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• Calculators
  Our calculators are designed to help boost your confidence to make informed financial decisions by giving you a stress-free way of comparing different scenarios and outcomes. We have an array of calculators related to managing your personal finances such as planning for retirement, managing debt, pa
• Welcome to Tomorrow's Money
  Wouldn't it be nice to look forward to the future confident about your finances? The truth is that most women aren’t. In fact, three-quarters of all American women are worried about their financial future but not sure about what to do about it.. ok forward to the future confident about your fina
• It takes a lot of money to be an investor
  FALSE. You have probably heard that it takes money to make money, and that’s true to a degree, but it does not take a lot.. FALSE. You have probably heard that it takes money to make money, and that’s true to a degree, but it does not take a lot. If your employer offers a r
• Seasonal Stories
  Fall Home Buying 101 Want to become a homeowner? Wonder what it will take to get there? Click here to check out our new series on "Home Buying 101" - a step-by-step monthly guide to turning the dream of homeownership into a reality . Open Enrollment It's fall - the "open enrollment" season for thous
• Knowing Your Child and Investigating Traditional Child-Care Options
  As you anticipate your child care needs, first consider what your child needs. Do you have: An infant? Infants require close attention and hands-on care by an experienced adult.. As you anticipate your child care needs, first consider what your child nee
• Knowing Your Child & Investigating Traditional Child-Care Options
  As you anticipate your child care needs, first consider what your child needs. Do you have: An infant? Infants require close attention and hands-on care by an experienced adult.. As you anticipate your child care needs, first consider what your child nee
• How Much Coverage Do You Want for Your Possessions?
• How Much Coverage Do You Want for Your Possessions?
  In addition to insuring your home’s physical structure, you’ll want to consider how much to insure your physical possessions for. You can insure your possessions for either the items’ actual cost (how much it would cost today to buy the same item) or the cost it would take to replace them..
• Investing is too risky for me.
  FALSE. Not investing is even riskier.. FALSE. Not investing is even riskier. That’s because inflation , even at today’s low rate, causes a dollar to be worth less tomorrow than it is today because the cost of living continues to creep upward. If the interest rate
• My family never had money when I was growing up, but my parents did okay.
  All of us have a “financial past” and for most of us our present-day views on money were, to a smaller or greater extent, built upon that past. But times change.. All of us have a “financial past” and for most of us our present-day views on money were, to a smaller or greater extent, bui
• Finding Funding
  Every business has start-up costs. Even if you plan to offer your special skills as a service, you still need to cover your own cost of living until you get your first payment from a customer.. Every business has start-up costs. Even if you plan to offer your special skills as a service, y
• Finding Funding
  Every business has start-up costs. Even if you plan to offer your special skills as a service, you still need to cover your own cost of living until you get your first payment from a customer.. Every business has start-up costs. Even if you plan to offer your special skills as a service, y
• What Kind of Business?
  Your own business can be based around a product you make or a service you provide. You also have the choice of starting from scratch, buying an existing business, or franchising.. based around a product you make or a service you provide. You also have the choice of starting from scratch, buying an existi
• Handling Your Finances
  Handling money matters is intimidating for a lot of people. Maybe it is for you.. Handling money matters is intimidating for a lot of people. Maybe it is for you. You may be overwhelmed or uncertain as to how to start facing your finances. Money matters can seem like a bottomless p
• Financial “Things to Do” Before the Year’s End
  With the holiday season officially underway it can be easy to spend most of your “financial thinking” on all of the holiday gift-giving, traveling and entertaining you will, or would like to be able to, do. But there are five simple things that you may want to consider doing to tie up some financial
• Starting Your Own Business – Thinking Like an Entrepreneur
  Have you always dreamed of being your own boss?  Have you hit the ceiling of opportunity at your current company?  Are you between jobs, or concerned about how long your current employment may last and feeling as if you’d rather depend on yourself than yet another employer? Whatever the case, lots of
• Link to Tomorrowsmoney.org
  We have created small, medium, and large images you can use to link to the TomorrowsMoney.org site.. We have created images you can use to link to the TomorrowsMoney.org site. Select the image you would like to use for the link. Right click on any of the images below and save the picture to your comp
• Social Security 101
  Once thought to provide enough income for a retirement lifestyle, today most people recognize that Social Security is just one part – but an important part – of an overall retirement savings package. It’s important to know how Social Security works, when you can begin receiving benefits, and factors
• How Much Coverage Do You Want for Your Home?
• How Much Coverage Do You Want for Your Home?
  Let’s start at the beginning. Imagine that your home was completely destroyed.. Let’s start at the beginning. Imagine that your home was completely destroyed. What it would cost to rebuild your home entirely?  What would it cost to replace the possessions inside?  Beginning to thin
• Budgeting on a Military Salary
  Budgeting can seem very difficult on a military paycheck, especially if your servicemember is not earning a lot and if you, as a spouse, are unable to bring in steady additional income to supplement the military pay. Often it can be difficult for a military spouse to earn additional regular income b
• Additional Features to Consider
  As with any insurance policy, there are several types of features that you will want to consider. Additional features (such as those listed below) will likely increase your premium (the amount you pay for the policy) because you are selecting expanded coverage or benefits.. As with any insurance pol
• Getting off to a Good Start as an Investor: Making a Plan for Your Finances
  We weren’t born knowing how to make financial plans and many of us did not learn much about personal finance and investing in school. However, that does not mean you can’t take steps now that will help you make plans for your finances and investing.. ow to make financial plans and many of us did not
• It's too late for me to start.
  Nonsense. You know the tired bumper sticker “It's never too late to have a happy childhood” Well, it's true that it's never too late to start saving and investing.. red bumper sticker “It's never too late to have a happy childhood” Well, it's true that it's never too late to start saving and investing. Sure, your
• Catching Up on Retirement Savings If You Start Late
  Bob’s budget was tight when he first began working but he put a little bit aside each paycheck into his employer’s 401(k) He figured it was a good way to save some money on taxes if nothing else.. en he first began working but he put a little bit aside each paycheck into his employer’s 401(k) He
• Budgeting for Beginners
  If you’ve never used a budget before – either because you don’t like the idea or because the thought of budgeting scares or intimidates you, consider changing your perspective. At its most basic, a budget is a tool.. If you’ve never used a bu
• Step 1: Start Here
  Everyone wants to look forward to their future with confidence, but it's difficult to know how to save and invest until you know three things: How much money you currently have How much money you'll need, and What type of investments to look into given your own personal needs. This calculator is the
• Welcome to Tomorrow's Money for Young Adults
  What do you want out of life?  Almost any goals you have—start a job, rent an apartment or buy a home, buy a car, get married, have a family, be more financially independent and secure…The common denominator of nearly all life goals is that they require money. Every day you interact with money. You s
• 13 Things Your Family Can Do Today
  All parents want their children to grow up knowing how to responsibly handle money – how to earn money, how to most wisely spend it, and how to invest it well for future needs. But how does that happen?  Here are 13 things that every family can do together to take control of your finances to reach im
• In Your 50s
  What should you do now to ensure that your quickly-approaching retirement is an event you look forward to with confidence rather than anticipate with fear? In addition to building on the steps outlined for your 20s, 30s, and 40s there are specific actions you can take now to build a more secure fina
• Start Out Smart! 7 Money Moves to Make Now
  Congratulations – you have a job! Your first full or part-time job can be exciting, overwhelming and scary…all at the same time. The biggest benefit is of course having a real paycheck! Before you run out and spend that entire first paycheck, there are a few wise financial “first moves” you should c
• 10 Simple Steps to Start Saving Money Now
  Develop a simple, easy to implement plan with Tomorrow's Money “Personal Savings Schedule” Click here to link directly to the site’s . Develop a simple, easy to implement plan with Tomorrow's Money “Personal Savings Schedule” Click her
• Where do I start?
