5 Tips for Navigating Today's Financial Realities
Friday, December 26, 2008
Women face their finances in a completely different way than men. 63% of women currently serve as the "Chief Financial Officer" of their households, meaning they are directly responsible for household spending, family purchases and their families' overal financial health.Women & Co., a financial resource program from Citi, put together five tips to help women better navigate their families' finances in this economic downturn.
- Assess Your Financial Situation: Every woman's financial situation is as unique as she is. It's important to talk with someone who understands your personal situation -- your goals, time frame, and risk tolerance. First, make sure you have a financial support network in place -- including an attorney, accountant, and a financial advisor. If you don't, ask your family and friends for recommendations. Women & Co. found that 72% of women are u
sing a financial advisor for information, guidance, or a second opinion. Remember -- there is no single answer that will work for everyone. Find a plan and support network that works for you. - Plan for 'Time-Out' Periods: Many women take time out from the workforce to care for children, aging parents, or spouses. Often, these time-outs result in reduced retirement savings and Social Security benefits. Meanwhile, with the average life expectancy for women being 80.4 years and that of men being 75.2 years*, 90% of women find themselves outliving their spouse. Women can prepare for the unexpected by maintaining appropriate insurance coverage, and keeping their will, beneficiary designations, and other legal documents up to date. Start saving early, save more, and of course, plan carefully.
- Be a Role Model: Women & Co. found that 85% of women feel they would have been better off if they had known more about finances and investing earlier in life. Make sure your daughters and granddaughters get an early start by talking to them about money and saving now! Women & Co. found that 94% of women today are talking to their daughters about money compared to 52% who discussed money with their own mothers. Money is the #1 topic of discussion between mothers and daughters today, more than drinking, drugs, sex, and politics. Join the conversation! 92% of today's women believe they are positive financial role models for their own daughters. Help raise a more financially educated, powerful, confident generation of women by talking to them about money issues early on.
- Stay Informed: Information is an important component of financial security! 75% of women today consider themselves somewhat to very knowledgeable about finances. Are you one of them? As circumstances change, we need to re-educate ourselves based on whatever new realities we face, in order to make informed financial decisions. Women & Co. found that the top three most important resources for women are: a financial advisor, a spouse or partner, and research. Women also told Women & Co. that hard work and discipline are more important than education and luck when it came to financial success. Continue to seek out trusted sources of information that will provide guidance and tools, as well as the ongoing support you need to work towards your long-term financial goals.
- Clarify Your Financial Goals: Assess where you are now financially by reviewing your net worth, credit score, and cash flow. Ask yourself, "Where do I want to be in 1 year, 5 years, or even 20 years?" Women & Co. found that women are confident about their retirement, with 62% believing their lives in retirement will be better than their mothers'. Work towards your financial goals, including retirement, by reviewing your finances at least once a year and making sure your savings and investment strategies are aligned with your goals.
For more information on Women & Co. visit www.womenandco.com
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:00 AM,
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Mommy Madness Season 3
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
I like to think of myself of a guru who keeps up with everything the Web has to offer in the mom space, but I must say, I had no idea about the Mommy Madness webisodes on LifetimeTV.com. Guess I'm not a guru after all.
The weekly series "Mommy Madness" stars Angela Hoover, a mom, comedian and part-time bookkeeper who just moved to Vegas with her two small children and lovable husband! I watched nearly all of the archived videos and they are quite funny, light-hearted, and entertaining. Take a look:
-- Jennifer James, Editor
On the Net: www.mylifetime.com/mommy-madness
Labels: moms, parenting, shows, sites, women
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:00 AM,
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Nine Bird Publishing Helps Create Unforgettable Moments
Sunday, December 14, 2008
If you are anything like me you read a lot of mom blogs and probably have noticed a slew of companies that offer photo cards for the holidays. Photo cards do indeed m
ake perfect holiday gifts especially for distant relatives you don't get to see as much as you'd like. There is a company I think you should definitely take a look at this holiday season: Nine Bird Publishing. I am sitting here holding samples of their work and I can sum up the quality of the cards in one word: impeccable. The photos are crisp, flawless, and clear and the original designs are delightful.
Although the holidays are quickly approaching there is still time to get your photo cards complete and sent out to relatives. You can print your photo cards from Nine Bird Publishing at Sam's Club Digital Photo Center by visiting www.samsclub.com/photo. In addition, you can print photo cards for other occasions as well such as Kwanzaa, New Year's, Valentine's Day, and for weddings.
