Shauna Zamarripa
Shauna Zamarripa is a Jane of many trades. She has been an award winning sales professional and sales manager, boasting over 10 years of experience in personal finance and real estate. Shauna brings a unique, down to earth and straightforward perspective on everything involving your money. Combining her work experience and no-nonsense attitude, Shauna brings important whole view perspectives on life, parenting, the balancing act of life and doing it all on a budget. A small business owner and political activist, there are few things that Shauna doesn’t have an opinion on.
In 2011, Shauna started the Penny Pinchers (www.thepennypinchertips.com) website, a blog focusing on money, money managing and common sense advice that isn t quite so common. She takes some of her advice to the “next level” on her website, and loves visitors.
In addition to Penny Pinchers, Shauna is the CEO and all-around guru for her freelance writing company and her blog consulting firm, as well as owning two small franchises. Shauna is also authoring two EBooks on personal finance and moneymaking; set for release in 2012. Shauna believes in practicing what she preaches, to give her readers and followers new ideas.
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In 2011, Shauna started the Penny Pinchers (www.thepennypinchertips.com) website, a blog focusing on money, money managing and common sense advice that isn t quite so common. She takes some of her advice to the “next level” on her website, and loves visitors.
In addition to Penny Pinchers, Shauna is the CEO and all-around guru for her freelance writing company and her blog consulting firm, as well as owning two small franchises. Shauna is also authoring two EBooks on personal finance and moneymaking; set for release in 2012. Shauna believes in practicing what she preaches, to give her readers and followers new ideas.
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- 6,244,869
- Content
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- Contributor since
- 9/27/2008
Education/Experience
B.A. in MarketingInterests
Real estate, personal finance, credit and business financing, politics, economics, social media, social networkingMotto
Reasons are often just excuses in disguse.
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First Person: How I’m Creating Multiple Streams of Passive IncomeIn today's economy, having passive income isn't just a pipe dream, it's a necessity. At least, it's a necessity for me. Learn what my plan is to stay afloat and be prosperous in 2013 and beyond.
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I’m Saving Over $500 a Year on Skin CareThe average American woman spends a healthy helping of cash on skin care products each year. Then again, I'm not the average American woman. Check out how I save big, and how you can save big too, without sacrificing beautiful skin in the process. -
First Person: My One Year Credit Clean Up PlanCleaning up credit post divorce is a must for many women like me. FInd out how I'm paying off $15,000 worth of debt and increasing my income all year long, now and always.
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Texas Should Shine a Legislative Light on Sexual Abuse CasesThe laws aren't tough enough, and they aren't tough enough to save you from over half a million predators currently unregistered and unpunished in the Lone Star State. -
First Person: Paying Off Debts Post DivorceDebt and divorce go hand in hand, but they become more bearable when you have a plan.
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Divorced Divas: A Single Mother’s Financially Fit GuidebookDivorce is never easy, but it can be a little easier if you have a plan in place. -
Parenting Guru: New Year, New Style, New MeIn parenting, and even in life, sometimes you just have to change things up a bit. I did, and I think it's working. -
Cons to Social Networking for KidsYou might be like me, believing that social networking for kids is just another benign time waster. And, like me, you would be wrong. There are more than a few cons when it comes to social networking for kids. -
First Person: I’m Preparing for Another RecessionEven in the wake of positive financial news about the avoidance of the fiscal cliff, I remain cautious and skeptical. After all, it's better to prepare for the worst if what you get is the best in return. -
7 Tips on Raising Girls with Healthy Self-EsteemBetween media stereotypes, girl wars and the seemingly never-ending need that girls today feel to grow up and sexualize themselves, I dare say that raising girls is more difficult than it has ever been before. -
Hot holiday shopping tipsThis holiday you might be under a time (or a budget) crunch, but these shopping tips might help. -
When (And Why) Teenage Girls Need Birth ControlTeen pregnancy is down, but I'm hoping that it will decline even further if more parents arm themselves with information. -
Real beauty tips that won't break the bankMy vanity is a little bit bigger than my budget. However, I don't break the bank on beauty. And this is how I avoid it. -
First Person: The Truth About Mortgage FraudMortgage fraud seems to be everywhere. It's important to know how to protect yourself and your largest asset.
