Work + Money
Just one week of financial mindfulness can help you stop spending and break bad money patterns. These three women tried it -- and came out focused, motivated, and (yes!) richer. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel, REDBOOK.
There's something super-appealing about starting January on a clean financial page, especially if last year's page was covered with red ink. Experts suggest that you begin 2013 with a spending cleanse: a short, intense exercise that clears your head, zeroes in on your goals, and kicks off better buying habits.
"If you're trying to change, short-term interventions are a good first step," says Arlen T. Olberding, a certified financial planner in Fort Collins, CO. "They can break old routines and help establish successful new ones."
We found three women raring for a reboot and had them each try a reinvigorating, belt-tightening one-week plan crafted by a financial advisor. To start off any money cleanse, you need to figure out exactly what you're spending, so all the women f...Read More »By Alyssa Goldman, Cheapism.com
Jean Chatzky, financial editor of the "Today Show" and author of seven personal finance books, strives to help baby boomers become and stay solvent. On her new RLTV series, "Money Matters with Jean Chatzky," Chatzky tackles issues that matter most to the 50-plus demographic, such as retirement and funding a child's college education. Viewers take to Skype, Twitter, Facebook, and email to get their questions answered.
Jean Chatzky, financial editor of the Today Show and author, has financial tips to sh …
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Below is a sample of her best tips.
Save, save, save. Have a goal in mind and save up for it; this will stop you from making impulse buys. Not sure if you should make that purchase? Chatzky suggests thinking it over for 24 hours. "Often you'll decide you didn't need it anyway," she says.
Automate your savings. Once you determine how much to save, direct that money to your savings account. "It's easier to make a good decision one time and have it happen automatically than to make the sa
...Read More »- Bringing new meaning to the phrase 'happy couple,' Chinese businessman Wu Duanbiao gave his daughter and her husband a dowry worth nearly $150 million in celebration of their wedding on Sunday, according to the South China Morning Post.
Miss Wu
Wu, who is the chairman of the ceramics firm Fujian Wanli Group, gave his daughter and her new husband four boxes of gold jewelry, millions of dollars deposited into their bank account, donations to local charities in their names, shares in the ceramics firm, two cars, and "an impressive property portfolio." A spokesman for Wu's firm confirmed the dowry.
Chinese wedding customs in Hong Kong
The groom's finances have vastly improved since his marriage on Sunday. He only makes about $24,000 a year, and "gets his bread from the government," according to the Daily Mail. The bride and groom have known each other since they were in kindergarten.
Reports of the Wu dowry and photographs of the bounty were published by the South China Morning Post on Monday. T...Read More » By Raechel Conover, Cheapism.com
Did you spend too much on Christmas presents? Are Christmas gift cards burning a hole in your pocket? Regardless which side of the fence you fall on, frugal shoppers will find plenty to buy in January. This is an excellent month to stock up on items like linens or to make big purchases like a name-brand HDTV.
Grab bargains at after Christmas sales.
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Christmas/Holiday Items and Winter Apparel. Starting the day after Christmas, holiday items take a nose dive and continue to fall throughout January. By now you should be seeing prices at least as low as half off, but the selection is dwindling fast. Still, if you're deciding what to buy in January, consider stocking up on wrapping paper, ornaments, cards, and the like to stash away for next year.
Unlike leftover Christmas gear, winter apparel prices probably won't be at their lowest in January because demand remains relatively strong. That said, retailers begin marking down winter gear this month
...Read More »- Julie Keith was unpacking some of last year's Halloween decorations when she stumbled upon an upsetting letter wedged into the packaging.
This letter was found in Halloween decorations purchased from Kmart
Tucked in between two novelty headstones that she had purchased at Kmart, she found what appeared to be a letter from the Chinese laborer, who had made the decoration, pleading for help.
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The letter reads: "Sir, if you occasionally buy this product, please kindly resend this letter to the World Human Right Organization. Thousands people here who are under the persecution of the Chinese Communist Party Government will thank and remember you forever."
"I was so frustrated that this letter had been sitting in storage for over a year, that this person had written this plea for help and nothing had come of it." Julie Keith told Yahoo! Shine. "Then I was shocked. This person had probably risked their life to get this letter in this package."
The letter describes the conditions at the factory: "People who ...Read More »
Aries (March 21 - April 19)
Success is not your destiny! Nor should you think it is. You have to work for what you want and not assume that the wind will blow you in the right direction. This is a good day to plot a course for the near future and beyond.
Today's Aries Reading: Free Sample Karma Reading
Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
You can't blow through things if you want to do a good job. You have to slow down, take a few deep breaths and tell yourself that some things just can't be rushed. Focus on doing a good job rather than on finishing.
Today's Taurus Reading: Free Sample Maya-Aztec Reading
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Gemini (May 21 - June 21)
You're wondering how you rate in life. Your scale can be anything from sleeping in tents vs. McMansions, to hardboiled eggs vs. Eggs Benedict. Whatever it is yWhile traveling through cities in the United States, wouldn't it be great if you could pinpoint where the worst traffic was? There is nothing I loathe more than driving in city traffic. Maybe it's the country girl in me or perhaps I'm just not used to the congestion, but busy highways and traffic filled streets get me nervous and stressed. INRIX, the leading international provider of traffic information and driver services released their Traffic Scorecard Annual Report which reveals the cities with the most traffic congestion in 2012. For the last couple of years they noticed declines in congestion but for 2012 traffic was up 4%. Although this is certainly bad news for drivers there is a positive side to it as well. A rise in traffic means a turn in the economy which is certainly what we are all hoping for. Click through for 7 of the worst traffic spots in the USA! -By Nadia Carriere
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Aries (March 21 - April 19)
You're destined to cross the finish line, but you may get there in fits and starts. If you take advantage of every opportunity that's presented today, you'll find yourself making huge strides toward your financial goal. Keep your eyes open and stay ready to pounce.
Today's Aries Reading: Free Sample Intimacy Secrets Reading
Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
You know what your goals are and keeping your mind on them helps you stay motivated and focused. You're lucky to have such a strong sense of purpose; don't waste time today with those who are any less driven to succeed.
Today's Taurus Reading: Free Sample Life Path Reading
...Read More »Gemini (May 21 - June 21)
No one can hold you back today! You are a powerhouse, and when others try to tackle you, you shake them of
Bill splitting apps
When you're out with your friends, splitting the check can get complicated. Do you divide the cost evenly or itemize everyone's drinks and entrées? How much should each person chip in for the tip? And splitting larger bills-like rent, utilities, and keeping your apartment stocked with toilet paper-can add even more complexity.
Well, I've got some good news: There are a bunch of great apps that do the calculating-and in some cases even the communicating-for you. Take your pick and download them for less than $1 each (a small price to pay for not having to ask your roommate for her share of the electric every month).
1. Splitwise: For Easy Transfers
This free app, available for iPhone and Android, is ideal if you're frequently sharing expenses with someone, like a roommate. Splitwise keeps a running total of who owes who what-from the last three grocery runs you made to the Friday happy hour that your roommate sprung for. When you're ready to pay up, a simple Pay
...Read More »Saying good-bye to your friends is always hard, but saying good-bye to your television friends is even harder. Don't you just hate it when the best scripted television shows have to bow out after several seasons on air, leaving you with the empty feeling that you have nothing to watch (or do) during the Thursday evening 9:00 p.m. timeslot? Well that's exactly how I'm going to feel when "The Office" airs its final season premiere next month and to be quite honest with you, I'm not ready to change the channel just yet. I don't know about you, but that one is going to be a real tearjerker for me! Check out some of the most memorable series finales on television ever below and tell us, did you cry as much as I did when Rachel and Ross finally kissed in his apartment after he tried to stop her from going to Paris? Or when Mr. Big chased after Carrie in the City of Love too (it's always Paris, isn't it?). - By Joanna Mazewski
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Shopping steals in Jan. Work + MoneyJanuary is an excellent month to take advantage of sales on Christmas decor, electronics, furniture and more.
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