Protecting Yourself Online
Walletpop recently put together an excellent list of resources for educating yourself and your kids about safe surfing on the Internet. The piece recommended a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) web site geared toward adults and a site for parents from an organization called Common Sense Media that offers guidance based on their child’s age. The […]
Be Prepared
Think an earthquake can’t happen where you live? Check this list of states that are at risk of experiencing an earthquake. I was somewhat surprised to see that Illinois, where I live, is listed as “high risk.” Even if you live in an area not at risk for earthquakes, there are many other disasters you […]
An Outpouring of Generosity
The tragic earthquake in Haiti has touched the hearts of people around the world, prompting donations of several hundred million dollars so far. Have you contributed to the relief efforts in Haiti? My family is doing so through a contribution to an organization that our church has partnered with: Water Missions International. There are many […]
Reshaped by the Recession
The Great Recession has impacted all of us. For some, the impact has been painful (think job losses). But the financial downturn also seems to be fostering widespread personal changes that, if they stick, have the potential to improve our lives. U.S. News & World recently summarized some of the key recession-induced changes that researchers […]
What To Do With Unused Credit Cards
In my “Money, Purpose, Joy” workshop, I always get lots of questions in the section on credit scores. And one of the most common questions is whether to close old, unused accounts. The general answer is no, as explained in detail in this helpful Bankrate.com article. The main reason to keep the account open has […]
Couponing to the Max
I was pleased with myself when I recently rented a car and made use of two discounts. First, I found a coupon code using Ask Deals and then I scored a small additional rebate by entering the rental car company’s web site through Ebates. In fact, I was about to write a blog post about […]
Worker Sentiment Sours
In an era of high unemployment, it’s not very wise to complain about your job. However, there’s a lot of dissatisfaction out there. According to a survey by the Conference Board, just 45 percent of Americans are satisfied with their jobs. That’s the lowest rating in the 22 years that the organization has been surveying […]
Keeping Your Economic Engine Tuned
USNews.com recently shared 10 career resolutions for the New Year. All were worthwhile ideas, but three really stood out. First, look for something new to learn every day. The “every day” part might be a bit lofty, but I agree with the importance of continuing to learn. Most large employers offer some form of tuition […]
A Credit Score Short Course
Your credit score impacts everything from the interest rate on your mortgage, to your insurance premiums, to whether you’ll get the job you applied for. According to MSN’s Liz Pulliam Weston, today’s ideal is to have a score of 740 or higher (scores range from 300-850). We are all entitled to a free credit report […]
Why You Need Two Savings Accounts
A very common New Year’s resolution is to save more money. That’s a worthy goal, but I recommend that you maintain two savings accounts—an “If” savings account and a near-term “When” savings account. “If” savings is your emergency fund. It’s for all of life’s if’s—if you incur significant medical or house repair expenses that are […]