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First Person: 6 Myths About 529 College Savings PlansWith two kids and college and one more on her way, I needed to do my homework about 529 plans. And what I found out may shock you.
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Parenting Guru: Sometimes you just have to say thank youThis Thanksgiving, I know what I am thankful for. Do you? -
First Person: 4 No Money Down MortgagesZero money down mortgages are scarce, but they do still exist if you qualify.
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First Person: 6 Ways I’m Saving More Before the End of the YearI am always on the lookout for new, improved ways to save. This year, I'm on track to save even more than last year, using six simple strategies.
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First Person: 5 Facts About Home EquityHome equity is a tricky business, and there are some things about yours that you need to know.
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First Person: 6 Questions to Ask About Your Spouse’s FinancesRelationships today are more like business partnerships than what we may care to admit. Because of this, it's important to know some details about your spouse's financial situation, regardless of how long you have been together.
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First Person: I Budget Like I’m BrokeSpending like I'm broke pays off in more than just one way.
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First Person: How Looming Tax Hikes Will Hit My Middle Class FamilyWith the George W. Bush tax cuts set to expire in December, I had to do some serious thinking about decreasing my personal tax liability.
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Talking to your friends about money doesn’t have to be tabooMany women lie about money. However, even more disturbing than that, they lie about money to their closest friends. Are you one of them? -
Are schools in the business of racial profiling?Florida schools are changing student standards based on nothing more than the color of their skin. If it were your kids, would you be okay with that? Because, I'm not.
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If You Have Pink Hair, You Need to Go HomeKids who are dying their hair pink for breast cancer awareness are being asked to go home from school. So, what's the big deal? -
True Stories of Teen MomsBeing a teenage mother is anything but glamorous, no matter what the critics may say. -
What Really Belongs in the Yearbook?A recent controversy over a high school yearbook scandal in Minnesota got me to thinking, and it got me to thinking pretty hard. -
First Person: 5 Things Every Homebuyer Needs to Know About Locking a Mortgage RateAll too often, when it came to locking a mortgage rate, buyers had more questions than answers. Yet, direct from a pro, I can tell you that doing a bit of research on rate locks ahead of time pays off in the end.
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First Person: Home Decorating on a DimeWith a little creativity and elbow grease, I learned how to decorate my home on the cheap.
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First Person: I Paid Off $45,000 in Debt in 12 MonthsGetting a $45,000 monkey off my back was no easy feat, but having it off my back was worth every penny.
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Whose job is it to teach kids about cash?Some experts say that schools should take on the task of teaching kids about money management. I don't agree. Find out why.
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How I make the most out of my Costco membershipCostco offers up deep dish savings to consumers, but are you making the most out of your Costco membership? I am.
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Cyberbullies: Who is to Blame?After the recent suicide of Amanda Todd, I had to wonder: who is really to blame when it comes to cyerbullies, the kids or the parents?
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How I avoided letting financial desperation destroy my futureIf there is one thing I learned about being down and out, it's that you have to make change, not wait for it.
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First Person: 6 Ways to Avoid ForeclosureBesides applying for a hardship application, there are several things that people can do to save their homes from foreclosure. I, personally, know of six.
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How I broke into a new career with no experienceLack of experience doesn't mean you can't change careers. All you have to do is make the right moves.
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Helicopter parenting: Long term effectsI have always said hovering was a bad idea, and it turns out that I was right.
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How I raised savers, not spendersI raised two down-to-earth, smart and sophisticated savers. Want to know how I did it?
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5 Secrets to Being a Happy MomBeing a happy mom really doesn't require a lot of finesse, just a few simple secrets to help get you through the day.
