How I Paid Off $22,000 in Student Loan Debt in 18 Months

I paid off $22,000 in student loans accrued for my college age kids in 18 months. How did I accomplish this? What secrets did I use? My strategies for loan repayment are no different than those I used for paying off other debt. My secrets are organization, promptness and aggressive cost-cutting. I also use the old Nike shoe maxim--"Just Do It." Here's how it worked.  Read more

Free Printable Checking Account Forms

If you're teaching your kids about money are working on budgeting yourself, here are activities to help. Money is one of the best subjects to explore when teaching math skills. Units on money math are essential for improving scores on high stakes testing as well. Here are some of the many benefits of instruction in money math:
Coin counting teaches adding and multiplying skills.

Making change teaches subtraction skills.

Calculating sales discounts teaches fractions, decimals and percents.

Profit and loss explains integers

Income and expenses teaches algebra formulas

For printable lesson plans on money click here Free Printable Lesson Plans: Math, Money, Banking, Shopping 

How I'm Keeping My Organization New Years Resolutions - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com

If you're like me, making New Year's resolutions is the easy part. I think up a few goals on New Year's Eve, throw salt over my shoulder and toast my success. I'm great for the first few weeks of January, but by MLK Jr. Day, I've pretty much forgotten them. Here are ways I'm not only making but keeping my 2012 New Year's resolutions. Since most of my resolutions involve money, I'll focus on those. I'm also working on increased personal organization, so scheduling and multitasker tips figure heavily in this list, too. Read more at First Person: How I'm Keeping My Financial New Year's Resolutions

Reduce Home Heating and Energy Costs; Winterize and Save Money

Easy, Inexpensive Ways to Reduce Your Home Energy and Heating Costs We've winterized homes and mobile homes and have learned many tricks along the way to reduce home heating costs. These DIY, 'on-a-shoestring' tips do not require large investments of money. Cut your energy consumption with these green ideas. Read More