In my post on understanding your brain, I shared six tips to avoid overspending when you are out shopping. But what about on-line shopping? On-line shopping can be VERY hazardous to our wallets, and yet we often only think about its virtues. We think we won’t be tempted to buy other things that catch our … Continue reading How on-line retailers get you to spend, and 5 ways to avoid this →

In my last post, I talked about a gloriously boring savings concept called periodic savings. It was on how to handle all those stressful unexpected expenses and avoid credit card debt. Click here if you missed it. Now I want to talk about your “freedom fund”. Some call this a “safety net”. Here is the … Continue reading How to create your very own Freedom Fund. Yummy. →

We’ve all been told to save money. But for what? For that proverbial rainy day? (It always rains where I live, by the way. Seattle.) Can we ever touch our savings? When? I find that many people have a hard time saving because they are not sure what they are saving for, and then they … Continue reading Creating Gloriously Boring Savings (and a Money Ninja trick to pull it off) →

As a money coach, I am sometimes asked about credit scores, and people are often surprised by my attitude. I feel that people worry about them too much. Credit scores (Your FICO score) tell potential creditors how good you are at borrowing money and paying it back. That’s it. So it is a bit of … Continue reading You are not your credit score (But here’s how to get your number and maybe raise it) →

Whether you need to spend less when you go out shopping or you want to be a more conscious spender, it helps to have a few tricks under your belt. Stores spend billions on the science of getting you to part with your money. They understand how your brain works and then use this against … Continue reading Understand your brain: 6 tricks to help you avoid overspending →

A couple of Saturdays ago, I finally sat down with my magic crystal ball. I was ready to create my personal 2012 spending and income plan. I was a bit nervous this year about what I would see in the ball. I really need to convert my house to gas, or at least replace my … Continue reading Look into your 2012 Crystal Ball →

It’s a new year. I know you may be struggling with a Post-Holiday Spending Hangover. But you get to start fresh. Really! So let’s start off the year with a simple, but helpful idea. It’s called Do No Harm Spending. But first, let me throw out a deep thought: You are the most important person … Continue reading Practice “Do No Harm” spending →

Here’s a question– Did you wake up last January with a spending hangover? You know what I mean- come January, when all the gifts are opened and the parties are over, the Visa, MasterCard, Macy’s and Nordstrom’s bills begin to arrive. Credit card use is up 7% this holiday season. And sadly, it takes the … Continue reading 8 Step Plan to avoiding the post-holiday spending hangover →

If 2012 is the year to make more money, raising your fees could be a vital ingredient. Many people have kept their fees flat for the last few years, due to concerns about the economy. But with the impact of inflation, you can’t keep your fees the same forever. Generally speaking, you should raise your … Continue reading Why women find raising their fees difficult →

If 2012 is the year to make more money, raising your fees could be a vital ingredient. Many people have kept their fees flat for the last few years, due to concerns about the economy. But with the impact of inflation, you can’t keep your fees the same forever! So please consider joining me for … Continue reading How to Set and Raise Your Fees with Confidence—Dec 2nd seminar in Seattle →