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Article | Book Review | Say What | Ask Your Financial Advisor | Points to Ponder | Building Wealth | A Penny Saved | College Credit | Tomorrow's Millionaires | Go Figure | Do it Today | Financial Brainteaser | Quote | Just For Grins | Financial Cartoon | Sudoku
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| Article |
A New Concept in Gift Giving
Why not make this holiday season different? Instead of shopping, standing on long lines, and taking the chance of getting something your family and friends actually didn't want (and will be standing on long lines to return after the holidays), do something meaningful for them, for you, and for the causes that are important to you or them. Make a contribution to your—or their—favorite charity.
Before you write me off as the Grinch about to steal, not just Christmas, but the whole joy and merriment of the season, consider this: how many millions (or is it billions?) of dollars are spent this time of year? Money is spent for fun and enjoyment, in a stressful and tight schedule, on wrapping paper that ends up in the trash, and on gifts that end up in the corners of somebody's closet.
Does it make sense?
Now, consider the other side of it. How many worthy charities are in desperate need of funds? No matter what is important to you, there are causes that speak to your heart. Disabled children? The hungry? The elderly? Orphaned babies? Animal rights? Malnourished children in third-world countries? Whatever it is, you'll find many charities who are more than happy to take your gift-shopping stress and turn it into something so much more meaningful.
Of course, you'll still have to shop. You can't give a contribution in the name of a child who might be expecting a large, beautifully wrapped package under the tree. And you wouldn't want to do that. Your spouse also should get a special gift from you. But in a world where most people buy everything they need for themselves, and almost everything they WANT too, why not add some meaning to the season?
A great way to get started is by letting family and friends know you'd prefer gift givers to make contributions in your name to a charity you care about. Be specific. Give them the contact details, whether it's a phone number, a website or both. Let them know how much you appreciate it, and ask if you can return the favor.
Someone who expects a gift from you should get that gift. But for everyone else, there are better options. Think out of the box, and start a new tradition; a tradition that will truly bring joy and peace to the world in a way an overly-commercialized holiday never could.
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Book Review |
I shop, therefore I am
By:April Lane Benson
Many people jokingly call themselves 'shopaholics' and a humorous series of novels was published with the star being a shopaholic herself. Yet humor aside, compulsive buying is a serious, often secretive affliction that is characterized with profound emotional, social, occupational, and financial consequences. This is especially true for the financial consequences. Studies suggest that up to 25% of the population has problems with buying; and between one and six percent of the population are full-fledged compulsive buyers.
"I Shop, Therefore I Am: Compulsive Buying and the Search for Self" brings together, for the first time, the most important thinking about this disorder. This is a practical, comprehensive, and surprisingly readable work...if you're a therapist, that is, which the book seems to be written for (it's also somewhat expensive).
Even if you don't read it, just being aware of the title, "I shop, therefore I am," is a powerful message. Take a minute to think about it: does buying things do anything for you? Is there more to shopping than picking out the things that you need? Sometimes, awareness is half the battle.
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Say What |
Inflation
"Mom!" Tiffany called as she walked through the door. "It's not fair! I used to buy chocolate bars at the corner for fifty cents, and now they want sixty cents!"
Mom smiled. If Tiffany thought she had it hard, how could she possibly understand her own challenge of shopping for a family of five on the same income, but higher prices?
"Sometimes," her mom explained, fishing for a dime in her purse, "Sometimes prices go up. If they never, ever went up, we'd still be paying a nickel for a loaf of bread. It does become difficult when prices of everything suddenly jump, but eventually we get used to it and begin earning more money anyway. When prices shoot up, it's called inflation."
Tiffany's eyes lit up once she processed the new information. "You mean, I'll be able to tell my kids that I remember when candy bars were fifty cents, and they won't believe it was ever anything less than two dollars?"
"You got it!" Mom laughed. "Inflation is just a part of life. It happens."
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Ask Your Financial Advisor |
Savings Bonds
Q:
Years ago, I received savings bonds as a gift. They seem to be a great choice if you want to give children money and know that they won't spend it until they're older and (hopefully) wiser. But now I'm hearing ...
A:
Bonds are a great gift idea. It's true that the child you gift it to will have the option of cashing in before the bond reaches maturity, but once they understand that the longer they wait, the more money they'll ... |
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Points to Ponder |
If you don't have enough money to save 10% of your income today, how will you get by if you lose your job and have no savings to fall back on?
No one likes to think about it, but loosing a job can happen to anyone. If you need every penny of your income right now, how will you 'cut back' if you should ever need to…and what would you have to fall back on? ... |
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Building Wealth |
Ression-Proof Habits
With the economy the way it is right now, you may believe that building wealth is the last thing to be thinking about. However, the economy is ALWAYS going up or down. Right now, we are in a downward swing, yet ... |
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A Penny Saved |
The Easiest Way to Save Money on Food
With food prices climbing, you may be looking for ways to cut corners on your food bills. While there are lots of good ideas out there (buy in bulk, buy generic brands, etc.), nothing will save you as much money as ... |
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College Credit |
Balancing a Job and College
Ms. Sasha Tovbin
To work or not to work. . .that is the question. Most of you are probably discovering the thrill of living on a student budget. Whether it's tuition, books, those good old extras, or just plain independence, wake up ... |
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Tomorrow's Millionaires |
Talk to Your Children About Today's Economy
Kids pick up on what's going on - much more than we give them credit for. Have an open discussion with your children about what is going on in the economy, what it means to the United States, to the world, and to your ... |
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Go Figure |
If money doesn't buy happiness, why is it so difficult to be happy when money is tight?
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Do it Today |
Re-evaluate the Budget
If you've been using a budget, re-analyze it now that prices for basics, like food and gasoline, have gone up. What will you cut back on? Or, is there another option for increased income? If you've recently lost a ... |
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Financial Brainteaser |
Hardware Store
Q:
A woman goes into a hardware store to buy something for her house. When asked the price, the clerk replies, "the price of one is twelve cents, the price of forty-four is twenty-four cents, and the price a hundred and ...
A:
Numbers for outside her house
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Quote |
“Success in money management is not a windfall that comes to some and not to others because of fate, chance, or luck. Success in money management can be predicated (yes, predicated!), if you have a plan and if you follow that plan.”
Ms. Sasha Tovbin |
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Just For Grins |
What Unites Us All
The one thing that unites all men, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that deep down inside, we all believe that we are above-average drivers. |
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Financial Cartoon |
| Investment or Expense? |
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Sudoku |
Sudoku 5 Easy
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