Can moms save Sears?

Growing up, I remember family trips to Sears for back-to-school shopping.  Over time, a series of bad business decisions really took a hit on the chain.  However, I have still managed to find adorable clothing for my children there, especially where they were babies.  Some of their in-store offerings are disappointing, which I think is why the investing "experts" are predicting the demise of the retailer.  However, I really think more parents should take a look at what Sears has to offer.  Maybe if shopping at Sears becomes cool again, we will be able to save this iconic store from disappearing.  I would hate to see Sears follow in the path of beloved retailers like Ames and Caldor.

Is a $40,000 preschool a good investment?

Reading this article about the quest for the 1%ers to get their children into top preschools in New York City left me shaking my head.  Preschool prep classes - really?  Apparently the high society folks in NYC are convinced that going to a preschool that doesn't have yoga and a science lab will prevent their kids from getting into Harvard. 

There is some scientific rationale to (sort-of) support this movement.  It is true that early life exposure to language, for example, can improve vocabulary and ultimately help children to learn.  However, scientific studies have not examined the impact of cushy facilities and personal training at 2 years of age on success later in life.  This is a large bill to pay for a societal status symbol, but it is not setting the child up for any future success that he or she could not realize by attending a free or reasonably priced preschool program. 

Check out this great MSN video - 3 Reasons You Will Never Retire

Check out this great MSN video - 3 Reasons You Will Never Retire.  The video is somewhat depressing for those of us who are many years away from retirement, but it brings up some good points.

Clutter is my worst enemy

Like many other working mothers, I am often buried under mounds of clutter.  Look at my kitchen counter during the work week, and you will find everything from Optimus Prime to a Princess Sofia tiara to a book on financial management of healthcare organizations, mixed in with some dirty dishes and cookie crumbs.  Surrounding all of this stuff is, of course, piles of paper.  There are catalogs and junk mail, newspapers and advertisements. (Seriously, why do I need to get junk mail five times per week from various State Farm agents and local gyms?  Am I on someone's marketing list as fat and underinsured?) Buried in the mess are bills and other items that require attention, and often I spend my precious free time on the weekends sifting through the mess to ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.  I know that I should be devoting more time to decluttering, but it is a task that is difficult to start and even more difficult to sustain.  If your attention focus is better than mine, try reading these tips on how to declutter your finances.  I followed the first one (buying a shredder) but I never seem to find time to actually pull it down from the closet shelf and use it, so the items that need shredding also keep piling up.  If you have any other tips for decluttering finances (and busy households), I would love to hear them!