Men dream about acquiring their own land or property, whether it is diminutive or extravagant in size. Mark Twain focuses our attention on the fact that "they're not making any more land" and persuades us to "BUY land". If we own a prime property in the middle of New York or for that matter, in any other city, we are millionaires or even billionaires. Purchasing the on... read more »

As a new mother and housewife, there are many things that I wish I had known about keeping a budget. There are simple tips that I have learned along the way, and would be happy to share them with you. Firstly, I believe that a family budget is essential to keeping your finances in line. The easiest way to cut back on impulse spending at the grocery store is of course, to make a grocer... read more »

The Problem Time and time again, it's the end of the month and you're wondering, "Where did my money go?" Well, where did it go? You look at your check register and you see that you paid the rent or mortgage, the power bill, the water bill, your home phone/Internet, your cell phone and bought some groceries too, but what happened to the rest of it? If you look at your pa... read more »

Chicago is one of the greatest cities in America, and should not be missed by any traveler, old or young. In the summer there are festivals taking place every weekend, and during the holidays there are many celebrations downtown with lots of family friendly activities. If possible, try to schedule your trip for a long weekend, ending on a Tuesday or Wednesday (or even longer if you'd lik... read more »

To achieve personal finance starts with a budget; List your Fixed Household Expenses as follows Rent/Mortgage Electricity Sewer/Water/Garbage Telephone/Internet Debt: credit card car payment Job expenses Lunch Gas Variable Expenses Food cell phone Entertainment Supplies Now take your monthly income, subtact your fixed expenses and whats left is your budget for variabl... read more »

If you've ever been in credit card debt the thought of living a cash only life has probably crossed your mind at least once. In the current economy many people are being forced into a cash only lifestyle due to a job loss or recent bankruptcy filing. The good news is that whether your new financial life is voluntary or not there can be some very worthwhile benefits to ditching the plastic.... read more »

It's always fun to find new ways to save a penny here or there, but with the sign of economic times dragging out into what seems like forever-land, many of us are trying to find new and affordable ways to enjoy life without spending a lot of money doing it. One of my favorite ways to spend time with friends and family, without spending a lot of money is having a potluck or barbeque where ev... read more »

Are you one of the many people who don't know where all their money went at the end of the month when your bank account is completely depleted? Are you constantly being charged overdraft and bank service fees because you can't keep track of your spending? These are common problems that can be easily solved by learning how to create and follow a disciplined budget. The first step in ... read more »

If you find yourself in a position where you're paying more than 10% of your gross income towards debt payments (credit cards and/or loans) then you probably should start working to eliminate your debt. You should start out by making a list of each and every creditor that you owe, the total balance owed, the minimum monthly payment, and the percentage rate that interest accrues (usually r... read more »

In this rough economy we're all cutting back on expenses like eating out with friends. Many people are hosting dinners and parties less frequently as well. How can you afford to feed six or eight people when you're on a budget for two or four? But being frugal doesn't have to mean skimping on your social life. Here's advice on how to throw a fun, make-you-own-pizza party ... read more »