Shauna Zamarripa
Shauna Zamarripa is a Jane of all trades and master of a few. She has been an award winning sales professional and sales manager, with 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. (Hint, hint).
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. As such, you can find her selling things on Ebay, engaging in smart spending, finding legitimate moneymaking prospects online, dabbling in real estate investing and fostering multiple streams of income. Sit back, relax and enjoy your read.
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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. (Hint, hint).
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. As such, you can find her selling things on Ebay, engaging in smart spending, finding legitimate moneymaking prospects online, dabbling in real estate investing and fostering multiple streams of income. Sit back, relax and enjoy your read.
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- 9/27/2008
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B.A. in MarketingInterests
Real estate, personal finance, credit and business financing, politics, economics, social media, social networkingMotto
"Do or don't do, there is no try." -YodaAffiliations
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First Person: The Eurozone Crisis Freaks Me OutGreece is in turmoil and threatens to take the European Union with it. But did you know that if Greece tanks, the US will suffer too?
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First Person: Why I Didn't Buy Into the Facebook IPO HypeI know far too many people that bought into the Facebook IPO hype. Thankfully, I'm not one of those people.Also published on:
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My daughter’s money earning summerThere will be no summer camps or lazy days at my house this year. This year, we are doing something a little different.
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How I went from Suzy Homemaker to Career Titan and Successful Business OwnerAs a stay-at-home mom entering the workforce, I had my share of challenges, but I also had my share of greatness.
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First Person: Real Life Confessions of a ShopaholicI wasn't always a shopaholic, but when I was, I was one of the worst.
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First Person: When Welfare Doesn’t WorkDesmond Hatchett fathered 30 children from 11 different women, and can't pay child support. When the dad is a deadbeat, should the state always pay? Or is it time for some moms to ante up too?
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First Person: Weighing in on a Fat TaxIs a fat tax a stroke of brilliance, or just more rules we don't need?
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Cutting the Cord: My Take on an Empty NestAre you holding on to your kids a little two tightly? These parents are, and it could cost them.
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Making my teenagers pay their own wayDealing with kids and money is a difficult thing for most parents. That's why you need a plan.
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Can a bipolar mother be a good mother?Bipolar disorder is widely misunderstood, but do you think a mental ill mother can still be a good mother? I do.
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How I raised atypical teenagersI don't have normal teenagers, and I don't have normal teenagers on purpose. -
Are Parents Today Overly Litigious?My daughter is headed to court, to protect someone she doesn't even like, and it's all thanks to litigious parents.
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A Letter to My GraduatesHigh school graduation is upon us, and I have some words to share with my girls as they walk across that stage, to enter a new stage in life.
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First Person: From $45,000 in Debt to a Cash-Only LifeI wanted it all and I wanted it now, until I learned what it was really costing me.
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First Person: I’m Making Money (And Credit) a Family AffairAs my twins' 18th birthday looms ever closer, we sat down to discuss and navigate their credit.
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3 of the best, no-hassle coupon websites that save me big bucksSaving money should be easy. And it is, if you know where to shop for deals, coupons and cash back.
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First Person: 5 Ways That Low Interest Rates Benefit Average AmericansLow interest rates mean buying power for many Americans. However, it's important to use that power wisely.
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My Family Style BudgetThe only way my family can stick to a budget, and learn something, is by doing it together. -
Parenting Guru: The worst road trip ever, bar noneCops, lost wallets, flushed evidence and screaming toddlers...and that was just on day three. If you want a wicked road trip that makes most others feel like a walk in the park, read on. -
Down Days: My Struggle with DepressionDepression is a scary thing. Take it from someone who has been there.
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Moms: Are We Just a Bunch of Boobs?The new TIME magazine cover sparked a national debate. Are all moms just a bunch of boobs?
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Going Insane: My Monthly Workout ChallengeYou don't need to go to the gym to get the body you want, I certainly don't.
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Ron Paul: The Message Is More Important Than the ManRon Paul might soon be out of the presidential race, but that doesn't mean the revolution is over.
