1. Stop avoiding the problem and start being honest. Open the envelopes, call-or even better-visit your bank or broker. Be realistic. So many of us are living in the illusion of total scarcity. Look at what really did happen during the last few months. Get some help. You aren't supposed to be an expert. Most of us feel intimidated when it comes to money, but the truth is we were never given a proper education about it. You're not alone. Everyone feels the same way to some degree. But avoiding the subject of money would be like saying, learning to walk is too difficult, so I'm not going to do it. Learn the basics. You'll feel more grounded. And make sure to hire a banker or accountant you feel good about.
PLUS: 9 Vintage Items That May be Worth Money
2. Get organized. Know where your accounts, credit-card statements, insurance documents, will, etc. are. Most of us feel overwhelmed because we just don't know where all of this stands. Often, it's not the lack of money but more the
Blog Posts by Reader s Digest Magazine
10 Smart Money Moves to Make in 2010
By Reader s Digest Magazine | Work + Money – Fri, Jan 8, 2010 7:32 PM ESTWe collected the 15 most-viewed jokes on readersdigest.com in 2009. Read 8 below and then read 7 more of our funniest jokes.
Read More »from Top 15 Jokes of 2009
#1. Duck in a Bar
This duck walks into a bar, and asks the bartender, "Do you have any grapes"?
The bartender says, "No we only sell beer here". The duck leaves.
The next day the duck walks back into the bar and asks the bartender, "Do you have any grapes"?
The bartender says, "No I told you we only sell beer, and if you ask me again I'm going to nail your beak to the bar." So the duck leaves.
The next day the duck walks back into the bar, and asks the bartender "Do you have any nails"? The bartender says "no".
The duck asks "Do you have any grapes"? -- Scott Pruitt
©2009 Jupiterimages Corporation
#2. Useful Ailment
One of my friends, a musician, is always upbeat. Nothing gets her down. But when she developed ringing in one ear, I was concerned it might overwhelm even her. When I asked if her condition was especially annoying to a musician, she shook her10 Things Retailers Don't Want You To Know When Holiday Shopping
By Reader s Digest Magazine | Work + Money – Fri, Dec 18, 2009 11:40 PM ESTBy Janice Lieberman for readersdigest.com
Read More »from 10 Things Retailers Don't Want You To Know When Holiday Shopping
Why is it that we plan on just going to the mall to buy one specific item and we come home with lots more? I asked Marshall Cohen a retail analyst and author of "Buy Me" to take me shopping and tell me what the retailers don't want you to know!
1. They sell a lifestyle: Ever go into a teen and young adult store and the lighting is dim and the music is blaring? It's all part of getting to be invited to the "club." It's a scene and it entices you to buy what they are selling so you can be invited to the right parties.
PLUS: Read up on holiday tipping etiquette with 10 Tips For Tipping This Holiday Season
2. Got to show off your duds: What is a party without showing off your duds? Many dressing rooms are now communal. Both sexes share the rooms. You will need to come out of the dressing room to look in a mirror. Now other patrons check you out and may want to buy the same thing. More sales!
3. Product placement: Children's clothing stores are13 Things Your Mall Santa Won't Tell You
By Reader s Digest Magazine | Work + Money – Fri, Dec 18, 2009 5:45 PM ESTInterviews by Michelle Crouch
Read More »from 13 Things Your Mall Santa Won't Tell You
Ever wondered what it's like to be a mall Santa --The object of adoration of kids and adults alike? Here mall Santas from around the country share their best secrets like how they manage screaming kids, sticky conversations, and that Santa beard!
Plus: 12 More Things Your Mall Santa Won't Tell You
1. Never force your screaming kid onto my lap. Just bring him close and give me a few minutes. I've got plenty of tricks up my sleeve.
2. Some of us get bonuses for making our daily photo quota. So please forgive me if I try to move things along.
3. I make around $10,000 a season doing this, but cut me some slack. Between October and December, most of us work about forty 10-hour days and listen to 30,000 children.