  You'll need to file two separate tax forms - federal and state income taxes. You can get tax forms online at . You'll need to file two separate tax forms - federal and state income taxes. You can get tax forms online at www.irs.gov/formspubs , through the IRS p
• Budgeting and Reducing Variable Expenses
  Budgeting is an important financial discipline to help plan spending, and create and invest savings. Encourage the person you are helping to . Budgeting is an important financial discipline to help plan spending, and c
• Money Deposited in Credit Union Accounts
  All federally chartered and most state-chartered credit unions are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) which is a federal fund that is backed - like the FDIC - by the full faith and credit of the U.S.. All federally chartered and most state-chartered c
• How Do I Start Investing?
  Many beginning investors do not have a lot of money. The important first step is to create an investment plan that identifies the asset classes and types of funds that you might want to invest in long-term.. Many beginning investors do not have a lot of money. The important first st
• Budgeting for Your Policy
  Once you have an idea of how much life insurance would be optimal to carry, you’ll need to decide if you can realistically afford to budget the premium cost for that policy out of your existing income. In other words, “How much do I need to budget out of my current income to be able to afford the pr
• Budgeting for Healthcare Costs
  Budgeting for future healthcare costs is important so that you’re not caught off guard by unexpected bills, forcing you to put them on a credit card or dip into savings. When thinking about and planning for future healthcare costs think through potential future needs including: Co-payments for docto
• Get Started Today!
  Start your new year off on the right foot. Tackle your credit card debt with a simple plan and get a game plan together to spend less, and enjoy the holidays more, come next January! For a practical budget worksheet and tips to making a budget work for you in the New Year, click here .
• Money Deposited in Bank Accounts and Credit Union Accounts
  Up to 250,000 of money you deposit in an FDIC-insured individual bank account, up to 500,000 for joint accounts and up to 250,000 for individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are guaranteed safe by the federal government. If you have more than that amount in a particular bank, it is not guaranteed t
• 8 Simple Steps You Can Take Today (without Breaking Your Bank)
  It is possible – you and your family can begin reducing your impact on the environment without breaking the bank. Take some small (inexpensive) steps such as: Think about what you throw away.. It is possible – you and your family can begin red
• Financial planning, saving and investing isn’t really my thing. I believe it's better to simply live for today. You don’t know what will happen tomorrow anyway.
  Many people fear dealing with financial issues, feel overwhelmed at the thought of managing their money, are convinced that they don’t have the skills needed to create their own financial security, or don’t think it will matter anyway. The truth is that not only do you have the basic abilities neede
• More about Equity Financing
  When small companies get bigger and have a more proven potential to succeed, they can attract equity investors by offering shares of stock or ownership privately or through the public stock markets. To access the stock market, a business has to “go public” or undertake an initial public offering (IP
• When to Begin Repaying Your Student Loan
  If you have a student loan, one of the first big questions you probably have is “when do I have to begin paying back this loan? The answer is: it depends. It depends on the type of loan you have.. n, one of the first big questions you probably have is “when do I have to begin paying back this loa
• First Steps
  Once you have made the choice to take back control of your financial life there are some immediate first steps you can take to feel empowered and make a significant, positive difference Get rid of the guilt. Feeling guilty or. Once you have made the choice to take back control of your financial life t
• Looking Ahead
  Once you have succeeded in getting your finances back on track, improve your chances of not falling back into financial difficulty by taking these preventive measures Figure out your “triggers. An important first step to regaining control of your financial. Once you have succeeded i
• I have a pretty good budget, but....
  Ultimately, you'll need to decide for yourself what financial goals are most critical for you to reach. Everyone's financial planning methods are different…personal.. o decide for yourself what financial goals are most critical for you to reach. Everyone's financial planning methods are different…personal. Following
• Investing is just another word for saving.
  FALSE. Both saving and investing are about putting money aside rather than spending it, but with two different goals.. FALSE. Both saving and investing are about putting money aside rather than spending it, but with two different goals. The goal of saving is to be sure
• More about Equity Financing
  When small companies get bigger and have a more proven potential to succeed, they can attract equity investors by offering shares of stock or ownership privately or through the public stock markets. To access the stock market, a business has to “go public” or undertake an initial public offering (IP
• Ways to Save for College
  Once you choose to make saving for a child’s college education a financial priority for your family the next step is creating a plan to make it actually happen. Here are a few tips to find and begin carving out savings: Examine your budget.. Once you choose to make s
• Recovering From Bankruptcy and Re-Establishing Your Credit
  If you have filed for bankruptcy you have been through a very stressful, and probably humiliating, time in your life. It can be traumatizing to realize that you have hit rock bottom financially and you may feel panicked or shaky about what this means for your future.. If you have filed for ban
• And How Would You Like to Pay for This?
  Now that you have a list of who you’re giving gifts to, what type of gifts you’re looking for and how much you’re going to spend on each gift recipient, it’s time to pause and take a quick check on your finances. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you head out to “shop ‘til you drop” Ho
• Getting Married
  Scenario: Jennifer and Kevin are a newly engaged couple, living in Colorado, beginning to plan their wedding. Jennifer is a 25-year-old teacher earning 28,000 a year.. Scenario: Jennifer and Kevin are a newly engaged couple, living in Colorado, beginning to plan their wedding. Jennifer is a 2
• Clean Out Your Wallet
  Lose a little summer weight by emptying out your wallet. Take stock of what you've got - do you really need all those credit cards? Consider cutting up a few and consolidating some of your credit card debt.. Lose a little summer weight by emptying out your wallet. Take stock of what
• The Young Couple
  Scenario: Marcus and Julie, both 27, live in Tennessee and have been married for a year. Julie is in nursing school and also works part-time as a nursing assistant at a local hospital.. Scenario: Marcus and Julie, both 27, live in Tennessee and have been married for a year. Julie is in
• Can You Afford Not To?
  You may find that starting your business is more of a necessity than a choice. If your employer closes or moves and you don’t have many other job opportunities in your area, working for yourself may be your only option.. You may find that starting your business is more of a necessity than a choi
• I don't know where to begin.
  The most important part about beginning to save and invest is just that…beginning. In fact, changing your attitude toward saving and investing may be the biggest hurdle you have to overcome.. bout beginning to save and invest is just that…beginning. In fact, changing your attitude toward saving and investing may be
• Buying Green When it Comes to Groceries
  One of the hallmarks of the “green movement” is buying food that is either more locally grown (to reduce the cost and environmental impact of shipping food) and/or buying organic. By buying locally-grown food you are reducing the transportation cost (and environmental impact of that transportation)
• Similarities between Health and Money
  Let’s consider some of the similarities between your health and your money, and then address small ways that you can begin making positive steps in both areas. Barbara O’Neill and Karen Ensle at Rutgers University have identified some interesting, practical similarities between money and health and
• Managing Your Grocery Bill When Food Prices Rise
  Climbing grocery prices have caused millions of Americans to reconsider purchases. Unfortunately, according to the US Department of Labor, food inflation is expected to continue.. Climbing grocery prices have caused millions of Americans to reconsider purchases. Unfortunately, ac
• Staying in Financial Control While You’re in College
  Going to college can be exciting, fun…and expensive. And we’re not just talking about tuition, room and board.. Going to college can be exciting, fun…and expensive. And we’re not just talking about tuition, room and board. There can be a lot of unexpected, small expenses that can add up
• Rethinking How You Plan, Save and Invest for Retirement
  You commit yourself to saving for retirement. You take steps to understand how long your financial resources must last in retirement years so you don’t outlive your savings; you test guideline amounts needed to retire using an online calculator; you start contributing to 401(k) or IRA or SEP or othe
• Adapting to Long-Term Temporary or Independent Contract Work
  Since the recession of 2008 employers have been slow to re-hire people for positions that they cut. If you lost your job, you may have started working with a temporary staffing firm or working as an independent contractor, or freelancer, to help make ends meet.. 08 employers have been slow to re-hire people for
• Tips to Maintain Financial Stability
  Life changes. And you, with a fluctuating income, probably know that better than most. There are some things to keep in mind that can help you stay on track with your plan to create more personal financial stability.. Life changes. And you, with a fluctuating income, probably know that better
• Moving Forward
  After you have taken the first steps to identify the source of your financial problem(s) and your current budget the next step is taking action Talk to your creditors. If you’re behind on bills or if something has changed (i.e.. After you have taken the first steps to identify the source of your financi
• Employer-Based Health Insurance
  If you are not married you may still be able to obtain health insurance for one another through your workplace. Check with your human resources department to see if they extend domestic partner privileges to unmarried couples for benefits such. If you are not married you may still be able to ob
• Going it Alone or Together
  Even though you and your loved one have chosen to live together, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to choose to combine your finances. Instead of “falling” into the topic by default (i.e. a utility bill arrives in the. Even though you and your loved one have chosen to
• I live in a large, multigenerational family. We pool pretty much all of our money to take care of one another so I don't really need to worry about managing money.
