You Might Be a Redneck…But Be a Frugal One

June 18, 2013

As Jeff Foxworthy says, ” you might be a redneck if …” Well, does buying my father tickets to a NASCAR race fit the bill? Dad is getting ready to turn 80 this year, and since his June birthday always falls close to Father’s Day, he usually ends up getting dual purpose presents from my brothers and I. Even though he doesn’t meet all the criteria for being a redneck NASCAR fan, over the past several years he has become an armchair follower of Earnhardt, Gordon, Elliott, and of course, Danika Patrick. Continue reading “You Might Be a Redneck…But Be a Frugal One”

The Two Happiest Days for a Boater

June 11, 2013

They say that the two happiest days in a boat owner’s life is the day they buy their first boat and the day they sell their last. Well, I must be new enough to boating to still be experiencing my first happy day and at this point, I would imagine the day I sell my last boat will actually be a sad day indeed. However, I can see where this saying came from now that I’ve had to bear the cost of three seasons boating on the Chesapeake Bay, which has confirmed the reality of another old joke that a boat is a hole in the water you pour money into. Continue reading “The Two Happiest Days for a Boater”

Should You Trade Your Gold For Cash?

June 04, 2013

Marilyn Monroe sang that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Well, if that’s the case, my best friend and I have just had a falling out. A few days ago, I noticed my 3-stone anniversary ring was missing a stone so I took it back to the jewelry store for repair. Luckily, I faithfully take my rings in for inspection every six months to maintain the warranty so my ring was sent out to get a replacement diamond at no cost to me. Continue reading “Should You Trade Your Gold For Cash?”

How to Make the Most of Summer Produce

May 28, 2013

It’s Sunday morning and we’ve just enjoyed a stack of blueberry pancakes before heading out to the annual Strawberry Festival. There’s nothing better than fresh fruit and vegetables bought from the local farmers’ market, which kicks off opening day each year during Memorial Day weekend with juicy strawberries, crisp lettuce, and fresh asparagus here in the mid-Atlantic region. By July 4th, fireworks signal just-picked sweet corn, plump tomatoes, and delicious peaches. The Amish fruit stand just down the road even gives me the opportunity to pick up some organic brown eggs along with the summer harvest. It’s easy to load up on healthy produce when it is in season, but it spoils so quickly that almost as much ends up in the garbage as in our stomachs. Continue reading “How to Make the Most of Summer Produce”

Will the Grass Really Be Greener?

May 14, 2013

Spring crept up on me this year, giving the weeds in my lawn time to spread before I was able to spread any weed control. On top of that, when I went to cut the grass for the first time last week, I discovered my lawn tractor had a flat tire that was not easily fixed. Luck was with me though, because just as I was about to give up on the lawn care that day, I heard the sound of a weedwacker and noticed a shiny 4×4 pickup truck and trailer parked in front of my neighbor’s house. “No problem, I can cut your grass and apply some weedkiller for you today” said the landscaper with a big smile – and a big price tag. I ended up having to pay him $160 to cut my acreage and attack the weeds. Continue reading “Will the Grass Really Be Greener?”

Hungry? Don’t Let Haste Flame the Fire

May 07, 2013

There’s nothing better than a flame-broiled steak cooked out on the grill, and with the warm weather finally here, smelling my neighbor’s grill going got me hungry to get my own grill cooking for the first time this season. I’ve had my cooker for several years so I should have taken a few minutes to do a quick checkup before cranking up the flames on my gas grill. As soon as the temperature hit 500 degrees, I threw on the t-bone steaks and headed back into the kitchen to get the salad tossed. Continue reading “Hungry? Don’t Let Haste Flame the Fire”

The Cost of Raising My Colt

April 30, 2013

As a little girl, I dreamed of owning my own horse. My favorite book was Misty of Chincoteague and I even subscribed to Horse of Course magazine. I would beg my parents to get me a colt or pony but since they knew the ongoing expense, I would never get my wish. According to petplace.com, it can cost about $10,000 a year to keep a horse, including boarding, vet bills, feed, etc. The average lifespan of a horse is around 25 years so you can do the math and see that it would be VERY expensive. Continue reading “The Cost of Raising My Colt”

April Showers Don’t Always Bring May Flowers, But May Mean Bringing Gifts

April 23, 2013

After receiving an invitation to my niece’s bridal shower scheduled for the last Sunday in April, I rushed online to see what selections were left to choose from on her Macy’s bridal registry. Hmm, should I go for the $100 Lenox vase, the $149 Cuisinart coffee maker, or perhaps the $399 Victorinox suitcase? Continue reading “April Showers Don’t Always Bring May Flowers, But May Mean Bringing Gifts”

You Want To Flip THAT House?