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Childhood Obesity: Let’s Talk TurkeyMaybe we are going about fixing the childhood obesity epidemic all wrong. A recent experience led me to wonder if that isn't the case.
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7 Habits of My Highly Effective KidsEffective kids, to me, are happy kids. Want to know how I raised two incredibly effective sprogs?
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Talk to Your Kids About Money: Having ‘The Other’ TalkMany parents find it harder to talk to kids about money than they do about drugs. If you want to make it easier to talk to your kids about cash, you need to read this.
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First Person: 4 Ways I’m Helping My Kids Fund Their College EducationIf I have learned anything about sending twins to college it's that college is only as expensive as you make it. Proper planning pays off. :)
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The financial side to being a stay-at-home momAs a stay at home mom, it's possible to have your financial cake and eat it too. That is, if you are willing to think outside the box.
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Why are your kids on Facebook if Facebook doesn’t want them there?Facebook clearly states that users under 13 have no business on this social networking playground. So why are 5.6 million children under 13 playing there?
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First Person: 5 Little Known Ways Your Home Can Pay You BackIf you play your cards right (and know a little bit about money) you can structure your life so that you house pays you back.
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Is Over-Parenting the Answer? Probably NotIf you are an overprotective parent, you need to read this. Really.
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30 Things I Wish My 18-Year-Old Self KnewAge generally brings wisdom, and it's that wisdom I'd like to share with you know.
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Parenting Guru: 5 minutes to a happier childEvery family goes from fight to favor differently. And while my method might not be standard, it's unique, it works and I've learned something from it. Even better, it really only takes five minutes.
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Parenting Guru: I nominate my daughtersMy kids rock. No, seriously. That's why I nominate them for my own personal brand for "kids of the year".
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Parenting Guru: Believing in the paranormal is the new normal for meI never really believed in ghosts. That is, until I saw one.
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Parenting Guru: 3 tips for fashionable, busy momsJust because you are a mom, doesn't mean you have to look like one.
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Parenting Guru: Pictures say a thousand words, and then someSome pictures say a thousand words. Others tell an even better story.
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Parenting Guru: My daughter bought "50 Shades of Grey"… Now what?My daughter bought an erotic novel. How am I dealing with that? In the most mature, possible way I can.
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First Person: Kiss Your Free Checking Account GoodbyeFree checking might be on the verge of extinction.
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First Person: 10 Little Known Credit Card PerksCredit card perks are out there, but you might have to dig to find them.
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First Person: Making the Most of My PaychecksMaximizing deductions is one way to make the most of your paycheck, but it isn't the only one.
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First Person: 4 Ways to Include Your Home in Your Estate PlanYour home is typically your most valuable asset. Do you know how to protect it after you pass on?
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First Person: Is Pet Insurance Worth It?With one dog and five pets, I had to wonder: Is pet insurance worth it?
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First Person: How Much Do Payday Loans Really Cost?Once I found out the real cost of payday loans, I vowed never to have one again.
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First Person: How I’m Controlling Business ExpensesNot all business expenses are necessary. And while I had to learn that the hard way, perhaps you can learn from some of my business lessons.
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First Person: Is a Home Equity Loan the Way Out of Debt?Home equity loans can be a great way to pay off credit card debt, as long as you have a plan.
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How I stay frugally fitStaying fit on a budget isn't as hard as you might think.
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First Person: 6 Ways to Screw Up Your Home PurchaseSix home buying mistakes are extremely common. Avoid making them with these tips.
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First Person: Are Labor Unions Out of Date?Paying into a union cost my husband and I over $4,500. Yet, we were left feeling underwhelmed. Are today's unions out of date or just out of touch?
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First Person: 6 Easy Steps to a Mortgage RefinanceGetting a mortgage refinance might not always be easy, but it doesn't have to be extremely difficult either. With rates at historic lows, get the inside track on making this huge transaction much easier.
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First Person: How Much Can You Save by Refinancing Your Mortgage?Refinancing my mortgage saved me over $138,000 in interest charges. How much could you save?
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First Person: 6 Money Mistakes I’m Not MakingMoney mistakes can cost you. Find out what I'm saving.
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First Person: The 4 Keys to Buying a Home in This MarketBuying a home in today's market is different than buying a home four years ago. Do you know what's changed?
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First Person: Budgeting When You're BrokeBudgeting when you are broke is difficult, but it's not impossible.
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First person: 6 ways I made it work as a part-time entrepreneurSuccessful entrepreneurship means excellent having timing. I took a part time project to a full time income.
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First Person: 8 Painless Ways I’m Saving MoneyYou don't always have to sacrifice in order to save. I don't.
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First Person: I’m Feeding My Family of 5 on $100 a WeekI'm feeding a family of five on $100 a week. Do you want to know how I'm doing it?
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First Person: 5 Ways I’m Combating Higher Health Insurance PremiumsHealth insurance premiums have increased over 97 percent in the past decade. All the same, I figured out five effective ways to keep my costs down.
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First Person: 5 Personality Traits of a WorkaholicWorkaholism is a serious addiction. I know. It cost a friend of mine everything he had.
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First Person: The Cost of Living Without a Bank AccountOver 10 million Americans live without a bank account, but how much does that cost them? I went without my bank account for a week to find out.
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First Person: 6 Signs You Chose an Awful Real Estate AgentReal estate agents might be a dime a dozen, but great agents are worth their weight in gold. Don’t get duped by a dud.
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First Person: Real Estate Investing 101Even in a down market, it is possible to build a real estate empire on the back of a small investment.
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First Person: 5 Ways I’m Not Wasting Money on My KidsI decided (a long time ago) that I wasn't going to waste money on my kids. Do you want to know what I'm not doing?
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First Person: How to Find the Perfect RealtorFor many buyers and sellers, real estate agents can feel like they are a dime a dozen. However, just like every other profession, there are those who are good at what they do, but then, there are those who are excellent. Find the second one.
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First Person: 5 Ways to Completely Screw Up Your Home ListingYou have enough problems, don't let your real estate listing become one of them.
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First Person: 5 Facts About FHA LoansFHA loans remain wildly popular, but do you know why? It's time to get the facts.
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First Person: 5 Rules for First-Time Home SellersFirst time home sellers can be challenging, but mostly to themselves. Review these five rules to help sell your house fast.
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First Person: 6 Really Bad Pieces of Financial Advice to Avoid at All CostsEven with financial planners, it's possible to get bad advice. Do you know what the top six pieces of really bad financial advice are? I do.
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Surviving Toddlers and Saving My SanitySurviving toddlers is never easy. Learn the five sanity savers I used that helped me survive twins in the toddler years.
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First Person: How the Foreclosure in Your Neighborhood Hurts YouThe foreclosure in your neighborhood hurts your property value, and it does it in some ways you might not even be aware of. Find out how foreclosures hurt you, and what you can do to help homeowners in distress.
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First Person: Should You Rent or Buy?In today's market, it's time to make a decision: rent or buy?
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3 tips to help you avoid money arguments with your spouseDo you argue with your spouse about money? I used to, but I haven't in three years. Do you want to know my secret?
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Cutting down on the rising costs of childcareThe average household pays more for daycare for two kids than they do for rent. Want some ideas on cutting down or cutting out daycare costs altogether?
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Are we using our kids as guinea pigs for new parenting styles?Parenting styles come and go, but it seems as if tried and true techniques persist. What's with all the new stuff, anyway?
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First Person: 8 Ways I Boosted My Productivity at WorkIncreasing my productivity helped me earn more, and it might just do the same for you.
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Do schools get too much say so?From banning hugs to cartwheels and now micro-chipping students in San Antonio, are schools taking over as parents for our kids?
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Are You Disciplining Your Child the ‘Right’ Way?Are you anti-spanking? Pro-spanking? Maybe it's time to give spanking another look, from a new point of view: my kids'.
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Is it Realistic to Plan Your Family Dinners?It's easy to find an excuse to not have dinner together as a family, but once you see the benefits of doing it, you might just find a way.
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I Have No Problem with How You Want to Raise Your Kid Until…From 'go go juice' to little boys going to school in dresses extreme (and extremely bad) parents seem to make the news everyday: where do we draw the line? Should we draw a line at all? I think we should.
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First Person: Ditching Our Second Car Saved Us $13,000 a YearGoing from two cars to a single car with four drivers in our house was a hard decision, but it's one that has paid off for my family, in more ways than one.
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First Person: Christmas Is Not an EmergencyYou already know that the holidays are coming, but you also know that they are pre-scheduled. So why do you continue acting like Christmas is an emergency?
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First Person: 5 Home Repairs You Should Never Put OffEven if you are short on cash, putting off these home repairs could cost you. And it could cost you big.
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First Person: 5 Dirt Cheap Home Staging IdeasStaging your home is crucial to the sales process, regardless of its zip code. If you don't have the cash on hand to hire a professional, use these dirt-cheap tips instead.
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First Person: Even When Borrowing From a 401(k) Seems Like a Good Idea, it Isn'tShould you borrow from your 401k to buy a house, get a car or start a business? Maybe, but maybe not. Check out my expert take on 401k borrowing. You might just be surprised by what you learn.
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First Person: How to Follow Up After a Job InterviewThe art of the post interview follow up seems to have gotten lost. However, following up after a job interview is still important, and it's even more important to do it the right way.
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First Person: 5 Reasons I Chose a Roth IRADo you have a Roth IRA? I do. And I have five fiscally responsible reasons why.
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First Person: 4 Easy Ways I Cut My Gas CostsUsing just four tiny tweaks, you too can save as much as $500 a year at the pump -- or more.
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First Person: I'm Not Going to Die BrokeAfter reading a Market Watch report that said over half of retirees die with no money, I made sure that my spouse and I wouldn't be among them.
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First Person: I’m Leveraging Labor Day Sales to Save Even More MoneyLabor Day is the unsung hero of most other shopping holidays. Want to know why? Read on.
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First Person: My Debt Free LifeI live a cash only life, and if you that it's hard in this economy, that's an understatement. However, once you understand why, you might find yourself totally on board.
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First Person: My $1,000 Room RemodelRoom remodeling projects can get expensive, but that's only when you don't plan properly. I figured out how to remodel my entire house, room by room, on the ultra cheap.
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First Person: Car Repair Estimates on the Web?Have you ever been ripped off by a mechanic? I have. However, thanks to a few nifty online resources, I won't be ever again.
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First Person: I Still Think College is ‘Worth It’NBC published an article challenging the value of a college degree. Is an undergraduate education still worth it? See what I found out.
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First Person: I Didn’t Splurge on Back to SchoolThe average family is projected to spend over $500 on back to school shopping this year. Thankfully, I'm not part of the average family.
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3 bad spending habits to kickOver the years, it's easy to fall into bad spending habits. Kicking them, on the other hand, is much more difficult. I know. I kicked three, and it was easier said than done.
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10 steps to business ownershipIf you are like me, you don’t want to participate in the recession. You still believe in the American Dream. You believe you can build something. And you’ve decided you want to take the steps to business ownership. But how?
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Help! I’ve Turned into My Mother!My biggest fear is that I am going to turn into my mother. I am now facing that biggest fear. And I'm scared to death.
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Parenting Guru: I’m making exceptions to the rulesRecently, I made some exceptions to my rules. And I'm really glad I did.
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First Person: Understanding Blank Check Auto LoansBlank check auto loans are the wave of the car buying future. Do you know what you need to know about buying your next car using the easiest method possible? Because I do.
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Have a case of the back-to-school blues? I don’tMy daughter has a case of the back to school blues. Is it horrible that I don't share her frustration?
