S.L. Carroll
I have a Masters Degree in Human Resources Development, A Bachelor s Degree in Aviation, a Computer Science minor, and I am taking a creative writing class at Butler University. I have self published one thriller novel, and I am currently working on two others as well as a Memoir.
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- 3/24/2011
Education/Experience
Human Resources Development Masters Degree, Aviation BS, Computer Science MinorInterests
writing, fiction, non-fiction, aviation, Roman Catholicism, Horror, thriller, crime, renting, old movies, thrillers, retail, management, Vampires, demonology, occult, human resources, training, internet, HTML, budgeting, Indianapolis, IndianaMotto
Anything is possibleAffiliations
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Displaying Results 1 - 200 (of 562) for All Content
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First Person: What Is Debt Consolidation?Debt consolidation is a great way to consolidate bills and focus on paying them off, but which debt consolidation technique is right for you?
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First Person: Budgeting With Multiple Bank AccountsDo you know how to accurately budget using multiple bank accounts. If you designate a use for each bank account, you can effectively control your expenses and prevent yourself from overspending. I like to use four accounts to budget my money.
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First Person: When Can I Retire?I dream of the day when I can retire, but like most people, I'm apprehensive. I don't know that I'll be able to retire, and I don't know that I'll be in good health when I retire. Still, I'd like to have an age estimate and a goal for retirement.
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First Person: Finding Affordable AppliancesAppliances have gotten incredibly expensive over the last few years. I couldn't find a refrigerator below $550, a gas stove below $600 or a range hood below $200. It was discouraging until I started thinking outside the box.
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First Person: What Happens During an IRS Wage Garnishment?An IRS wage garnishment is a very serious matter. Unlike most wage garnishments, the IRS is not limited to a percentage of income. The IRS can take all of the taxpayers income above a certain dollar amount.
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First Person: Calculating Accurate Homeowners Insurancecalculating accurate homeowner insurance needs requires walking around your home and adding up the costs of all your appliances, furniture, jewelry, clothing and miscellaneous items. It also requires determining the rebuild cost of your home.
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First Person: Financial Items to Consider Before Going into Business for YourselfMany people underestimate the hard work and financial sacrifices involved in starting their own businesses. Individuals considering owning their own business should step back and calculate their finances and operational expenses prior to opening.
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First Person: IRS Payment Plan vs. IRS Tax SettlementMany people are afraid of the IRS, but the IRS is only scary if you refuse to communicate with the government agency. Failure to communicate can lead to IRS wage garnishments and tax levies against bank accounts and personal property.
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First Person: The Cost of Moving From an Apartment Into a HouseMoving into a house is exciting. There are no more communal living rules, no sharing walls and no more worrying about walking loudly on the floors. However, owning a home also comes with property taxes, lawn care and maintenance costs.
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First Person: Switching from Renters to Homeowners InsuranceSwitching from renters insurance to homeowners insurance can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be if you calculate the minimum amount of coverage you need to withstand a catastrophic event.
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First Person: The Pittfalls of Homeowners Insurancewhat does your homeowners insurance cover? Is it enough? My deductible is $1,000, and I can replace quite a bit on and inside my home for $1,000. That means that my insurance will not cover small and medium sized events.
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First Person: Repairing Vs. Replacing Appliancesthe decision to replace or repair major appliances can be a difficult one. Replacing means peace of mind and no problems for years. Repairing saves significant money and solves the immediate problem. I opted to repair my hot water heater and furnace.
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Life Interrupted: 5 to 9 Inches of Snow Expected Wednesday in IndianapolisWith five to nine inches of snow expected in Indianapolis, the final steps of my move have been delayed until Friday.
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First Person: Heating and Energy Assistance for the PoorGas and electric companies offer flexible payment plans, budgeting, energy kits and information on EAP and charitable organizations so that individuals and families can pay their energy bills.
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First Person: Negotiating a Free HouseIf finding an affordable house is harrowing, finding a free house is nearly impossible, but that's exactly what I needed to do by November 30th. It was an impossible task, but I managed it through skillful negotiations.
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Understanding SEO OptimizationSEO is important for webpages and articles written for the web. The proper use of SEO can result in higher search engine rankings, more visitors and potentially more income.
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First Person: Debt Consolidation Companies vs. Debt Consolidation LoansMany people do not understand the difference between debt consolidation loans and debt consolidation companies.
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First Person: Ending the Debt CycleDebt is the American way of life. We go into debt for our educations, cars and homes, and we don't stop to think about how all this debt will impact our future lives. For me, I was more than $70,000 in debt before I realized I had to change.
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First Person: Creating a Budget on Sporadic IncomeCreating a budget with uncertain income is difficult at best. it requires figuring out daily minimums and planning for worse case scenarios.
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First Person: Landing a Job When You're Unemployed Longer Than 6 Months? It's PossibleFinding a job can be hard work if you've been unemployed for an extended amount of time. However, there are things you can do to improve your odds of finding a job and receiving a job offer.
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First Person: Am I Middle Class?The politicians seem to think middle class is $250,000 a year. To me, $250,000 is wealthy, so what is middle class? Middle class is a personal gauge of wealth based entirely on income versus expenses for each individual and family.
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First Person: Setting Up an IRS Payment PlanDealing with the IRS is never fun, but I found the experience to be very easy and hassle-free. I needed to set up a payment plan with the IRS for back taxes, and I was successful.
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First Person: No Christmas Budget? No ProblemFor the last several years I have had no budget for Christmas, but this hasn't been a problem. I've still been able to spend time with my family and provide them with a few well thought out gifts.
