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	<title>Single Minded Women &#187; Tools &amp; Tips</title>
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		<title>The World Almanac ~ Free Book Giveaway!</title>
		<link>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/the-world-almanac-free-book-giveaway/</link>
		<comments>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/the-world-almanac-free-book-giveaway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:52:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>chrisb</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Giveaways and Freebies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tools & Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[book]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[giveaways]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[After 140 years, The World Almanac® still ranks as the best-selling American reference book, with 82 million copies sold. Here&#8217;s your chance to get one for free! The 2012 World Almanac highlights include: Top 10 News Topics of 2011 Time Capsule — the items that most came to symbolize the year 2011. Offbeat News Stories — [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/The-World-Almanac-and-Book-of-Facts-2012.jpg"   ><img class="alignright  wp-image-51282" title="The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2012" src="http://singlemindedwomen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/The-World-Almanac-and-Book-of-Facts-2012-430x638.jpg" alt="The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2012" width="295" height="437" /></a>After 140 years, <em>The World Almanac</em><em><sup>®</sup></em> still ranks as the best-selling American reference book, with 82 million copies sold. Here&#8217;s your chance to get one for free!</p>
<p><strong>The 2012 <em>World Almanac</em><em></em> highlights include:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Top 10 News Topics of 2011</strong><em></em></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Time Capsule —</strong><em></em> the items that most came to symbolize the year 2011.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Offbeat News Stories —</strong><em></em> the wackiest news stories of the year.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Year in Pictures: 2011</strong></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>2010 Census Results —</strong> up-to-date information based on newly released 2010 census data.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Election Preview 2012</strong><strong></strong></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Greatest Sports Upsets —</strong><em> </em>the greatest athletic upsets of all time, including the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Sports —</strong> hundreds of pages of trivia and historical statistics, as well as a 2012 Olympic preview.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>The World at a Glance —</strong> surprising statistics and curious facts about today&#8217;s world.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Education </strong>— details on higher education costs, student debt, and distance education options.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Colleges and Universities —</strong> An indispensable tool for college-bound students and their families.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Economy and Employment —</strong><em> </em>economics content emphasizing the facts, figures, and indicators that matter most. <strong></strong></li>
</ul>
<h1><strong>FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY!</strong></h1>
<p><strong>Tell us the areas of most interest to you in the comments section below and you could win a free copy of <em></em><em><strong>The World Almanac<sup>®</sup> and Book of Facts 2012</strong></em>.</strong></p>
<p><strong>About The World Almanac<em></em></strong>:<br />
The World Almanac<em><sup>®</sup></em> is part of <a href="http://www.infobaselearning.com/" title="World Almanac - Infobase Learning"   target="_blank" >Infobase Learning</a>, an educational media company that owns such well-known brands as Facts On File, Films for the Humanities &amp; Sciences, Cambridge Educational, Chelsea House, Bloom&#8217;s, Ferguson’s, Meridian Education, and Shopware.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1600571484/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=sinminwom-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1600571484&quot;&gt;The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2012 (World Almanac &amp; Book of Facts)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sinminwom-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=1600571484&quot; width=&quot;1&quot; height=&quot;1&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; style=&quot;border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" title="Buy The World Almanac® and Book of Facts 2012 today!"   target="_blank" ><strong>Buy <em><strong>The World Almanac<sup>®</sup> and Book of Facts 2012</strong></em> today!</strong></a></p>
<p><strong>Want to be a SMW Book Reviewer? <a href="../../women-relationships/women-relationships/women-relationships/women-relationships/women-relationships/women-relationships/red-hot-reads/book-reviews-php/" title="SMW Book Blogger"   target="_self" >Click here.</a></strong></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Master The Card ~ Free Book Giveaway!</title>
		<link>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/master-the-card-free-book-giveaway/</link>
		<comments>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/master-the-card-free-book-giveaway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:40:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>chrisb</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Giveaways and Freebies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tools & Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit card debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[getting out of credit card debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[managing credit card debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[managing your credit card debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Red Hot Reads]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://singlemindedwomen.com/?p=49233</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Credit card debt can drain the life out of you. It can weigh on your mind all day, and keep you up at night. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Joe Paretta shares his own experience with credit card debt to show that you are not alone, in his new book Master The [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-49235" title="Master The Card: Say Goodbye to Credit Card Debt Forever!" src="http://singlemindedwomen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/MastertheCard_CoverIMage.jpg" alt="Master The Card: Say Goodbye to Credit Card Debt Forever!" width="260" height="389" />Credit card debt can drain the life out of you.</h3>
<p>It can weigh on your mind all day, and keep you up at night. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Joe Paretta shares his own experience with credit card debt to show that you are not alone, in his new book <em>Master The Card: Say Goodbye to Credit Card Debt Forever!</em> He also describes the necessary steps he took to overcome this painful situation. Learn how to change the way you think about spending and debt, how to speak with confidence to creditors, how to strategize your payments, and so much more. Life is meant to be a dream, not a nightmare. When you Master the Card, you can master your life!</p>
<h1><strong>FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY!</strong></h1>
<p><strong>Tell us about your financial challenges in the comments section below and you could win a free copy of <em></em><em>Master The Card: Say Goodbye to Credit Card Debt Forever!</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>About the author</strong><br />
Joe Paretta is a coach, author, speaker and teacher. He earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Hofstra University in New York. This is his first book, which he considers a “labor of love.” He has a passion for helping people overcome credit card debt. <em>Master the Card: Say Goodbye to Credit Card Debt Forever</em> embodies that desire.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452500851/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=sinminwom-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1452500851&quot;&gt;Master The Card: Say Goodbye to Credit Card Debt...Forever!&lt;/a&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sinminwom-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=1452500851&quot; width=&quot;1&quot; height=&quot;1&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; style=&quot;border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" title="Master The Card: Say Goodbye to Credit Card Debt Forever! by Joe Paretta"   target="_blank" >Buy Master The Card: Say Goodbye to Credit Card Debt Forever! by Joe Paretta today!</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Want to be a SMW Book Reviewer? <a href="../../women-relationships/women-relationships/women-relationships/women-relationships/women-relationships/women-relationships/red-hot-reads/book-reviews-php/" title="SMW Book Blogger"   target="_self" >Click here.</a></strong></p>
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		<title>How to Pay for College if You Are a Single Mom</title>
		<link>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/how-to-pay-for-college-if-you-are-a-single-mom/</link>
		<comments>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/how-to-pay-for-college-if-you-are-a-single-mom/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 09 Jul 2011 16:17:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>allison</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tools & Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial aid tips for college students]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[single moms paying for college]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://singlemindedwomen.com/?p=46433</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Question: I’m a single mother of a teenager. I don&#8217;t receive any financial help from my ex and cannot count on him to help with the cost of college for my child. Do you have any advice on how I can pay for my child’s college education? Answer: Don&#8217;t be blindsided by college costs. There [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Student-Loan-Application.jpg"   ><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-46435" title="Financial Aid Options for Single Moms" src="http://singlemindedwomen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Student-Loan-Application.jpg" alt="" width="352" height="236" /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Question:</strong> <em>I’m a single mother of a teenager. I don&#8217;t receive any financial help from my ex and cannot count on him to help with the cost of college for my child. Do you have any advice on how I can pay for my child’s college education?</em></p>
<p><strong>Answer:</strong> Don&#8217;t be blindsided by college costs. There are a number of things you can do to help finance your child’s <a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/careers-for-women/the-gender-wage-gap-college-majors-money/"   >college education</a>.</p>
<p><strong>1. Check out the FAFSA4caster.</strong></p>
<p>This free and anonymous tool will help you to understand the size of the financial contribution required from you for your child&#8217;s education. There is no reason to wait until your child is a senior to give this a whirl. Go to <a href="http://www.fafsa.ed.gov "   target="_blank" ><strong>fafsa.ed.gov</strong> </a>and follow the links to the <strong>FAFSA4caster</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>2. Never ever, ever pay someone to find a scholarship for your child.</strong></p>
<p>No matter what they tell you (&#8220;I know how to obtain a scholarship just for children of single moms, but there is a small application fee&#8221;. I&#8217;ll need you to provide money for processing fees up front but that&#8217;s just a formality&#8221;). It&#8217;s all smoke and mirrors. They cannot and will not find any scholarships you and your child can&#8217;t find. Use <strong><a href="http://www.fastweb.com"   target="_blank" >fastweb.com </a></strong>and work directly with the financial aid staff at the colleges in which your child has an interest.</p>
<p><strong>3. Another never, ever, ever &#8212; don&#8217;t even think of skimping on or sacrificing your own retirement funds to help pay for your child&#8217;s education. </strong></p>
<p>As moms, we have that strong compulsion to help our children no matter what. But, placing your financial future in jeopardy isn&#8217;t going to help your child going forward; it will only give her a burden to carry.</p>
<p><strong>4. Think creatively about where and how your child might get scholarship funding</strong>.</p>
<p>First and foremost, help her choose a college with a strong merit aid program for which she is a strong candidate. Then think about other connections, such as a legacy scholarship for children whose parents or grandparents went to a particular college.</p>
<p>Your child may also qualify for scholarships from unions or fraternal organizations. Think broadly including any connections your child&#8217;s father might have. Maybe he won&#8217;t ante up any cash for college, but maybe you can use his connections to qualify your child for a scholarship.</p>
<p><strong>5. Remember, the staff in the financial aid office at the college your child is considering are your friends, not your enemies.</strong></p>
<p>No matter how onerous and intrusive their requests for additional documentation might be (affidavits of non-support, copies of custody agreements or divorce decrees), these documents can help the financial aid staff build a case for additional aid for your child. So, take a deep breath or two, make the photocopies or write the petition and know it is all for the greater good.</p>
<p><strong>About the Authors:</strong></p>
<p>Carol Stack is the former Director of Admissions at Macalester College and Augsburg College. For the past 15 years, Stack has worked as a principal at Hardwick-Day, an enrollment consulting firm that works with the admissions and financial aid offices of private colleges and universities. Through Hardwick-Day, she has consulted on financial aid policy at dozens of colleges, including Whittier, Grinnell, and Randolph-Macon..</p>
<p>Ruth Vedvik has held the position of Director of Admissions at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Ball State University, and Agnes Scott College. For the past 9 years, Vedvik has worked as a principal at Hardwick-Day, an enrollment consulting firm that works with the admissions and financial aid offices of private colleges and universities. Through Hardwick-Day, she has consulted on financial aid policy at dozens of colleges, including St. Mary&#8217;s College, Mills, Hofstra University, Illinois College and Xavier University.<a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/FAH-book-cover.jpg"   ><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-46437 alignright" title="FAH book cover" src="http://singlemindedwomen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/FAH-book-cover-120x120.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="120" /></a></p>
<p>Together Stack and Vedvik are the authors of  <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Financial-Aid-Handbook-Getting-Education/dp/1601631669/ref=lh_ni_t" title="The Financial Aid Handbook"   ><strong>The Financial Aid Handbook, Getting the Education You Want for the Price You Can Afford</strong>.</a></p>
<p><strong>Related Articles on SMW</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/careers-for-women/the-gender-wage-gap-college-majors-money/"   >The Gender Wage Gap: Majors and Money</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/careers-for-women/career-choice-and-gender-bias/"   >Career Choice and Gender Bias</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/economic-iq/"   >Don&#8217;t Know Much About the Economy: Teen&#8217;s Have Low Financial IQs</a></strong></p>
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		<title>The Saver&#8217;s Credit: Are You Eligible?</title>
		<link>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/the-savers-credit-are-you-eligible/</link>
		<comments>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/the-savers-credit-are-you-eligible/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Feb 2011 02:12:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>chrisb</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tools & Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Catherine Collinson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[earning money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial literacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manisha Thakor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retirement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[saving for retirement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[saving money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax credits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax deductions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax saving tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax season]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax time]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[taxe deductions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[taxes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://singlemindedwomen.com/?p=42222</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you could reduce your taxes in three ways with one simple tactic, would you pass it up? Believe it or not, that&#8217;s exactly what many hard-working Americans are unknowingly doing. Only 12% of Americans who reported an annual household income of less than $50,000 and may be eligible for the “Saver&#8217;s Credit&#8221;, know about [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/the-savers-credit-are-you-eligible/"   ><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-42224" title="Tax credit" src="http://singlemindedwomen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/tax-credit-430x294.jpg" alt="The Saver's Credit" width="430" height="294" /></a>If you could <a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/5-tips-for-minimizing-your-taxes-legally/" title="5 Tips for Minimizing Your Taxes (Legally!)"   target="_self" >reduce your taxes</a> in three ways with one simple tactic, would you pass it up?</em></strong></p>
<p>Believe it or not, that&#8217;s exactly what many hard-working Americans are unknowingly doing. Only 12% of Americans who reported an annual <a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/home/household-income%E2%80%94and-health-outcomes/" title="Household Income—And Health Outcomes"   target="_self" >household income</a> of less than $50,000 and may be eligible for the “Saver&#8217;s Credit&#8221;, know about it according to recent research by <a href="http://www.transamericacenter.org/resources/Savers%20Credit%20Press%20Release%20FINAL%201%2012%2011.pdf" title="Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies"   target="_blank" >Transamerica&#8217;s Center for Retirement Studies</a>. This tax credit, intended to encourage <a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/retirement-planning-a-womans-issue/" title="Retirement Planning: A Woman’s Issue"   target="_self" >retirement savings</a> amongst everyday Americans, may be applied up to the first $2,000 of contributions made by eligible workers to employer-sponsored retirement plans (like 401ks and 403bs) or IRAs.</p>
<p>Whenever tax season rolls around I get lots of questions from people asking, &#8220;Is XYZ <strong><em>deductible</em></strong>?&#8221; That&#8217;s a smart question because these days it&#8217;s the rare person who couldn&#8217;t benefit from some extra dollars in our pockets. But the real magic tax bullet isn&#8217;t a tax deduction&#8230; it&#8217;s a tax <strong><em>credit</em>. </strong>That&#8217;s because a tax credit results in a dollar for dollar reduction of your tax bill. In other words, a $1,000 credit means $1,000 is shaved off your tax bill. By contrast, if you had a $1,000 deduction and your marginal tax rate were 25%, your tax bill would only be reduced by the deductible amount multiplied by your marginal tax rate for a $250 savings.</p>
<p>If that math just made your head spin, you are not alone. Every single year when tax time comes around I have to pull out my notes (which have grown longer and more detailed as I&#8217;ve moved from a &#8220;W2&#8243; worker paid by a corporation to being a self-employed small business owner). When the complexity of our tax code makes me want to pull my hair out in frustration (which is often), I remind myself &#8211; <a href="http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/31/the-haves-and-the-have-nots/" title="NYTimes.com"   target="_blank" >by looking closely at charts like this one</a> &#8211; how lucky we are to live in America.</p>
<p>As for the triple-header, <a href="http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc610.html" title="IRS.gov"   target="_blank" >depending upon your income and tax filing status</a>, if your employer offers a 401k with a match and you contribute&#8230; you benefit from the match, from the reduction of your taxable income (a.k.a. a deduction), AND from the tax credit. That&#8217;s a sweet deal. And even if your employer doesn&#8217;t match or you are making the contribution through your IRA you still get the double benefit of a reduction in your taxable income plus the credit against any tax liability.</p>
<p>As someone who focuses her financial literacy advocacy work on women, I was particularly struck by data in the <a href="http://www.transamericacenter.org/resources/11th%20Women%20and%20Retirement%20Report.pdf" title="Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies"   target="_blank" >Transamerica&#8217;s 11th annual Women &amp; Retirement study</a> showing that women are less likely to contribute to 401k plans, when we do we contribute a smaller percentage of our income than men, and that we are less aware of this valuable Saver&#8217;s Credit than men. Given that we women (grumble, grumble) earn less than men yet live longer, it&#8217;s extra important for us to share the word about this credit with each other.</p>
<p>Here are the details on income limits for the credit. If you work with a tax preparation firm like H&amp;R Block, Jackson Hewitt, or an individual CPA be sure to ask them if you eligible for this valuable savers credit:</p>
<p><em>For single filers, the adjusted income limit is $27,750 in 2010. For the head of a household, the adjusted income limit is $41,625 in 2010. For those who are married and file a joint return, the adjusted income limit is $55,500 in 2010. Additionally, the filer cannot be a full-time student or be claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return.</em></p>
<p><strong>Do you know a woman who can benefit from this information? If so, please pass it along.</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>© 2011 <a href="http://www.singlemindedwomen.com/" title="SingleMindedWomen.com"   target="_self" >SingleMindedWomen.com </a>All rights reserved. Permission to reprint this article must be obtained from <a href="http://www.singlemindedwomen.com/" title="SingleMindedWomen.com"   target="_self" >SingleMindedWomen.com</a>.</p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em>Want more financial love? You can follow Women&#8217;s Financial Literacy Initiative founder, Manisha Thakor, on Twitter at </em><a href="http://www.twitter.com/ManishaThakor" title="@ManishaThakor"   target="_blank" ><em>@ManishaThakor</em></a><em>, sign up to get her email updates delivered </em><a href="http://manishathakor.com/contact/newsletter-sign-up/" title="www.ManishaThakor.com"   target="_blank" ><em>right to your inbox here</em></a><em>, and enroll in her innovative new online personal finance course called “</em><a href="http://www.sympoz.com/class/Money-Rules-A-Personal-Financial-Guide-for-Women/3.html" title="Money Rules... For Women"   target="_blank" ><em>Money Rules</em></a><em>.” </em></p>
<p><strong>More SMW Tax Advice</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/5-tips-for-minimizing-your-taxes-legally/" title="5 Tips for Minimizing Your Taxes (Legally!)"   target="_self" >5 Tips for Minimizing Your Taxes (Legally!)</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/tax-deductions-for-your-home-based-business/" title="Tax Deductions for Your Home-Based Business"   target="_self" >Tax Deductions for Your Home-Based Business</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/tax-season/" title="The Right Way to Do Your Taxes"   target="_self" >The Right Way to Do Your Taxes</a></strong></p>
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		<title>The Four Most Dangerous Words to Your Portfolio</title>
		<link>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/the-four-most-dangerous-words-to-your-portfolio/</link>
		<comments>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/the-four-most-dangerous-words-to-your-portfolio/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:00:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>chrisb</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tools & Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[asset allocation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ETFs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial independence for women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial literacy for women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Nirvana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John Bogle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manisha Thakor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mel Lindauer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Money Rules... for Women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mutual funds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[target date retirement funds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vanguard]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://singlemindedwomen.com/?p=40748</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How Should I Invest? As we head into the New Year, media outlets ranging from CNBC to The Washington Post are full of financial commentary addressing this question. On the surface it seems like a logical query. But if you were getting ready to go out, would you ask &#8220;What Should I Wear?&#8221;&#8230; without describing [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/the-four-most-dangerous-words-to-your-portfolio/"   ><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-40754" title="investing paper work" src="http://singlemindedwomen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/investing-paperwork-430x286.jpg" alt="How Should I Invest?" width="430" height="286" /></a>How Should I Invest?</em></strong></p>
