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

Increase Blog Rank, Improve Search Engine Optimization

I've been freelancing online since 2005 and blogging since 2008. My blogs do well on Google ranks and generate thousands of hits monthly. In recent Google Panda and Penguin updates, they dropped. however. Here's what I did wrong and what I fixed to reflect current SEO (search engine optimization) practices. Read more

Ways Save Money on Back to School Shopping, Get Free Haircuts

As summer winds down, parents and kids are gearing up to go back to school. For parents, kids returning to school means back-to-school shopping. In 2012, the Detroit News reported that families will spend an average $688 per child on back-to-school purchases. Detroiters, if you’re looking to save money on back-to-school purchases, here are places in the metro area to do it. Here are ways to get free haircuts, free school supplies and save money in any city. Read on Ways Save Money on Back to School Shopping

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

Free Printable Checkbook Register and Financial Planner

Free Printable Checkbook Register and Financial Organizers
Raise your hand if you write checks or make debit purchases. Raise your hand if you balance said checkbook and debit purchases.  Here are free printable checkbook and debit card registers to help balance your checks and stay in the financial black. This article links to printable calendars, but there are printable financial organizers and checkbook registers too! Click for free printable checkbook registers

Make Your Time and Work Online Multitask for You with Niche Blogs

Making Money Online: Niche Blogs vs. Personal Blogging Make your online writing and articles multitask. How? By creating niche blogs to showcase your articles, direct readers back to your content, link to your profile, earn page views and make money with Google Adsense on your blogs. Easy, organized and great multitasker. Read More

How to Use Internet Shopping Coupon Codes to Save Money

Online Shopping Guide: How to Use Coupons Online Shopping online makes financial sense. Shopping on the Internet saves time, energy and gas money. Some Internet shoppers may not know how to use coupons. Here is a guide to using coupons for online shopping to save money. Read More

Cheap Kids Party Organizer

Cheap Kids Party Organizer Need ideas for holiday activities for children? Here is the definitive guide! Compiled by a 25-year veteran teacher, it's loaded with timesavers, money shortcuts and energy saving ideas, you can host a party that everyone, even parents, will enjoy. Perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday parties. View more »

Make your Money Multitask

How to Generate and Keep Money You multitask,so why not expect your money to multitask, too? Yeah. Right, you say. No kidding! Here are 15 foolproof ways to make your money do double or triple duty! Tips for saving money, making money and keeping money. View more »

How to Shop Wisely for Childrens' Clothing

How to Outfit Children A complete guide for kids' clothing buying. How to shop for childrens' clothing: what to buy. What not to buy! Where to shop for great prices! How much to buy. How to care for clothing! View more »