Dear Readers: With so many families around the country facing financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’d like to devote this column to discussing ways that we as parents can best help our kids through these challenging times. One of the most insidious parts of this pandemic is that it has undermined […]
Author Archives: By Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, Creators Syndicate
Posted inFINANCE, News
10 Steps to a DIY Financial Plan
Dear Readers: Did you know that 78% of people with a financial plan pay their bills on time and save each month versus only 38% of people who don’t have a plan? That’s a pretty powerful statistic, if you ask me. Or would it surprise you to learn that 68% of planners have an emergency […]
Posted inFINANCE, News
10 Resolutions for a Happy Financial New Year
Dear Readers: Do you make the same New Year’s resolutions year after year? When it comes to financial resolutions, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, each year can present financial challenges and changes that require you to take a fresh look at your finances and make sure you’re still on target to meet […]
Posted inFINANCE, News
Need to Adjust Your Financial Attitude? Start Here — Now!
Dear Carrie: I’m 28 and trying to be smart about my money. My problem is that as soon as I pay down my credit cards, I start running them up again. The result is I can’t seem to save, and I feel as if I’m fighting a losing battle. I know I need to adjust […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Women and Money: Why It’s Important to Take Control of Your Finances
Dear Readers, March is a significant month for women. First, the entire month is declared Women’s History Month, this year honoring women who fight against all forms of discrimination faced by women and girls. The 2018 focus is on increasing gender parity, with a rallying theme of #PressforProgress. Both themes represent weighty and extremely important […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Roth vs. Traditional
Dear Carrie, I’ve been contributing to a regular 401(k) for 8 years but my employer just started offering a Roth 401(k) plan as well. How can I decide which is best? –A Reader Dear Reader, The sheer number of retirement accounts can make anyone’s head spin. Once you’ve opened a specific type of account, it’s […]
Posted inFINANCE, News
Could Your Financial House Use Some Spring Cleaning?
Dear Readers: Got spring fever? How about applying some of that energy to cleaning your financial house? Whether you just need to reorganize your records or do a thorough cleansing, this to-do list will help you make sure you’re finances are on track for the rest of the year. Clear out your paperwork Don’t be […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Millennials, Fire Away
Dear Readers, I recently had an interesting conversation with the daughter of a friend of mine. Like so many in her millennial generation, she has a real entrepreneurial spirit and was excited about a new business venture she was planning. When I asked her a couple of questions about how she would be balancing her […]
Posted inBusiness, News
How to Protect Your Finances in Uncertain Times
Dear Carrie, I can’t help but feel worried about the coming year and how all the political changes may affect my finances. I don’t have a lot of money, but I want to be smart about handling and protecting what I do have. Is there anything specific I can do? Dear Reader, I’m getting a […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Seven Quick Tricks for Financial Success
Dear Readers: We’re now in the third week of January, and do you know what that means? For a lot of us, it means our New Year’s resolutions are already a thing of the past. It isn’t that we’re not committed to positive change. It’s just that often we’re not clear about how to achieve […]