Health
The Price of Getting to Work
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
While plenty of people would like to get back to work, many of those who are working may be damaging their health just getting to and from their jobs. According to a new IBM global commuter study, over half of all commuters says roadway traffic has negatively impacted their health. A Mainstreet.com story about the ... [Read more]
Defensive Spending
Monday, February 8th, 2010
It’s a financial jungle out there, so an essential part of wise money management is being vigilant about ferreting out shady deals. That’s the message of Bob Sullivan’s new book, Stop Getting Ripped Off. As summarized by MSN, one common ploy he warns against is the bait and switch, in which companies lure us in ... [Read more]
Kids Feeling Stress of Recession
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
The recession has impacted all of us, including children. As reported on FiLife.com, a new survey from the American Psychological Association (APA) found that 30 percent of young people ages 8 to 17 are worried about their family’s finances – their second-highest source of stress after managing school pressure. The survey also found a gap ... [Read more]
Your Life is an Open Book
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
It sounds like a horrific scene out of some sci-fi movie set decades down the road – lots of computer databases filled with lots of information about…you! But it’s not some fictionalized account of the future; it’s today’s reality. As described in Consumer Reports, information about your use of credit, insurance claims, medical history, and ... [Read more]
Save on Organics
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
Organic food may seem like a splurge right now, but when it comes to our health spending less may ultimately cost more. A short piece on Consumer Reports recently reported on five ways to save on organics. In addition to the obvious suggestion to buy store brand organics, the article included links to organic food ... [Read more]
Spending Smart
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008
While we can’t control what’s happening in the stock market we can control what’s happening in our homes, and now is an especially good time to look for ways to spend smarter. U.S. News & World Report offers a great collection of ideas for saving on the cost of food, clothing, healthcare, and more. Such ... [Read more]
Controlling What We Can Control
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008
Eight in ten Americans feel stressed about money, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. Nearly 60 percent of respondents say they are concerned about job stability, while 50 percent say they are increasingly concerned about their ability to provide for their family’s basic needs. How are people responding to the stress brought ... [Read more]
Calming The Anxiety
Wednesday, September 24th, 2008
Not surprisingly, a growing number of people are feeling some economic anxiety. According to Yakelovich, a market research firm, the percentage of Americans feeling high or severe financial anxiety has jumped from 33 percent in January of this year to 61 percent in June. Of course, that 61 percent figure was tallied well before the ... [Read more]
Economizing Now and Forever
Tuesday, September 9th, 2008
In the last issue of this eNewsletter, in an article about changes people are making in response to our tough economy, I asked what changes you’ve made that you believe will be permanent. Among those who wrote, Maria says she’s been taking a bus to work instead of driving. She’s saving money by doing so, ... [Read more]
When Not to Reduce Spending
Monday, August 18th, 2008
High gasoline and food prices have people tightening their belts in one place where frugality is not likely to pay off: their healthcare. MarketWatch reported on a survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, in which about one in five (22 percent) Americans said they have reduced their visits to the doctor in order ... [Read more]
ID Theft Protection Hype and Help
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008
With identity theft much in the news, various ID theft protection services have emerged. But a recent Wall Street Journal article said most are not worth the cost. The only pay-to-play service that may be worthwhile is a credit freeze, which prevents access to your credit file. Depending on where you live, it may cost ... [Read more]
