Technology can improve a loved ones independence

What options do you have if an aging parent or loved one needs assistance but is not quite ready to move? Technology can be a great personal assistant.

With products like Samsung's wireless security cameras with two-way audio, you can periodically check in, and even talk with them, remotely. Alerts can be established and send notifications when activity happens based on set criteria. 

Credit Reports vs Credit Scores...

Interested in how your credit score is calculated? Well, it's not as simple as just paying your bills on time. Your FICO score is based on five different factors... Here's the breakdown:

30%   Available Credit
10%   Number of Inquiries
10%   Type of Credit
35%   History of Credit
15%   Length of Credit

How To Protect Your Finances When Leaving An Abusive Relationship

What unique financial hurdles does someone face when they are in an abusive relationship?

Unless you have personally been a victim, it is truly hard to understand the reasons one stays in an unhealthy relationship. More often than not, the abuser has made the victim feel as if they are dependent upon the abuser. That without the help of the abuser, the victim could not survive financially in the world, and it is only by the grace of the abuser that the victim has a roof over their head, and food on the table.

Bring children into that equation, and the hold one has over another can significantly multiply. The fear of breaking up a family, uprooting kids from their home, and denying them from seeing both parents every day can be too much for one to handle.

Spring cleaning your financial records

If you’re anything like me, spring cleaning is a welcome annual occurrence. Getting everything cleaned and organized gives me a sense of refresh and order. However, others may see this as more of a necessary evil. Regardless of your outlook on such tasks, when it comes to your financial documents, neglecting your annual financial “cleaning” could cost you more than a few extra dust bunnies.

Budgeting Blunders

Creating a budget is not that difficult. In fact, it can be jotted down on a napkin with a crayon. But sticking to a budget is where the hard work takes place.

Here are a few areas where I see budgets take a nose-dive. Don't let one of these budget blunders allow you to become a victim of a savings snafu.

Keep It Simple

One of the largest mistakes people make, by far, is creating a budget that is too complex.  In an attempt to allocate each penny, which is a good thing, they create a budget that has forty five or more line items, which is not a good thing.

Tips For Getting Through Unplanned Debt

I can’t remember my parents ever talking about money matters with my siblings and me. I know for a fact my grandparents never openly discussed such things. However, I see it becoming more common place for families to open up about financial matters around the dinner table, and I think it’s great.

When everyone is involved, it helps them understand why certain things are, or are not, possible. Better yet, keeping the lines of communication flowing is the best thing for any relationship, regardless of the topic.

The Baby Boomer Boomeranger: Adult Children Returning Home

Jeopardizing Your Retirement By Financially Helping Adult Children

As parents, we want to give our children more than what we were given growing up. Whether it’s the latest technology, the newest clothing trends, or the most memorable vacations. That’s human nature, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But at what point is it time to cut the financial umbilical cord?

The Boomeranger

One-third of baby boomers are still helping their adult kids in their 20’s and 30’s financially. Actually it appears many of these baby boomers gave birth to boomerangers…adult children returning home to live with their parents. Not only are these parents stuck covering the cost of a roof overhead, but at times also a cell phone, car payment, car insurance, and health insurance.

At what cost do these extra expenses have on the parents? More often than not, a hit to their retirement savings. Whether it’s less being put back, or funds being borrowed or disbursed, not as much is getting holed away.

Don't get buried by your debt~

A while back we had our male puppy, Kassel, “fixed”. I use the word “fixed” lightly, as I have since discovered this term is now politically incorrect. The more friendly term being used is “altered”, seeing as the word “fixed” implies that something was wrong with him to begin with. And although marking his territory may be construed as a natural display of dominance for some, I chose to “fix” the issue. The line was drawn when he “marked” my flip flops…

As we picked up our sweet little four pound ball of fur from the vet’s office, I felt a great sadness in my heart for what we chose to put him through. You see, not only did we have him neutered, but also elected to have five of his remaining puppy teeth pulled. In addition, he received his Parvo and Rabies vaccinations. Basically, he was “tore up from the floor up”…