  The number of multigenerational families - households with three or more generations living together - is on the rise. Many multigenerational families choose to regularly pool their resources to help care for one another and shoulder the financial burdens of everyday living.. tional families - househo
• New Initiatives Aimed at Helping You Save More for Retirement
  The federal government is making changes to help you save and invest for your post-work future. The new rules are designed to help Americans save for retirement by making it more “automatic” – by having workers automatically enrolled in 401(k) or SIMPLE IRA retirement savings plans, having tax refun
• Step 1: Begin Here
  Everyone wants to look forward to their future with confidence, but it's difficult to know how to save and invest until you know three things: How much money you currently have How much money you'll need, and What type of investments to look into given your own personal needs. This calculator is the
• Bill-Paying Tips
  All of us have to deal with paying bills. And most of us dread it.. All of us have to deal with paying bills. And most of us dread it. Having a plan and a process for bill-paying can make it easier. Following are some tips to create some good bill-paying habits and reduce stress when it comes
• Small investors never succeed.
  FALSE. How do you think big investors got to be big? Unless they inherited a ton of money or won the lottery, they started as small investors and let a little money make more money until it became a lot.. FALSE. How do you think big investors got to be big?  Unless they inherited
• No financial advisor would want to talk to me.
  FALSE. Most financial advisors got into the business because they love investing and wanted to help others make money from it.. FALSE. Most financial advisors got into the business because they love investing and wanted to help others make money from it. These days many of them
• Saving & Investing: When, Why and How
  Saving and investing. Those two words can dredge up fear and frustration in the hearts of even the most well-educated, competent adults.. Saving and investing. Those two words can dredge up fear and frustration in the hearts of even the most well-educated, competent adults. Why? The list
• What Happens if I’m In Over My Head?
  Okay, so maybe you’re reading this and you’re thinking “It’s too late for me! I’ve already maxed out my cards! Don’t panic – there are some steps you can take to get control over you credit card spending and on the path to financial stability: Write it down. Gather your credit card statements and fi
• Financial Topics in Difficult Times
  When Debt Is Overwhelming You: Difficult Financial Decisions for Difficult Times Today a rapidly increasing number of people find themselves having to stretch their incomes and take on larger amounts of debt to afford everyday expenses and fixed expenses like affordable housing and health insurance.
• Important Steps at Each Stage of Your Life
  Each stage of life presents different opportunities and challenges. For example, single adults just starting out in the workforce have the gift of time to begin planning for their future, but need to begin developing wise financial habits at the start to reach them.. Each stage of life presen
• I am not sure how to help someone who is in financial trouble and is looking to me for assistance.
  Every day people find themselves facing sudden, unexpected or unwanted life changes that affect their ability to earn money, pay bills, and make choices to keep life working for themselves and their families. Young people, college graduates, seniors, single parents, middle-aged workers – none of us
• Investing
  Many of us do not think of ourselves as investors. We may have created a budget and watch our spending; we may have savings accounts—or even a checking account that earns interest – but we may not have begun investing our savings because we haven’t mentally crossed the line from being a saver to bei
• Your Family’s Military Pay
  If you have worked both as a civilian and as a member of the military you know that there are some very significant differences between military and civilian income, including paychecks. Let’s look at some of the unique factors of a military income.. If you have worked both a
• Buying a Cell Phone
  In the past you were tethered to a landline to make a call. Today’s technology makes it possible to talk with your friend in Baltimore while basking on the beaches of Belize.. In the past you were tethered to a landline to make a call. Today’s technology makes it possible to
• Securities
  Securities come in two basic forms: debt and .
• If You Already Have Homeowners or Renters Insurance
• If You Already Have Homeowners or Renters Insurance
  Over time the value of your home and personal possessions can change. If you already have homeowners or renters insurance you might want to take a few minutes to review your policy and evaluate your current coverage by answering the following questions: How much would it cost to rebuild your home to
• Starting Out in Your 20s
  When you’re just entering the workforce it’s a great time to develop some financial disciplines that will become financially-rewarding habits for your future such as: Establishing some short- medium- and long-term financial and life goals Creating, and sticking to, a realistic budget Keeping a tight
• Financial markets
  Financial markets: There are many financial markets all over the world, but the ones you probably have heard the most about are the U.S.. Financial markets: There are many financial markets all over the world, but the ones you probably have heard the most about a
• Sell short
  Sell short: In investing when you sell short, you sell securities you don’t actually own yet because you think the price is going to go down and you can buy them cheaper in the future than you can sell them today. If the stock’s price falls, short-selling is profitable..
• What Should I Do Once I Begin Investing?
  You should periodically evaluate how your investments are performing-at least once a year or when you experience a significant life change (i.e.. You should periodically evaluate how your investments are performing-at least once a year or when you experience a significant life change (i.e. get m
• Setting Goals
  List your goals and then decide how long a period you have before you want to achieve the financial ability to meet this goal. For example, if you want to buy a home and you want to invest your savings to create a significant down payment amount, when would you want to become a homeowner?  If you wan
• Required Credit Counseling If You are Filing for Bankruptcy
  As part of the 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act if you want to file for bankruptcy you will have to complete two credit counseling courses. The first course you will need to complete before you file your petition to claim bankruptcy.. As part of the 2005 Bankr
• Ready to Buy a Home
  Scenario: Malcolm and Gayle are a young couple living in Iowa. Both have full-time jobs earning a combined annual salary of 80,000.. Scenario: Malcolm and Gayle are a young couple living in Iowa. Both have full-time jobs earning a combined annual salary of 80,000. Their main monthl
• My Budget Summary
  Congratulations! Creating a budget takes time, patience, and, admittedly, a little bit of courage. By taking this first step you’ve empowered yourself.. Congratulations! Creating a budget takes time, patience, and, admittedly, a little bit of courage. By taking this first step you’ve empowered yourself
• I dread making a budget....
  Welcome to the club. It's unlikely that many people like the idea of budgeting.. Welcome to the club. It's unlikely that many people like the idea of budgeting. What's important is realizing that a budget is just a means to an end. It doesn't have to be elaborate or time-consuming
• The Financial Side of Homeownership
  Buying a home is the single largest financial commitment that most people ever make. By taking some time to think about and plan how you will maintain your investment and stay current on your mortgage, you can create some good financial habits at the outset of homeownership that will pay off for yea
• The Emotional Transition to Homeownership
  The process of looking for, negotiating and finally buying a new home can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Being so invested in something can really change your views on some things – like how you think about making financial decisions or how you choose to spend time to care for your home..
