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Raising Money-Wise Kids

Working Mom Articles

• The Smarter Way to Pay Allowance
  "Allowance" is defined as "a sum of money or goods given regularly to family members." Each family has its own way of handling allowance. Some families do not give allowances to children, even if they complete chores. Other families give out allowances, but these gifts of money are not connected to the completion of chores. When used correctly, allowance can be an important educational tool in teaching your children the value of money.

• Maternity Leave Checklist
  The last days of work before you begin maternity leave are hectic - you've got work to wrap up, transitions to make...all while you're most likely as big as a house and have even more to take care of at home! Take a deep breathe and consult our checklist below to make sure you're on top of everything well in advance so that you can go on leave with confidence and ease.

• The Ultimate Juggling Act
  Being a stay-at-home mom is an enormous responsibility and is a full-time job. Add a business into the equation and you can often feel like you are running on a treadmill that never slows down. As a mother and businesswoman, it is easy to want to please everyone all the time. This is simply not realistic. Sometimes prioritizing responsibilities is the only way to get through a day, week or month. There will be times when friends will ask you to join them at their child's school play, colleagues asking for favors, friends who commute to an office asking that you watch their child after work until the sitter arrives. It is not considered improper etiquette to say no to friends and family if you simply cannot balance your own home and work life. Don't be indecisive tell them up-front that due to your schedule with the kids and work, it just wouldn't be realistic at this time. Remember, you must put yourself first, and learning to say no to others will only assist in making you a more prudent decision maker when it comes to both your business and your family.

• Second Acts: How My Kids Helped Me Kick My Crime-Fighting Addiction
  I spent eight years locking up hardened criminals as a federal prosecutor in New York City and loving every second of it. The job was a constant adrenaline rush. Listening in on wiretaps. Debriefing killers and drug dealers about the gory details of their crimes. And standing up in court in front of the judge and the jury using all my skills to bring the bad guys to justice. It took me years of education and preparation to get that job, and once I had it, I was so crazy about it that I was sure I would never leave. I'd found what I was meant to do with my life.

• Managing your 401k
  Times are tough and each day it seems a new scandal threatens to eat away at your retirement fund. Despite market fluctuations and uncertainty, the 401K is a solid, easy investment option and if your company offers any sort of a plan you should take advantage of it. There are many ways that the money can be invested, and the account is also tax-deferred. Read about our tipes to help you manage your 401k wisely.

• Working from Home?
   

• Budgeting in the New Year
  Need to get the family budget back on track now that holiday season is almost over and done with? We hear you. Now is the best time to get your finances in order and start the 2005 on the right foot.

• It’s Never Too Early to Teach Good Money Habits
  Teaching a 3-year-old child about money may seem like an unconventional idea to some, but over 40 percent of families live off of 110 percent of their incomes. If we don't want to pass this legacy on to future generations, we need to teach our children a better way to relate to their money.

• Avoid a New Year’s Debt Hangover
  Sometimes it seems like your credit cards and checkbook have a mind of their own -- you go into the holiday season with the best intentions of limiting your holiday spending, only to face the New Year with a mountain of debt.

• Refinancing? Look Beyond Banks for the Lowest Rate
  If the rate you're paying on your mortgage is above 5 percent, refinancing could mean a smaller monthly payment and save you tens of thousands of dollars in interest costs. To maximize your savings, you'll want to give some thought to how you refinance.

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