In theory, at least, you can pick up a few collectibles, put them somewhere safe for several years and then sell them at a profit. But, in reality, using collectibles as an investment can be a complex process.

Everybody remembers Beanie Babies, after all. For several years, it seemed like everyone was collecting Beanie Babies. A friend of my mother’s had thousands, claiming that when she sold these toys, she’d be able to put her children through college easily. Now, though, you can barely give them away. The company behind Beanie Babies literally made millions of the little toys, followed closely by a string of competitors. Worse, many people held on to the toys, meaning that there are a lot more Beanie Babies out there than people willing to pay money for them. Sure, they’ll be worth something some day, but that day is probably a century in the future, when most of the existing Beanie Babies have gone into a landfill.
[ continue reading… ]

If you are in a line of work that requires periodic attendance of tradeshows and conventions, or you just like attending hobby based events, you know that the experience can be prohibitively expensive. Add up the cost of a room, food, purchases, travel, and more and you will start to see just how profoundly you attendance will affect your bottom line.

Barring the option of skipping all such gatherings, there are several things you can do to cut your costs and still enjoy the experience. Keep in mind that some of these ideas work better when you are at hobby conventions than at business trade shows and visa versa.
[ continue reading… ]

In some cases, a financial planner or financial adviser can be quite helpful as you work toward your money goals. While it is possible to manage your own money, some people find that a fresh set of eyes can be helpful in creating financial plans. Plus, it can help to have the advice of someone who has been educated to make certain financial decisions. If you do decide that a financial professional can help you, it is important to know that he or she is qualified. Here are four credentials to look for when you are vetting your financial planner:
[ continue reading… ]

Frugal fatigue has been in the mainstream media a lot this week. It seems that consumers have grown weary of tightening their belts and are letting it all hang out. It’s certainly okay to splurge every once in a while especially on things that have real meaning to you, however, it’s important to not forget the lessons we’ve learned during the recent recession.

The key is to create a positive mindset about frugal living, so that it doesn’t seem like something that’s been imposed on you but rather a way of living that you have chosen for yourself. When we are frugal because it aligns with our values and goals, it’s much easier to see the bigger picture and resist the temptation to solve our problems by spending money.
[ continue reading… ]

It’s scary enough when your teenager begins to drive – and as a single parent, it can be a bit tricky to determine where the responsibility lies when it comes to insuring them. Whether your child is living with your former spouse or is away at school, you should talk to your insurance company to determine whose policy your teen should go on.

Here are a few questions to be prepared for when talking with your agent:
[ continue reading… ]

It is nearly inevitable that sooner or later you will need to attend some business meetings if you work in the corporate world. While your business may be willing to pay for your airfare and your hotel room, if they send you, you will still have a number of expenses to pay for out of pocket. This is even more of an issue if you own your own business and are responsible for the whole trip.

Fortunately, there are ways to save money on every aspect of your meeting – if you know how to work the system.
[ continue reading… ]