Resources
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Financial Calculators
Budgets, Income and Spending Calculators
Is itworth it to reduce your spending and invest? Let’s see…
How does your spending compare with the neighbors?
Does it make sense for both of you to work? Maybe, maybe not. Calculate the benefit of that second income (spouse or 2nd job). And here’s anothercalculator to help you make that decision.
Thinking about a baby? What does it really cost to raise a child?
Retirement
How much do you need to save? Use this calculator to find out how much to put away each yaer if you hope to retire at age 65 with 80% of your pre-retirement income.
How fast will your retirement savings grow?
Want to know how much Social Security you’ll receive? Here’s a quick calculator.
All About Autos
True Cost to Own(SM) from Edmonds.com. This calculator will alert you to the additional costs you may not include when considering a vehicle purchase including depreciation, interest, taxes and fees, insurance premiums, gas, maintenance and repairs.
Should I lease or buy a car? Find out the true cost of leasing vs. buying a car. Make the best choice because you really know the cost. Helps you negotiate the best deal for your new car.
True Cost of a Lease. Here’s another calculator that can help you make the best decision.
How long should you keep your car? Decide if you should keep your car or get rid of it.
Take the Rebate or Special Dealer Financing. In the heat of the moment, it’s hard to know which is the better deal for you - not the dealer. Find out here.
New Resources
Kids Protection Plan: Create Free Legal Documents to Name Guardians For Your Kids and get access to some great free resoruces about legal planning for your children’s future including:
- The 6 Common Mistakes Most Parents Make when naming guardians.
- Why a Will Isn’t Enough to ensure the well-being and care of your kids
Goog-411
Google’s new 411 service is free, fast and easy to use. Give it a try now and see how simple it is to find and connect with local businesses for free.
Mission Statement Builder from Franklin Covery
Changing Payroll Deductions calculator helps you figure out if you should change your tax withholdings from 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy.
Smart 401(k) Investing from FINRA (the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) helps you figure out how your 401(k) works.
Dine Without Whine Finally… A Menu Planning Service Designed for Busy Families (like yours!)
Let Your Mortgage Make You Rich! Save Tens of Thousands of Dollars on Your Mortgage – Without – Extra Payments or Refinancing!
Send Out Cards When was the last time you sent an unexpected card at an unexpected time to someone you care about? Do you think it would make a difference? Do you remember people’s birthdays and other special occasions? Do you think that matters to them? How about a simple thank you or expression of appreciation. Do you think that would make a difference?
With this incredible tool, not only can you remember people and share appreciation, you can motivate, uplift, encourage and truly make a difference. Here is the interesting thing, the more you do this, the more you realize that you, the sender of these cards, benefit the most.
We are changing people’s lives for good one simple card at a time.
Send a free card on me!
Mom’s Promoting Moms … that’s what we’re all about!
Learn Online with Conference Call University!
Recommended Books
Living Rich by Spending Smart: How to Get More of What You Really Want
As The Millionaire Next Door revealed, building wealth isn’t just about working harder or what you choose to invest in: it’s about spending smarter. This book isn’t about depriving yourself. Instead, Gregory Karp shows how to build real, long-lasting wealth by plugging the money leaks you’re barely aware of and making sure you spend with a purpose. You’ll discover how to focus spending on what you really care about…spend less on gifts without becoming a cheapskate…slash your phone bill…pay less for food and still eat what you want…eliminate spending leaks in insurance, education, even entertainment.
Bach is an experienced investment advisor and a snappy speaker who knows how to package his material. The meat of the program is clear advice about limiting spending, avoiding taxes, and investing for the future, and he delivers it with an obvious desire to be helpful. Though delaying gratification is a hard concept to sell to anyone, he’s got a pitch that is remarkably upbeat and motivating. Here’s a fantastic way to create the security you deserve and fund the dreams you dream. It just requires making decisions independently, planning, and sticking to that plan week after week. Highly recommended for all people wanting to manage money better, especially women.
Enlightened Wealth: A Manual for Beginning Your Personal MoneyMinding Journey
Tracy Piercy and her programs are “happily helping people get rich and become philanthropists,” says Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul. Tracy Piercy, CFP, delivers an inspirational lifestyle approach to personal finance in Enlightened Wealth: Your Money. Your Life. Your Way.
Tracy’s perspective comes from personal financial success as well as great financial loss and the frustrations of starting over. She is proof that succeeding financially is not about sacrifice: it is about individual strategies based on universal facts about finance and about you! BELIEVE you deserve whatever it is you can dream, BEGIN to walk in that direction, BECOME all you can be – financially and personally.
Nolo’s Simple Will Book lets you choose from seven different will forms, or builds you a custom will to suit special situations. It also provides a detailed discussion of estate planning for those who may want more than a will.
Completely updated and revised, the 7th edition provides all worksheets and will forms on CD-ROM. It also includes new information on “ethical wills,” which let you convey your feelings and values to loved ones. Good in all states except Louisiana.
Recommended Web Sites
Holiday Resources
Thanks to Marie at MommyCommunity.com for “How To Create a Thanksgiving Holiday The Whole Family Will Love” ebook. Get your copy at: http://www.mendyourmoney.com/Thanksgiving-Holiday.pdf
And if you need a last minute recipe, check out “Thanksgiving Recipes” courtesy of Diane at Dine Without Whine at http://www.mendyourmoney.com/Thanksgiving-Handout-2008.pdf. (By the way, Dine Without Whine is a great menu planning service for busy families like yours!)
Enjoy Cindy’s Holiday Spending Plans in Adobe or Excel and Holiday Gift List and make this your best Holiday ever!
Best Credit Cards
Are you looking for a zero or low percentage card? How about airline miles or cash back? Is your credit challenged? CardRatings.com can help you sort through the millions of offers that are out there so you can find the one that works best for you.
Best Calculators
Whether you are looking for the fastest way to pay off your credit cards to what can you afford for a mortgage, Bankrate.com has all the calculators you’ll ever need.
Credit Reporting Agencies
Equifax – Free Annual Credit Report:1-877-322-8228
Fraud or Identity Theft: 1-800-525-6285
Experian – Order your Credit Report and Score: 888-397-3742
Fraud or Identity Theft: 888-397-3742
TransUnion — Free Annual Credit Report: 1-877-322-8228
Fraud or Identity Theft: 1-800-680-7289
Free Annual Credit Report (credit scores are additional) — 1-877-322-8228
Opt out of Pre-approved Offers of Credit or Insurance: 1-888-567-8688
Specialty Consumer Reporting Agencies
Personal Property or Auto Report (Clue Report): 866-312-8076 — The C.L.U.E.® Personal Property report provides a five year history of losses associated with an individual and his/her personal property.
Clue Home Seller’s Disclosure Report – an independent source of information about insurance losses at your home address within the past five years
Pre-Employment Self-Check – provides criminal background searches and verification of identity, employment, education, and more!
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