Will You Be Able to Retire?

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Will You Be Able to Retire?

According to a recent survey done by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, Americans’ expectations for retirement remain low.  28% of workers have no confidence they'll be able to afford a comfortable retirement. That's the highest level in the survey's 23-year history and only 57% of those surveyed reported having less than $25,000 in savings and investments (not counting the value of their homes and any defined benefit pension plans.) How do you stack up?

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It’s Never Too Early to Begin Saving for College

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It’s Never Too Early to Begin Saving for College

Your children may be toddlers, preschoolers, or only in their elementary years, but it’s never too early to begin saving for their college. College is still a good investment in your child’s future. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “people with four-year degrees earn nearly twice as much as those with high school diplomas.” Fortunately, there are many resources available to guide parents along the path of saving for college.

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Kids Learn Business Skills by Preparing a Dinner Menu

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Kids Learn Business Skills by Preparing a Dinner Menu

written by: Coach Funk, CFP® at www.SavingsCoach.comHanging out with my 10 and 12 year old nephews last weekend, I heard excitement in their voices when they looked up from their iPod apps and told me about cooking dinner for the family last week. They told me the great lesson they learned here is that they get to keep the PROFIT.

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5 Tips to Avoid Holiday Debt and Overspending

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5 Tips to Avoid Holiday Debt and Overspending

Ever hear the expression "post holiday hang over?" That's what it feels like when we open up our January credit card statement. With a little planning and creativeness, we all can avoid holiday debt and the post holiday blues and don't forget to include your kids in the process. Here are our 5 tips for a truly money-smart holiday season:

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Re-imagining the 3 Little Pigs

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Re-imagining the 3 Little Pigs

The third little pig listened to his mother’s wise words and said “I don’t plan to live like the birds. No straw nor sticks will do for me; I plan to build my house solidly.” With his goal clearly defined and a budget in mind, the third little pig developed a plan and a timeline. “With a little hard work and some shopping around, I’ll have my brick house to keep me safe and sound,” said the third little pig.

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5 Really Simple Money-Smart Shopping Tips

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5 Really Simple Money-Smart Shopping Tips

Who doesn't like to shop? Oh, I know there are guys out there that will say they hate shopping, but you catch them on the web surfing for a new Ipad or the latest and greatest gizmo. We're a consumer society. That's what we do...we buy stuff. But there's smart shopping and not so smart shopping. Who wants to be a smart shopper? Well here are some tips to help you and your kids stretch that dollar:

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Top 10 Money Tips for Parents

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Top 10 Money Tips for Parents

“But why do I have to wait two weeks?” said my 12 year old son. “O, come on, please! I really want it and I won’t want anything else for a long time!” This was almost a weekly ritual in my house as my son would look through the Sunday ads for good “deals.” We had tried many things, including a mandatory two week waiting period, but nothing seemed to really help.

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Teaching Kids to be Money Smart

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Teaching Kids to be Money Smart

Creating money-smart kids doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a skill and a behavior that has to be nurtured over time. The skill lies in learning the value of saving, giving, and spending conscientiously and understanding the difference between wants and needs. The behavior comes from the habits formed in doing these things over time and learning from mistakes.

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