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First Person: Full Auto Insurance Coverage and Older CarsFull coverage car insurance is a great idea for used cars even though is goes against traditional car insurance advice. Car insurance and insurance in general is for replacing items that you can't replace out of your own pocket.
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First Person: The Pitfalls of Working From HomeWorking from home means no bosses and coworkers interrupting. You can work in your pajamas and make more money than you've ever seen in your life. While that may be true, working from home is one giant, income limiting, distraction.
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First Person: How Does Debt Settlement Work?Debt settlement is not hard to use, but it does take some careful planning. Debt amounts, savings amounts and taxes must all be taken into consideration.
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First Person: Help! I Can’t Afford My LeaseLeases are designed to only cost a maximum of 36 percent of an individual's or family's income. Unfortunately, lay-offs, pay cuts and downsizing can quickly push that percentage to 50 percent or higher.
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First Person: When Is it Time to Apply for Food Stamps?Many Americans adamantly refuse to apply for food stamps and government assistance. However, there are times when government assistance can mean the difference between eating and going hungry for days.
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First Person: How to Apply for Food StampsApplying for food stamps isn't hard, but it is lengthy and time consuming. I recently helped my mom apply for food stamps, and the entire process took three weeks and numerous phone calls to the FSSA office.
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First Person: Maintaining a Sole Proprietorship Without Going BrokeThe first few years of any business are always the worst, and it's been no different in my case. When I went into business for myself, my income was cut in half. It meant that I had to watch my income and expenses very closely in order to pay all my bills
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First Person: I Paid Off My Old Bills Using Debt SettlementPaying off old bills using debt settlement isn't hard, but it does take some preparation. I had to save all the money I was going to use prior to using the debt payment option.
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First Person: Creating My Complete BudgetCreating a complete budget involves more than just subtracting bills from income. It involves budget for gas, food, fast food, savings accounts and retirement accounts as well as sudden expenses.
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First Person: Getting the Deposit Back on a RentalGetting a deposit back can be a worry filled adventure in minor repairs and major cleaning, but it doesn't have to be. All it takes is some preplanning and regular cleaning while your in the apartment.
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First Person: I Moved Into an Income Assisted Apartment ComplexQualifying for an income assisted apartment complex isn't hard. They are not Section 8, and there's no government forms to fill out. However, you do have to supply all your financial information and agree to certain rules.
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First Person: Finding Rental Apartments for Less Than $500Finding an affordable apartment at or below $500 a month is a task, but it is not impossible. IT simply takes foresight, planning and time, which is why it's a good idea to start looking very early.
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First Person: How I Cut the Cord and Watch TV for FreeFree TV is not a thing of the past, but it does require having patience and a willingness to forgo watching some shoes entirely. For the shows that are free, it can mean waiting anywhere from 24 hours to 30 days for a new episode, but it is worth it.
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First Person: Eating Healthy on $30 a WeekEating healthy does not have to cost a lot, but it does take preplanning and preportioning to do it correctly and not go hungry.
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First Person: The Reality of Renting in an Income Assisted Apartment ComplexIncome assisted living complexes are designed to help poor families who do not qualify or do not want to qualify for Section 8 housing. They are typically located in good areas, and the complex rules are strictly enforced.
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First Person: The Problem With Renting an Income Adjusted ApartmentIncome controlled apartment complexes come with a set of rules that makes it impossible to get ahead. While they are touted as being affordable, those at the top tier are overcharged and the rent is never readjusted according to income.
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First Person: The Costs of Moving Into a New ApartmentMoving out of an apartment and moving into a new apartment is quite expensive. It will cost me $1,520 to move into a cheaper and larger apartment than I currently rent.
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First Person: Safely Paying Debt Collection AgenciesPaying old debts is a great idea to quickly raise a credit score and to get the bill out of the back of my mind, but I know that I have to do it safely so that I am not scammed and not charged more than the agreed upon payment.
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First Person: Saving Money When Exiting a RentalMoving out of a rental apartment can be just as expensive if not more expensive than moving in. This is because apartment complexes love to charge for everything from trash removal to window cleaning and replacing carpets, but those fees can be avoided.
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How I Lowered My Internet Bill by $60 a Yearwhen I realized my internet bill had increased from $35 to $38, I immediately called my internet service provider. I had not authorized an increase in my monthly bill or a change in services.
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Getting a Divorce was Expensive but Not Emotionally DevastatingNo one wants to get a divorce, but in my case, there was no other solution. My spouse was cheating on me, refusing to fulfill his marital duties and spending all the money.
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First Person: How I Combat High Pressure Sales TacticsHigh pressure sales people are more than annoying, they can cost you more money in the checkout line. In order to combat their tactics, I research what I want to buy, set a price range, refuse all upgrades and service plans, and I check my receipt.Also published on:
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First Person: My Long-Term Debt Elimination StrategyPaying off student loans and other debt can be a nightmare especially if you don't make enough money to cover your bills in the first place. I have a long term plan to pay off my student loans in 15 years instead of 30.Also published on:
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First Person: Preparing Financially for a LayoffWhen it comes to getting laid off, there are signs that it is going to happen. The company suddenly has no work, there are no hours available, and you suddenly find yourself at home with very small paychecks. When that happens, it's time to act.Also published on:
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First Person: Starting a Business While on UnemploymentStarting a small business while on unemployment is risky. The individual trying it risks losing their unemployment benefits and getting their benefits reduced by the amount of side income they bring in, but it can be done.Also published on:
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My Date with a Wild-Eyed Auctioneer WannabeI once went on a date with a man who was either in training to be an auctioneer or who had gone on way too many speed dates. either way, I was glad when the date ended, and I could be free of his rapid fire questions.