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Okay, unbaby me: Remove baby pictures from your FacebookUnbaby me is a new app that removes baby pictures from your Facebook, and I'm all ears.
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First Person: Sellers, Consider What You Will Make Up on the Buying EndBefore you nix the idea of selling your house, consider whether or not you are leaving money on the table when it comes to the buying end. Want to know more? Read on.
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First Person: Live Large on a Small BudgetI make $80,000, but live on $30,000. Do you want to know how?
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First Person: 4 Ways I Maximize My Medical DeductionsTracking your medical expenses is the first step to maximizing your savings.
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First Person: 5 Tips for Home Sellers in Soft MarketsSelling in a soft market might be tricky, but it certainly isn't impossible.
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First Person: I Have 3 Emergency FundsI realized I needed more than one emergency fund, and that I had bitten off a little more than I could chew. That is, until I changed my financial meal plan.
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First Person: 5 Qualities of a Successful SalespersonBeing a salesperson is one thing, being a successful salesperson is quite another.
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Are We Teaching Teenage Girls the Value of Self-respect?Teens need to learn how to respect themselves, and we might be falling down on the job as instructors.
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My Teen Wants Plastic SurgeryWhat would you say if your teenage daughter said she wanted cosmetic surgery?
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Why Are We Still Battling Cyberbullying?My daughters were cyberbullied and they handled it quite well. Why isn’t cyberbullying already a problem that’s fixed?
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First Person: Pricing a Home to Sell When You Are Selling it by YourselfProper pricing sells homes, with or without a pro. Learn secrets from a real estate professional to help you get the right price.
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First Person: 10 Home Selling Rules for a Faster, More Profitable SaleIf you want to sell quickly, and for the most money, you really need to follow the rules.
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First Person: 7 Sneaky Ways Your Car Dealer Is Ripping You OffIn my time selling cars, I got quite an education about car buying, and how dealers rip off average consumers.
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First Person: 5 Reasons Your Dog Just Blew Your Home SaleNot every buyer is going to love your furry creatures as much as you do.
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First Person: Thanks to Swipe Fees Cash Is (Still) KingWould you pay an additional two or three percent fee just to use your credit card? Because, in the not so distant future, you might be paying a lot more to use the little pieces of plastic in your wallet.
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First Person: Tips for Selling (and Buying) an ADA Modified HomeBuying and selling an ADA modified home can be a little tricky.
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First Person: 4 Apps That Help Me Earn Money on the GoDid you know that you can earn money and create a legitimate stream of income from your smart phone? You can, and I"ll show you how to do it.
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First Person: Goodbye Costly Cable, Hello RokuI ditched costly cable in favor of new tech. Now, I'm saving over $2,000 a year!
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5 ways to save on green household cleanersI save on household cleaners in some rather surprising ways.
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First Person: GM’s Subprime Initiative Is a Good ThingWith General Motors catering to subprime buyers, I saw an advantage I couldn't pass up.
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5 apps that help me save big-time on groceries, all the timeI am always on the hunt for great buys, and apps that help me find them.
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First Person: Life Without Social SecuritySocial Security is feeling the crunch. However, thanks to proactive planning, I'm not.
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6 surprising ways to save money with your smart phoneSmart phone addicts unite! Not only is your smart phone your best friend, if you use it correctly, it can save you some money too.
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I’m spending smarter to save even moreSpending smarter using a combination of resources helps me save more each year. How much more? Probably more than you think.Also published on:
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First Person: Real Estate Investing for BeginnersDo you think real estate investing isn't for you? Think again.
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First Person: 5 Summer Jobs That Pay Surprisingly WellMy family has been fortunate in that live in an area that wasn’t hit as hard by the housing fallout as most others. We didn’t lose much equity. We aren’t upside down on our mortgage. However, that doesn’t mean that we don’t have our struggles.
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Losing a House: Damon’s StoryDamon was a client of mine -- one who, unfortunately, I just couldn't help.