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First Person: Should Freezing Student Loan Rates Be Up for Debate?Does your child really need a student loan?
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First Person: Is the Post Office Bill Just Another Bailout?Is the post office too big to fail?
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First Person: Unemployment Is Down, But So Is Job CreationThe unemployment rate dropped, but so did the number of jobs created. How do we fix a stagnant market?
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4 last-minute Mother’s Day gift ideasIf you are in an pinch for a Mother's Day gift, have no fear. You are not alone.
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First Person: The 4 Places I Don’t Swipe My Debit Card AnymoreYou might think you are doing your best to protect your finances by using your debit card instead of cash, but you’d be dead wrong.Also published on:
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First Person: 5 Small Business Lessons I Learned From ‘The Hunger Games’You can’t go anywhere lately without hearing mention of the hit film, “The Hunger Games.” But did you know that there are some deeper lessons business owners can learn from Katniss and company?
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Florida manatees: Myths, mermaids, and moreA recent sighting of manatees off the Florida coastline has caused a case of manatee madness.
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55-year-old grandma is on the cusp of making professional cheerleading historySharon Simmons might be the oldest cheerleader in NFL history.
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First Person: Our Car Insurance Saved Us $10,000When my husband totaled our 2003 Honda Accord we lost our car, but we saved $10,000 --thanks to our insurance.
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Confessions of a Video Game AddictI am a gaming nerd, a geek and a diva. At one point, I even used to be an addict. This is the story of how I figured that out, and how I broke the habit --sort of.
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What my social media addiction cost meI confess: I am a Facebook addict. I am also a Twitter addict, a Digg junkie and a LinkedIn fanatic … You get the idea. However, today I come to you as a junkie no more.
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5 iPhone apps that make me a better grocery shopperI use my iPhone for everything, including saving money at the market.
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My Career as a Manic MarketerMarketing isn’t for everyone. And even though I spent beau coups of dollars on my marketing degree, I found out it wasn’t for me either.
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Having (And Sticking To) My Business BudgetI managed profit and loss statements for a multimillion-dollar company for many years. Thanks to that experience, I figured budgeting for my own business would be a piece of cake.
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My Daughter, the 'The Bully'A woman told me that my daughter was a bully, and I thought she was right.
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Mr. And Mrs. Taxpayer: Here is Mrs. Obama’s Tab…AgainMichelle Obama has a spending problem. The problem is, she's spending taxpayer money.
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Parenting Guru: 25 things I never (again) have to tell my teenage daughtersAs my twins near adulthood, this is the last summer that they will really be "kids", and I fear that I have run out of conventional motherly advice.
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The Darker Side of AutismBeating up any kid is wrong, but what happens when he hits first? And, when he hits a girl?
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Celebrate Arbor Day with your kidsIt's not hard (or expensive) to celebrate Arbor Day.
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Octomom's rough week: Potty training and child welfare complaintsOctomom made news again, but this time it was the state of California who took the spotlight.
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How Much Your Birth Control is Going to Cost MeHave you run the numbers on the notion of free birth control? I have.
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First Person: I’ll Never Settle for Earning Less Than Any ManIncome inequality is alive and well in the workplace and in your paycheck. Do you know how to handle it?
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First Person: Rising Gas Prices Are Pinching My BudgetI'm digging in to make more cuts, thanks to higher gas prices. However, how are my cuts affecting my local economy?
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First Person: One Nation, Under InflationInflation is all around us. Should we remain calm, or question the ethics of the Fed?
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6 tips that help me manage my time, like a bossI can manage my time like a boss, can you?
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Financial literacy for collegeIt’s financial literacy month, and my month was fraught with challenges. I’m sending twins to college, and I’m doing it without either them or me taking out a dime in loans.
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First Person: 5 Hard Fought Lessons Learned from Fighting Financial BubblesAfter having lost enough money for two lifetimes in two separate stock market implosions, I think I’ve finally learned my lesson.
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First Person: 5 College Aid Myths BustedIt may be the information age, but misinformation still reigns supreme --especially when it comes to financial aid data.
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First Person: Confessions of a Debt DodgerWhen I couldn’t pay, I dodged my debt. However, what I learned as a debt dodger might surprise you.
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How I juggle work, life, and happiness like a proOver the years, I have learned to become quite the expert juggler. I juggle multiple schedules, budgets, meal times, laundry schedules, work life and my happiness like a pro. Can you say the same?
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Gender inequality is alive and well in your paycheckOver the past three decades, women have made remarkable advances in the workplace, proving they are valuable employees. So, why are women still undervalued?
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Is it okay to get angry with your children?In society today, losing your temper or getting aggravated with your tykes is frequently synonymous with your being painted as a lousy mother. Or, is it?
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4 ‘Shameless’ life lessons I want my kids to learnIt might be unconventional, but sometimes I use TV to teach my kids a lesson…or four.
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Confessions of an Unapologetic YellerI yell, and I’m not sorry that I do. In fact, I think there is a benefit to yelling that no one is talking about.
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The Last Minute School Project Freak Out FailWhat do you do when your child is a perfect procrastinator?
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‘Fatness’ Everdeen: ‘The Hunger Games’ and Teenage Body ImageIs Jennifer Lawrence too fat? More importantly, how do recent reviews citing her body impact the average teenager?
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5 Things Your Real Estate Agent Isn’t Telling You About Your NeighborhoodCheck out my insider track on what your agent might not be saying about your neighborhood.
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First Person: Is It Time to Move or Not?Making the decision to move is complex, make sure you’re making the smartest choice before you pull the trigger.
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First person: I am moving on upMoving up does not have to be hard, especially when you plan for it.
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First Person: 4 Open House Mistakes No FSBO Seller Should MakeI have met some folks determined to sell their homes without hiring an agent. Some of these folks are successful, but most fall flat.
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First Person: 7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying My First HomeBuying your first home is scary, but making mistakes can make things even worse.
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First Person: Real Estate Should Be an Investment, Not a Money PitFirst time home buyers who heeded my first time home buying advice took it to the bank, netting two times what my their counterparts took home.
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First Person: 4 Ways Getting Fit Saved Me $5,300 Per YearGetting fit saved me money, and saved me a lot of it.
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First Person: 8 Financial Apps That I Can't Live WithoutOn the go, I rely a lot of my iPhone for everything and managing my money is no exception.
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First Person: The 4 Worst Pieces of Financial Advice I Have Ever ReceivedWe’ve all gotten it, and we’ve probably given some. Here are my top four financial advice faux paus.
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First Person: Protecting My Money (and My Assets) with an LLCIf you know how beneficial it is to separate business from pleasure, you also know that separating your business resources from your personal accounts is a must. Have you done it yet? I have.
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First Person: My Long-Term Money PlanNo matter who you are, you have to plan for your retirement. However, instead of just saving for my golden years, I want more.
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First Person: How I Budget for Irregular IncomeBeing self-employed has its challenges, and money is among them. However, once I learned the methods of budgeting for an irregular income, my business thrived.
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First Person: Everything I Learned About Starting a Business, I Learned by Doing it WrongOnce upon a time, I was young and impetuous. I started a web design business when I was just 19. Yet, even though I did my best, my business failed. However, what I did wrong set me on the path to doing things right, later in life.
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First Person: The Conventional Financial Wisdom I IgnoreThere are certain bits and pieces of orthodox wisdom that we all buy into. But, should we? As it turns out, buying into it might cost you.
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Parenting Guru: How (and why) I avoid the parent trapNo, it isn’t a trap set by your kids. The parent trap is one you set for yourself, and one other parents help you with.
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First Person: I Murphy’s Law-Proofed My HouseI don't like surprises, so I always budget for the worst. Doing this, I ward off Murphy's Law.
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First Person: The 3 Keys to Buying a ForeclosureIn today’s market, foreclosure deals are ripe for the picking, but many buyers remain stumped when it comes to negotiations.
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Prom Debate: Is Staying the Night Right?Senior prom ebbs ever closer for my twin teenage daughters. And with that rite came an interesting proposition.
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Do Grades Still Matter?In the wake of a homogenous battle with our 11-year-old about her less than stellar grades, it got me to thinking about whether or not grades should still count.
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Is ‘Entitlement’ the New Party Etiquette?For the first time in several years, I decide to take my daughter’s birthday party outside the confines of my humble abode. Yet, every adventure has its hydras, and my adventure is not without its share of three-headed villains.
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First Person: 7 Easy Ways to Save Over $4,000 a YearI found $4,000 a year very easily when I cut out five things I wouldn't miss anyway --and I bet you wouldn't miss them either.
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8 financial rules I swear byI live my life by a simple code, using 8 easy to follow financial rules.
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6 places I find coupons for almost anythingIt is no secret to my friends and family that I love coupons. Over the years, these money saving slips of paper are equal to cash in hand and (more importantly) cash in the bank.
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First Person: How Much Do I Need in My Emergency Fund?Just about every financial expert and money guru under the sun recommends an emergency fund. However, it wasn’t until I had an emergency that I actually listened.
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First Person: 7 Surprising Things That Are Covered By Homeowner’s InsuranceThroughout my real estate career, I found that most homeowners knew precisely nothing when it came to selecting homeowners insurance policies. In fact, many first time buyers didn't even know it was required. Do you know what's covered?
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First Person: The 3 Credit Card Scams That Are Lurking in the Fine PrintIn today’s world, credit is a necessary evil, and a part of that diabolical aspect comes in the form of a little plastic square. When I learned the tricks of the trade that credit card companies play, I outsmarted all of mine.
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First Person: My Tax Refund Changed My LifeFor many years, each April, I received a tax refund. However, a few years ago, I wised up and began keeping more of my money. I found four ways to use my last short term check from the government as a springboard to long-term financial prosperity.Also published on:
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First person: How I live rich by spending smartI admit, I’m a frugal gal. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy life. I just enjoy life without the burden of debt.
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How I broke up my big project into manageable chunksI was assigned a multi-million dollar remodeling project. At first, this monumental task seemed to be an insurmountable one. However, I adapted and overcame.
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How My Kids and I Lost Weight TogetherI wish I knew what I know about nutrition 17 years ago. However, my recent education in all things consumable fare benefited both my progeny and me.
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First Person: Maximizing My Rewards ProgramsRewards programs have skyrocketed in popularity, especially during these rough economic times. However, are you sure you’re making the most of yours? I have a few tricks up my sleeve that might help you get more out of your card.
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First Person: 5 Pitfalls of Online Mortgage CalculatorsMany people turn to mortgage calculators for professional advice when buying or refinancing. The problem is, those people often get steered very wrong.
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Individual Mandate in Obamacare Is Constitutionally DangerousThe Supreme Court is hearing arguments this week about the constitutionality of Obamacare. Will the arguments hold water?
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First Person: Getting the Most Out of My Warehouse Club MembershipMany folks believe (rightfully so) that bulk buying saves money. However, when I bulk buy, I save more.
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Why I Put 'Myself' First as MomAre you a woman, a wife, or a mother? Why do you have to decide if you can figure out how to be happy and be all three?
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14 lies most parents tell their kidsWe order our tykes to tell the truth “no matter what”, but the truth is that parental pretenders lie as if there is no tomorrow. Check out the lies that parents tell most often.
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First Person: My Unsolicited Monetary Advice Changes LivesDo you know somebody who is atrocious with money? So do I. In an attempt to help these financially challenged hoi polloi, I came up with three delicate maneuvers designed to take them from money starving rovers to money saving experts in no time flat.
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First Person: Dealing With Difficult CoworkersIn my 10-year incumbency in the sales profession, I had to acquire a few creative adaptation skills for dealing with difficult coworkers that just about anyone can use.
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First Person: 5 Cheap Home Staging TechniquesYou will never learn more about how a home shows, than when you show it to buyers. These fresh sets of eyes give you a new perspective on the process. If you want to sell your home, you need solid staging techniques, even if you can’t afford a stager.
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5 Facebook moms I love to hateMy Facebook needed a thorough scrub, and these mommies had to go.
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Parenting Guru: Sometimes when you win, you loseMy daughter and I learned valuable lessons about winning (and losing) in two years of competitive cheerleading.
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First Person: I’d ‘Quit’ for $480,000The ‘I quit’ number is the number everyone dreams about. A simple, beautiful figure that would be enough to make you leave it all behind and splurge, take a vacation and live the high life.
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How picking the wrong dentist left a bad taste in my mouthI didn't do my homework when it came to our family dentist, and it wound up costing me.
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First Person: My Frugal Life Is Paying Me BackI wasn’t always frugal, but when I started living a frugal life I found six unexpected ways I was paying myself back.
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First Person: I Was Audited at 18When you are 18 years old, the IRS (and a legion of creepy auditors) is the last thing on your mind. However, they quickly became the first thing on mine.
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First Person: Confessions of an Unhappy TaxpayerBefore consumer advocacy, before e-filing and before the IRS audit scandal that brought dishonest agents to their knees, there was me, a tax return and an epic battle.
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First Person: I Am a Devoted Clearance Rack ShopperAfter reading an article about how retailers trick consumers into spending more, I launched a mall experiment to find out how much truth there was to the hype. What I found may interest you.
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So You Learn: Disciplining Your KidsSometimes, moms have to get a little creative when it comes to discipline. I am no exception.
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Why I save 30 percent more than you when I shop onlineWhen I shop online, I combine several powerful methods that lead me to big savings.
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How to run your family like a businessI run my family like a business. And, as any worth-his-weight CEO mega-titan will tell you, preparation is vital to victory.Also published on:
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First Person: Cleaning Up My Spouse’s CreditCleaning up bad credit is a battle, but it is a battle I am winning.
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First Person: I Rallied to Cover a $3,000 Medical BillWhen faced with an unexpected $3,000 dental bill at Christmas time, I fixed it and I kept my cool.
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First Person: Suze Orman’s Debit Card Doesn't Deserve a Second LookSuze Orzman jumped into the prepaid debit card pool with both feet. It's too bad that the water stinks, because her new card isn't all it's cracked up to be.
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Do stay-at-home moms get a bad rap?Are stay-at-home moms lazier than moms who work for a living? Before you answer, let me offer some perspective.
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Coping with college rejectionGetting my twin daughters ready to go to college is hardly a feat for the faint of heart. When a hopeful 'yes' turns into a woeful 'no,' coping requires a Ph.D. in opening windows where doors once were.
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Is parenting the new competition sport?Fads, ripostes, books, gauges, articles, measures and judgments; since when did the simple act of parenting become so grueling?
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First Person: Think the $25 Billion Dollar Bank Deal Is Good News? Think AgainIn a shocking move, the largest lenders are bailing out their customers for once, but is it all good news?
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My Anti-Stress ‘Secret’Being a mom is stressful, that is hardly a secret, but having a great product that gave me one less thing to worry about was my secret, until now.
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Parents: Quit sending your sick kids to school!I see it all the time and I wish I didn’t.
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The Curious Case of the Snack ThiefThings might not go "bump" in the night, but they sure do have a nasty habit of going missing from my pantry. I have a snack thief on the loose.
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6 ways I save in FebruaryFor most of us, February means Valentine’s Day. For me, however, February also means savings in six different ways.
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How I found (and took out) my spending triggersSpending triggers: They appear as different things for different people, but they all end up blowing your budget.
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How I coupon effectivelyA coupon or two will save a few cents. A few more could end up saving you $100 a month.
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How to create a frugal budgetA budget is one thing, a frugal budget is entirely another.
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First Person: I Found $10,000 in Unexpected PlacesI love the feeling of finding extra money anywhere I can. When I looked in five unexpected places, I found $10,000 in extra money.
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First Person: The Money Lessons They Don't Teach in SchoolOur children depend on us. They look to us for a place to call home, for clothes, for food, and even for financial advice -- even if we do not know it.
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First Person: 6 Simple Life Hacks Made Me $3,700 RicherI have six powerful shortcuts that took me from broke to a little less broke in a single year.
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First Person: 10 Easy Budget Cuts Saved Me $30,000 a Year10 down-to-earth, uncomplicated solutions made a $30,000 difference in my annual budget.
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When does ‘that kid’ become your problem?Over the years, all three of my daughters have had friends I approved of, and friends I have not. What happens when the kid you less than love becomes your problem?
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First Person: My 15-Minute Budget Saved Me $19,200Are you crunched for time? Me too. Let me show you my time (and money) saving response to modern day personal money management.
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First Person: The 6 Credit Card Mistakes I Will Never Make AgainAt 19, the world was my oyster and credit cards my pearls.
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First Person: I Gave Up My High Paying Sales CareerThere is a link between work stress and mental health. Sometimes that link is more severe than we realize. I left a high-paying career in the dust, because it was killing me.
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First Person: I'm Not Holding My Breath for Economic RecoveryThe Federal Reserve is sending an unstable country more signs that stability is far from approaching. In the meantime, why hold my breath?
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Parenting Guru: My first love was a 'Travelin' Man'When dinosaurs roamed the earth and the planetary crusts were still cooling, I was an innocent schoolgirl. I was gangly, awkward, shy and reserved –a few things have changed. Yet, I still remember my funny Valentine. I wasn't always a mom, you know.
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First Person: I Was 'Very Poor' and Was Able to Pull Myself UpI've lived a life of the very poor, but not anymore.
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Do You Play Favorites? I DoWhen my kids were little, it was easy for me to look them in the eye and say, “I didn’t have any favorites.” As they got older, I realized I’m a filthy liar.
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The ‘Cyber Bully’ that Wasn’tIt was the nasty gram heard around the world (my world, anyway), however iniquitous it was.
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I Hate that Kid: What to Do When You Don't Like Your Child's FriendI hate how it sounds as much as you hate hearing it, but hear me out.
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First Person: 5 Ways My House Saves Me at Tax TimeI detest filling out my 1040 just as much as the next hot-blooded American. However, I cannot say that all number crunching is completely useless. In fact, I quite enjoy a good number crunch.Also published on:
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7 big ways I save on groceriesI feed my family of five healthy food on $10 a day.
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7 ways I save on beauty productsHow much are you spending on beauty products? I would venture a guess that you are spending a lot. What if I could tell you how I save the cost of a family vacation on beauty products -- would you buy in?
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Help your husband cope with a Super Bowl lossDoes your husband take the loss of his team hard on Super Bowl Sunday? Mine does. Thankfully, I have perfected a five-point system that gets me to the end zone every time.
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First Person: I'm Breaking Up With My Big BankI'm tired of the fees, the hassles and the up-charges. It's over. We're through. But where can I put my stash of cash?
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Parenting Guru: Phenomenal kids are made, not bornSometimes, the worst moments are the ones where we see the people we love shine the brightest.
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First Person: You Get the Best Tech, I Get the Last LaughYou will never catch me dead chasing the heels of new tech. I'm too smart for that.
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First Person: My Multiple Income Streams Answer to the RecessionI don't take jobs, I make jobs and I use five easy streams of multiple income to do it.
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Lego “Friends” Causes UproarLego released a playset for girls that caused a major stir with a certain women's rights group.
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Is It Wrong to Push Your Kids?To push your kids, or not to push your kids; that, is every parent's question. Is it really so bad to give your sprogs a little nudge?
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First Person: Organizing My Finances for Tax TimeTax time is again upon us. Even if you can't save a lot of money, you can at least save some time.Also published on:
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First Person: 12 Steps to Financial FreedomAre you clueless when it comes to money? I used 12 steps that led to success.
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First Person: The Hassle-Free BudgetBudgeting may not be fun, but it doesn't have to be a hassle. The easier your budget is to manage is the better you will be at managing it.
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First Person: Living on 80% of My IncomeI might make $80,000 a year, but I only live on $64,000. And my live on less strategy will work for just about anybody, no matter their pay grade.
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First Person: I Am the 53 PercentThe week, the online community abuzz in conjunction with discussions about Mitt Romney producing his tax returns. Will the added scrutiny really help? How does Romney’s income taxes compare to what the rest of us are paying? Is he really the “1 percent”?
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First Person: When It’s Not Time to Start a BusinessSomeone once told me mixing business and friendship is always a lousy idea. I tend to agree. Especially when your friend has no idea how to run a business and asks you what you think.
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First Person: 7 Steps to Prepare for an AppraisalThe appraisal is the last stop before the finish line. Are you ready to break through the tape at the finish or are you falling down on the last leg?
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First Person: Is the HOA a Friend or Foe?Homeowner’s associations: love them or hate them, they make a powerful friend and a terrible enemy.
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First Person: When Do ‘Pending’ Sales Become ‘Actual’ Sales?In the world of real estate, "sale" doesn't always mean "sold."
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First Person: Getting Smart About My RetirementI once heard that it is never too early to start planning for retirement. In spite of this, I did not honestly take that statement to heart until I saw retirement planning gone awry, first-hand.Also published on:
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First Person: 5 Ways I Save at the VetIn my household, pets are more than just companions; pets are part of the family. However, medical bills can be costly for my four-legged family members, unless you know how (and where) to save.
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Top 5 Picks for Budget Winter Skincare & Anti-Aging ProductsLook great this winter, without breaking the bank or your budget.
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First Person: A Working Women's Guide to Success in a Man's WorldWomen have moved forward by leaps and bounds in the workplace since entering it just a few decades ago. However, the journey isn't over. It might still a man's world.
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10 tips for newbie bloggersWhen I started blogging, I admit, I was somewhat scared. If only I had 10 tips to designed to help me back then, like the 10 tips I’m giving you now.
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My Atheist Offspring Goes to ChurchWith all the negative press regarding Atheists protesting this or that, I think many of you get the wrong idea --especially you Bible thumpers out there. Let me set the record straight.
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First Person: Keeping My Business Relevant OnlineMarketing is the lifeblood of any business, and good marketing means better business health.
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Social Media Can Hurt the Job You Have, Not Just the Job You WantSocial media doesn't just affect job hunting anymore, the reach of social media has extended into the realm of the job you have, and not always for the reasons you may think.
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First Person: Getting a Rental Security Deposit BackMany times, the return of a security deposit can mean the difference between having to scrimp and save for new living arrangements or moving right on in. Make sure to maximize the return of yours.
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First Person: The American Dream is Dead, Long Live the American DreamHaving two cars in the garage and a house with a white picket fence used to be the collectively shared American dream. While this dream might be long gone, that doesn't mean Americans aren't still dreamers.
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First Person: The Economy Is Getting Better, Right?There might feel as if there is a light at the end of our murky economic tunnel, but we aren't out of the woods just yet.
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First Person: Why Are You Still Living Paycheck to Paycheck?Are you living paycheck to paycheck? What if I told you that you don't have to?
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First Person: Getting a Faster (And Smarter) Tax RefundYou might not want to ruminate about it just yet, but Uncle Sam’s annual visit is coming sooner than later. Are you ready for him?Also published on:
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Saving 50 percent on my kids' promProm isn't cheap, but that doesn't mean I will break my frugal habits. I saved over 50 percent off prom in four easy steps. Check out how I did it.
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How my mom taught me the value of frugal livingI love my mom, but a frugalista she is not. However, her neglect for finances made me hyper-aware of my own.
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4 steps to fix your holiday debt hangoverAre you lamenting over mountain-high stacks of post-Christmas debt? It's time to fix it, in four easy steps.
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3 things we should learn from the Papa John’s pizza receiptThe receipt went viral. Anger followed. There is a lesson in this. In fact, there are three.
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First Person: The Fed Says South Texas is Hot, and I AgreeThe beige book took the eleventh district by the horns, and the district won.
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5 cold, hard weight-loss truthsDo you think you are making all the right moves to get fit? Think again.
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How (and why) to teach your kids about money sooner than laterIt’s never too early to commence your youngster’s monetary edification. Seriously.