• Law Protects Military Members from High-Interest “Payday” Lenders
  A law to help protect military families will cap interest rates set by payday lending companies for military borrowers and their families at 36 percent. Payday lenders, many of whom set up shop near military bases across the U.. A law to help protect military families will cap interest rates set by payd
• Integrating Your Student Loan into Your Financial Lifestyle
  Getting out of school can be an exciting time. Perhaps for the first time you are living on your own, earning your own money and choosing what to spend your income on.. Getting out of school can be an exciting time. Perhaps for the first time you are living on your own, earning your own money
• Buying Green What It Means and Why People are Doing It
  Buying green means different things to different people, but most commonly it means purchasing items or services that capitalize on our planet’s natural resources and reduce potential harm to the environment. Up until recently we haven’t had an easy way of talking about how much we consume in a way
• Credit Unions
  Perhaps you have heard of credit unions, but don’t know much about them. Credit unions are nonprofit cooperative financial institutions.. Perhaps you have heard of credit unions, but don’t know much about them. Credit unions are nonprofit cooperative financial institutions. Let’s break t
• What difference does the interest rate make
  Even a small difference in interest rates can make a big difference in how much you'll owe or you'll earn. The key is when it comes to debt you want a low interest rate and when it comes to saving and investing you want a high interest rate.. Even a small difference in interest rates can make
• The Single Male
  Scenario: Steve is a 32-year old single male, working as an accountant for an oil drilling firm in Texas. He has been with the company for 2 years and currently earns 48,000 about 39,000 after taxes.. Scenario: Steve is a 32-year old single male, working as an accountant for
• A Single Mom
  Scenario: Candy is struggling right now. She works at a local super mart.. Scenario: Candy is struggling right now. She works at a local super mart. She has two kids and wants to do the right things but just can’t seem to get things to go her way. She can’t make ends meet, there is more month than m
• Nursing Homes or Skilled Nursing Facilities SNFs
  Decades ago nursing homes (also known as skilled nursing facilities) seemed to be the inevitable last housing option for aging or infirm seniors who could no longer independently or live in-home with immediate family members. Today there are far more housing options but at some point you or a loved
• Single-Room Occupancy SRO
  This housing option means renting a single room in a resident hotel or private home. SROs were originally conceived as a way of adapting and using older hotels in urban areas but today SRO units are also available in other types of buildings that have been adapted for resident use and even homes in
• Senior Living Options and Issues
  At what point do you begin evaluating if your current home is adequate for your needs both now and in the future? How do you think through an aging parent or loved one’s housing needs? How do you help them make the decision about where to live and when to move? Former generations expected to live wi
• Education
  Holding a college degree is an undeniable advantage in the job market. More than a third of all jobs in today’s workforce require a bachelor’s degree and earning a degree equals a much higher rate of lifetime earning.. Holding a college degree is an undeniable advantage in the job market. More
• Credit and Debt
  Credit has been the proverbial “third rail” of personal finances – virtually necessary for everyday life but potentially dangerous when not handled well. What role does credit play in your life? Do you view it as essential to supplementing your regular income?  Is it something you feel confident mana
• How to Make a Child Care Decision
  Following are some steps to work through in order to make the best possible child care decision for your child and your family: 1) Think through your priorities for child care - do you need your child care to: be close to your home, your workplace, or your child’s school? be within a certain financi
• Managing Your Time
  Many people start a business because they think it will give them more time for their families and their interests. Usually the outcome is the opposite.. Many people start a business because they think it will give them more time for their families and their interests. Usually t
• When You Need Money Fast: Are Payday Loan Companies The Way to Make Your Money Stretch Until Payday?
  You have probably seen them as you drive past strip malls; storefronts with names like "Fast Cash," "Cash Express," or "QuikCash." Or maybe you have seen their ads pop up while roaming the Internet.. You have probably seen them as you drive past strip malls; storefronts with
• The Credit Basics
  Do you have a credit card? How about a home mortgage or student loan? Do you use services that you pay for on a monthly basis (i.e.. Do you have a credit card?  How about a home mortgage or student loan?  Do you use services that you pay for on a monthly basis (i.e. utilities) All of
• Informal Funds Transfer (IFT) Services
  Many informal funds transfer services (IFT) such as sending money abroad through people who frequently travel back and forth from the U.S.. Many informal funds transfer services (IFT) such as sending money abroad through people who frequently travel back and forth from the U.S. or arrangin
• What are Check-Cashing Stores and What Services Do They Offer?
  The concept of check cashing originated in the 1930s as a way for employees who didn’t have bank accounts to cash their payroll checks at local bars and stores. Today check cashing stores provide services for people who are reluctant to, or unaware of how to, use a bank..
• Preparing Yourself for Unexpected Expenses
  When the crisis is past, try to set up even a small emergency fund that you add to if you have any extra money. Creating an emergency fund gives you a financial reserve to draw upon instead of having to consider getting a short-term loan the next time money gets tight.. When the crisis is past,
• How Do You Think You and Your Family Might Use Health Insurance
• How Do You Think You and Your Family Might Use Health Insurance
  Once you have found some online options or an insurance agent or broker that you feel comfortable with, next you will want to consider under what conditions you and your family use health insurance. For example, Your and your family’s health.. Once you have found some
• How to Make a Child Care Decision
  Following are some steps to work through in order to make the best possible child care decision for your child and your family: 1) Think through your priorities for child care - do you need your child care to: be close to your home, your workplace or your spouse’s workplace?  be within a certain fina
• Tag-Team Parent-Led Child Care
  Millions of families with two working parents face regularly the same stresses and choices in arranging and paying for child care that Andy and Christine face. They have to make tradeoffs between their work schedules and child care availability, and they are worried about the mounting cost of qualit
• Managing Child Care
  Christine and Andy are two working parents. Andy is a sales representative for a custom furniture business and Christine works as a secretary for a large downtown law firm.. Christine and Andy are two working parents. Andy is a sales representative for a custom furniture business and Christine work
• Attitude Helps
  To increase your chances for success, build your business around something you really know, love and are good at. The more you enjoy your work, the better you will be able to meet the challenges of self-employment.. To increase your chances for success, build your business around something
• The Inevitable Cashflow Crunch
  You will hear a lot about “feast or famine” in the world of self-employment. Some seasons are busier than others.. You will hear a lot about “feast or famine” in the world of self-employment. Some seasons are busier than others. Some customers pay sooner than others. Yet expenses usually r
• More about Debt Financing
  Although banks and financial institutions may advertise how much they enjoy lending to small businesses, do not expect to qualify for a loan without a solid business plan and some track record of success. Small business loans from banks usually have at least a 50,000 minimum because the banks canno
• Services
  Do you have (or can you learn) a skill that others need?  Service businesses can spring up around bookkeeping, catering, typing, graphic design, petsitting, computer skills, insurance claims, organizing, tutoring, translating, gardening, you name it. As a general rule, the start up costs for a servic
• Franchising
  Franchising is sort of a middle ground between being your own boss and working for a company. A lot of “chain” businesses—fast food restaurants, lawn care businesses, retail stores and carpet cleaners to name just a few—operate as franchises.. Franchising is sort of a middle ground between bei
• Making a Plan
  Before you make a plan for your business, you need a plan for yourself. First, you should make a budget of your personal expenses to see how much you need to survive each month.. Before you make a plan for your business, you need a plan for yourself. First, you should make a bud
• When You Lose Control of Your Finances – How to Get Back on Track
  Jessica was scared. She had a full-time job and thought she made enough money to cover her bills. However after an unexpected car accident and subsequent repairs, a higher-than-expected insurance premium increase and a flurry of bills she began to worry that she wouldn’t have enough money in her che
• Repayment Plan Options
  While you might not like the idea of having to repay your student loan, the good news is that most likely you do have some choices about how you repay it. Let’s look at each type of loan and what repayment plan options are available: Direct Loan Program If you have a Direct Loan under the Stafford L
• Creating a Location-Independent Job with Your Current Employer
  If you’re interested in having a location-independent job you may think that you have to strike out on your own, however that’s not necessarily true. Before you hand in your two weeks’ notice to find a job that doesn’t require you a commute to punch a clock you should think twice.. aving a location-independ
• I could never be an investor.
