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Men and Money: The Missing Manual
Tweet Share on Facebook March 31, 2011 Comment (3)While there are enough pink-jacketed financial books for women to fill up a small bookstore, shelves suffer from a noticeable lack of financial tomes aimed at men. Whether that dearth results from an oversight or lack of demand, Men’s Health magazine, which usually features perfect abs and sex tips on its cover, is stepping up to fill the void.
Under the headline “How to Stuff a Wallet,” the magazine urges its readers to apply the same strategies that “Wall Street whizzes” use to close billion-dollar deals. Here are the top testosterone-inspired tips:
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The Simple Truth About Love and Money
Tweet Share on Facebook March 30, 2011 Comment (1)While researching my story today on determining whether or not your partner is a good love match, I came across two new books that focus on money and love. Both of them, Marriage and Money and First Comes Love, Then Comes Money, help readers determine their “money personalities” and whether or not their personality meshes well with that of their partners. The authors offer strategies for minimizing the conflicts that can flare up when you disagree about finances.
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Reasons to Spend Your Tax Refund
Tweet Share on Facebook March 29, 2011 Comment (8)The vast majority of Americans overpay the IRS during the year, which means they are due for a tax refund right about now. Last year, 77 percent of taxpayers received a refund, with an average size of $3,000, according to the National Endowment for Financial Education. Of course, most financial experts say that you’re better off adjusting your withholding so you come out even on April 15, but a lot of people look forward to that “bonus.” And it turns out there are good reasons to continue receiving it, contrary to traditional advice.
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3 Costly Mistakes of First-Time Home Buyers
Tweet Share on Facebook March 28, 2011 CommentAs an HGTV-addict, I sometimes want to shout at the featured homebuyers on shows such as Property Virgins and even Selling New York, which caters to a wealthy clientele. Ignore the light fixtures, they can be easily replaced! Don’t pay any attention to the paint color, you can fix it in an afternoon! Listen to your home inspector when he says that water damage could indicate serious problems!
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5 Rules for Winning in the New Economy
Tweet Share on Facebook March 24, 2011 CommentIn her latest book, The 10 Commandments of Money, personal finance whiz Liz Weston offers strategies for coping with the latest twists and turns in the economy. As she explains, her tips aren’t exactly new, since they are based on the same back-to-basics principles she’s always espoused, but “people are more willing to listen these days,” as she puts it. Her philosophy revolves around simplicity. “Life is complicated enough without trying to turn your money into rocket science,” she says.
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How to Save Money on Breastfeeding
Tweet Share on Facebook March 23, 2011 Comment (14)When we recently asked readers for their best money tips for new parents at USNews.com, one of the most popular suggestions was to breastfeed. “It’s free,” a reader said.
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Smart Ways to Split the Check
Tweet Share on Facebook March 22, 2011 Comment (1)The other day, my friend mentioned her frustration about splitting restaurant bills evenly when she barely ate, which means she ends up subsidizing the drink and food orders of her friends. It makes her more hesitant to go out with groups of people, especially to pricey places pushing pitchers of margaritas, since the trip could make a serious dent in her budget.
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How to Plan an Affordable Babymoon
Tweet Share on Facebook March 17, 2011 CommentFor many pregnant couples, a “babymoon,” or one last romantic escape before the newest family member arrives, has become almost as necessary as the crib purchase. After all, you’re about to be sleep-deprived and covered in spit-up, so you might as well relax while you still can.
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Can I Afford to Go Back to School?
Tweet Share on Facebook March 15, 2011 Comment (7)After you’ve been a working stiff for several years, returning to grad school can be as tempting as a getaway to the Caribbean. No boss, no 9-to-5 schedule, no fluorescent office lighting. But will it put you on the path to success and riches, or could it be a financial sinkhole?
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How to Give to Japan’s Victims
Tweet Share on Facebook March 14, 2011 CommentThe heartbreaking images from Japan, which has been devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunami and now faces a nuclear threat, are moving many Americans to help in whatever way they can. Before opening up your wallet, consider these guidelines for giving:
