Quicken Online Now Free
November 10, 2008
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In these tough times, has Intuit, the maker of Quicken and Quickbooks, has the right idea. They are now offering their online version of Quicken for FREE.
If you have checking, savings and credit cards spread across several financial institutions, Quicken Online is just the product for you because it gathers all the accounts into one web site which saves you time and money.
Your home page shows balances for all your accounts plus how much money has come in and out and your savings. You can also see a pie chart of share you are spending your money on.
You can always see just how much money you have available to you and where it is.
Quicken Online - One Place, One Password. Manage all your accounts on one place.
Try it today! It’s free so you have nothing to lose!
Don’t Divorce Your Money teleclass
October 1, 2008
October 14, 2008
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Pacific/9:30 pm -11:30 pm Eastern
Early Bird Registration $29 until October 9
$39 after October 9
Does Divorce Threaten Your Financial Future?
Come learn the 5 most important things you need to know BEFORE you sign on the dotted line.
Don’t let a lack of financial expertise stand in the way of negotiating a fair divorce settlement.
Q&A time included.
Class will be held on teleconference line to preserve your privacy (long distance charges apply).
What I learned about Money from Mom and Dad
September 22, 2008
Between wonderful vacationing in Northern California and celebrating my parents’ 55th Wedding Anniversary and 75th Birthdays, watching the Olympics (and helping people “Go For The Gold!”) and Back to School, I can’t believe it’s already the 3rd week in September.
How about you? The long drive to California and my parent’s party gave me a chance to reflect on what my parents taught me about money and finance…
Mom and Dad were Depression babies who grew up in blue collar families. My Dad (#2 of 6 kids) was the first one to go to college and he did it all on his own for 2 years, then they got married and both worked to support themselves.
We always lived in nice, suburban houses (there were 3 kids) but none was ever the nicest one on the block; we rode in Ford station wagons (I always wanted the one with the wooden sides and the seats in the trunk, though), and went camping or visited family for vacation. One year they took us to Florida because my Dad’s company had an apartment they let us use and when I was in high school, we flew to Florida for spring break.
We even had a 2-way “party” line until I was in Middle School and we were never allowed to talk for more than 30 minutes! We got our first color TV when I was 12 and never had more than one.
My Mom and I sewed all my clothes (and I had something new for every date I went on!) They didn’t buy me a car or pay my insurance. I didn’t have any student loans because they covered college for me along with my high school savings. We didn’t talk about money much but one of my favorite memories is sitting with my Dad at the breakfast table reading him the stock market pages.
I remember being about 15 and adding up all the bank accounts we had - it was $20,000. Wow, I thought that was a lot of money. When I told my Dad, he made a face and a disgusted sound. I asked him “Why?” and he said, “That’s not a lot to show for 20 years of work!”
My Dad moved us around every 2-3 years (Cincinnati, Detroit, Cleveland, Dayton, Cleveland, New Jersey, California) and every move meant a new company. This was before “vesting” so he didn’t have any retirement or pension plan until he was 40-45. They did do well with homes they purchased in California and New Jersey after 1975 and they maxed out IRAs and 401-(k)s when they became available. I’m sure this is why I focus on retirement with everyone I work with.
Now, they live in a luxury retirement development where they have time and resources to travel and party (non-stop) with their friends.
So what’s the lesson here?
They focused on the basics with their kids, didn’t create debt and saved as much as they could. They got a late start on retirement but didn’t let that stop them from taking advantage of every retirement account they were eligible for. Now, they can live forever (and I hope they do) and still not run out of money.
What did your parents teach you about money? You can post your comments below!
September 10, 2008
“Make Your Kid A Millionaire” session at
Money Wi$e Women Conference
Saturday, November 1, 2008
9:00 - 5:30, lunch included
Portland Community College, Rock Creek Campus
- Being Wealthy isn’t about Money at all
- Why Handling Pennies is so Important
- Keeping the Money Demons out of Marriage
- Proactive vs. Prescriptive Spending
- Why Time and Knowledge are your Best Friends
Cindy will cover all these topics and more in her 1 hour workshop! Bring your questions.
Money Wise Women Educational Services educates and empowers women of all ages, ethnicities and economic backgrounds on financial literacy. The registration fee includes all conference sessions, materials, and lunch. Every participant receives a copy of the book The Money Therapist: A Woman’s Guide to Creating a Healthy Financial Life and Track Your Spending Checkbook.
Money Wi$e Women Conference Registration
Early Registration: $39.00 (if registered by October 24, 2008)
Bring a Friend Special: Register yourself & a friend for $68.00. ($34.00 each — $5.00 off)
Registration after October 24, 2008: $49.00
Raising MoneySmart Kids
June 4, 2008
Top Twenty+ Reasons to give your Kid an Allowance
Parents all struggle with allowances. Should we just give them money? Should we only give them money if they do chores? How much should we give them?
I’ll be answering all these questions and more in my all new “5 Reasons to Give your Kid an Allowance” ebook.
While you wait, here’s a bunch of good reasons to give your kid an allowance. Feel free to add your 2 cents worth!
- They can make mistakes under your guidance
- They will learn how to save for the future
- They will learn that money doesn’t “grow on trees”
- They will appreciate what they have
- They will learn to make choices and set priorities
- They may stop nagging you for money
- There will be less friction in your household
- They will learn healthy financial behaviors
- They will learn your values
- You can teach them that it isn’t all “about the money”
- They will learn how to spend wisely
- They will be prepared to enter the grown-up world.
- Allowances will teach your children to be resourceful, independent and unique.
- An allowance is a “tool to empower your children to avoid commercialism’s clutches.”
- You can teach them to avoid the pitfalls of debt
- You can help them improve their communication skills around money.
- An allowance now could help them avoid future “marital money chaos”
- They’ll learn the difference between quantity and quality.
- They’ll learn how it feels to make a poor choice and have to live with it.
- They’ll learn how to resist impulses (sometimes, maybe!)
- They’ll learn to appreciate and take care of their things
Warmly, Cindy
Stay tuned for my all new “5 Reasons to Give Your Kids an Allowance” ebook!
