It costs a lot to raise a child. Between food, shelter, clothing and education, most parents find that there isn’t a ton of money left over each month. The good news is that while you can spend big bucks on classes and activities, some of the best things you can do for your child’s present and future don’t cost very much at all.
It’s an old family joke that when ATMs first premiered, my grandmother believed that a banker sat behind the machine and dispensed the money. To be fair to Grandma, she knew that there weren’t “tiny little tellers” in the machines, like the commercials jokingly stated. It just didn’t occur to her that her banking transactions could be entirely automated.
My own children and grandchildren will probably make similar quips about my technological naivety as our society moves closer to becoming entirely cashless. My son will not remember a time when cash was necessary for a fast food meal, a phone call, or even a parking meter. I can only imagine what else I take for granted that will seem old-fashioned to him.
We do know what is possible now. We’re just waiting for the merchants to catch up with the technology. Here are some of the technological money advancements we can expect in the next few decades — and what they may mean for how we handle our finances:
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We’re experiencing an extended “mud season” here in Ohio, but the unusually warm above-freezing weather has many of us Northerners plotting ways to prepare for the inevitable Big Chill that’s sure to hit any day now. Winter heating costs in the cooler states can be downright brutal for some homeowners, especially if you live in an older, draftier house or apartment. Here are four tips from an experienced handyman to help take the bite out of your winter heating costs that can be used by everyone – even those who live in the mild south.
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With the high price of gas and heightened care for the environment, electric cars seem to fit a perfect niche in the automobile industry. They offer great efficiency and a clean source of energy, but do their benefits outweigh their uncertainties?
From a financial standpoint these cars can save you in the long run. The government currently offers a tax credit up to $7,500 for buying an electric car and they cost nearly $1000 less per year in energy than comparable gas powered cars. Your car will start saving you money within just a few years, but still, other factors may deter you from buying one.
Do You Want to Be a Guinea Pig?
I read something interesting in the paper the other day: Some parents are putting off Christmas until January. Tight budgets are back in vogue, and many parents are just waiting until the after Christmas sales in order to buy their gifts.
We are fortunate enough to have all our Christmas shopping done right now, but I do know some folks who are really feeling the pinch this year, and reluctant to spend a great deal of money right now. Being able to save up for the rest of the month can help quite a bit, and some are hoping that a little Christmas bonus might be included with a paycheck.
And, of course, there are the sales. The best time to buy holiday-related items is after the holiday is over. Discounts can mean more bang for your buck if you wait until after December 25 to do your Christmas shopping — or your traveling.
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It’s not always an obvious decision to have a stay at home parent go back to work once the kids are in school. Although most families could put a second income to good use, it’s not always offset by the convenience and peace of mind that comes with having one parent always available to chauffeur to their after-school activities, for sick days, snow days, school vacations, to help with homework, cook meals and clean (whew!). Many stay at home parents are also finding that it’s not easy to get hired after so many years out of the workforce with so much competition for jobs.
If you are or are planning to be a long-term stay at home parent (or being the breadwinner in such a family), here are five action steps to take to make sure that you and your family are as financially protected as possible.
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