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First Person: Negotiating a Debt SettlementNegotiating a debt settlement is easy if you take the time to pre-plan the transactions. I like to save the money ahead of time, call the financial institution, negotiate a pay-off price and pay the debt in one large transaction.Also published on:
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What is it About Energy Savings Americans Don’t Like?Saving energy is great. It helps the planet and saves on emissions. However, it is incredibly unattractive to most Americans. In order for Americans to jump on the bandwagon, energy efficiency needs to come with some real money savings.
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First Person: What Happens When a Debt Collector Calls?Debt collectors are out to collect old debts using whatever tactics they can to ensure they intimidate you enough to pay the bill right then. The trick is to keep a level head and your information to yourself while you collect information on the bill.Also published on:
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First Person: The Pitfalls of Debt SettlementDebt settlement is a great way to pay off old debts cheaply, but it comes with a couple major drawbacks. In order to get the best debt settlement, I had to have the money up front, I had to agree to pay over the phone, and I received a huge tax bill.Also published on:
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John Edwards Is a Sinner, not a CriminalJohn Edwards was acquitted of illegally using campaign money to fund and hide his mistress and illegitimate child while he campaigned to become president of the U.S.
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First Person: The True Cost of Cell Phone InsuranceCell phone insurance sounds like a great idea. It will replace your phone if it gets lost or broken, but I found that the cost of the insurance plus the fees can be more than the phone is worth.Also published on:
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Romney Wins Texas but Focus is on TrumpMitt Romney cleared the 1,144 delegate hurdle on Tuesday night, but he wasn't even in Texas. Instead of addressing his Texas supporters in person, he was in Las Vegas with Donald Trump.
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First Person: The True Cost of Having a RoommateTaking on a roommate to save money may sound like a great idea, but in my experience it hasn't saved me as much money as I thought it would, and in some cases it's actually cost me more money than living by myself.Also published on:
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First Person: The True Cost of Health InsuranceI am one of the millions of people that elects not to have medical coverage. I visit a doctor about three times a year at an average cost of $200 per visit. With medications, I only spend about $750 a year on medical care.Also published on:
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Anonymous Posters: Sen. O'Mara Wants Your Names and AddressesImagine never being able to post anonymously to the internet again without providing sensitive personal information. That's exactly what bill S6779-2011 would do if it were passed.
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Facebook IPO: More Banker MismanagementWith Facebook's ridiculous IPO, but banks are under scrutiny again. When will banks learn? After three years of increased regulatory control, big banks are still making huge mistakes with their investor's money.
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Dharun Ravi Receives 30 Days to Spite Lawyer's ShortcomingsDharun Ravi's lawyers tripped over themselves during Ravi's sentencing hearing. Steven Altman couldn't construct a coherent sentence, and Philip Nettl begged for leniency on the grounds that he had never defended anyone against bias charges before.
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First Person: How Much Home Can I Afford?Before I buy a house, I want to know exactly how much house I can afford, and if that amount is something my bank will give me a mortgage for. For my bank, that means I have to be able to afford a house that's listed for more than $50,000.Also published on:
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Renouncing U.S. Citizenship? Uncle Sam Still Wants Your MoneyIf Sen. Chuck Schumer gets his way, the U.S. will be able to tax ex-citizens. That is completely ludicrous. It is gross abuse of government power, and completely against the founding concepts of the U.S.
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First Person: I Will Not Consolidate My DebtI will never consolidate my debt. It costs too much. The monthly payments are too high, and the risk for mistakes is too high. I'd rather negotiate with my creditor and the bill collectors myself.
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First Person: Budgeting for Small Business ExpensesIn order to budget for my business expenses, I have to plan ahead. Sometimes I have to plan more than a year ahead especially when it comes to affording my website and domain name. I do that by budgeting for all my business expenses by the day.
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First Person: Retirement Savings on a Limited IncomeI started saving for my retirement slowly. I've never had thousands of dollars to put into a retirement account, so I began with a $100 CD that required a $50 deposit every month until it matured.
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First Person: How Much Do I Need in My Emergency Fund?It's important for me to keep an adequate amount of money in my emergency fund. For me that means having six months worth of bills, food, gas, essentials, car repairs, and medical expenses sitting in an account.
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More Big Bank Mismanagement: JPMorgan Loses $2 Billion in AprilJPMorgan lost $2 billion due to the financial mistakes Bruno Iksil. While the loss may be attributed to one trader's bad judgment, the implications are far wider. How many more banks have individual traders in charge of massive amounts of money?
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The 30 Minute Workout: Great for Strength and EnduranceI have been doing the "30 Minute Workout" at my gym for the last six months. It has improved my overall strength, endurance and mental well-being. I am now stronger than I have been in the last 10 years. -
Indiana Says Yes and No to RepublicansOn Tuesday, Indiana decided that Mitt Romney was in for the Presidential nomination and Sen. Dick Lugar was out of the Senate. It sends a strong message to Republicans that Indiana will vote for what's best for Indiana.
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Gay Marriage Steals Economy's Political ThunderGay marriage has been thrust into the spotlight again. Vice President Joe Biden supports it while North Carolina banned it.
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First Person: How Much Rent Can I Afford?When I calculate how much rent I can afford, I use my net income instead of my gross income. By using my net income, I am assured that I can afford my apartment for the entire length of the lease, and I'm not taking into consideration money I never see.Also published on:
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First Person: I’ll Never Take Out Another LoanI am terrible about making loan payments. If it's a credit card, I am highly tempted to never pay it. If it's a car loan, I run the risk of the car becoming undrivable before I pay off the loan. For those reasons, I will never take out another loan.
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First Person: The Hidden Costs of Having a Low Credit ScoreHaving a low credit score isn't all bad. It makes identity theft seem like a joke. Who'd want to steal the identity of a person with bad credit. However, it does cost money to have a low credit score. It costs more in apartment and utility deposits.