On the Net: www.ninebirdpublishers.com
Labels: children, holidays, parenting, women
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:52 AM,
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Tips On How to Make a Gingerbread House from a Disney World Pastry Chef
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
After attending two Walt Disney World Mom Blogger Mixers and seeing up close everything Disney has to offer, I am still amazed at the lengths Disney goes to to make their guests' visit as memorable as possible. Walt Disney World truly is an amazing place!Every holiday season in the Grand Floridian Resort lobby, Disney pastry chefs erect a 16 ft. tall gingerbread house over the course of three days using, get this: 1,050 pounds of honey, 600 pounds of powered sugar, 800 pounds of flour and 700 pounds of chocolate. It's truly a sight to behold, and you can see it on the YouTube video below. Plus, if you've always wanted to know the secret behind making the perfect gingerbread house, a Disney pasty chef tells you how. Hint: It's all about the royal icing.
Check it out!
-- Jennifer James, Editor
Labels: children, Disney, family, parenting, tips, tours
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 4:10 PM,
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Ana Tsarev Gallery Exhibit in SOHO
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Giving your children a deep sense of art or going gallery-hopping with your best girlfriends are two of the greatest things you can do in life. It's the little things that render life meaningful. Art, in some form, is most always at the root of beauty and happiness.At the New Gallery on West 57th Street in New York City, Ana Tsarev's first ever art exhibit, Journey of Discovery, will be held until February 20, 2009.
Zarev's vibrant paintings are concerned with both historic and present day rituals, traditions, and daily life. Journey of Discovery features works depicting the beauty of daily life in a wide range of scenes from the flower markets and rice fields of Southeast Asia to traditional dances of West African tribes; from Japanese kabuki and tea ceremonies to life along China's riverfront.
On the Net: www.anatzarev.com
Labels: art, moms, parenting, women
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 10:52 PM,
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What Will You Do with Your Minute? A Giveaway!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Thank you to all of you who participated in the giveaway. Entries are now closed and we will be giving a "One Minute to Move It" gift pack to all of you who have entered thus far. Thank you so much for getting involved and taking one minute to move it!
If you had one minute to help make a difference in your world, what would you do?
That's the question McDonald's is asking kids and families as it launches "One Minute to Move It" -- a global children's well-being program designed to encourage kids to see what a difference a minute can make. It is all about inspiring kids to take one minute and make it even more meaningful. Whether skipping, dancing, coloring or singing, one minute can inspire activity for thousands more minutes to come. One Minute to Move It, which is being launched this Friday, November 7, has a boost from the spontaneous and energetic characters from the new "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" and the new Happy Meal featuring these characters -- all to empower kids to create a minute of joyful self expression.
Also starting this Friday, November 7, the fun continues online at http://www.happymeal.com/ where kids and families can find suggestions for online and offline activities, track their "minutes moved" and enter special codes found on the delicious Happy Meal choices of lowfat Milk Jugs and Apple Dippers to enrich the activities on the site. The site also features an inspirational 30-second video with Olympian Shawn Johnson, which airs this weekend through November 16 on Nickelodeon, Nick.com and Nicktoons. Visit happymeal.com next week to see the video.
You can get one of 35 "One Minute to Move It" gift packs which each includes a complete set of the new "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" Happy Meal toys and a $20 Arch Card. For your chance to receive a pack:
Labels: children, contests, giveaways, moms, parenting, sites
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 6:17 PM,
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McAfee's Teen/ Mom Internet Safety Survey
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Yesterday I had an amazing conversation with McAfee's Chief Cyber Security Mom, Tracy Mooney, and Family Internet Safety Advisor, Parry Aftab. McAfee has just released a comprehensive study about teen's Net use and it has many people concerned. Of note, here are a few statistics I found particularly troubling: - 18% of teens have been stalked or approached by a stranger or someone they don't know and 28% report that this has happened to a friend or someone they know
- 20% say their friends have been cyberpranked
- 34% of teen girls have given out personal information online to someone they don't know offline, including one if four (24%) who have shared personal photos and/ or physical descriptions of themselves (2x as many as boys)
s if they can connect with others or if they have Internet access.Parry Aftab stressed that all parents should use the 3Cs approach to new technology: content, contact and cost.
From her McAfee blog she writes:
Content includes things our children can see, access and do online. It might include false information, sexually-explicit graphics, or hate-based material. It also might include fun and entertaining activities for our children.
Contact involves ways that our children can communicate online with others or that others can reach out and communicate with our children.
Cost may encompass commercial risks and abuses, such as data collection; advertising, marketing and promotional online activities; or things you can buy on Amazon.com. It may also involve piracy and our children, and possibly being sued by the music or motion picture industry for illegal downloads. (Source)
And to read expert advice, check out Parry Aftab's McAfee blog.
As the holiday season races full steam ahead, Tracy and Parry will offer more information and quick tips for moms on how to best keep your children safe online and how you can determine the types of tech devices you would like your kids to own.
- Jennifer James, Editor
Labels: parenting, technology
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 8:46 AM,
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Vacation in Mexico for the Holidays, but on a Budget
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Mexico has several resort towns that are family friendly. All-inclusive Tesoro Manzanillo Resorts (rates start at only $185 per night) offers families a budget friendly resort to stay, with a variety of amenit
ies, including their one of a kind Corsarios Kids Club. It's the only kids club in Manzanillo, Mexico that not only has fully supervised activities during the day, but at night as well.Check out these five Manzanillo family adventures.
It's No Hurdle to Spot a Turtle
Turtle Sanctuary: Your adventure begins as you drive through miles of coconut palms and the 31-mile-long Cuyutlan lagoon. Before arriving at the sanctuary, you'll see water birds, banana plantations, salt mining and even brick making. Observe turtles of all sizes being raised and studied in pools, then released into the sea. Have your camera ready for a family photo with an alligator (in captivity) who smiles for pictures. Don't forget t
o save time for the infamous Salt Museum nearby and enjoy lunch on a beach made entirely of black sand. Sand castles anyone? Price: $3.75 per personWhere Fun Erupts
El Volcan de Fuego: Your entire family will be in awe of the majestic mountains and of course the towering 13,000 ft. active volcano. Currently exploding several times a day, and with episodic lava domes and flows, this is definitely an exciting site to see. People come near and far to witness the most active volcano in Mexico and its surrounding lush, forested valley and tranquil lagoon. Price: $74 per person for 9 hour tour
Kids Are Always VIP
Corsarios Kids Club: A special club just for kids and only offered at Tesoro Resorts in Manzanillo. Upon hotel check-in, your little one receives a VIP "Little Treasures" tote full of games, prizes and a personal invitation to join the Corsarios Kids Club, offering everything imaginable -- from pottery lessons, water volleyball games or learning to build a kite to treasure hunts on the beach, water slide action and movies galore. The best part is the club is fully supervised allowing mom and dad time to experience their own kind of fun. *Free for guests at hotel. Price: Rates start at $185 per night/per room
www.tesororesorts.com
Water Wonders Above and Below
Pacific Paddlers Kayak Tour & Snorkel: Sit-on-top of inflatable kayaks as you tour through the Juluapan Lagoon. There you'll see hundreds of water birds, including herons, pelicans, frigates, ducks, crakes and sandpipers. Mom and dad, no worries, the kayaks have comfortable, adjustable padded seats to make it a great trip no matter what your age. After about an hour's paddle, break for snacks and refreshments before getting wet. Then you’ll head out to snorkel at the 10,000-year-old coral reef, "Aquarium," for an up close eco-adventure. Price: $44 per person
Sounds Fishy... But Fun
Ocean Pacific Adventures Deep Sea Fishing Tour: While staying at the "Sailfish Capital" of the world, take your family aboard a 26 foot boat with a sheltered cabin for a 5 hour excursion of deep sea fishing fun. The veteran crew will escort you into just the right spots where you can catch some savory souvenirs. On your voyage, enjoy cold beer and soft drinks included, along with all licenses, fees, permits, lines and tackle. Price: $245 for boat
Labels: family, parenting, travel
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 8:43 AM,
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Survival Tips for Couples in Hard Economic Times
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Hard economic times put a heaven burden on couples. When money is tight, people get tense and agitated because bills can't be paid and families have to cut back on little luxuries they are accustomed to. Josh Klapow, Ph.D, Associate Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham suggests these tips for couples who are facing the money burden.1. Keep a cool head. "When your emotions are high - be it anger, sadness, frustration - thoughts get cloudy. Relax, breathe, wait 2-10 minutes then start to talk," Klapow said.