Plus: 12 Funny Things Your Christmas Tree Says About You
4. Wondering why both of my white-gloved hands are always where you can see them? Ask my lawyer.
5. I'm sorry Grandma is in heaven or that Mom and Dad have split up. But even Santa canBy: Jacquelyn Mitchard for readersdigest.com
Read More »from 7 Classic Holiday Movies
We're movie people, my family. When time is no object, we can watch three films a day and consider these hours well-spent. Without these favorites, many with music, the season wouldn't be complete. So dear are they to our hearts that we quote from them year-round. Share them with your family - and don't forget the quotes.
Plus: Find out Reader's Digest's Top 10 Christmas Movies
1. 'Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol' (1962) - The first-ever animated Christmas special sounds like a mini-Broadway musical because it actually is: The next year, Jule Styne and Bob Merrill would write a little show called 'Funny Girl.' My brother wasn't even around when this debuted. I was knee-high. But we've watched it together for nearly 50 years, the past 25 with our children. Favorite quote: "Knowing we're together, heart in hand, we'll have a Christmas far more glorious than grand."
2. 'Love, Actually' (2003) - This British romantic comedy is everything anyone5 Secrets to Wrapping the Perfect Christmas Gift
By Reader s Digest Magazine | Work + Money – Thu, Dec 17, 2009 7:03 PM ESTBy: Ez Pudewa for readersdigest.com
Read More »from 5 Secrets to Wrapping the Perfect Christmas Gift
'Tis the season to get creative with your gift wrapping. Here are five secrets that will make your packaging extra special this holiday season.
Plus: 16 Cheap and Easy Christmas Decorating Tips
1. It's not just what's on the inside that counts:
The best wrapping says something about what's hidden inside. Of course you don't want to give it away, but the best presents under the tree are the ones that pique your giftee's curiosity. Select gift wrap and embellishments that hint at what you're giving. Look for colors, textures, and patterns that tell a story and make your friends and loved-ones excited to see what's inside.
2. Gift toppers need not be store-bought:
A quick survey around your home will yield ample gift topping solutions. Why not use Baker's Twine to tie an old cookie cutter atop a gift for the epicurean on your gift giving list? An extra ornament or two can be strung on with Luxe Ribbon for a festive look that will delight anyone.4 Holiday Grammar Questions Answered
By Reader s Digest Magazine | Holiday – Thu, Dec 17, 2009 6:45 PM ESTBy: Mignon Fogarty (aka Grammar Girl) for readersdigest.com
Read More »from 4 Holiday Grammar Questions Answered
As the holidays approach, we'll be putting pen to paper more than any other time of the year. Read these four tips from Grammar Girl to make sure you are giving the gift of proper grammar this holiday season.
PLUS: Download your FREE Reader's Digest Digital Christmas Edition
1. Are they your sisters-in-law or your sister-in-laws?
Many families have big gatherings at the holidays. It may be the only time of year you see all your siblings and their spouses at the same time. You make "in-law compounds" plural by making the noun part plural since the women are primarily sisters, and the -in-law part just further describes what kind of sisters they are.
- Sisters-in-law
- Brothers-in-law
- Fathers-in-law
- Mothers-in-law
2. Is gifting a verb?
Many people find the verb gifting annoying and wonder why others can't use the perfectly good word giving.
Gift has actually been used as a verb for 400 years, but it had fallen out of4 Scrumptious Christmas Cookies
By Reader s Digest Magazine | Shine Food – Tue, Dec 15, 2009 11:08 PM ESTMeaghan Mountford, author of Cookie Sensations and editor of Craft Gossip, shows you how to simplify your cookie decorating this year by transforming one cookie dough into a variety of Christmas goodies.
12 Funny Things Your Christmas Tree Says About You
By Reader s Digest Magazine | Work + Money – Fri, Dec 11, 2009 5:23 PM ESTBy Rebecca Munsterer
Do you opt for white or multicolored lights? Homemade or store-bought ornaments? Discover the things your Christmas tree says about you.
6 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Appetizers
By Reader s Digest Magazine | Thanksgiving – Tue, Nov 24, 2009 6:08 PM ESTDiane Morgan, author of The Thanksgiving Table and New Thanksgiving Table, shares her do-ahead appetizer recipes for a stress-free Thanksgiving dinner.