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First Person: Low Overhead Keeps My Startup AfloatI've been working for myself for a little over a year, and I don't see any reason to go back into the traditional workforce, but I've made some sacrifices in order to ensure my business is a success.
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First Person: Making Sure I Get My Apartment Deposit BackWhen I signed the lease for my apartment, they provided a list of cleaning and repair fees for when I moved out of my apartment. If my apartment needed one of everything on the list, I'd receive a bill for over $2,000.
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Posting Bin Laden’s Last Words Is a Security Threat in the MakingThe U.S. Army's West Point Combating Terrorism Center website plans to release Bin Laden's last words. That is a terrible idea. Not only does it allow everyone in the U.S. to view them, but it allows the remaining al-Qaeda members to view them.
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Gingrich Drops Out; Why? Math and MoneyGingrich is ending his presidential campaign Wednesday. That means that Romney will likely be the Republican nominee and up against Obama for the remainder of the campaign.
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Fee’d and Billed to Death – Not MeI am completely against paying for more than I have to on everything. If I don't absolutely need to pay for something, I don't. This means I don't pay bank fees, TV fees, pizza delivery fees, or news fees. IN my opinion, that is just wasted money.
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Is the Economy Improving or Isn’t It?The unemployment rate is currently 8.2 percent and while that's down from 9.1 percent in august, it's still well above the 5 percent we need to indicate a strong economy and jobs market.
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First Person: How I Get Copies of My Credit Report for FreeStaying on top of my credit reports and accounts activity helps me keep my credit score in good standing and prevent or catch fraudulent activity, and I get my credit reports for free. There are several ways to get free credit reports.Also published on:
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Romney Won 5 States Tuesday Night, but is He Better Than Obama?Romney won all five states Tuesday night, and his speech reflected it. He asked the crowd if we were better off today than three years ago. We are not, but does Romney understand why we are not and how to fix it?
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First Person: Unemployment Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened to MeWhen I first lost my job, I was eager to find a new job, but as the months and years eventually wore on, I realized that I might be better off if I just started my own business.
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First Person: Inventory Tracking for Retail Expense ControlInventory tracking systems are essential for controlling expenses in retail. Too much inventory inflates the inventory dollars and leaves merchandise in the back room. Too little inventory means we can't sell as many as we need because we ran out.
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First Person: 7 Generic Purchases I Will Not MakeBuying generic brands can save a lot of money, but there are a few items that I will not buy in generic.
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Voting Laws: Ensuring Only U.S. Citizens VoteSeveral states have passed voter ID laws since the last presidential election. These laws are designed to ensure that only legal U.S. citizens vote in the elections.
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George Zimmerman Granted Bail; Is He in Danger?In the wake of George Zimmerman being granted bail at $150,000, a photograph of the back of his head was released. Does the photograph lessen the danger for George Zimmerman?
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First Person: The 3 Tricks Grocery Stores Play on ConsumersGrocery stores employ various tactics to get shoppers to spend more. They build huge displays. They price in multiples, and they give pennies off for gas, but that doesn't impress me. A lot of times I can find a better deal without buying the deals.
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First Person: Spring Cleaning on a BudgetCleaning my entire apartment isn't expensive. IN fact, I can do it with $7.22. All I need are rags, paper towels, window cleaner, dish soap, scrub pads and bleach. I don't need floor cleaners or special cleaning sprays.
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First Person: Preparing Financially to Change JobsI take special precautions when I start looking for a new job. I don't quit my old job until I have a new job and a start date. I save my money, and I work harder.
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First Person: The Financial Pitfalls of Changing JobsStarting a new job can be expensive and financially catastrophic if it goes wrong. It's especially bad when the new employer lies about the position. In my situation, I accepted a permanent job only to find out it was temporary.
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Women's Rights? It's All About ChoicesWomen's rights are always a hot topic. Women should have more rights. Women should have less rights. It's not about more or less rights. It's about choices. Not every woman wants the same thing, but every woman wants choices.
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Want a U.S. Savings Bond? Use Your Tax RefundThe IRS has implemented a new savings strategy for tax payers who are slated to receive a refund. Tax payers can now put all or part of their refunds into a U.S. savings bond.
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Rick Santorum Quits: Who Gets the Votes Now?Early Tuesday morning, Rick Santorum ended his presidential bid. It came on the heels of his daughter's release from the hospital and makes sense for the candidate, but who will get his votes in the primaries to come?
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First Person: How Unforeseen Expenses Sabotage My BudgetI run my budget down to the last dollar. I try to predict expenses. I make every effort possible to stick to my budget, but some weeks are just horrendous. This past week, I had to hire a maid, buy a new coffee maker, and get a tetanus shot.
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First Person: My 3 Financial TruthsWhen I graduated college, I thought I could survive on $7.55 an hour. After all, $7.55 an hour is $1,308 a month, and my bills were $1,200 a month. Except, I forgot a few details like taxes and biweekly pay periods.
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First Person: How I Save Money By MovingI find that moving is the best way to lower overall living expenses. My next move will save me $816 a year and give me a larger apartment in a new complex.
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First Person: My Life Without Credit CardsWhen I was in my early 20s, I had six credit cards and a minimum wage job. In order to survive, I had to learn to not rely on my credit cards and to buy everything in cash. It was a long, hard road, but I survived, and I take those lessons with me.
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First Person: I'm Still Happy RentingI've found that renting is hassle-free and cheap, and while I'd like to own a house, renting is financially cheaper for me.