2. Start easy. Arguments often start because of a critical remark or an angry tone. "Try to bring up problems and mistakes gently and without blame," he said.
3. Don't assume. "Talk about your feelings, not what you think your spouse or partner is feeling. Describe your feelings in first person with 'I' and explain why," Klapow said.
4. Think then speak. "The goal of the conversation should be to problem-solve, not to win. Remember, once the words are out you cannot take them back," he said.
5. Repair and recover. "Don't let the discussion get out of control. End on a positive, or at least neutral, note. Lean on patience, change the topic or offer a positive comment to let the other person know you're part of the same team," Klapow said.
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:46 PM,
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Must-See for Dallas Families
Monday, September 22, 2008
Teaching children about art and artists is one of the greatest gifts they will ever receive. If you live in Dallas or the surrounding area there is an art exhibit that is a must-see!The Meadows Museum presents From Manet to Miro: Modern Drawings from the Abello Collection, an exhibit of works by 45 of the most important artists of the past two centuries, from September 14 through December 2, 2008. The drawings, by such artists as Manet, Degas, Dali and Miro, are from the private collection of Juan Abello and his wife, Anna Gamazo, of Madrid, who were recently named among the world's 200 top art collectors by ArtNews. The exhibit marks the first time their collection has been shown in the United States, and the Meadows Museum is its only U.S. venue.
About the Meadows Museum
The Meadows Museum, a division of the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University, houses one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Spanish art outside of Spain, with works dating from the 10th to the 21st century. For information, call 214.768.2516 or visit the museum's website at http://www.meadowsmuseumdallas.org/
Source: Southern Methodist University
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:00 AM,
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Adventures By Disney: Eight New Amazing Family Destinations
Sunday, August 31, 2008
We had absolutely no idea that families can travel all over the world through Adventures by Disney. In 2009 Disney will be adding eight thrilling new destinations bringing their total to 23 itineraries around the world. The 2009 new destinations are: - Alpine Magic -- Italy and Switzerland, Zermatt, and Lake Lucerne
- Beantown & The Big Apple -- Boston, Newport, and New York City
- Bella Italia -- Central Italy: Sorrento and Florence
- Gateway to the Galapagos: Ecuador and Galapagos Islands
- Golden Path to Yosemite -- Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park and San Francisco
- Rocky Trails and Mountie Tales - Montana and Alberta, Canada: Glacier National Park and Banff National Park
- Safari to South Africa- South Africa: Cape Town, The Garden Route
and Kampana Game Reserve - Taming the Last Frontier- Alaska: Fairbanks, Denali National Park and Kenai Peninsula
Launched in 2005, Adventures by Disney provides immersive, hassle-free and exhilarating
guided family vacation experiences in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia. In 2009, families traveling with Adventures by Disney can sample some of the most exotic and remote locations in the world - including South Africa, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, the Canadian Rockies, the European Alps and Alaska. Everywhere guests turn on the "Alpine Magic" trip there are new magnificent vistas to behold.
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:44 AM,
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New Content Aggregation Site: TODDL3R
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
There is a new network of sites called the LOUD3R network that aggregates information based on topic, but claims they take a different approach to content discovery by using semantic searches and people to find topic-based content all over the Web.LOUD3R sites are created by assembling a source list of websites and a semantic glossary of terms that teach the content engine how to identify the best news stories, photos, videos, and other content from hundreds of Websites related to a particular topic. We use a combination of human editorial input combined with semantic software to assemble all the best content, from a web-wide perspective, for any given topic. The technology learns from user behavior, allowing the site to react to the community's interests and preferences. We sift through the bad, so you don't have to. (source)
Properly meshing brilliant people and smart technology is a win-win on all fronts. The LOUD3R network will probably become a force to be reckoned with in the coming year, but only if they ca
n succeed at creating viral buzz about their network and convince fickle online users -- like busy moms -- that their network is indeed better than the rest. That's a monumental task, but certainly doable.The LOUD3R network allows users to create their own profiles, add content and share it with the community and has two sites you might find interesting: TODDL3R, which brings together the best content around the Net about parenting and PREGG3R, which is, of course, a compilation of the best content about pregnancy.
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 6:37 AM,
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