Teens admit to not knowing much about basic money skills, such as credit, investing and budgets, but what do they do? They are strongly influenced by their parents and friends. Is this positive? How do they spend their money? Do they save? Do they learn how to handle money responsibly? Where do I start? ...
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Can Money Buy Happiness?
Whenever this question comes up, I always hear the same answer. Some say yes and some say no! Before we can discuss that answer, we need a definition for happiness. Happiness is defined as a state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. Winning the Lotto could make me very happy! ...
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Smart Phones can Make you Rich
Yes, we are in the information age and now mobile access is a way of life! If the only thing you do on your mobile phone is making and receiving calls and voice mail, you are probably a senior citizen. Haven’t you seen the commercial of the newlyweds depositing their checks using a iPhone? Mobile phones can do a lot; they are the next ...
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Halloween Budgeting
Do I need to budget for Halloween? Am I having a party? How many children do I expect to come to my house? Will I be there? Do I want to dress up for the children who come to my house? How scary should my costume be? Maybe I should dress up in vintage clothes and act like an old man! Oops! I am old and all my clothes are vintage! Let’s be ...
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Why is the Internet Important?
What do you think about when you think about the Internet? Some may think of the Internet as a place to email, or visit social networking websites such as Facebook, Linkedin, MySpace or Twitter. Some use the Internet for maps, directions, to locate a business or find out about a business. Some use the Internet for games, entertainment such as ...
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How to Buy a Car
Buying a first car can be a scary experience! If you are like me, I knew a lot about the cars I liked. I could spot one of them at 50 yards. Buying a car requires much more! What is the right car for you? What is important in the car you purchase? How will the car be used? Do you need good gas mileage, room for 6, truck or a SUV? ...
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Budgeting Made Simple for Teens
Budgeting is a foreign word to almost everyone, but especially teens. Budgeting requires discipline and know how to be successful. Preparing a budget is similar to learning a new language. First you learn the vocabulary then the grammar and finally you learn to speak by practice. What is the vocabulary, grammar and how do I practice? Let's ...
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Cheap Dates
I do not know about you, but I never have enough money! I learned how to impress women without spending a lot of money. It is easy to go out and buy a dozen roses and go to an expensive restaurant. You have to be creative to think of places to go on a date that can impress your date and not spend a lot of money. I am most familiar with New York ...
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How to Teach your Children about Money?
My parents never taught me about money! My parents were too busy making money to teach me much of anything. I spent my time studying piano, practicing piano, and playing with my friends. They were children of successful neighbors. Maybe, I learned from them. I do not think so! Saturdays, I spent the day with my Mother at her retail store. ...
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Only Suckers Pay Retail
Who pays full price for a car? No one! Yet there are stories of people paying over list price for high demand vehicles such as Toyota Prius. Do you negotiate prices in every purchase? Of course not, that would be too much trouble. So when would it be worth it? There are two (2) categories of purchases that would be worth negotiating a better ...
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