<p>As we head into the <a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/women-relationships/duchess-digest-make-the-new-year-your-year/" title="Duchess Digest: Make the New Year YOUR Year!"   target="_self" >New Year</a>, media outlets ranging from CNBC to The Washington Post are full of <a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/" title="SMW Money Tips"   target="_self" >financial commentary</a> addressing this question. On the surface it seems like a logical query.</p>
<p>But if you were getting ready to go out, would you ask <a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/womens-fashion-tips/how-to-dress-for-an-interview/" title="How to Dress for an Interview: Tips from Image Consultant Peggy Parks"   target="_self" >&#8220;What Should I Wear?&#8221;</a>&#8230; without describing where you are heading? Of course not. The clothes you&#8217;d wear to shovel snow in will be very different from the clothes you&#8217;d wear to a wedding.</p>
<p>That&#8217;s why &#8220;<em>How Should I Invest?&#8221;</em> are the four most dangerous words to your portfolio. The answer to that question is often given as if one size fits all, when it&#8217;s anything but. To protect yourself, here are 5 things to think about to make sure your hard earned money is invested in a way that is appropriate for your specific situation.</p>
<p>1.      <strong>When do you need to spend that money? </strong>If it&#8217;s in the next 5 years you typically want to protect that money against inflation in savings accounts, money market funds/accounts or CDS rather than take market risk in stocks or bonds.</p>
<p>2.      <strong>Do you have any outstanding high-interest debt? </strong>If so, paying off that debt may be the best investment you can make as it gives a &#8220;guaranteed&#8221; return &#8211; especially when interest rates on savings vehicles are so low.</p>
<p>3.      <strong>How steady is your income?</strong> A professor with tenure may feel more comfortable taking higher short-run risk than an entrepreneur with variable cash flow.</p>
<p>4.      <strong>How old are you?</strong> The older you are, the less time you have on your side to bounce back from volatile markets and thus the more conservative you&#8217;ll want your portfolio to be. For women, a rough rule of thumb is to take 110 minus your age to arrive at the ideal maximum percentage of your portfolio in stocks.  For example, if you are a 40-year old woman&#8230; 110 minus 40 equals 70. So up to 70% of your portfolio could be in stocks and 30% in bonds (for men, who have shorter life spans, use <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bogle" title="John Bogle's"   target="_blank" >John Bogle&#8217;s</a> oft quoted 100 minus your age).</p>
<p>5.      <strong>How interested are you in investing to begin with?</strong> Unless you are inherently passionate about picking individual stocks or studying active money managers, I love target date retirement funds and/or utilizing low cost index funds and ETFs. My favorite &#8220;basic portfolio recipe&#8221; comes from <a href="http://portfolioist.com/" title="Boglehead Mel Lindauer"   target="_blank" >Boglehead Mel Lindauer</a>. His recommendation: for the percentage of your portfolio devoted to stocks, put 1/2 in a total US stock market index and 1/2 in a total international index. For the portion that goes into bonds, put 1/2 in a total US bond market index and 1/2 into Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (&#8220;TIPs&#8221;) via funds, ETFs, or direct purchase. From there you can add some additional investment spice in the form of REITS or commodities, but for most people this core recipe will do just dandy.</p>
<p>Bottom line, always remember that before anyone can give you meaningful investment guidance they need to understand where it is that <span style="text-decoration: underline;">you</span> specifically want to go.</p>
<p><strong><em>So, where are you headed, financially, in 2011?</em></strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>© 2011 <a href="http://www.singlemindedwomen.com/" title="SingleMindedWomen.com "   target="_self" >SingleMindedWomen.com </a>All rights reserved. Permission to reprint this article must be obtained from <a href="http://www.singlemindedwomen.com/" title="SingleMindedWomen.com "   target="_self" >SingleMindedWomen.com</a>.</p>
<p><em>Want more financial love? You can follow Women&#8217;s Financial Literacy Initiative founder, Manisha Thakor, on Twitter at </em><a href="http://www.twitter.com/ManishaThakor" title="@ManishaThakor"   target="_blank" ><em>@ManishaThakor</em></a><em>, sign up to get her email updates delivered </em><a href="http://manishathakor.com/contact/newsletter-sign-up/" title="www.ManishaThakor.com"   target="_blank" ><em>right to your inbox here</em></a><em>, and enroll in her innovative new online personal finance course called “</em><a href="http://www.sympoz.com/class/Money-Rules-A-Personal-Financial-Guide-for-Women/3.html" title="Money Rules... For Women"   target="_blank" ><em>Money Rules</em></a><em>.” </em></p>
<p><strong>More SMW Investing Advice</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/careers-for-women/investing-through-your-company-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/" title="Investing Through Your Company: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly"   target="_self" >Investing Through Your Company: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/investing-in-the-global-village/" title="Investing in the Global Village"   target="_self" >Investing in the Global Village</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/stop-wasting-time-and-start-getting-rich/" title="Stop Wasting Time and Start Getting Rich"   target="_self" >Stop Wasting Time and Start Getting Rich</a></strong></p>
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		<title>5 Ways To Eat Out For Less</title>
		<link>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/5-ways-to-eat-out-for-less/</link>
		<comments>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/5-ways-to-eat-out-for-less/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 16 Jan 2011 13:00:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>chrisb</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tools & Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget dining]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budgeting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial expert]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[footloose & financially free]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[living within your means]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[managing money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manisha Thakor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mindful spending]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money expert]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money mindset]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spending Money]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://singlemindedwomen.com/?p=40191</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[These tough economic times present an interesting financial conundrum for our tum-tums. During rocky periods it’s natural and healthy to want to seek out friends and companionship. Breaking bread and having a good chat is a wonderful way to release work/life stress. But given our busy lives many of us end up spending time with others [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/5-ways-to-eat-out-for-less/"   ><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-40197" title="Eating out" src="http://singlemindedwomen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Eating-out-430x275.jpg" alt="Eat Out For Less" width="430" height="275" /></a>These tough economic times present an interesting financial conundrum for our tum-tums. </strong></em></p>
