20 Strategies for Saving Money
With the current state of the economy, everyone is looking for ways to save money and improve their financial picture. Here are 20 simple ideas that can help you find extra money and reduce daily expenses.

A Holiday Story
Two women, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One woman was allowed to sit up in her bed for an hour each afternoon. The other woman had to spend all her time flat on her back.

Baby Gloomers
In the United States we call those people 50-65 Baby Boomers. In England they call them Baby Gloomers.

Being Grateful
If you were asked to describe how you begin your day, are your mornings filled with rushing around, dragging kids out of bed, dreading the bus ride to the city and complaining about going to a job you do not like?

Carpe Diem!
Having been widowed at an early age, I learned the importance of

Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk
My mother was very Irish. And she had a saying for almost anything. When things would go wrong and there was no way to fix them, she would just remind us to move on as it was a waste of time to cry over spilled milk.

Everything's Green
Having been raised by an Irish mother, it is impossible for me to think of March without thinking of St. Patrick’s Day.

Feather Your Nest
When I moved into my house, I hung a wreath in my outdoor space. Within a month, I saw that the robins in the area were picking away at it, taking pieces and flying off to add to the structure of nests they were building elsewhere.

Home Equity Loan for the Prom!
This month we have a guest writer for my personal note, Rosalind Frazier-Francis, Business Manager, Financial Consultant and Partner with The Musuneggi Financial Group. I found this appropriate for this time of year.

I "Miss" Manners
Although I was raised by a single parent, who barely ever made more than minimum wage; she managed to pay all the bills, and teach us the life skills that she felt were important for us to live with class and grace.

I Am a Pink Princess Telephone
When I was 16 years old, all I wanted for my birthday was a Pink Princess Telephone. I was reminded of that the other day when my 10 year old niece asked for a cell phone for her birthday.

I Love My Dog...And Other Living Things
With the current state of the financial world, people often ask me if there are segments of the economy that are still doing well.

I Need Help!
Most of the stress that we experience in our lives comes from the unexpected, what we normally refer to as "emergencies." Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had at our disposal a resource of people who could make the wrongs alright?

If I Owned the World
One morning as I was driving to work, I encountered, in a very short period of time, two drivers in front of me who slammed on their brakes and made abrupt right turns without signaling.

Ladies - A Man is Not a Plan
There is a segment of the female population who believe that their life goals should center around the man in their life, whether he exists or not.

Life Lessons Learned While Wallpapering
Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I am the typical "A" personality. I need everything to be done yesterday. And today is a day too late.

Make the New Year Your Best Ever
He delivered the mail to our office for over three years. We saw him almost every day. He was funny, kind and always pleasant. When we gave him a Christmas gift, we found a thank you note in our mail the very next day.

Making History
March is "Women's History Month" and a great time to remember the many women who have had an impact on our lives, our society, and our world.

Making the Choice to Change
There once was a man who lived with his dog in a house with a big front porch. Every morning the dog would go outside and lie on the porch. For the entire time he was there, he would whine.

Making Your Dreams a Reality
Once upon a time there was a little girl named Alex who believed she was a princess. She was known to one and all as Princess Alex; and as she is my great niece, I was honored to buy into her fantasy of being Her Royal Highness.

Parade-Rainers
So I heard a great story recently that I wanted to share. In my book, Single Steps: Strategies for Abundant Living, I talk about the "parade-rainers".

Pet Insurance?
Our clients will often ask us if we think they should purchase pet insurance. Being the dog lovers we all are, you would find that our emotional response might be "yes"; but our financial advisors response, over the years, has been, "no."

Raising Parents? Raising Kids!
Have you ever noticed that in a family of 5 brothers and 1 sister, that when the time comes to be the Caretaker for Mom and Dad, the most likely choice will be the sister?

Raising Plants and Other Living Things
When I look around at the signs of spring, the flowers, the trees, the bushes, the shrubs, and all the other greenery; I totally agree with the poet, Joyce Kilmer, who said that "only God can make a tree."

Roadside Assistance on Life's Journey
On a recent business trip to Virginia, I discovered that I had flown into the wrong airport. Having often gone off-course during my life journey, experience had taught me to stay calm, call for help and devise an alternate plan.

School Days. Dear Old Golden Rule Days.
Oh, how education has changed from the early 1900’s when this tune was popular. When I was a child, I think my mother’s biggest fear was having to spend homework time with me doing the “new” math.

Seize the Day!
With the death of all the superstars lately, it is hard not to think about our own mortality. From Farrah Fawcett, to Michael Jackson. Ed McMahon, Karl Malden, Gail Storm, Steve McNair. There can’t be a more eclectic group.

So What is Your Business Saying?
Because we work with small businesses, we often hear that it is difficult to run a small business in this economic environment. We sometimes hear from those that say they are struggling because they cant find enough customers.

Springtime, Easter, Passover...And Taxes
Our thoughts in April should turn to Springtime, Easter, Passover, and more. But it is hard to go through April without realizing that we will also meet our "day of reckoning" with the IRS.

Surviving Valentine's Day
It seems we have barely finished taking down the Christmas decorations, when in every store Valentines appear.

T.E.A.M. Work
Sometimes, we all like working alone. That said, I have often seen people find greater success solving problems when they work with a partner.

Taking Responsibility for Where You Are
Have you ever heard people say that if they had the money, they would go on a cruise? Or if they had the time they would take a trip overseas? If the kids were older?

The Autumn of the Year
New Year’s resolutions by nature are made on New Year’s Day, the end of the holiday season. We make these major life changing decisions when we are worn out in body and spirit; when we lack energy, conviction, time and money.

The First Step
Whats the possibility that you can remember your first step as a child? I doubt anyone can. But it was a joyful occasion for your parents.

Yes Christopher There is a Santa Claus
With the onset of the Holiday Season, I find it easy to recall the days of my childhood and the memories of my Christmas past.