The markets are not so great today...

I know that I should not give one sporting event this much credit, but the markets have been ho-hum today.  I can only guess that this has something to do with the fact that the USA - Germany World Cup game started at noon.  I am hoping for a win.  A draw will still advance the U.S. team, but a win will make everyone excited.  Making people excited makes them want to celebrate and spend money. Perhaps they will all go out and buy $90 World Cup jerseys.  Or maybe they will just hop online for a little day trading to boost the markets!

Great article about planning for your baby's financial future

In this article, steps are described that will help you plan for Junior's future.  They include the basics, such as getting life and disability insurance.  The article also includes advice on longer-term planning, including starting to save for college.  The article is brief and describes the basics, but it is a great starting point for new moms and moms who are new to the world of finance.  Consider it a jumping-off point, rather than a comprehensive guide.

Useful article: 10 ways to boost your retirement savings

This article describing 10 ways to boost your retirement savings is a great read.  It is easy to understand and doesn't contain as much financial jargon as many other articles on retirement planning that I have seen.  However, the advice to save at least a quarter of your income is daunting, especially for parents.  We have so many competing priorities that it is difficult to save such a staggering percentage of our income.  My advice is to save as much as you can, with a goal of increasing it by at least 1% each year.

Men vs. Women on Finance

As you may have figured out by now, men and women are very different in a lot of ways.  In this article, a study is described that compared the attitudes of women and men toward dealing with money.  Interestingly, women view things more historically, which can actually make us better investors.  Unfortunately, many women also lack confidence and fail to get involved in financial matters.  Wake up ladies!  There is no reason that the man in the relationship needs to control all of the finances unless you are a hopeless spending addict or a hoarder.  Otherwise, it is time to get involved and make more joint money-related decisions. 

Saving does have some limits

While purchasing second-hand items from consignment shops and garage sales has become the frugal mother's friend, there are some items that should only be purchased new, mostly for safety reasons.  This slideshow from Reader's Digest shows 21 items that you should avoid purchasing from garage sales or other resale means.  Find them on sale, purchase them from a discount retailer, use a coupon, or try any other means to save, but do not try to save money by making a purchase of a used bicycle helmet or any of the other 20 items shown.  This is one case where being frugal can actually do more harm than good.

Are you House Poor?

This is a photo of my home.  OK, maybe not really, but it certainly could be the mansion of my dreams. We have all looked at celebrity homes and luxurious mansions and wondered what it might be like to live in a mansion, on a beach, with a pool overlooking the crisp blue water.  We long for exotic hardwood floors and closets the size of department stores.  This dreaming is helpful in that it inspires us to work harder, with a goal of living in more comfortable surroundings. However, it can also lead us to overextend ourselves when we purchase a home or sign a lease. 

Most Expensive Homes in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale

Are you struggling to make your monthly mortgage payments?  Skimping on dinners out or kids' activities to save money just to pay the bills?  You are not alone.  Our society's obsession with all things bling has resulted in us overpaying for just about anything - and not even realizing it.  Simply qualifying for a mortgage does not mean that you can afford to pay it for 20 or 30 years.  For example, mortgage brokers do not routinely collect information on child care costs.  If you are employed, establishing eligibility is based on your salary and credit history, but does not necessarily take into account the fact that you might be spending $15,000 per year on daycare.  That large expense cuts significantly into your ability to comfortably afford your home and the upkeep that goes with it.  Before making any real estate purchase, I suggest using a calculator to help determine how much home you can afford.  Then use a payment calculator to see what your monthly payments will be.  List all of your monthly household bills on a piece of paper, along with your monthly take-home pay, and see if this fits within your budget.  You may find that the house you could afford is not the house that you should.  Keeping housing costs down to an amount that is reasonable for your situation will help you to be more financially secure in the long run. 

Our CEO numbers are low, but there are 5 workplaces where women rule

Fortune Magazine put out a great list of 5 professions that are dominated by women.  Seeing photographers on the list was not surprising, given the number of stay-at-home moms who seem to be breaking into this industry due to its flexibility.  I was fairly surprised to see accountants on the list.  Several of my friends and family members are accountants and they work many long nights and weekends during certain parts of the year.  This seems like it would be a difficult job for working mothers, so I imagine that women in this field must have great support systems at home.  Seeking pharmacists on the list was also somewhat of a surprise given the length of schooling required to become a pharmacist, but with a hefty starting salary and high demand for pharmacists, it seems that many women have chosen to pursue careers in a hot field.  If you are a working mother, or a stay-at-home parent who is interested in returning to the workforce, see if any of the professions on this list are suited to your talents.  In an industry where women already hold a majority of the positions, there may be fewer barriers to moving up the chain in your career.