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Texas Votes, and I’m Making Mine Count for CruzWhen weighing Dewhurst against Cruz, Dewhurst came up wanting.
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First Person: These 4 Bad Habits Were Costing Me $580 a MonthHabits can be hard to break. That is, unless you have a little incentive to break them.
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First Person: 4 Things I Am Buying (And Saving Big On)Even though prices might be advancing on necessities, it might be the perfect time to engage in some frivolous spending.
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First Person: 5 Steps to Grocery Shopping (and Money Saving) BlissI am one of “those people.” And by “those people”, I mean the kind of person who constantly tweaks her daily activities to find better, more efficient ways of doing just about everything. Grocery shopping included.
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First Person: A Year in the Life of a MinimalistIf a year of minimalism is worth $5,000, two years is worth $10,000.
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First Person: 7 Ways to Save Big When Dining OutYou don't have to fork over big bucks to dine out. I don't.
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First Person: Poverty Rates Are Rising, Is the Economy Really Improving?Poverty rates are at their highest since 1965, and that scares me.
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First Person: 6 Tips for a Successful Open HouseThink having a successful open house is easy? Think again.
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First Person: Are You Flirting With Financial Disaster?Avoid these five mistakes my clients make, and stay on the financial straight and narrow.
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First Person: U.S. Satisfaction Rate at Two-Year High, but I Am (Still) Not HappyEven though many Americans are satisfied with the state of the nation, the majority still sees some room for improvement, and I am part of that majority.
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First Person: How Much House Can You Really Afford?I have worked with hundreds of buyers. Unfortunately, I have seen hundreds of mistakes. If you want to avoid these same home buying mishaps, follow my three step home buying formula.
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First Person: Having a Joint Checking Account (Almost) Ruined My MarriageOne big question that goes along with getting married is whether you should join financial forces or keep accounts separate. The Wall St. Journal released a new report about money and marriage, but it's nothing I didn't already know.
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First Person: An Online Sales Tax Won’t Change My Shopping HabitsOnline shopping is getting a facelift, and it is one that has many consumers running for the hills.
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When Should You Cut the Financial Cord?At 18, my kids are legal adults. Does that mean I should cut the financial cord?
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A freelancer’s guide to money management for retirementRetirement is coming for us all. Are you ready?
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5 financial fitness exercisesWhen I applied finance to fitness, I achieved financial fitness.
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6 ways I make frugality more funThe word frugal turns a lot of folks off. However, if you figure out how to make frugal fun, you can save your money, and your sanity. I did.
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First Person: How to Do a House Walk Through Before ClosingBefore a closing, a home walk through shouldn't be negotiable.
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First Person: 5 Ways to Give Your Credit a FaceliftYour credit says a lot about you. Make sure yours sends the right message by using these five credit boosting tips.
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First Person: How to Sell a House With a Tenant in ItFor many sellers, putting a house on the market when a tenant is in it can be nothing short of a nightmare. However, I figured out a simple plan that can turn your nightmare into a dream come true.
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Parenting Guru: Back to school: The more things change, the more they stay the sameThe first day of Kindergarten and the first day of college weren't very different. At least, not for me.Also published on:
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Waxing on and Waxing Off About Unde-Aged WaxingIs your pre-teen old enough to get a bikini wax?
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First Person: 8 Ways You Are Violating Your Lease that You Don’t Even Know AboutYou might think you are the perfect tenant, but even the perfect tenant makes mistakes. Check out this list and see if anything you've done puts you in the realm of lease violator.
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First Person: 5 Signs You Need a New RealtorIs your realtor up to par? If not, it might be time to say goodbye.
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First Person: Common Scents Sell HomesWhen it comes to selling your house, make sure your strategy doesn’t stink.
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First Person: The 7 Hats Your Realtor WearsMany clients have unrealistic expectations when entering into a real estate transaction. It's time to change that.
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First Person: 3 Tips for Traveling With Credit CardsWhen I travel, I make sure I have financial peace of mind.
