Blog Posts by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Think you're too young for retirement planning? Think again! You know how fast time passes -- and if you don't think and act now, one day you'll be kicking yourself for not planning your retirement earlier.

First, a cute quip about the rat race:

"Retirement: It's nice to get out of the rat race, but you have to learn to get along with less cheese." - Gene Perret

Want more cheese later? Plan now. These tips for a "rich retirement" are from Ethan Ewing, CEO of Bills.com....

1. Take credit for retirement contributions. The Saver's Credit allows people with adjusted gross incomes (AGI) of up to $53,000 for couples or $26,500 for singles to claim a tax credit for their retirement contributions. The credit varies from 10 percent to 50 percent of the contribution, depending on income, and is in addition to tax deductions for the contribution.

2. Watch for the "Make Work Pay" Credit. Even part-time workers may be eligible for a $400 tax credit ($800 for married couples filing

You may have heard the word "assertiveness" a thousand times, yet have you ever stopped to think about how the right communication affects your job, relationships, and life?

Assertiveness is about speaking up for your feelings and needs. Assertiveness involves improving relationships by learning to be more comfortable as you express your feelings, reactions, wants, and needs to others.

"Studies show that assertive communication can help build personal confidence, assist with managing stress and anger, and improve coping skills for emotional health and well-being," says psychologist Sari Shepphird. "Assertive communication is the perfect midpoint between aggressiveness and passivity -- you avoid needlessly hurting others, yet you are sure to see results."

Take Dr Shepphird's test for assertiveness, and read on for 9 ways to improve your communication skills and become more assertive at work and home...

Would you benefit from assertiveness training? Here's the quiz…

"The rich are different from you and me because they have more credit," says John Leonard.

To accumulate credit, it helps to know the basic definition of a credit score: It dictates how likely you are to repay a loan and make payments on time, which affects whether you'll get loans, mortgages, or credit cards. You want to protect your credit score as much as possible!

Here are 13 effective, easy ways to improve your credit score -- including info about credit cards, mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, and debt management…

Credit cards. "Banks are cutting credit limits on credit cards to reduce their lending risk. Many individuals are seeing their limits slashed by thousands, down to levels that are close to their outstanding balances - and even below existing balances," says Ethan Ewing of Bill.com. "No laws protect consumers from these changes, although these actions reduce available credit and therefore can have a negative impact (up to 50 points) on a credit score."

Research shows that people spend money because they feel powerless. If you're struggling with debt and spending outside your budget, check out these seven ways to feel more powerful in your life…because they're also unusual ways to spend less money!

"Consider two individuals, one a successful millionaire and the other a recently demoted banker," say researchers Derek D. Rucker and Adam D. Galinsky of Northwestern University. "Both might view a Rolex watch as a clear status symbol. However, for the millionaire, wearing the watch might not make him/her feel any more powerful than he/she normally feels. In contrast, for our demoted banker, wearing the same watch might make the banker feel significantly more powerful."

The following ways to feel more powerful in your life will help you stick to your budget....

1. Acknowledge the different types of power. You can feel physically powerful, spiritually powerful, intellectually powerful, professionally powerful, economically

Buying your own home may seem crazy in this shaky economy -- but it's actually the best time to buy! Financial expert Ethan Ewing of Bills.com says the slow economy and low interest rates might give you the best deal in town....

But remember:

"The fellow that owns his own home is always just coming out of a hardware store," said Frank McKinney Hubbard.

Be prepared for home repairs and renovations, which means cutting back on other spending. Here are Ewing's tips on buying your own home in a poor economy...

1. Know your credit score. Check your credit score before you make any decisions. Credit scores range from 300 to 850; the median U.S. credit score is about 693, according to Experian, one of the three main credit reporting agencies. A score below 680 usually results in a borrower being charged a higher interest rate or being denied credit. In this economy, you will need a good score to qualify for a mortgage. If your score is lagging, wait a few months. In the

Ending a relationship isn't easy, even when you're miserable together! But, remember: "Giving up doesn't always mean you're weak; sometimes it means you're strong enough to let go." - Unknown

These tips on how to break up with your boyfriend will help you break the bad news with less pain and awkwardness (but breaking up really is hard to do, no matter how many tips you're armed with!).

Breaking up with your boyfriend could be one of the healthiest things you ever do - but your newfound freedom may help you set and achieve new goals in your life. These tips will make it a little easier to break up with your boyfriend (or girlfriend!)…

1. Break up in person. I know it's "ugh", but your boyfriend deserves a face-to-face good-bye, and maybe even a discussion regarding why your relationship is ending. Don't revert to email or voicemail messages (or Twitter or Facebook, God forbid) when you're breaking up, even if you've only been together a few weeks or months.

2. Choose the

"Credit buying is much like being drunk," says Joyce Brothers. "The buzz happens immediately and gives you a lift…the hangover comes the day after."

The hangover is never good -- whether it's from spending or overindulging in anything. Here's a cure for what ails you: ten tips for getting out of debt from financial expert Ethan Ewing, of Bills.com. If you're drowning in credit card bills, medical bills, or mortgage payments -- there might be something here that can help you manage your debt better.

1. Negotiate your debt. If you can't make minimum payments on bills, try calling creditors and asking for temporary hardship status. Some creditors may work out payment plans. While creditors are under no obligation to negotiate, it is often in their interest to do so, since it makes getting out of debt more likely.

2. Get debt settlement help. A debt settlement firm called Freedom Debt Relief negotiates on consumers' behalf to lower balances due. Consumers pay the debt

"Each time you do something new you become something new," says psychologist Kenneth Herman, author of Secrets From the Sofa. A big part of breaking bad habits is trying new things to find what works! Here are eight effective ways to break out of your routine and getting what you want out of life - whether you want to quit smoking or save more money.

Some of these tips for breaking bad habits are directly from Dr Herman, and others are from my own experiences with quitting smoking and breaking my "binging on the worst foods you could ever eat" habit!

Determine what you want to change. To achieve your goals and break bad habits, you need to know where you're going. "Start fresh by getting clear about what you want," says Dr Herman. "What is your heart's desire? What do you want to accomplish or attain? If nothing was holding you back from realizing your dreams, what would make you happy?"

Examine your current approach. What are you presently doing, and is it taking you closer to