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Financial Sites: www.money.com www.smartmoney.com www.kiplingers.com These sites are outstanding resources that cover all aspects of personal finance including budgeting, college savings, taxes, insurance and more. Coupons/Rebates/Deals: www.dealsea.com www.fatwallet.com www.dealcatcher.com Check the above sites often to keep on top of current deals, rebates and coupons. Comparison Shopping Sites: www.shopzilla.com www.mysimon.com www.froogle.com www.shopping.com www.pricegrabber.com It should be a habit to visit at least one of these sites before purchasing a common product online. These sites will compare prices on hundreds of merchant sites so you can always get the best deal. |
InnovativeParent.com |
Focusing on what matters most - your children |
Before we can even get into everyday budgeting, investing and smart money moves, it's critical to start focusing on arguably your biggest expense for your children: college tuition. If you want to be ahead of the game, you should have a firm grasp on everything that is available in terms of funding. From 529 plans to financial aid, there is a lot of info out there to decipher. For a complete college planning guide that will point you in the right direction and get you up to speed so that even the mention of "Ivy League" won't phase you, click here to begin your education:(College Planning) |
Warning Signs of debt |
Debt is the one word you never want to hear when you are either planning a family, or if you already are a parent. But it's also something one cannot ignore. Below are a few warning signs that should cause you to stop and take notice that you could be heading for a financial disaster: - Spending more than you earn - Skipping payments on bills until you have the cash to cover them - Making only the minimum payment on credit cards - Using credit cards for nearly all your purchases - Always arguing with spouse about money - Owing more on car/home than its worth * It's important to note the above are warning signs when these actions constantly happen. We all know the unexpected visit to the emergency room or car problem can throw your finances out of whack for a few months |
Budgeting Basics |
Recommended Sites |
One final piece of advice in regards to personal finance is to make your money work for you. This can even be accomplished when you're spending. For example, it may seem like a great perk to earn bonus miles or reward points when you make a charge to your credit card. But why pay an annual fee for these perks when you can earn something far more valuable for no extra expense? And of course I'm talking about the best perk you can receive as a parent - cash. Blue Cash® from American Express is a credit card that gives you cash back on your purchases. And we're not talking about a small percentage that many other cards offer, but rather up to 5% on everyday purchases after you charge over $6,500 annually. And we all know how quickly you can hit the $6,500 mark when you start adding up diapers, food and doctor visits. Best part of all is there is no annual fee, you can add an extra card for your spouse, and you'll still receive the benefits you would expect from American Express such as extended warranty and fraud protection. |