Tag Archives: finances

My Two Cents: How I Got Out Of Debt

Susannah BreslinApril 14, 2010 //

In certain ways, I think of my life in two parts. There was before, when I was more carefree, more irresponsible, and carried debt. And there’s after, where I’m a bit more serious, way more self-controlled, and have no debt at all. But how did I get here? Well, I didn’t read a book, I didn’t watch Suze Orman, and I didn’t write down every single thing that I spent. It wasn’t easy. And it sure didn’t happen over night. But, eventually, I went from debt-heavy to debt-free, and I would like to report from personal experience that while the road there isn’t exactly paved with fun and frivolity, the payoff is pretty awesome. Keep reading »

Money 101: What You Need To Do Before Buying Your First Home

Chelsea KaplanApril 5, 2010 //

Whether it’s because you can’t stand another day with a sloppy roommate, one more night of smelling the Indian food your neighbors are making for dinner or living in 300 square feet of space (honestly, don’t animals at the zoo have grander quarters?), there comes a time in every girl’s — or couple’s — life when she begins seriously considering purchasing a home of her own. Before taking the steps to make your fantasy a reality, however, it’s important to make like a Girl Scout and be prepared. After the jump, Manisha Thakor, personal finance expert for women, weighs in on all of the things you should “be” before you buy your first home. Keep reading »

Girl Talk: Dating Shouldn’t Have To Be Expensive

Ami AngelowiczMarch 4, 2010 //

I was sitting at brunch last weekend eating greasy eggs with one of my guy friends. “So, how’s the love life?” I asked.

“Eh,” Tom replied shrugging his shoulders.

“What? You’re not hunting and fishing?” I asked, doing my best Patti Stanger impression.

“Nah, it’s not that,” he said. “It’s just that dating is so … so expensive.” Expensive? That’s a new one. And sadly I’ve been hearing a lot of guys say it lately. What’s up with that? It shouldn’t be too expensive to date. Keep reading »

Dear Wendy: “Should I Marry My Poor Boyfriend?”

Wendy AtterberryFebruary 22, 2010 //

I’m 28 and have been dating my 34-year-old boyfriend for almost two years. This relationship was “hot and heavy” from the get-go because our personalities really clicked and he is the first man I have ever loved. However, I regret moving in with him a year ago not because I don’t love him, but because I’m not sure he can give me the type of life I want. When we met, we made the same amount of money. However, now I’m way above him in salary and I’m also going back to school for my Masters (I’ve always been an over-achiever). My future looks very bright compared to his. He lost his previous job and his current job pays barely enough to cover his minimum monthly expenses! The worst part is I’m not sure I have faith in his professional money-making abilities. If I stay with him, I can totally see a life where I’m bringing home the bacon while he’s the stay-at-home dad … which might be nice for some women, but that is NOT the life for me. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want him to support me. I simply would like my life partner to be able to pull his own weight and possibly “carry” me temporarily should I need it — and I would do the same for him. Bottom line, I don’t feel safe financially with him, but I do love him. Should I marry him (and carry all the financial responsibility) or break up with him (and risk never finding another man who loves me as much)? — Money-Maker

Keep reading »

GuySpeak/GirlSpeak: Money Changes Everything

LemondropJanuary 5, 2010 //

Happy New Year, everyone! Let’s start 2010 off right with a steaming hot GuySpeak/GirlSpeak, where we take the advice given by guys to girls over at GuySpeak, chop it up, then serve our words of wisdom. This week’s topic: the awkward world of couples and money.

What do you think of a guy that makes over $250k/yr, spends freely on himself but will not help a long term girlfriend out when she falls on hard times? P.S.–the girlfriend regularly prepares meals for him, does his laundry. Other than she is a doormat and he is a creep. Why do guys not help out financially?

Read more … Keep reading »

Dear Wendy: “My Boyfriend Doesn’t Like My Hairy Legs”

Wendy AtterberryDecember 16, 2009 //

It’s winter and my boyfriend hates the fact that I don’t shave my legs all the time. It’s not like he stops making me feel sexy, but sometimes he will stroke my legs absentmindedly and then make a face and playfully, but meaningfully, tries to guess the date of my last shave. Maybe his other girlfriends have shaved religiously in the past, but sometimes a woman just wants to be free and embrace all aspects of her womanhood. Should I be offended if my boyfriend gets grossed out by my leg hair? And how should I go about giving this schoolboy a lesson on the unrealistic expectations that the media places on women — besides refusing to shave until he gets good and used to the loveliness? — Keeping Cozy

Keep reading »

Girl Talk: My Husband Paid Off My Loans, Now I Feel Indebted

Wendy AtterberryDecember 2, 2009 //

Recently, a wonderful, terrific, incredible thing in my life happened, but I’m still having a little trouble embracing the good news. Two weeks ago, my husband of four months dipped into his life savings and paid off the remainder of my student loans. This was no small feat, of course; the amount left on my loans for graduate school were big — enough to finance a luxury car, or an extended trip around the world, or serve as a down payment for a small New York apartment. Instead, Drew, my husband, used the money to pay off a debt I’d accrued before I even met him, a debt I lost plenty of sleep over wondering how I’d ever crawl out of. That, in the end, I had this modern-day version of a knight-in-shining armor come rescue me, the damsel in distress, is something that’s stirred a complicated mix of emotions in me, most prominent among them gratitude, but certainly a large dose of guilt and shame as well. Keep reading »

Financial Opposites Attract

Justine FieldsJuly 30, 2009 //

Do you ever feel like you’re constantly arguing with your boyfriend about going to an expensive restaurant or buying a cheapo shirt? It might be a sign that you’re meant for each other. A study from the Wharton School of Finance and Northwest University, “Fatal (Fiscal) Attraction,” has found that financial opposites really do attract. Even though most people say they would be happy to marry someone with the same spending habits, the survey found that most people date folks who do the opposite as themselves. So, spenders dig savers and savers dig spenders. Is this true for you? [Yahoo News] Keep reading »

Why Marrying For Money Isn’t A Totally Bad Idea

Jessica WakemanJune 18, 2009 //

There’s a new book out called Smart Girls Marry Money: How Women Have Been Duped Into the Romantic Dream—And How They Are Paying For It, by Elizabeth Ford and Daniela Drake. Forget for a moment that they annoyingly refer to grown women as “girls” in their title and check out their thesis: because, for a variety of reasons, men earn more money than women, it’s a wise move to marry someone who can provide for you and your family. Keep reading »

Dating Don’ts: How Not To Talk About Money, Honey

Judy McGuireFebruary 19, 2009 //

It seems that all anyone is talking about lately is the economy, so why is money still such a tough topic to discuss with your nearest and dearest? They say married couples fight over money more than anything else, but what about when you just started dating? That’s possibly even more awkward. Keep reading »

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