  FALSE.   You already are an investor even if you do not yet own a single . FALSE. You already are an investor even if you do not yet own a single stock , bond or mutual fund . If you’ve ever spent time on raising kids, learning to cook, or improving
• Before Selecting a Plan
  As with any potential investment you first start by examining your own financial objectives. For a 529 plan you should consider the following two factors: Your child’s age. . As with any potential investment you first start b
• Retirement Planning Worksheet
  OBVIOUSLY, DECIDING how much money you need for retirement is a highly personal calculation. It depends on any number of factors, from your current lifestyle to your general state of health to whether you plan to retire early.. OBVIOUSLY, DECIDING how m
• Managing Maternity/Paternity Leave
  You may need, or want to, take leave before the baby is born – due to medical or other reasons, and you will certainly want to take at least some time off after delivering your child. You’ll want to check with your employer to learn about their maternity/paternity leave program.. take leave before the ba
• Take the Right Steps
  We all need to start somewhere. Taking a little time to follow these steps will help you to honestly evaluate your situation, accurately identify your options for financial improvement, and quickly learn how to take action to ensure a more secure financial future.. We all need to start some
• Health Insurance
  When you were a child, you probably didn’t think about health insurance. If you needed to go to a doctor, the adults in your life took you.. When you were a child, you probably didn’t think about health insurance. If you needed to go to a doctor, the adults in your life took you. They helpe
• Comparing Credit Card Offers
  IT'S NO SUPRISE that so many people still carry credit cards with annual percentage rates (APRs) of 13% or higher. After all, there's a whole industry of card issuers out there devoted to using hidden fees and interest rate gymnastics to gouge you as best they can..
• Which IRA Is Best?
  IRAs offer you a way to create tax-advantaged retirement savings. But with three flavors to choose from - Roth, deductible or nondeductible - figuring out which IRA is the most appropriate for your retirement savings and investment plan can be confusing.. IRAs offer you a way to c
• Asset Allocator
  ASSET ALLOCATION is a crucial first step in creating a well-diversified portfolio. The worksheet below will help you tailor your asset mix to your own particular needs.. ASSET ALLOCATION is a crucial first step in creating a well-diversified portfolio. The worksheet bel
• Reading a Rental Listing
  Once you’ve thought through your budget, your roommate needs, and your timeframe for renting you’re now in a better position to start looking. If you look online or in the classified section of your local paper you may be confused by all the abbreviations and acronyms used to describe a rental place
• Moving In
  Congratulations! After doing all the work of finding a place, negotiating and signing a lease and possibly finding a roommate or two, you’re ready to move in. Since it’s your first place you may not have a whole lot of furniture to move in, but before you run out to fully furnish your new place it’s
• Your First Place
  With school behind you the freedom and excitement of possibly living on your own is just ahead. According to Experience Inc, a Boston-based recruiting firm, about half of all college graduates move out on their own after college.. With school behind you the freedom and excitement
• The Basics of 529 Plans to Save and Invest for College
  If you have children and you would like for them to attend college you need to start saving – and investing that savings so that it can grow in value - now. While most Americans cite “paying for a child’s education” as a top family financial priority, according to a December 2009 FINRA Foundation su
• In Your 40s
  As retirement becomes closer your investing time horizon is shortening; saving and investing for retirement must become a high financial priority if you want to be able to reach your retirement lifestyle goals. Here’s how: Define your strategy..
• Making a Home for Your New Baby
  While it can be fun to flip through magazines with adorable (and expensive) nursery set-ups, the truth is that children outgrow infancy quickly. And unless you have an unlimited budget you should give some thought to what you really need before you begin.. While it can be fun to fl
• Planning for a Baby
  Colleen and Ted had talked about having children before they got engaged, and had envisioned waiting perhaps only a year or two after getting married to start a family. However as they began creating long-term financial goals and considering how having children would change their life, they realized
• How to decide if you really want to own a home
  It seems obvious but the first place to start is to decide whether or not you really want to own a home. No doubt, there are definite benefits to homeownership, including: Tax benefits.. It seems obvious but the first place to start is t
• The Employment Offer
  The goal of all your hard job-searching work is to land a job. Eventually (and hopefully sooner rather than later! you will most likely receive an offer of employment.. The goal of all your hard job-searching work is to land a job. Eventually (and hopefully sooner rather than later! you will m
• Medicare
  Medicare is a federal health insurance program which will pay all or a portion of medical care costs for qualified patients under very specific conditions. There are two parts to Medicare coverage - Part A which covers hospital insurance and Part B which covers medical insurance..
• Finding an Insurance Company
• Finding an Insurance Company
  It’s wise to shop for car insurance the same way you would shop to compare prices on any major purchase. Following are some suggestions for how and where you can locate a potential insurance company: A good first place to start is your state commissioner’s website to learn what type of coverage you
• Avoiding Additional Debt
  It’s important to encourage the person you are trying to help to avoid taking on debt or increasing existing debt if at all possible during this time. While it may not be possible to avoid borrowing some money during this crunch urge them to: try to only use cash when shopping keep a record of charg
• Financial Advisor-Related Questions
  Once you have a grasp on your basic financial picture, you may decide to look for some outside help in managing your finances or making decisions involving your finances. To find the right financial professional, it's important to first ask what type of help you're looking for..
• Topics to Discuss
  As the old saying goes, the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. You’re not going to discuss every financial topic and reach an agreement on all of your priorities in one discussion.. As the old saying goes, the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. You’re not going to d
• Before leaving your job
  Roll over any 401(k) savings you have accumulated into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) An IRA is an investment account you can open through a local bank branch, financial services company or mutual fund.. Roll over any 401(k) savings you have accumulated into an Individual Retire
• What is an annuity?
  Annuities are investments that you can use to turn savings into a dependable income stream for retirement or to provide financial support for your loved ones after your death. An annuity is a contract between you and a life insurance company.. Annuities are investments
• Making My Budget Work
  Every January 1 millions of Americans make a resolution to take control of their finances in the New Year. But what does that really look like? Most people know that tracking their income and expenses by making a budget is the first, best place to start.. Every January 1 millions
• Decisions to Consider Making
  As you become more comfortable talking about financial issues, sharing thoughts, opinions, plans and paperwork you should start working through some important decisions. Areas to talk about include: Goal-Setting.. As you become more comfortable talking about finan
• Help! I don't know how to get a handle on my finances.
  No matter how lost you feel, or how behind in your bills you are, there are a few simple things you can do to begin getting a handle on your finances: Step 1: Identify your income. Don't overlook all your potential sources of income: Paycheck from your full-time job Income from a part-time job or oc
• Preparing to Move
  Once you have chosen your new living arrangement and made your financing plans it's time to begin preparing to move. Start by getting measurement information for your new residence/unit to ensure that your belongings will fit and making sure that you are aware of any suggested items to bring or limi
• Avoid Senior-Targeted Work Scams
  Unfortunately con artists frequently target seniors with a variety of fraudulent employment offers including popular “work-at-home” hoaxes. AARP notes that con artists employ a variety of techniques to snare unsuspecting victims.. Unfortunately con artists frequently target senior
• Power of Compounding
  Everyone knows that “a penny saved is a penny earned. But through the magic known as “compounding, even a penny can become a substantial sum of cash.. Everyone knows that “a penny saved is a penny earned. But through the magic known as “compounding, even a penny can become a substantial sum of cash.
• What if I want to change financial advisors?
  First, don't feel badly. Even if you've hired a close friend or family member, know that people switch financial professionals all the time.. First, don't feel badly. Even if you've hired a close friend or family member, know that people switch financial professionals all the time. Again, co
• Myths About Investing
  You work hard for your money, and your money can work harder for you too when you save and invest it well. The world of investing may seem like a scary place, but knowledge and skill building can help reduce your fear.. You work hard for your money, and your money can work harder for you too wh
• Compounding
  Compounding: the effect achieved by reinvesting investment income or capital gains , rather than spending the money. Your investment returns are added to your original investment, the new larger amount starts earning money, and the dollars start to snowball.Summary
• Making Plans for Next Year's Taxes
  After you've hit "send" or dropped your completed tax forms in the mail, take a little time to set yourself up to not find yourself in "tax panic" come next year. Consider creating a budget.. After you've hit "send" or dropped your completed tax forms in the mail, ta
• When Income and Expenses Are Pretty Close
  You’re in a pretty good place! Consider making a few small lifestyle changes to be able to build up some savings, if for no other reason than to have some funds set aside for an emergency. Read on for .
• I can't do anything different financially for the future because I need every penny I make now for my kids.