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First Person: Calculating My Daily Income NeedsWhen it comes to my daily income, I have to be on top of my bills, food, gas, essentials and extras all the time. I have to know extactly what I need to earn every day in order to make ends meet.
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First Person: I'm Not Buying Health InsuranceI do not health health insurance, and right now it is more cost effective for me to go without health insurance than it is to purchase health insurance.
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Calling it Early: Superdelegates Say It’s RomneyThe superdelegates are predicting a win for Romney, but the math and percentages don't add up. In fact, the math only adds up if Romney wins 50 percent of the remaining delegates, but so far, he's only managed to average about 40 percent.
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Should the Roman Catholic Church Continue Celibacy for Priests?Should the Catholic Church allow women to become priests and allow priests to marry and have sex? Pope Benedict XVI doesn't think either should happen, and that there are reasons steeped in tradition that run deeper than modern society.
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After Tuesday Night, It's Time for Santorum to Call it QuitsRomney won the majority of votes in Maryland, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia Tuesday night. Santorum came in second in Wisconsin and Maryland. He wasn't even on the ballot in the District of Columbia. Santorum needs to end his race.
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First Person: I'm Saving $257 on Car Repairs in the Next YearI don't like to spend money on car repairs, but it is a necessary evil. However, that doesn't mean I just roll my car into the mechanics' shop. Before I ever let my tires roll onto the lot, I search for coupons and online discounts.
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First Person: I Won’t Buy a Fuel Efficient Car Despite Rising Gas PricesTo spite the rising gas prices, I'm not likely to buy a new car. The cost of the car payment alone would be enough to put 82 gallons of gas in my car a month at $5 a gallon.
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First Person: Self-Employed and Still Saving for RetirementWhen I decided to become self-employed, I didn't want my retirement accounts to sit untouched. I knew I'd be the one responsible for income and my retirement, so I made sure my bills and expenses were low enough to allow me to save for retirement.Also published on:
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First Person: The 4 Easy Cuts That Save Me $1,500 a YearI watch what I spend. I don't like to spend an extra dime on anything. I budget meticulously, and I make sure I don't overpay on anything. It saves me $1,500 a year.
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Wisconsin Primary: Romney Confident, Santorum Ready to Drop Out?When it comes to Tuesday's Winconsin Primary, Romney is overconfident, but not laying low. He's hitting the campaign trail hard right along with Santorum, but Santorum's message is very different. Santorum almost sounds like he's ready to quit.
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Lotteries Shouldn't Announce the Names of WinnersThree people won Friday night's Mega Millions drawing, and while that's great, they are now in grave danger. The lottery offices need to take precautions in securing those people's safety.
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First Person: I'm Saving $2,000 a Month, One Day at a TimeI want to save $11,387 in six months. This will allow me to move, buy out my next lease, and have money leftover. The problem is that saving over $2,000 a month seems impossible, so instead of focusing on the month, I will focus on the day.
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First Person: A Week's Summer Vacation for Less Than $300If I were to go on a traditional seven day summer vacation, I'd spend over $2,000 on a plane ticket, rental car, and resort stay. While that's nice, I'm opting save money and go camping, swimming, horseback riding, and hiking for a week.
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Beef Products Inc. to Close Three Plants Due to Consumer BacklashBeef Products Inc. just announced the closing of three of its plants due to consumer backlash and several major grocery store chains refusal to carry beef with the "pink slime" filler. It's a major win for consumers.
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First Person: Dealing With Inventory LossHaving an accurate inventory is extremely important for retails stores. Every retail store is professionally counted once a year and if the inventory is off, it can create a huge loss for the store.
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First Person: The Financial Reasons I’m Not Going Back to WorkI didn't realize the expenses incurred when I was working, but once I starting working from home, those expenses became readily apparent. As it turns out, I was spending $5,200 a year just to go to work, and I was losing two hours of productive time.
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Santorum is Shaking Up the Race with Louisiana WinSantorum won the Louisiana primary with 49 percent of the vote. That is a spectacular upset for Romney who needed the win to continue his momentum.
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Employers Want Facebook, Social Media Passwords: Just Say NoFacebook recently announced that the handing over of account passwords would not be tolerated by the company. That is awesome. No potential employee should be forced to hand out their passwords to get a job.
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First Person: Preparing for $5 GasIf gas prices hit $5 a gallon this summer, I'll buy a bike. I've wanted a bike for several years, but haven't had the motivation.
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First Person: The Sales Value of Customer ServiceThese days customer service is at a premium. Many retail stores are scaling back their staff which means less people available to help customers. Great customer service can lead to great sales even if your retail store doesn't have the lowest prices.
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After Illinois, Can the Mitt-Mentum Be Stopped?After the Illinois primary, Mitt Romney has 563 delegates. Rick Santorum has 263 delegates. Newt Gingrich has 135 delegates, and Ron Paul has 50 delegates. There are 22 states and DC left, and it is time for a leader change.
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First Person: Health Care, Without Health InsuranceI have no medical insurance. I don't go to the doctor unless I absolutely have to, but recently I absolutely had to. I had a very infected ingrown hair that needed an antibiotic. I feared a $250 bill, but I walked away for only $135.
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How I Save Money on Bread, Milk, and EggsBread, milk and eggs are standard items on everyone's groceries lists, and the prices for those items has only increased over the last few years. Instead of lamenting the high prices, I went out and searched for the lowest prices.
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First Person: Calculating the Retail Price of My Handmade GoodsHandmade items are very hard to price accurately. I have to calculate the cost based on the materials needed, storage, my hourly rate, and the going price of similar items.
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First Person: My Checking Account Is Still Free, Even Without Direct DepositFinding free checking accounts these days is hard and requires a lot of research. I opened my checking account six years ago, and to this day I have yet to pay a single fee.
