By Michelle Studer   When it comes to creating a budget, it’s common knowledge that you’ll need to track your money and where it goes. However, the most effective budget plans consist of more than just expense tracking; they also incorporate long-term savings goals. For the most part, these will be unique to each individual [...]

By Virginia O’Connor A consumer group released a recent analysis of Federal Reserve date in February, 2009, indicating that among Americans, the typical household has net financial assets – including retirement savings – of less than $10,000. Financial assets included savings and investments but excluded equity in primary home and vehicles. Among low- and moderate-income [...]

By Virginia O’Connor Uncertainty about the current and future economy has pushed many Americans to start saving more and paying off more of their debt. Recent studies in 2008 and 2009 have indicated that as Americans are feeling less secure about their financial stability, they have begun to change their spending behavior. As confidence falls, [...]

Two of the most important things you must do  after college are:  Conduct a “State of the Union” for your finances, sign-up (sic) for an online money management system”  Develop sound saving habits from the start” … and we couldn’t agree more. •l  Set up an online money management system Treating your finances seriously is [...]

By Virginia O’Connor Yes, we all agree that the economy isn’t the best right now, but enough of the blame game already. There is nothing that new in this financial crisis and some of us who have been around awhile have seen all this before. Remember the high interest balloon payment mortgages of the 1970s? [...]

Start small even if it is only a dollar. Remember that no amount is too small. Keep a change jar handy. Save all of your change. It adds up very quickly. Take all the change out of your purse and stick it into a container. Once every six months, make a deposit into your savings. [...]