<p>During rocky periods it’s natural and healthy to want to <a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/women-travel/single-supplement-fees/" title="Jody’s Travel Tips: Beating the Single Supplement Fees"   target="_self" >seek out friends and companionship</a>. Breaking bread and having a good chat is a wonderful way to <a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/womens-health/stress-and-alternative-therapies/" title="Relieving Stress with Alternative Therapies"   target="_self" >release work/life stress</a>. But given our busy lives many of us end up spending time with others while <a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/food-and-wine/table-for-one-critical-advice-for-dining-out-alone/" title="Table for One: “Critical” Advice for Dining Out Alone"   target="_self" >eating out</a>… which can really add up. So here are 5 simple things you can do to eat out for less.</p>
<p>1.    <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Share an entree or make a meal out of appetizers</span>: </strong>In modern America food portions have become so super-sized that the average meal can feed at least 2… and sometimes even 3 people. To avoid any surprises when the check comes, be sure to see if the restaurant charges a split entree fee. On a related note, some appetizers are so large they could easily fill you up as an entree and they generally cost half as much as a main dish.</p>
<p>2.    <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Be sure to ask how much the specials cost before ordering</span>: </strong>This is a major hot button of mine. How many times have you found yourself in a restaurant when the wait staff describes a succulent sounding dish? You go for it, only to find yourself fighting the urge to hurl when you see the bill and find out the price. Personally, I think it’s a sign of financial self-confidence to politely ask “and what do those specials run?” so you can make an informed decision. It can be awkward to do it at first – but trust me, the whole table will appreciate it, and you’ll be a trendsetter.</p>
<p>3.    <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Soup, it does a body good</span>: </strong>A nice bowl of hearty soup (think gumbo, beef stew, tortilla soup, or chili) often costs a lot less, contains healthier ingredients, and fills you up as much as a regular entree.</p>
<p>4.    <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Think before you drink</span>: </strong>Beverages – alcoholic and even non – are very high margin products for restaurants. At a minimum, think twice before doubling down.  If you can, savor one drink throughout the meal. And if you’re really trying to cut back, go to nature’s best… a glass of tap water. Doing this can easily shave 20% or 30% off your bill (not to mention pounds off your waist line!).</p>
<p>5.    <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Do lunch</span>: </strong>If you have a really strong urge to meet friends at a fancy new restaurant, try doing it at lunchtime instead. Prices are much lower, portions are more realistic, and you’re less likely to run up a costly alcohol bill.</p>
<p><strong><em>What about you – any other suggestions you’d add to this list?</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>© 2011 <a href="http://www.singlemindedwomen.com/" title="SingleMindedWomen.com "   target="_self" >SingleMindedWomen.com </a>All rights reserved. Permission to reprint this article must be obtained from <a href="http://www.singlemindedwomen.com/" title="SingleMindedWomen.com "   target="_self" >SingleMindedWomen.com</a>.</p>
<p><em>Want more financial love? You can follow Manisha on Twitter at </em><a href="http://www.twitter.com/ManishaThakor" title="@ManishaThakor"   target="_blank" ><em>@ManishaThakor</em></a><em> and sign up for her </em><a href="http://www.manishathakor.com/contact/newsletter-sign-up" title="www.ManishaThakor.com"   target="_blank" ><em>email updates here</em></a><em>. Starting in Fall 2010, Manisha will teach an innovative online course on &#8220;Financial Literacy 101&#8243; for women through <a href="http://www.sympoz.com/" title="Financial Literacy 101"   target="_blank" >www.Sympoz.com</a>. Manisha Thakor, personal finance expert for women, can be reached via her website, </em><a href="http://www.manishathakor.com/" title="www.ManishaThakor.com"   target="_blank" ><em>www.ManishaThakor.com</em></a><em>. </em></p>
<p><strong>More SMW Money Saving Advice</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/five-unconventional-ways-to-save-money-on-food/" title="Five Unconventional Ways to Save Money on Food"   target="_self" >Five Unconventional Ways to Save Money on Food</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/you-can-save-some-green-by-going-green/" title="You Can Save Some Green by Going Green"   target="_self" >You Can Save Some Green by Going Green</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/cash-and-carry/" title="Cash and Carry"   target="_self" >Cash and Carry</a></strong></p>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="overflow: hidden; position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 799px; width: 1px; height: 1px;">
<h1>Cash and Carry</h1>
</div>
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		<title>Money Rules… For Women</title>
		<link>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/money-rules-for-women/</link>
		<comments>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/money-rules-for-women/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 08 Jan 2011 22:26:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>chrisb</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money-page-feature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tools & Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eCourse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[finances]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial advice for women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[managing your money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manisha Thakor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Money Advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money advice for single women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money advice for women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Money management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money matters]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[womens money advice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://singlemindedwomen.com/?p=40110</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[An overview by Manisha Thakor, course instructor. Have you ever wished someone would just tell you straight up what you need to know about money &#8211; and what you can ignore? Do you want to take charge of your financial future but find yourself yawning at the thought of pouring through a personal finance book [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>An overview by Manisha Thakor, course instructor.<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-40505" title="Women_and_money2" src="http://singlemindedwomen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Women_and_money1.jpg" alt="" width="360" height="270" /></p>
<p><em>Have you ever wished someone would just tell you straight up <a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/" title="SMW Money "   target="_self" >what you need to know about money</a> &#8211; and what you can ignore?</em></p>
<p><em>Do you want to take charge of your <a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/single-focused-first-steps-to-maserting-money-and-managing-debt/" title="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/single-focused-first-steps-to-maserting-money-and-managing-debt/"   target="_self" >financial future</a> but find yourself yawning at the thought of pouring through a personal finance book or magazine?</em></p>
<p><em>Does the thought of being able to use <a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/singlemindedwomen-com-and-green-sherpa/" title="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/singlemindedwomen-com-and-green-sherpa/"   target="_self" >money as a tool</a> to give you choices, freedom, and control in your life put a smile on your face?</em></p>
<p>If you answered yes to any of these questions, my new eCourse &#8220;Money Rules&#8230; For Women&#8221; is for you. It is full of great financial advice for women. As a Harvard MBA and former portfolio manager, when I look back on my life, it&#8217;s roughly 10 hours of (surprisingly straight-forward) personal finance lessons that made all the difference. It&#8217;s that exact information that I share with you in this innovative class. The course contains roughly 5 hours of video lessons and 5 hours of homework.</p>