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'Kony 2012': How Movies Inspire Social ChangeSince the beginning of film and movies, filmmakers have all sought to change the world and viewers' thinking through movies. Three that come to mind for me are 'Super Size Me,' 'Erin Brockovich,' and 'Philadelphia.' -
Ford Buying Out Older WorkersIs buying out older workers going to become the wave of the future? I think it should. More and more older employees are staying in the workforce longer and longer, and that's making it tough for younger workers and college graduates to find jobs.
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Jason Russell Can't Handle FameJason Russel, creator of Kony 2012, was hospitalized after witnesses found him in the street in his underwear, beating on cars and masturbating.
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Hate Your Company Culture? So Does Goldman Sachs' Employee Greg SmithIt takes guts to quite a job, and even more guts to write a long resignation letter. For that, I commend the Goldman Sachs' employee. Not only did he resign from his job, but he outlined ways the company can improve itself.
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First Person: Setting Up My Home Office on a BudgetHome offices are cheaper than renting space and creating an outside office, but they're still not cheap. Had I bought my office furniture at full retail price, I would have spent $2,045. Instead, I spent $965 by utilizing the internet and my family.
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First Person: Keeping My Electric Bill Under $100 a MonthThe price of electricity keeps going up, but that doesn't mean I resign myself to high electric bills. Instead, I keep my lights off during the day, adjust my thermostats when I leave, and use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
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First Person: I Don’t Care About My Credit ScoreI do not care about my credit score. It does nothing for me. In my daily life it is simply a number on a report that's used if I want a loan.
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First Person: I'm Saving $830 a Year on LaundryAt one point, I was spending $958 a year to wash my clothes. That's $80 a month. I knew I had to curb that cost so I bought my own washer and dryer, started making my own laundry soap, and stopped buying soap additives.
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First Person: Surviving on $30 a WeekSurviving off $30 a week meant putting $10 worth of gas in my car, buying $3 worth of essentials a week, and buying $16 worth of food. After taxes, it came to right at $30 a week.
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First Person: My Life Without Credit CardsWhen I was in college, I had as many as eight credit cards, and I charged them all to their max. In the end, they costs me $400 a month in payments. In 2008, I paid them off and haven't had a credit card since.
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There Are No Quitters in the Republican Presidential RaceRomney, Santorun, Gingrich and Paul might as well be the Republican's version of the four horseman. None of them are refusing to give up, and I think that's a good thing. Every candidate currently in the race needs to say in the race.
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Since When Is Being Patriotic Racist?In the U.S. we live in a country where our freedom of speech is being slowly eradicated through political correctness. Mailmen are now postal workers. Policemen are now police officers, and now chanting "U.S.A." is racist.
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1,347 Delegates Are Still Available After Super TuesdaySuper Tuesday is over, but the republican presidential nomination race is not over. There are still 1,347 delegates still available. That means that if a candidate were to enter the race right now and win the remaining states, he would win the nomination.
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First Person: Buying the 'Wrong' Things Saves Me $130 a YearBy shopping in alternate departments, I can save almost $130 a year on shaving cream, sweatpants, t-shirts, socks, percolators, skillets, tarps, and bungee cords.
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First Person: Keeping My Rent Under $600The price of rent can be misleading on an apartment as it only includes the space in which you live, and apartment complexes love to tack on fees for pets, water, sewer, trash, and carports, and garages.
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First Person: I Shop Generics, Not Coupons and One-Off SalesWhen it comes to buying groceries and essential, I don't like to waste even a dime. I look for generics, off-brands, and even smaller sizes in order to save money.
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First Person: I Don’t Care About $5 GasGas is predicted to reach $5 a gallon this summer, but I don't care. I'm not taking any road trips, and I'm not filling my tank. What I am doing is combining shopping trips, budgeting for miles, and staying at home when I run out of gas.
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First Person: Maximizing Sales Year RoundIn retail, it's important to maximize sales all year round not just during the holidays. This can be done by building displays, moving products to better locations, and implementing timely markdowns.
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First Person: The Expenses I Skipped When I Started My BusinessWhen I started my business, I had very little money saved up, no full-time job, and a dream of working for myself. In order to get up and running, I decided to skip a few things.
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First Person: I Furnished My First Apartment for FreeWhen I moved into my first apartment, I didn't have any money or furniture aside from a foam mattress. By the end of my first two months, I had everything I needed except a bed, and I didn't pay a dime for it.
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First Person: The True Cost of My Gym MembershipI only pay $150 a year for my gym membership, but it costs me closer to $640 a year to go to the gym three times a week for an hour.
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Nancy Drew: The Reason I Picked Up a Pen and Became a WriterNancy Drew was the reason I first picked up a pen and tackled a stack of loose leaf paper. My first story was titled "The Mystery on the Hill," and I still have that story. It's 23 years old and held together by tape, but it means the world to me.
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Romney Wins Washington; Super Tuesday is NextDoes Romney's three wins in Arizona, Michigan, and Washington predict the outcome of Super Tuesday, or will another candidate create an upset? Romney and Santorum went to Ohio. Gingrich is campaigning in Georgia, and Paul is going to Alaska.
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First Person: I Can Eat All Day for Less Than the Cost of a Fast Food LunchI can eat all day for less than the price of a fast food lunch, and I don't skip any meals. I eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a bedtime snack.
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Less U.S. Foreign Oil Reliance yet Higher Gas PricesU.S. dependence of foreign oil has decreased 7 percent in the last three years, yet gas prices and consumption have gone up. If the U.S. gas price problem is due to its reliance on foreign oil, why have gas prices not gone down?
