mom and I own a salon and day spa and like many businesses are having trouble paying off our credit card debt. We have several credit cards that we have made hardship payment arrangements with, but one of our cards was turned over to an attorney and the court awarded a judgment “by default.” What options, if any, do we have to settle this debt ($11,600), and can they garnish our business account to collect this debt? — Anonymous
It’s not new news that kids are a big investment. According to 
The jobs picture is pretty dismal. The official national unemployment rate is still at a relatively high 9.5% – and the underemployment rate at a more alarming 16.5%. But that’s not all of it. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than five applicants for every job. It now takes 35 weeks on average to get a job. And 45% of people have been out of work more than a half year. At the beginning of the recession it took 17 weeks and only 17% of people were out of work more than a half year.
WHO: Jen Bilik