April 16, 2013

If Vanilla Ice can flip houses on the DIY Network and make money, then anyone can, right? After watching too many episodes of Flipping Vegas on the A&E Network, my husband decided he could make money by renovating a vacant house himself. Well, he wouldn’t be on his own. His son would be his partner through sweat equity. Could they buy low, make quick cosmetic improvements, and make some fast money? Continue reading “You Want To Flip THAT House?”

Make Spring Cleaning Pay Off For You

April 09, 2013

This weekend’s beautiful weather gave my husband spring fever to take out his big boy toy from the garage for a spin. He calls it a classic Corvette, where I would say it’s more of a clunker. Not only does it drip oil on the garage floor, but it takes up a lot of room too. Continue reading “Make Spring Cleaning Pay Off For You”

Whittle Away at Your Waist, Not Your Wallet

April 02, 2013

Spring break isn’t only for college kids. I’ve been enjoying the last two weeks of March down in Florida for my own spring vacation for the past several years. But being on vacation usually means frequently eating out, which isn’t good for either my waist or my wallet. Here are some tips I’ve found helpful to save on both calories and coins when on vacation: Continue reading “Whittle Away at Your Waist, Not Your Wallet”

Chocolate Treats Aren’t Just for Easter!

March 26, 2013

You can never get too much chocolate and the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) can help feed your sweet tooth when you check out their ACA supply kit, available for next week’s National Employee Benefits Day. Not only does the kit include chocolate treats, but also a talking stress ball and worksheets and fact sheets to implement and celebrate the day. Continue reading “Chocolate Treats Aren’t Just for Easter!”

Helpful Tips for Househunters

March 19, 2013

Thursday is the first day of spring, which means daffodils in bloom, Easter egg hunts, and new homebuyers coming out of hibernation. For employees considering a home purchase this spring househunting season, their decision could be the best or worst thing for their financial future. Your workforce may have opportunities to learn about the housing market by working with a local real estate agent or mortgage lender, but these professionals have an ultimate agenda to seal the deal. Employees can benefit from an unbiased workshop on the ABCs of real estate to help them make one of their biggest buying decisions. Helping your employees find their dream home can also benefit the company by encouraging a more stable, less transient workforce. Here are some of the topics that should be covered: Continue reading “Helpful Tips for Househunters”

Get Ready: April is Financial Literacy Month

March 12, 2013

I always like an excuse to plan a party or event, so here’s a good reason to plan something for your workforce during the month of April. Financial Literacy Month actually evolved from Financial Literacy Day, first introduced by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) more than a decade ago, who then turned Financial Literacy Day over to the national Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, which expanded the day into Financial Literacy Month. During the month, schools and employers are encouraged to focus on financial literacy initiatives. Continue reading “Get Ready: April is Financial Literacy Month”

Lessons from an Action Packed Baby Shower

March 05, 2013

What’s the new craze for baby showers? They’re not co-ed and action-packed, based on the party I attended this past weekend for my stepson and daughter-in-law’s first child. The baby shower was held at the bowling alley, and after presents and cake, we all bowled for an hour, with the exception of the mother-to-be, since she already has a bowling ball size belly. Continue reading “Lessons from an Action Packed Baby Shower”

What’s the Deal with the Double D?

February 26, 2013

Have you had any of your employees question you about the DD in box 12 of their W-2? No, it’s not a battery style or bra size but a new requirement for W-2 reporting as a result of the Affordable Care Act. Effective with 2012 W-2 forms, employers with more than 250 employees are required to report the cost of employer-sponsored health coverage, and have the option of reporting the cost of a group dental or vision plan. Continue reading “What’s the Deal with the Double D?”

The Risks of the Self-Directed 401(k) Brokerage Window

February 19, 2013

Does more choice offered through a self-directed brokerage window lead to better asset allocation for 401(k) participants? Based on what I’ve seen over the past few weeks, I’d have to say no. Having almost unlimited investment options can sound appealing to some employees, but unfortunately in many cases the employees are not putting in the time and effort they need to manage their accounts. Continue reading “The Risks of the Self-Directed 401(k) Brokerage Window”

Lessons from a Final Farewell

February 12, 2013

This past weekend, I said a sad final farewell to a friend. Just a few months shy of his 50th birthday, he passed away after a long battle with Machado-Joseph’s Disease. The symptoms remind me of Lou Gehrig’s Disease, only in slow motion, with a very slow progression of muscle control. Continue reading “Lessons from a Final Farewell”

Retirement Education: Sharing the 7 Habits of Confident Retirees With Your Workforce

February 05, 2013

From the thousands and thousands of pre-retirees I’ve talked to over the past decade, two consistant comments I hear over and over again are “I wish I’d started saving earlier” and “I wish I’d saved more along the way.” Since I’ve yet to have an employee tell me they’ve saved too much for retirement, every employee could benefit from knowing the 7 essential habits of highly confident retirees that were concluded from the BlackRock 2012 Retirement Survey, which was conducted by Boston Research Group. Continue reading “Retirement Education: Sharing the 7 Habits of Confident Retirees With Your Workforce”