  While it’s true that most families feel financially stretched, there are ways to make simple changes in your everyday spending and budget to create savings. It can be very encouraging to realize that small changes can create significant savings.. While it’s true that most families feel financiall
• I don't have enough time to figure this all out.
  Do you have 30 minutes? Then you can start implementing a personal saving and investing plan. One of the biggest barriers to saving and investing, for many people, is the lack of time.. Do you have 30 minutes? Then you can start implementing a personal saving and investing plan. One of
• Paying for Child Care
  As you think through what type of child care you would like to secure, plan according to your finances. If you don’t already have one, start by . As you think through what type of child care you would like to secure, plan
• Paying for Child Care
  As you think through what type of child care you would like to secure, plan according to your family’s finances. If you don’t already have one, start by . As you think through what type of child care you w
• Minimum Payment Required on Credit Cards Going Up
  Credit card companies typically required customers to make a minimum payment of just 2 percent of their total card balance. That 2 percent only helped pay your interest and fees and didn’t help make a dent in the actual principal amount you owed.. Credit card companies typically required customers
• Debt Consolidation and Debt Management Plans
  One of the services that credit counseling agencies provide is debt management plans, or DMPs. A DMP is a plan that a counseling agency develops with a client's creditors to help a client consolidate (pool together) and pay off their debt.. One of the services that credit counseling agencie
• Your Current Debt and Ways to Save for a Mortgage Down Payment
  The amount of debt you currently have and your credit score (which tells lenders how reliable you are about repaying your debt and loans) will also affect how much interest you will be charged on your loan. You should consider getting a free copy of your credit report now, early on in the home-buyin
• Bank Services
  In addition to accounts, banks can offer a wide variety of services such as: Check-cashing. Banks will typically cash checks for their customers for free.. In addition to accounts, banks can offer a wide variety of services such as: Check-cashing. Banks wi
• A Divorcee
  Scenario: Jill is a 30 year old public relations assistant living in Massachusetts. She is in the process of getting a divorce from her husband of 4 years.. Scenario: Jill is a 30 year old public relations assistant living in Massachusetts. She is in the process of getting a divorc
• How to begin to think about saving
  Saving money can seem impossible sometimes. But with a little thought you may be surprised that you can find ways to save money.. Saving money can seem impossible sometimes. But with a little thought you may be surprised that you can find ways to save money. And we don't mean a l
• Managing Child Care as a Single Parent
  If you are a single working parent, you have a lot on your shoulders. If you have young or school-age children, you, like millions of other women, probably also have to constantly manage your family’s need for high-quality childcare given your financial resources.. If you are a single worki
• How much home can I afford?
  Buying a home is typically the largest financial commitment most people make. It can also seem like one of the most confusing and overwhelming processes you've ever navigated.. Buying a home is typically the largest financial commitment most people make. It can also seem like one of the most confusing
• Handling the Hangover of Holiday Overspending
  Are you reluctant to open your mailbox lately? Nervous to see just how much you actually spent over the holidays? If you’re starting off the New Year already in debt from holiday spending, don’t panic… start planning.. Are you reluctant to open your mailbox lately? Nervous to see just how much
• Determining Your Down Payment Amount
  How much money do I have to save to have enough for a down payment?  The amount of money that you will need to save for a down payment on a home varies by: (1) how much the home costs and (2) the type of loan you qualify for. While most people begin looking at home sale prices first, it’s actually be
• What Is Mortgage Foreclosure
  Sadly some people end up having their homes foreclosed upon simply because they were too embarrassed to contact their lender, or didn’t know what foreclosure is and what options are available to them to avoid foreclosure. Let’s start by getting clear on what foreclosure is: Foreclosure is a legal pr
• Stepping Up Your Savings I.Q.
  Looking for a good beach read? Okay, so maybe flipping through a mutual fund prospectus isn't your idea of scintillating summer read. But wouldn't it be a good idea to know how to manage the money you already have? Or maybe learn how to take the first step to saving? Start small..
• How to Balance a Checkbook
  Elise dreaded paying bills. By the time she was finished she was so grateful to have the job done that she didn’t want to tackle balancing her checkbook.. Elise dreaded paying bills. By the time she was finished she was so grateful to have the job done that she didn’t want to tac
• Once You Get Your Computer
  Before you plug everything in and throw the boxes away so you can get online or start downloading iTunes, make sure that you have everything you paid for. Check to make sure: That the computer is the brand you purchased.. Before you plug everything in and throw the boxes
• Negotiating, Bargaining and Working with Salespeople
  So you’ve done your homework, thought about buying vs. leasing and new vs.. So you’ve done your homework, thought about buying vs. leasing and new vs. used, and looked into your financing options. Now you’re ready to talk seriously with a seller. If you decide to buy through a dealership, before you
• What Does It Mean to File For Bankruptcy
  When someone reaches the point of filing for bankruptcy they have typically endured a period of embarrassing financial, and perhaps emotional and physical, losses. Often people filing for bankruptcy are ashamed of the place where they have found themselves and they struggle to keep paying and to fin
• Debt Collectors and Your Rights
  When you start not paying your credit cards or bills, you will first receive late notices in the mail. Then you are likely to get phone calls notifying you that you are behind on your payments.. When you start not paying your credit cards or bills, you will first receive late notices in the mai
• But What if You Really Can’t Make the Loan Payments
  If you are unable to make your full monthly payment on time, contact your lender as soon as possible. Explain your situation.. If you are unable to make your full monthly payment on time, contact your lender as soon as possible. Explain your situation. Your lender may grant yo
• Overcoming Obstacle Number One: Finding Time
  Like Frances, many working mothers have multiple factors to consider when returning to school…and a number of them revolve around how to find, or create, the time necessary to devote to classes and schoolwork. Frances did her homework to find a school that offered classes at night and on weekends (s
• Before You Switch Policies
  If you already have a life insurance policy, at some point you may consider whether or not you should consider getting a new policy. For example, perhaps you have term life insurance and the term is about to expire.. If you already have a life insurance policy, at some point you may consider
• Paying for (and Lowering) Your Car Insurance
• Paying for (and Lowering) Your Car Insurance
  Once you have identified a company (or companies) that you like, and a policy that you want, you will sign a contract to purchase the insurance. To get and keep the insurance you will have to pay something called a premium.. Once you have identified a company (or companies) that you like, and a poli
• Your Family’s Financial Health
  With the pace of day-to-day life, trying to find time to focus on and manage your money could seem too difficult. But taking time now – even just carving out 10-15 minutes a day or every other day – to learn about how to set financial goals, manage your money, save money and invest that savings for
• Effectively Discussing your Finances as a Couple
  Studies show that the most common reason for arguments between a husband and wife center around money. In fact, financial issues are the number one cause for divorce among American married couples.. Studies show that the most common reason for arguments between a husband and wife center around mone
• Work, Family Life Balance Assistance
  In an effort to recruit and retain motivated employees public employers will often offer a variety of benefits to help promote work/ family life balance including: Annual Leave/ Vacation Most public employees are granted a set amount of paid annual leave, or vacation time, upon hiring. The amount of p
• Goal Setting
  Think of the last time you felt really proud of yourself. What was it that you achieved that you took pride in?  Was it an award that you won at work?  Losing a certain amount of weight?  Finishing coursework toward a degree?  Chances are that whatever it was, you thought about it, planned for it and wo
• Children’s Allowances and Spending
  Not only will you and your new spouse need to discuss how you will personally manage your family’s finances but you will need to talk about your children’s experience with money and, more specifically, their allowances and spending. Parents hold a wide variety of thoughts toward how their children s
• Managing Child Care as a Single Mom
  If you have young or school-age children you, like millions of other single moms, have to constantly juggle the logistics, emotions and financial cost of childcare. On average a single mother spends nearly one-third of her income on child care.. If you have young or school-age children you, like
• Review Your Income
  Once you have an idea of your regular expenses and what your income scenario is, evaluate if you have any regular, predictable income that you can dedicate to meeting your expenses. For example, do you receive alimony or child support that you can use for fixed expenses such as housing (rent or mort
• The Inevitable Cashflow Crunch
  You will hear a lot about “feast or famine” in the world of self-employment. Some seasons are busier than others.. You will hear a lot about “feast or famine” in the world of self-employment. Some seasons are busier than others. Some customers pay sooner than others. Yet expenses usually r
• More about Debt Financing
  Although banks and financial institutions may advertise how much they enjoy lending to small businesses, do not expect to qualify for a loan without a solid business plan and some track record of success. Small business loans from banks usually have at least a 50,000 minimum because the banks canno
• Setting Reasonable Goals
  Like many major life steps, the decision to start your own business begins with a review of where you are, where you want to be, and what you need to get there. Some questions to ask yourself include: Are you more interested in money or in being your own boss?  Do you want to build a business you mig
• Can You Afford To?