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First Person: I Can't Pay My Bills. Now What?Averting a financial catastrophe can be as simple as cutting back on immediate expenses such as food, gas, and entertainment, but it order for it to make a difference, you have to see the problem coming and take action ahead of time.
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Romney Wins, but Who's Really the Best Candidate?Mitt Romney won both Michigan and Arizona Tuesday night. It was a tight race between him and Rick Santorum, but I'm not sure either one of them are prepared to tackle the presidency. It's a huge job made even larger by the current state of the economy.
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First Person: I'd Quit My Job for $41,544It would only take a little over $41,000 for me to quit my job. That's enough money that I can pay my bills and live comfortably for two years with very little worry.
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How a Sales Job Financially Prepared Me to Start My Own BusinessMy last traditional full-time job was in sales. I worked out of my car and a home office in order to complete my work. When it came to starting my own business, this meant that I didn't need to spend as much money to get it up and running.
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How I Control My Gas ExpensesIn 2001, I could buy gas for .79 cents a gallon. In 2004, I could buy it for $2.50 a gallon. Today, gas is between $3.50 and $3.69 a gallon. It costs me $72 to fill my tank which is why I take precautions to use as little gas as possible.
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First Person: To Fill the Tank or Not to Fill the TankEvery time I stop at a gas station, I am faced with a question. Should I fill my gas tank or not?
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First Person: Doing My Job Was Costing Me $12,000 a YearWhile I was working as a sales manager for a drink distribution company, I spent an average of $1,000 every month to maintain a home office, buy expired product, eat, maintain my cell phone, and pay a company car surcharge.
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First Person: Renters Insurance Is Always Worth the CostHaving renters insurance is important to me. I have it because there are items in my household that I cannot afford to replace in the event of theft, fire, or other unforeseeable circumstances.
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First Person: Working for Myself Saves Me $500 a MonthWhen I went into business for myself, I wanted to control my own hours and income. What I didn't realize that making the move from traditional employment to self employment would also save me money.
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Romney on the Attack in Arizona DebateThe Arizona debate was a catastrophe. If Romney planned to cement his front-runner status, he failed horribly. He also failed to listen, failed to respond, and failed to follow the rules of the debate. the only thing he managed to do was attack Santorum.
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First Person: I Cut My Food and Gas Expenses in HalfIn order to cut my food and gas expenses in half, I really had to take a hard look at how I was spending my money, and what was getting wasted. As if turned out, I was driving too much, wasting a lot of food, and eating out too often.
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First Person: How I Sabotage My BudgetWhen I fail at budgeting it's usually due to one of four reasons. I either forgot to check my bank balance, ate out, bought something I didn't need, or failed to plan ahead.
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First Person: I'm Back to Cooking From ScratchHave you ever walked into the store and bought canned, frozen, and fresh vegetables along with various forms of the same meat? I caught myself doing that the other day and realized I was wasting a lot of money.
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First Person: I Started a Business Even Though I’m $80,000 in DebtBeing in debt didn't stop me from starting my own business, but I had to prepare for the change. I had to save my money, lower my bills, and pay off as much debt as possible before I left the traditional workforce.
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The 4 Ways I Stay Within My BudgetCreating a budget and sticking to it is not impossible. It does, however, require determination and an attention to detail. I stick my my budget by always knowing how much money I have, paying my bills first, and managing the left over cash.
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Ron Paul Finally Getting the Cash He DeservesRon Paul has become a cash raising machine. In North Dakota, Paul raised more cash than Romney, Gingrich, and Santorum combined.
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First Person: I'm Cutting My Bills By 60%Housing is by far my largest monthly expense. I pay $540 for rent, $120 for electric, $71 for my cell, $10 for my gym membership, $65 for car insurance, and $35 for my internet. By January 2013, I plan to reduce my cell bill and eliminate my rent.
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First Person: Breaking Down My Weekly Grocery BudgetBudgeting for the ever rising price of groceries can be difficult if not impossible. It seems like the bill is always higher than we intend, but I've found a way to buy what I need and stay within my budget whether I have $20 or $50.
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46 Million People on Food Stamps, and the Economy Is Improving?Jobless claims fell last week to 348,000. We still have 46 million people on food stamps, an unofficial unemployment count of 23 million, a 15 trillion dollar deficit, and an International trade decrease of 48 billion, and this is improvement?
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First Person: Surviving on $40 a WeekSurviving a week on $40 means watching every penny, but it can be done. I can buy groceries and put gas in my car with $40. What I can't do is make any extra trips, go out to eat beyond a small sandwich, or attend any events.
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How I Protect My IdentityProtecting my identity is important to me. I don't want to wake up one day and have to deal with a stolen identity. It's expensive and time consuming to deal with, so I take steps to ensure that I am doing all I can to protect my identity.
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Why I Didn’t Have Prenup when I Got MarriedWhen I got married in 2001, I did not have a prenup. I didn't feel the need for one. I owned nothing and was swamped in student loan and credit card debt.
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GIMP: The Best Free Photo Editing SoftwareGIMP, which stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, is the best free software I've found for manipulating and creating images. It takes about an hour to learn the basics.
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First Person: My New Job Cost Me $700I am always amazed at how expensive it is to start a new job. It typically costs me between $500 and $1,000.
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First Person: Using Cash for Small Purchases Makes My Finances Easier to ManageIn my world cash is still king. I use it to make small purchases, buy gas, and to attend events or family get togethers. Using cash decreases the number of transactions in my bank account, and makes my financial life easier to manage.
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First Person: Preventing Retail TheftMost shoplifting is a crime of opportunity. That means that most shoplifting attempts can be prevented before it happens. The trick is to remain vigilant and provide excellent customer service. The last thing shoplifters want is to be noticed.
