Prenuptial Agreements: Unromantic, but Important
March 8, 2010 by cbowman
Filed under Headlines, Relationships, Work & Money
According to a recent survey, more than one-third of adults — 36% — said prenups make smart financial sense.
The prenup seems so utterly unromantic — or just plain wrong — but it’s also become so right for so many these days: those keenly aware that a marriage may end up in a legal separation, divorce or death.
To find out what is fueling the prenup bump, and whether you should consider one, read on…
Christmas Gifts on a Budget
December 13, 2009 by cbowman
Filed under Work & Money
It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but if money is tight, Christmas can be pretty stressful.
Keep in mind, the best Christmas gifts don’t come with hundred-dollar price tags. It’s the thought that counts. Here are some thrifty gift ideas to help you stay on budget:
1) Make everyone fleece blankets for the winter. Click here for instructions.
2) Donate a lump sum in honor of your aunts, uncles, cousins, and so on, to a local charity like PAWS Columbus or the Valley Rescue Mission.
3) Make creative coupons that your relatives can “cash in” later. For example, one car wash, one hour of weeding in the garden, one hour of board games, etc.
4) Use fabric paint to decorate or personalize t-shirts for everyone.
5) Give framed copies of your child’s artwork to relatives.
6) Fill large mason jars with cookie, brownie or soup mixes. Layer the dry ingredients than add a gift tag that provides the rest of the directions and wet ingredients. Here’s a recipe for Snowman Soup Mix.
7) Make small scrapbooks of your little ones for the grandparents. Look for photo coasters or a pretty picture frame, and slide in a nice shot of yourself or your kids with your parents or grandparents.
8 ) If you like to bake, fill some cute little containers with goodies.
9) Give Christmas ornaments to everyone. They’ll hang them on the tree every year.
10) Do a Secret Santa gift exchange with the extended family.
Her: Mommy Entrepreneurs
May 14, 2009 by cbowman
Filed under Work & Money
The workforce is made up of countless mothers who juggle the duties associated with jobs, careers, and parenting — some more successfully than others!
Be sure to pick up your copy of the May 2009 issue of Her magazine and read my story Mommy Entrepreneurs.
You will meet four local moms who are running successful businesses while raising families.
Find out what motivates them to be the best moms and businesswomen they can be.
Valley Parent: The Baby Bottom Line
April 11, 2009 by cbowman
Filed under Work & Money
Sure, every one knows there are some items a new baby must have — like a car seat, a crib, piles of clothing, mountains of diapers, and hundreds of jars of baby food. But what items should you buy new? What can you buy used? What should you splurge on, and what should you skip?
Before you go shopping, read my article The Baby Bottom Line in Valley Parent magazine for some tips from other parents that will keep you from breaking your piggy bank.