  Starting a business takes time, energy, help and money. The money you need is not only for the things you will need for the business itself—materials, a computer, business cards and stationery, a website, a phone line, a car to go see customers, bookkeeping software, whatever—it’s also the money you
• Conduct Informational Interviews
  One of the best ways to prepare for a job interview is to, well, interview. Sound confusing? Informational interviews are interviews that you set up with friends, colleagues, and professionals working in your industry for the purpose of learning more about their jobs and related positions within the
• What Does Financial Peace of Mind Look Like For Your Family?
  Would you describe yourself as financially stressed? Money is a leading cause of stress for millions of Americans, and that stress is heightened during periods of economic uncertainty such as high unemployment rates and a national recession. If you would like to have more “financial peace of mind” t
• Types of 529 Plans
  529 plans got their names from the section of the IRS tax code (section 529) which helped create this way of investing savings for college costs. There are two types of 529 plans: Prepaid Tuition Plans and Savings Plans.. 529 plans got their names from the section of the IRS tax code (section 529
• Eleven Steps Single Moms Need to Take
  Single moms have mastered the art of multi-tasking. Working, making phone calls, vacuuming, paying bills, feeding kids and taking them places, responding to emails …. Single moms have mastered the art of multi-tasking. Working, making phone calls, vacuuming, paying bills, feeding kids and ta
• What's New
  This section will list new articles, features and tools to the Tomorrowsmoney.org suite of sites as they are posted. Refer back to this section regularly to see what new information we have to share to help your audiences gain control over their personal financial planning to create a more financial
• How to Improve Your Credit Score
  Your credit score is not set in stone; it changes over time as you use, manage and maintain your credit. If you have recently learned that you have a low credit score, the good news is that there are things you can do to improve your score: Request and review your credit report on file with each of
• 16 Warning Signs You Could Be Heading for Financial Trouble
  We’ve all done it before – forgotten to pay a bill on time, charged more on our credit cards than we should, etc. But there are some financial “red flags” you should pay attention to realize that without a course correction, you’re headed for financial trouble.. – forgotten to pay a bill on time, charged more on
• 10 Smart Ways to Make a Little Extra Savings Go a Long Way
  Regardless of your age, how much or how little you already have saved, or how little you feel like you can save, it's never too late to start saving for your future Every little bit - at every stage - can add up to a significant amount.. Regardless of your age, h
• Improve Your Finances with a Little Math
  Math. Whether you were good at math in school or not, you can make math work for you…and not necessarily the way you think when it comes to money.. Math. Whether you were good at math in school or not, you can make math work for you…and not necessarily the way you think when it comes to money. The
• Story File
  The SIFMA Foundation for Investor Education seeks to provide you with the best information, tools and resources available to help your followers become more financially literate. We have compiled this story file based on year-round evergreen topics.. Investor Education seeks to provide you with the b
• Open Enrollment
  Tara and Erik are a two-income family. Tara works as a paralegal and Erik works as a family counselor at a nonprofit for troubled youth.. Tara and Erik are a two-income family. Tara works as a paralegal and Erik works as a family counselor at a nonprofit for troubled youth. They have a t
• Saving
  Saving money is not something that we, as Americans, are very good at. In fact the U.. hing that we, as Americans, are very good at. In fact the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that America’s personal savings rate is the lowest in the industrialized world. .Saving money is a critical habit to develop a
• Common Financial Myths Single Women May Believe
  Most women heard or sensed certain negative messages about money growing up such as: men should or will earn more money than women; men are better in math and therefore in understanding how to work with money than women; a woman’s income will most likely as be a “second income” within a family’s fin
• Spending
  In order to keep moving forward financially we need to spend less than we earn. That doesn’t mean going without.. In order to keep moving forward financially we need to spend less than we earn. That doesn’t mean going without. It means making spending choices based on a well-defin
• What kinds of annuities can I invest in?
  There are many different kinds of annuities designed for investors: of different ages with different life goals, with different investment needs and in different tax brackets. Most annuities available today have some combination of these features: Single Premium or Flexible Premium With a single pre
• Mutual Funds
  Mutual funds represent a pool of money from many investors whom choose to buy a type of investment, such as stocks or bonds or a mix of both. With mutual funds, you, as the investor do not manage the money yourself, rather your money is invested by a professional money manager..
• Equity Investments – Stocks
  Equity is ownership – buying something and hoping that whatever you own increases in value. When you hear the word “equity” relating to your investment choices that most commonly refers to purchasing stock.. Equity is ownership – buying something and hoping that whatever you own inc
• Who Will Be Helped Under the Making Home More Affordable Program
  The Obama Administration’s 75 billion “Making Home Affordable” housing plan is designed to help approximately 9 million people who are at-risk for either defaulting on their mortgage loans or going into foreclosure. The plan is part of the 400 billion “bailout” package approved by Congress in Fall
• Choosing a Phone
  Increasingly cell phone companies offer customers free phones, or steep discounts to purchase a phone, when they sign up for service. Before you decide to use the phone you’re offered by your service provider for free or you decide to upgrade, it can be helpful to know the two major types of cell ph
• Don’t Get Scammed
  If you aren’t able to make your current job location-independent you may want to look for other opportunities. However you should beware, “virtual” jobs can be a minefield for scam artists.. e your current job location-independent you may want to look for other opportunities. However you should beware, “virtual” jo
• The Risks of Not Saving & Investing
  There are four major risks of not saving adequately for your future needs and goals: The likelihood of Social Security benefits not providing adequate money for a long-term, post-retirement lifestyle That your life expectancy will outpace your savings The possibility of a major unexpected life or ec
• A New Family Budget and New Financial Decisions
  In many ways, your newborn’s arrival is just the beginning. In addition to all of your child-rearing duties there are important financial decisions to make and action steps to take as well.. n’s arrival is just the beginning. In addition to all of your child-rearing duties there are important financial decisions to
• Investing
  One of the most common questions single women have as they begin taking control of their finances is “how do I become an investor? Too often women are under the wrong impression that there is some sort of “one size fits all” way to invest. There isn’t.. estions single women have as they begin taking con
• Digging Out of Debt
  THE SECRET to paying off credit-card debt is really very simple: All you need to do is earn more than you spend, and apply the savings toward paying down your debt. So then what makes tackling credit-card debt so hard ? Sadly, many seem to be losing the battle of the credit-card balance. Consider th
• Signing a Lease
  Depending on your timeframe and the market for rental properties in your area you may need to sign a lease quickly, in which case you need to understand what the lease outlines and what you’ll need to provide. If you’re renting from a large property management company (like those that own large apar
• Your First Car
  Nothing spells freedom like having your own car, right?  If you’re thinking about buying a car, take some time to think through your needs and get educated on what’s involved in buying a car so you’re not the one being taken for a ride. It can be intoxicating to walk onto a new car lot – all that hor
• Ending the Year on the Right Foot
  Only a couple more weeks before we ring in the New Year. But there's still time to make a few decisions that will minimize your taxes for this year and help you start out on the right foot financially next year.. Only a couple more weeks before we ring in the New Year. But there's still
• Comparing Plans
  Once you have made the decision to begin saving for a college education, you understand that 529 plans offer a way for your savings to go farther, and you have thought about both your risk tolerance and your child’s age relative to their college entrance date, the next step is to compare possible pl
• Investing in Your 20s
  Starting out in the workforce you have a huge advantage working for your retirement planning: time is on your side. By creating the habit of saving and investing for retirement now, time will enable you to reap the benefit of both compounding interest and long-term gains.. Starting out in the workf
• When Work Changes or Jobs Go Away
  You may live in a region that is experiencing a high rate of job loss without having replacements for all those jobs. Or you may be working in a sector of the economy that has been hard hit by the loss of well-paying jobs, such as the automobile or manufacturing sectors.. You may live in a region
• The Risks of Not Saving
  There are four major risks of not saving adequately for your future needs and goals: The impact of inflation on your savings The likelihood of Social Security benefits not providing adequate money for a long-term, post-retirement lifestyle That your life expectancy will outpace your savings The poss
• Can I afford to stay in my current home?