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Whitney Houston -- Tragically Gone but Not ForgottenSaturday evening saw the death of one of the music industries most beloved singers. Whitney Houston will be missed by her family, her friends, and the entire world.
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First Person: The Cost of My Disposable LifestyleAt my peak, I was spending over $900 a year on disposable products and trash bags. It was a needless expense. There was no need for me to buy disposable items.
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Dad Shoots up Laptop -- Was it Right?I think what Tommy Jordan did was acceptable, but I would have done something different with the laptop. There are a lot of needy student out there that cannot afford home computers. He could have made his daughter present it to one of those students.
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Obama: Health Insurance Compromise Not NeededObama is trying to force religious organizations to provide free birth control to their employees. This goes against those organizations moral beliefs. Furthermore, the government should not be dictating the moral obligations of religious organizations.
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Ron Paul: Liberty, Freedom and MomentumThe Tuesday primaries while only 66 percent important were still important for every candidate. Santorum reenergized his race. Romney fell. Gingrich was unremarkable, and Paul continued to build momentum and his message.
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First Person: Skipping the Dishwasher Is Saving Me $145 a YearI hate my dishwasher. It's inefficient, it leaves the dishes filthy, and no matter whether I use my dishwasher or not, I end up washing my dishes by hand.
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First Person: I'm Eating on Less Than $3 a DayWe all groceries are expensive. It seems like every time I go grocery shopping, the prices just get higher. Instead of dwelling on the prices, I figured out a way to get my per meal cost down to 95 cents including drinks.
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First Person: I Was Overcharged, But I Fought BackWith the increase in identity theft cases and criminals with credit and debit card scanners, an overcharge on a purchase is an anxiety provoking event. In a recent transaction, I bought $44.44 worth of merchandise and was charged $88.88.
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The Things I Could Not Afford While Making Minimum WageWe all know making ends meet while working minimum wage is hard if its even possible at all. When I was making minimum wage, there were basic items that I could not afford because paying my rent and electricity were more important.
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Romney Wins Nevada -- Still Anybody's RaceEven though Romney has jusst won Nevada, it is still anybody's race. However, Gingrich and Santorum need to build some serious momentum if they plan to knock Romney down.
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How I Save $679.85 A Year on CoffeeCoffee is expensive. It doesn't matter if you buy it out or drink it in. With large cans of coffee ranging from $5.99 to $14.99, it's a chunk of change, but drinking coffee in is still almost eight times cheaper than buying it out.
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Go Green: Rosanne Barr for PresidentRoseanne Barr officially announced her intention to run for president on the Green Party ticket. If Barr wants to be taken as a serious candidate, she has some catching up to do, some commercials to make, and some voters to meet.
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First Person: The Real World Costs of Working for MyselfWhen I made the leap from traditional employment to self employment, I gave up financial security, a steady paycheck, health care, and a social life. While that may sound easy, after 10 months I can tell you it's not. In fact, it is very hard.
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First Person: I Decreased My Cost of Living By $5,000 a YearBy being resourceful and having a willingness to move if my bills are too high, I've managed to save over $5,000 a year on my living expenses. That's an average of over $400 a month.
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Candidates Take a Cue from Obama: Find Americans Jobs NowObama might be on to something. He forwarded a man's resume to several employers and potentially got the man a job. Perhaps every candidate on the campaign trail needs to directly find people jobs. Whoever finds the most jobs, gets the presidency.
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First Person: The Register Is Short. Now What?There's nothing quite as heart stopping as missing money at the end of the night, but knowing where to look to find that missing money can mean the difference between closing on a good note or getting written up in the morning.
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First Person: I Was $20 Away From HomelessnessWhen you're broke, every dime counts, and it can mean the difference between succeeding and catastrophically failing. In my case, it was a $20 gift from my brother that allowed me to buy gas to go to an interview and eat until I got my first check.
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First Person: Budgeting on a Commission-Based IncomeTaking a job with a salary and bonus can be tricky. When I work them, I do not count the bonuses as income. They don't arrive regularly with my checks, and I never know if I'm actually going to bonus. Therefore, I strive to live on salary alone.Also published on:
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How I Saved My Company $9,000 in Payroll ExpensesWhen it comes to retail stores, payroll is a big expenses. You need people to run the cash registers, work the sales floor, and manage the people. However, there are ways to keep tabs on payroll, eliminate waste, and save money.
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First Person: Tweaking My Budget Has Saved Me $1,400 a YearAs we all know, there are big costs associated with gym memberships, internet connections, and laundry. At one point, I was paying almost $2,000 a year for those services. These days, I pay a much reduced $600 a year.
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Saving Money Through VendersMost small retail stores look at venders as a hassle, but venders when utilized properly can be a money saving tool. Venders provide man hours, equipment, stocking and maintenance services for free.
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First Person: I Spend Almost 2 Months a Year Working for the GovernmentHave you ever wondered how many days a year you work for the government via taxes? I have, and it comes to an astonishing 58 days a year.
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First Person: Working Minimum Wage Would Cost Me $5,640 a YearHave you ever thought about the true cost of working minimum wage? When I had a minimum wage job, I thought about it all the time. I didn't understand how I could work 40 hours a week and not make ends meet.
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SOTU Response: We’re Still in Bad ShapeLast night's answer to the State Of The Union Address might as well have been the State Of The Union Address. Mitch Daniel's answer highlighted the problems we still face as a nation. We, as a nation, need to elect a president that can make a difference.
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Obama's State of the Union Just Another SpeechImagine what we could do if the United States pulled together. That's what Obama wanted us to take away from his SOTU speech Tuesday night, but it was just another speech. There was no filler and no plan.