<p>Because women today are B.U.S.Y., the course is designed to be taken in bites as small as ten to fifteen minutes at a time. Because personal finance is not a &#8220;language&#8221; we are taught, you can ask me questions either through the public forums or by sending me a private note. Because schedules vary, you can start the course at any time and work through it at your own pace. When you are done you will have learned&#8230;</p>
<ul>
<li>How much to save &#8211; and where to find the money to do it</li>
<li>How to assess the order of priority for competing demands on your cash</li>
<li>How to invest in a powerful, keep-it-simple manner</li>
<li>How to talk about money with your honey</li>
<li>How to find and effectively work with a financial advisor</li>
</ul>
<p>The course costs $99. Implementing just one of the learnings (let alone all&#8230;) can save you the course price back many times over. I will donate 10% of any revenue I receive from the course to <a href="http://www.thegirleffect.org/" title="www.TheGirlEffect.org"   target="_blank" >www.TheGirlEffect.org</a>. So you&#8217;ll be helping yourself and a great cause. And if you are not happy with the class, you can request a no-questions-asked refund. The best part of all &#8211; is that when you are in charge of your finances you have the ability to create the life that makes your heart sing. That&#8217;s why the course is called &#8220;Money Rules.&#8221; That title is meant literally and figuratively.  Or as I like to say, &#8220;Own Your Finances &amp; Own Your Life.&#8221;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>To hear more, watch this short video. </strong><a href="http://www.sympoz.com/class/Money-Rules-A-Personal-Financial-Guide-for-Women/3.html" title="Money Rules... For Women"   target="_blank" ><strong>To sign up, click here.</strong></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="350" height="292" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="src" value="http://blip.tv/play/htxmgpqwdwA" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="350" height="292" src="http://blip.tv/play/htxmgpqwdwA" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p><strong>More SMW Financial Advice from Manisha Thakor</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/4-ways-healthcare-reform-will-affect-your-fsa/" title="4 Ways Healthcare Reform Can Pump Up Your FSA"   target="_self" >4 Ways Healthcare Reform Can Pump Up Your FSA</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/gen-x-gen-y-%E2%80%93-dialing-financial-911/" title="Gen X &amp; Gen Y – Dialing Financial 911"   target="_self" >Gen X &amp; Gen Y – Dialing Financial 911</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/you-might-have-a-money-problem-if/" title="You Might Have a Money Problem if…"   target="_self" >You Might Have a Money Problem if…</a></strong></p>
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		<title>4 Ways Healthcare Reform Can Pump Up Your FSA</title>
		<link>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/4-ways-healthcare-reform-will-affect-your-fsa/</link>
		<comments>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/4-ways-healthcare-reform-will-affect-your-fsa/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:10:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>chrisb</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tools & Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budgeting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial independence for women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Nirvana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Flexible Spending Accounts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[healthcare reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manisha Thakor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mindful spending]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money management for women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Protecting Your Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Save Smart Spend Healthy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spending Money]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://singlemindedwomen.com/?p=40114</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8216;Tis the season&#8230; for open enrollment. Open enrollment is the annual window where you can sign up for valuable employee benefits such as a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). If you work for an employer offering this benefit, trust me, you want to keep reading. As a self-employed person not eligible for this benefit right now &#8211; [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><img class="size-full wp-image-40117 alignright" title="Flexible Spending Account" src="http://singlemindedwomen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/fsa-2.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="268" />&#8216;Tis the season&#8230; for open enrollment.</strong></p>
<p>Open enrollment is the annual window where you can sign up for valuable <a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/careers-for-women/investing-through-your-company-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/" title="Investing Through Your Company: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly"   target="_self" >employee benefits</a> such as a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). If you work for an employer offering this benefit, trust me, you want to keep reading. As a <a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/self-employed-with-an-uneven-income-some-smart-financial-planning-tips/" title="Self-Employed, with an Uneven Income? Some Smart Financial Planning Tips"   target="_self" >self-employed</a> person not eligible for this benefit right now &#8211; I&#8217;m here to tell you an FSA is nothing to sneeze at.  Back when I was in corporate America I didn&#8217;t appreciate FSAs enough &#8211; and want to make sure you don&#8217;t make that same mistake.</p>
<p>FSAs are a great way to plump up YOUR bottom line by enabling you to pay for necessary out-of-pocket medical expenses with <a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/5-tips-for-minimizing-your-taxes-legally/" title="5 Tips for Minimizing Your Taxes (Legally!)"   target="_self" >pre-tax dollars</a>. As a result, when you sign up for an FSA, you can save up to 40 percent on expenditures that you are going to make anyway. This year, healthcare reform has brought about some changes to FSAs. To help current and prospective FSA users prepare for open enrollment, I&#8217;ve teamed up with Wage Works on a &#8220;<strong><a href="http://www.savesmartspendhealthy.com/" title="Save Smart, Spend Healthy Campaign"   target="_blank" >Save Smart, Spend Healthy Campaign</a></strong>&#8221; to spread the word about what you need to know to make the best choices for you and your family.</p>
<p><strong><em>Here are four key differences from last year that you should know about when planning how much to contribute to your FSA account:</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>1. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">OTC Medicines Are Still Covered&#8230; But You Will Need A Prescription.</span></strong> When there is change, there is often confusion. A number of news stories have inaccurately reported that the IRS is no longer allowing over-the-counter (OTC) medications to be paid for with FSA funds. Thankfully, this is incorrect. The truth is that starting January 1, 2011 OTC medications (excluding insulin) will require a doctor&#8217;s prescription in order to be paid for with FSA funds. Note: the key word here is &#8220;medicines.&#8221; Other non-medicinal OTC items such as band-aids, crutches and diagnostic kits can still be paid for with FSA dollars prescription-free. The easiest way to prepare for the new rule around OTC medications is simply to have a frank dialogue with your doctor at your next annual exam and get the necessary paperwork (specifically, a prescription) in advance for things like allergy medicine or pain relief capsules.</p>
<p><strong>2. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Contribution Caps Are Coming&#8230; So Plan Today For Elective Procedures</span>.</strong> Starting in 2013, annual contributions to FSA accounts will be capped at $2,500. (Right now contribution caps are set by individual employers, and tend to average around $5,000.) If you&#8217;ve been contemplating an elective procedure for you or a qualified family member &#8211; such as LASIK or braces &#8211; 2011 and 2012 are the last two years in which to set aside and use extra funds in your FSA. Remember, a payment made with FSA dollars is akin to getting a discount of up to 40 percent off since you are paying with pre-tax dollars. So it&#8217;s really worth it to make an estimate of your FSA eligible expenses for the coming year and sign up to contribute that amount into your account.</p>