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5 items to buy during Christmas clearance that saves money all year longThink you can only save money on Christmas stuff during the holiday clearance? Then you need to shop with me, virtually, of course.
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Spend too much this year? Christmas is not an 'emergency'If you are looking at stacked-up statements for Christmas and feeling the pain, it's time to change your evil ways.
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3 reasons cheerleading parents scare meCheer parents are a breed all their own...but they should probably be extinct.
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First Person: The 5 Rules of Home Buying in 2012Is 2012 different when it comes to home buying? The only thing that stays constant in real estate is change.
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First Person: The Rich Do Create Jobs: A Lesson in Kitchen Table EconomicsIf you buy into the notion that rich people don’t create jobs, have a seat at my kitchen table.
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First Person: I Still Believe in the American DreamWhile (for many) the American Dream is currently in a state of flux, I still believe.
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First Person: Spending More Doesn't Always Mean Getting a Bad DealPaying more doesn’t always mean you are getting a bad deal. I know, because I am a bargain hunter extraordinaire and I will be the first to tell you that sometimes paying for quality, pays off.
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Got a case of the coulda’s?If you ‘coulda’ done it, things would be different, right? Maybe not. Throw your case of the coulda’s to the wind this winter.
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Colorado teen, Sydney Spies, needs some tough loveSydney Spies and her mom like racy photos. Her yearbook doesn't. Sydney needs to chill out...and put some clothes on.
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First Person: The Not-So-New American DreamLike the country it was built upon, the American dream has evolved over the years; ebbing and flowing over the rocks of time; molding and conforming to the people of the greatest nation on Earth. However, everything old might just be new again.
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First Person: Getting Serious About Paying Yourself FirstYou might say you do it, but if you keep putting off saving, I have a trick (or two) to help you.
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First Person: The Hidden Costs of Home OwnershipThe propaganda is everywhere. Real estate professionals and even the Fed never seem to let up about how now is a “great time to buy a house,” insisting anyone resisting assimilation and throwing money away on rent is a fool. Are they?
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5 relationship lessons you can learn from Kim KardashianLove her or hate her, Kim Kardashian taught us a thing or two about love and marriage.
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First Person: Paying Off a Mortgage ... FastAre you struggling to find ideas to pay off your mortgage faster? I have six. And, if you combine them, you are on your way to living debt free.
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A Very Merry Un-birthdayYou go to a birthday party and bring a gift for the birthday boy or girl, right? Wrong. Now, you have to bring a gift for their siblings. Wait. What?
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Free Lecture with PurchaseA simple, meaningless impulse buy with my daughter led to a raging case of cranky.
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I Will Not Let My Daughters Play with the Autistic Kid Down the StreetNope, I don't let my kids play with the autistic kid down the lane, and I have a very good reason. In fact, I have three.
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Use Your Voice, ResponsiblyIf there is one thing I feel strongly about with my kids, it’s teaching them how (and when) to use their voice –and to always use it responsibly. Do you?
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First Person: How the Pros Negotiate Home PurchasesThroughout my real estate career, I closed hundreds of transactions. As a Realtor, I learned that buyers and sellers treasure having a great negotiator on their team. How do you know that you have an expert in your corner?
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How ‘Glee’ Needs to Wrap Up Senior YearBuckle your seatbelts folks, because we haven’t seen the last of the New Directions. Not yet, anyway.
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5 Things We Want from ‘Desperate Housewives’ Before it EndsFor eight years, we have stayed forever desperate. Now, fans want an ending that doesn’t leave us wanting more.
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Occupy…Target?2011 was the year of the protestor. Folks around the globe tackled hard-hitting issues like income inequality, monopolies, globalization, civil liberties and breast-feeding. Wait. What?
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Kids and Porn: Normal or Not?There is nary a person I know who hasn't succumbed to indulgence that is erotica. Whatever the medium, what should you do when your kids partake in naughty amatory all their own?
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First Person: 5 Ways to Improve Curb AppealMake a great first impression by giving the exterior of your home some tender loving care. Don’t worry, you can thank me later.