  You can do a little math to figure out how your current monthly mortgage compares to your current income. If you're not sure what your monthly mortgage is (perhaps you're not the one who pays the bills) it's a good idea to contact the bank that holds your mortgage to find out.. You can do a little math
• 10 Great Things to Do with Your Tax Refund
  According to the IRS nearly 75% of all Americans will get a tax refund this year, averaging nearly 2,500. Do you anticipate receiving a refund? If so, don’t just rush ahead and spend it.. According to the IRS nearly 75% of all Americans will get a tax refund this year, averaging nearly
• What to do when Downsizing?
  Most people cite "being able to stay in my home" as one of their top financial priorities. If your finances are tight, you might want to do a little math to figure out how your current monthly mortgage compares to your current income.. Most people cite "being able to stay in my home" a
• Help If You are Concerned about Being Able to Pay Your Mortgage
  If you own your own home but still have a monthly mortgage payment that is probably one of your highest financial priorities. If you find yourself in a situation where your finances are so tight or that you have such quickly mounting debt that you are having difficulty making your mortgage payment i
• What to Do When It Becomes Difficult to Pay Your Mortgage
  Change happens. When you bought your home you may have budgeted carefully and never anticipated having difficulty making your mortgage payment.. Change happens. When you bought your home you may have budgeted carefully and never anticipated having difficulty making your mortgage payment. But ma
• A Basic Computer System Overview
  If you have never purchased a computer before, the jargon can get confusing and the choices can get overwhelming. Most computer systems that you will probably consider will include basic hardware, an operating system, and software.. If you have never purchased a computer before, the
• Managing Your Income During Retirement
  In retirement, perhaps more than any other time in life, you will need to take control of your personal finances.  If you are fully retired (meaning that you are not doing any type of paying work) you will not have a consistent income stream from work or employer-based benefits.. re than any other time in
• Getting Professional Help
  If you’re at a point where you are having credit card problems, facing staggering debt, are receiving overdue notices, or getting calls from collection agencies you may feel scared. If you’re overwhelmed, can’t figure out how you are going to get out of this, or just feel like you could use someone
• Financial Pressures and Your Health
  Stress is an accumulation of mental and physical tension. Stress can: distract your mental focus drain your energy impair your immune system and increase susceptibility to illness or disease create real physical reactions such as heart palpitations, panic attacks, nausea, headaches and sleepiness ca
• Stretching Your Retirement Spending Dollar
  During retirement you are going to have to make your income and savings stretch further than before to reduce the risk of outliving your financial reserve. To do that you will need to start with a plan for how to strategically draw down your retirement savings and investments , and then mindfully ma
• When There is a Gap Between Income and Expense
  That’s another way of saying that you’re spending more than you’re earning! Instead of feeling automatically overwhelmed or fearful, consider it just as a piece of information that can help you determine what you’re fearful of or concerned about. Even though the thought of having more debt/expenses
• What's New This Month
  July '09 : IOUs Issued by the State of California Strapped for cash, the state of California has started issuing more than 3 billion in IOUs to businesses, individual tax payers and county governments to whom it owes money. California state government officials have indicated that the IOUs – which
• Adapting to an Unplanned Retirement
  Most of us have a vague idea of how our work life will progress – we’ll spend a few years deciding what we really want to do, get established in our careers, move companies or organizations a few times, progress up the pay scale and then - at a point of our choosing in our sixties or seventies - we
• When Things Change
  They say that the one thing that is constant in life is that it changes. The same is true for owning a home.. ng that is constant in life is that it changes. The same is true for owning a home. Things can change over time. Utility costs can increase. The interest rate on your mortgage can change. You need a n
• Is That Balance Transfer Worth It?
  LIKE MANY PEOPLE THESE days, 69-year-old Ira Stoller uses cash-rebate credit-cards for all of his purchases, lowering his bills by as much as 5% But these savings are nothing compared with the profit the traveling salesman from Butler, N.. LIKE MANY PEOPLE THESE da
• Buying a Newly Built Home
  At some point most of us have thought about our “dream home. Wouldn’t it be fun to choose your floor plan, appliances, carpet and paint? It’s also nice to think that you could be the home’s first owner.. At some point most of us have thought about our “dream home. Wouldn’t it be fun to choose your floor
• Parents Dealing with their Single Adult Child’s Deployment
  Most often deployment information and support is directed to the servicemember’s spouse. But what about the single servicemember?  What happens when he/she is deployed?  After being out of the family home and living on his or her own, suddenly he or she needs family members to help with the paperwork
• Questions To Ask When Evaluating Long-Term Care Insurance Policies
• Questions To Ask When Evaluating Long-Term Care Insurance Policies
  When evaluating long-term care insurance, consider asking a provider the following questions: Are you licensed to sell long-term care insurance in this state?  Make sure from the start that the person you’re talking with is legally able to sell this insurance product to you. What is your company’s ra
• Your Home Mortgage - A Financial Tool
  As you pay off your mortgage you are building up equity, or savings, in your home. As your savings accumulate and your needs change, or outside economic factors change, you may want to make changes to your mortgage.. As you pay off your mortgage you are building up equity, or savings, in you
• Working with a Realtor or Going it Alone
  One of the first impulses most people have when thinking about buying a home is finding a Realtor® But who exactly is a Realtor? And is a Realtor (capital R) the same as an agent? And what about a broker? Who exactly can help me? Real estate professionals can be very helpful in the home buying proce
• Selecting a Reputable Credit Counseling Agency
  A reputable, accredited credit counseling agency may be able to provide you with the help you need to get on the road to financial recovery. However not all credit counseling agencies are alike.. A reputable, accredited credit counseling agency may be able to provide you with the help you need t
• Planning to Manage Wedding Day Costs
  According to a Conde Nast Bridal Group survey, the average cost of a wedding is approximately 27,800. Nearly one-third of all American couples pay for their own wedding and laying out that much money (or accumulating that much credit card debt) early on in the marriage can have a significant im
• Living on Less: What to Do When Your Pay is Cut
  Every day workers of all types, across all industries, get the bad news from their boss that their pay is going to be cut. Whether it’s because your company is going through a tough financial stretch, or because the economy at large is making it impossible for your employer to make payroll, or becau
• Finding Free or Low-Cost Training to Boost Your Employability
  If you are currently out of work and looking for a job, or if you are currently employed but would like to find a different job that perhaps offers better pay and benefits, you may need to learn new skills to become a more attractive job candidate for a prospective employer. However you may not have
• Selling Your Home Part 1
  Every year millions of Americans sell their homes. Some of the most common reasons for selling a home are: Relocating for a job Needing or wanting more room for a growing family Moving after retirement Downsizing Moving to a more desirable or convenient neighborhood for work or school This month we’
• Dealing with Deployment
  Deployment is a stressful time for every member of the family. By taking time to talk together as a family, and separately as a couple, you can better manage both the emotional and logistical aspects of being apart from your servicemember.. Deployment is a stressful time for every member of
• Moving Day
  The big day is almost here. Moving day.. The big day is almost here. Moving day. Before you get to enjoy the excitement of moving into your new home, you’ve got to make it through the tedium and trial of actually boxing up and moving all your possessions. Having your tools and materials rea
• Selling Your Home Part II
  Once you have decided to sell your home, and prepared it to put it on the market you have several choices to make.. Once you have decided to