<p><strong>3. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Adult Children Get A Helping Hand&#8230; Under Certain Circumstances</span>. </strong>Thanks to healthcare reform your adult children can stay on your healthcare policy up to age 26 &#8211; as long as they are not offered coverage by their employer. Now is a great time to check in with your entire family and see who might need coverage and/or whether any of your adult children qualify as dependents. Note: some firms will allow mid-year FSA contributions to reflect the addition of adult children so check with your HR department about their policies on qualifying events.</p>
<p><strong>4. &#8220;<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Free&#8221; Preventative Care&#8230; Means Some Costs Will Go Away</span>.</strong> Last but not least, routine screening for blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol may no longer require a co-pay. Other cancer screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies as well a pre-natal care visits, vaccinations, and routine infant and childcare checkups may also be provided as part of your baseline insurance &#8211; thus requiring no additional out-of-pocket cost. If you had previously used your FSA to pay for these expenses, you can pare back here.</p>
<p>Ultimately, spending a little bit of time understanding how healthcare reform may change the amount you choose to contribute to your FSA for 2011 is an investment that you won&#8217;t regret.</p>
<p>© 2010 <a href="http://www.singlemindedwomen.com/" title="SingleMindedWomen.com "   target="_self" >SingleMindedWomen.com </a>All rights reserved. Permission to reprint this article must be obtained from <a href="http://www.singlemindedwomen.com/" title="SingleMindedWomen.com "   target="_self" >SingleMindedWomen.com</a>.</p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em>Want more financial love? You can follow Manisha on Twitter at </em><a href="http://www.twitter.com/ManishaThakor" title="@ManishaThakor"   target="_blank" ><em>@ManishaThakor</em></a><em>, sign up to receive her </em><a href="http://manishathakor.com/contact/newsletter-sign-up/" title="www.ManishaThakor.com"   target="_blank" ><em>weekly blog posts here</em></a><em> and enroll in her innovative online personal finance course called &#8220;</em><a href="http://www.sympoz.com/class/Money-Rules-A-Personal-Financial-Guide-for-Women/3.html" title="Money Rules"   target="_blank" ><em>Money Rules</em></a><em>.&#8221;  Founder of the Women&#8217;s Financial Literacy Initiative, Manisha can be reached via her website: </em><a href="http://www.manishathakor.com/" title="www.ManishaThakor.com"   target="_blank" ><em>www.ManishaThakor.com</em></a><em>. </em></p>
<p><strong>More SMW Money Advice for Women</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/top-10-financial-resolutions-for-the-new-year/" title="Top 10 Financial Resolutions for the New Year"   target="_self" >Top 10 Financial Resolutions for the New Year</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/you-might-have-a-money-problem-if/" title="You Might Have a Money Problem if…"   target="_self" >You Might Have a Money Problem if…</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/gen-x-gen-y-%E2%80%93-dialing-financial-911/" title="Gen X &amp; Gen Y – Dialing Financial 911"   target="_self" >Gen X &amp; Gen Y – Dialing Financial 911</a></strong></p>
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		<title>NO EXCUSES: Gloria Feldt’s 9 Power Tools for Women</title>
		<link>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/gloria-feldts-9-power-tools-for-women/</link>
		<comments>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/gloria-feldts-9-power-tools-for-women/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:00:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>chrisb</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tools & Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Be Your Own Sugar Mamma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[book]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[earning money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial freedom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial independence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financially independent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Global feminist financial guru]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gloria Feldt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[No Excuses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Own Your Finances & Own Your Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women’s economic empowerment]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[For every man who receives a bachelor’s degree this year, three women will do the same. Yet there is still a 20% pay gap between men and women, and women represent only 3% of Fortune 500 CEOs. What’s wrong with this picture? In her fantastic new book, NO EXCUSES, feminist icon Gloria Feldt answers this [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_38410" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 432px"><img class="size-full wp-image-38410" title="gloria feldt photo" src="http://singlemindedwomen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/gloria-feldt-photo.jpg" alt="" width="422" height="282" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Photo credit: Maryanne Russell</p></div>
<p>For every man who receives a bachelor’s degree this year, three women will do the same. Yet there is still a 20% pay gap between men and women, and women represent only 3% of Fortune 500 CEOs.</p>
<p><strong><em>What’s wrong with this picture?</em></strong></p>
<p>In her fantastic new book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/No-Excuses-Women-Change-Think/dp/1580053289/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1283191732&amp;sr=8-1" title="NO EXCUSES"   target="_blank" ><strong><em>NO EXCUSES</em></strong></a>, feminist icon <a href="http://www.gloriafeldt.com/" title="Gloria Feldt"   target="_blank" >Gloria Feldt</a> answers this question and gives nine power tools to help women (re)claim our power. As the former CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Federation, Gloria is no stranger to power. After extensive firsthand research Gloria&#8217;s conclusion: &#8220;Nobody is keeping women from parity &#8211; except themselves.&#8221; In <em>NO EXCUSES</em> (view <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O8Pi2XBdms" title="NO EXCUSES"   target="_blank" >the book trailer here</a>) Gloria argues that we women limit ourselves by adhering to outdated social structures and by succumbing to pressure to conform to society’s standards. Fascinated by (and totally identifying with) her conclusions, I asked Gloria if she&#8217;d share a few more thoughts with us&#8230;</p>
<p><strong>Gloria, What motivated you to write <em>NO EXCUSES</em>?</strong></p>
<p><em>I became an activist for women 40 years ago&#8230; But I got a wake-up call during the 2008 elections, when it seemed the first woman president might become reality. I interviewed experts&#8230; and studied the data on why women do (or, it turned out, don’t) run for office for a magazine article I was writing.</em></p>
<p><em>I was shocked to find women often resist power or forge ahead only to step back.  And on reflection I had to admit I&#8217;ve done it myself. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">At the rate women are going, it’ll take 70 years to get to parity &#8211; in business where women hold only 18% of the top positions, as well as politics</span>. Since I can&#8217;t live that long, I decided I&#8217;d better do something to speed the process. </em></p>
<p><strong>What are the top three messages you hope women take away from <em>NO EXCUSES?</em></strong></p>
<p><em>1. This is an amazing moment for women, a hopeful and historic moment—but only if we make it so. Historic moments don&#8217;t last forever&#8211;so it&#8217;s up to women individually and collectively to keep the trajectory going in a positive direction.</em></p>
<p><em>2.  There are many reasons why women aren&#8217;t at parity &#8211; external barriers of discrimination and internal barriers of fear and insecurity &#8211; but there are no excuses any more. We are fully capable of owning the responsibility t<span style="text-decoration: underline;">o walk ourselves through the doors now and to take other women with us</span>. My purpose is not to blame but to inspire women to be intentional about their lives in a way that we have not usually been socialized to be.</em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em>3. That’s why in No Excuses I give women “The 9 Ways”—a set of specific power tools and inspiring stories they can use to lead unlimited lives&#8230; (for instance) Embrace controversy as your friend. Define your own terms first, before someone else defines you.</em></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>What do you know today about power that you wish you had known 20 years ago?</strong></p>