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First Person: 6 Tips for a Painless Home ClosingClosing on a home isn't easy, but it can be easier if you follow my six expert tips.
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First Person: 5 Steps to a Great Credit ScoreI was able to raise my score over 200 points using these five tips.
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How I saved $18,000 a year (and my sanity) by living frugallyFrugal living gave me more than just savings, it was also good for my family.
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First Person: I Was Wasting $587 a Year on Service FeesYou might not realize it, but service fees really do nickle and dime you to death.
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First Person: I Shop My Car Insurance Rates Every 6 MonthsShopping for car insurance today came with a little homework.
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First Person: 5 Emotional Pitfalls for Home BuyersBuying a house is a business transaction. Making it anything more than that leads to trouble.
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First Person: 5 Tips for a Successful Short SaleShort sales aren’t just the last step in foreclosure prevention, they are also the starting point to prevent future financial problems. Make sure yours is successful.
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First Person: 4 Emotional Mistakes Home Sellers MakeEmotions and real estate don't mix. Here's why.
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Voting and ID’s Belong TogetherVoters need to have photo identification. Period.
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First Person: My Not-So-Extreme Approach to CouponingI don't have the time to coupon to the extreme, but I did find some ways to come close in 45-minutes or less.
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First Person: I Cut $3,900 Out of My Annual BudgetIt's easy to save money using these simple techniques.
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First Person: I Earn $1,600 a Year in Cash Back RewardsI found a way to maximize cash back rewards, and how to double and triple dip to make the most out of each dime I spend.
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Everything you ever wanted to know about tipping etiquetteDo you tip enough? Do you know who to tip? This guide tells you everything you need to know about the dos and don'ts of tipping.
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6 common costs of owning a petBefore adopting a new pet, find out how much it's going to cost to own that little ball of fluff.
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First Person: Cool It: 7 Ways I’m Keeping My Cool This SummerI'm saving between $350 to $600 a year using seven simple strategies.
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First Person: 5 Steps to a Successful Home Equity LoanHome equity loans and lines of credit require some homework on your part.
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First Person: What Obamacare Means to My Taxes (And Maybe Even to Yours)I ran the numbers, without the individual mandate. What I found might interest you.
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I’m feeding my family of 5 on $100 a weekIt is possible to feed a family of five on $100 a week, and do it while buying healthy foods. Do you want to know how? I can show you.Also published on:
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Food Wars: Are You Losing?I never had picky eaters. Want to know how I avoided this bane of mothers everywhere? Read on.
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Moms: Do You Need to Be Needed?I needed to be needed, a little too much. It was time for me to let go.
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Moms: Are You Over-Giving?Does over giving make for better kids? Take a gander at what I found out, in my own "controlled experiment".
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Budgeting when I was broke led to more than extra moneyCreating a budget led to more change than just the literal type.Also published on:
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Confessions of an office gossipOffice gossip doesn't just hurt the victim, it hurts your career.Also published on:
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First Person: The Housing Market is Improving ... Really This TimeAfter years of being sold false hope, is the market really improving? I think it is, and I'll tell you why.
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First Person: A Frugal 4th of July BarbecueAre you planning on having a 4th of July shin dig? If you want to cut the price tag, do what I do.Also published on:
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My day in court: Parents set the toneI believe that parents set the tone that their kids will follow. Recently, I tested my theory in court.Also published on:
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Operation object lessonMy daughter thought she could handle being "mom" better than I could. Naturally, I put her to the test.Also published on:
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First Person: Consumer Confidence Sucks? Mine TooConsumers aren’t happy. In fact, consumers are downright scared -- and so am I.
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First Person: Scammed By a Collection AgencyLast year we learned more than we ever cared to about how collection agencies played dirty, but we also learned how to stop them in their tracks.Also published on:
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First Person: Understanding Deficiency JudgmentsForeclosures and deficiency judgments often go hand in hand.Also published on: