Zappos Security Breach: Did You Get Their Email?

If you’re like most women who want to keep a nice shoe game you’ve probably received an email from Zappos warning of a security breach. My email read: First, the bad news: We are writing to let you know that there may have been illegal and unauthorized access to some of your customer account information [...]

Layaway Can Be A Girl’s Best Friend

Over the weekend I did a little shopping at TJ Maxx.  Now, I am not a TJ Maxxinista like my mother.  But I occasionally grace their doors for some incredible sales to spruce up my overly corporate-ish wardrobe (hey, I’m working on it!).  Imagine my pleasant surprise to see layaway prominently advertised for the frugal [...]

Black Friday Getting More Ridiculous

As if the feeding shopping frenzy that is Black Friday could get any worse.  Best Buy has decided to jump on the bandwagon and open up at midnight on Thanksgiving night for Black Friday shopping.  This comes on the heels of recent announcements by Target, Macy’s and Kohl’s.  Seriously? Writes the Wall Street Journal: Best [...]

Why I Belong to a Credit Union

I’ve belonged to my credit union for more than 15 years. I’m reminded again today why that was one of the best banking decisions I could make. Reuters/Huffington Post reports: CHARLOTTE (Reuters) – Bank of America Corp plans to charge customers who use their debit cards to make purchases a $5 monthly fee beginning early [...]

Financial Advice Not Reaching Black America

According to an article distributed by the Afro American Newspapers, we aren’t getting the same financial advice as our white counterparts: Only two out of every 10 African-Americans are on a path to achieve their retirement goals, according to a six-month-old survey of Blacks conducted by a major wealth manager. The study, entitled “The African-American [...]

Avoiding Student Loans

My cousin recently updated his Facebook status to celebrate completing his SAT. I’m so proud of him because it’s an indication and proof that he is college bound. But college isn’t cheap. I did my best with scholarships and work-study, but ultimately went down the rabbit hole of school loans. My hope and prayer is [...]

Sites We Like: CreditScoreQuiz.org

What: CreditScoreQuiz.org, an informational tool developed by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and VantageScore Solutions. Why: Lots of factors go into your credit score.  And given its importance in getting a loan, a job, or a mortgage, figuring how you’re being measured is critical. The two organizations developed this credit score quiz and website to [...]

Where (And How Long) to Keep Financial Records

Tax time is here.  I’ve got to begin sorting through the reams of paper files and records to make some sense of my 2010 tax year.  I keep everything.  I think I even have my tax returns from the mid-1990s.  But a declining amount of space in my office and on my computer has me wondering [...]

The Money Mom: I Am Thankful!

This past November we celebrated Thanksgiving. For many of us, we had turkey, dressing, pies, cakes, and family on our minds. And I was no exception. I love that time of the year because I get to take time off from work to be with my family. This is not always easy for me to [...]

Cash (Not Credit) Rules Everything Around Me

We finally got the memo!  Cash is king, and credit cards put us in debt.  The New York Times recently reported that consumers are using their cash purchasing power instead of relying on credit cards this holiday season.  I’m right there with them.  As we noted, Black Friday (or any shopping for that matter) may [...]

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