<p><em>I recently made a speech about women and power at the University of Missouri Kansas City. Afterward, a woman said to me, &#8220;I wish I&#8217;d had a Gloria Feldt when I was 15.&#8221; I replied, &#8220;I wish I&#8217;d had a Gloria Feldt when I was 15 too.&#8221;  I wish I&#8217;d realized that what I need to accomplish my goals is always there <span style="text-decoration: underline;">if only I am willing to see it and have the courage to use it</span>&#8230;</em></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>To unleash your inner Gloria Feldt, visit her </strong><a href="http://9ways.gloriafeldt.com/" title="9 Ways Blog"   target="_blank" ><strong>9 Ways Blog</strong></a><strong>, where each week Gloria will be discussing a different aspect of the 9 power tools &#8211; and asking women to share their stories, questions, and ideas.</strong></p>
<p>© 2010 <a href="http://www.singlemindedwomen.com/" title="SingleMindedWomen.com"   target="_self" >SingleMindedWomen.com </a>All rights reserved. Permission to reprint this article must be obtained from <a href="http://www.singlemindedwomen.com/" title="SingleMindedWomen.com"   target="_self" >SingleMindedWomen.com</a>.</p>
<p><em>Want more financial love? You can follow Manisha on Twitter at </em><a href="http://www.twitter.com/ManishaThakor" title="@ManishaThakor"   target="_blank" ><em>@ManishaThakor</em></a><em> and sign up for her </em><a href="http://www.manishathakor.com/contact/newsletter-sign-up" title="www.ManishaThakor.com"   target="_blank" ><em>email updates here</em></a><em>. Starting in Fall 2010, Manisha will teach an innovative online course on &#8220;Financial Literacy 101&#8243; for women through </em><a href="http://www.sympoz.com/" title="www.Sympoz.com"   target="_blank" ><em>www.Sympoz.com</em></a><em>. Manisha Thakor, personal finance expert for women, can be reached via her website, </em><a href="http://www.manishathakor.com/" title="www.ManishaThakor.com"   target="_blank" ><em>www.ManishaThakor.com</em></a><em>. </em></p>
<p><strong>More SMW Financial Advice</strong></p>
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		<title>3 Reasons to Take Your Online Banking Relationship to the Next Level</title>
		<link>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/3-reasons-to-take-your-online-banking-relationship-to-the-next-level/</link>
		<comments>http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/3-reasons-to-take-your-online-banking-relationship-to-the-next-level/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Oct 2010 14:52:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>allison</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tools & Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ebillplace.com]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial advice for women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manisha Thakor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online banking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal finance for women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ZashPay]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://singlemindedwomen.com/?p=36353</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Are you banking online? A recent survey says 80 percent of U.S. online households are. However, if you’re limiting your online account management to checking your balance or reviewing past transactions you are missing out on the biggest benefits of the service. Many people don&#8217;t realize that online banking services at most banks and credit [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/3-reasons-to-take-your-online-banking-relationship-to-the-next-level/"   ><img class="size-full wp-image-36363 alignleft" title="Advantages of online banking" src="http://singlemindedwomen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Advantages-of-online-banking.jpg" alt="" width="426" height="282" /></a>Are you banking online? A recent survey says 80 percent of U.S. online households are. However, if you’re limiting your online account management to checking your balance or reviewing past transactions you are missing out on the biggest benefits of the service. Many people don&#8217;t realize that online banking services at most banks and credit unions enable you to receive and pay your bills from one simple dashboard. That&#8217;s the gift that keeps on giving. Here are my top three reasons why you should take your online banking relationship to the next level by consolidating all your bill paying through your bank or credit union:</p>
<p>1.<strong> It makes your financial life easier</strong>: When you use your primary financial institution as command central for your bills, you only have to remember one password and log on one time. You can see exactly how much money you have in your account as you pay each bill from that one control panel. When you utilize online banking, you can pay ALL of your household bills online –not just to large companies, but to small firms, and even individual people. (Seriously. Thanks to a new offering called <a href="http://www.zashpay.com/"   target="_blank" >ZashPay</a> that many financial institutions offer, you can literally send person-to-person payments online using only the recipient’s email address or phone number.)</p>
<p>2. <strong>It gives you control</strong>. According to a recent survey from financial technology provider Fiserv (a company I&#8217;m doing some very interesting work with), a whopping 64% of consumers have lost a paper bill in their home and another 57% have experienced a paper bill being lost in the mail. If you utilize online bill pay through your bank or credit union, you can eliminate this concern by having bills sent electronically right to your online banking account. Hundreds of national billers offer these paperless bills, known as e-bills. They contain the exact same information as paper bills, but are delivered directly to your online bank account. On top of this, when you utilize online banking through your financial institution you determine exactly when each bill will get paid – which is not the case, for instance, when you have bills auto-debited.</p>
<p>3. <strong>It gives you safety</strong>. Last but not least, whenever I talk about online anything – one of the first concerns that rightfully pops up is&#8230; safety. This may be the best part of all when it comes to online banking. When you use online banking it&#8217;s like banking with Kevlar on. You are reaping the benefits of all the money those financial institutions have spent on encryption and fraud detection tools. Also, you don&#8217;t have to share your bank account number the way you might have to do if you pay a bill at a company&#8217;s website. Additionally most financial institutions have robust alert options that will notify you via text or email of activity in your account so you can keep a close eye on your hard earned dollars.</p>
<p>To learn more about receiving and paying bills online, visit <a href="http://www.ebillplace.com"   target="_blank" >www.ebillplace.com</a>.</p>
<p>© 2010 <a href="http://www.singlemindedwomen.com"   target="_self" >SingleMindedWomen.com </a>All rights reserved. Permission to reprint this article must be obtained from <a href="http://www.singlemindedwomen.com"   target="_self" >SingleMindedWomen.com</a>.</p>
<p><em>Want more financial love? You can follow Manisha on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ManishaThakor"   target="_blank" >@ManishaThakor </a>and sign up for her <a href="http://www.manishathakor.com/contact/newsletter-sign-up"   target="_blank" >email updates here</a>. Starting in Fall 2010, Manisha will teach an innovative online course on &#8220;Financial Literacy 101&#8243; for women through <a href="http://www.sympoz.com/"   target="_blank" >http://www.sympoz.com/</a>. Manisha Thakor, personal finance expert for women, can be reached via her website, <a href="http://www.manishathakor.com/"   target="_blank" >http://www.manishathakor.com/</a></em></p>
<p><strong>More Financial Advice on SMW</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/are-you-dating-a-financial-deadbeat/"   target="_self" >5 Signs You Are Dating a (Financial) Deadbeat?</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/you-might-have-a-money-problem-if/"   target="_self" >You Might Have a Money Problem If&#8230;</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/5-items-will-consume-more-than-fifty-percent-of-your-lifetime-income/"   target="_self" >5 Items That Will Consume More Thank 50% of Your Lifetime Income</a> </strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
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