September may be the ninth month, but for anyone with children, it feels like the start of school marks the beginning of the year. Why wait until January to make resolutions that you know will benefit you and your family right now? An added bonus is that you can get the kids on track by setting a good example. While each family has its own challenges, there is a common theme that most families struggle with: planning and organization. These two issues permeate every aspect of our lives and Read on...
Lessons at the Lemonade Stand
When I was a young girl, summer days had their fair share of running barefoot through the sprinklers and picnic lunches, but it was at the lemonade stand where I learned about the "real world". My best friend and I would set up the stand on the corner of our street, make the lemonade, set the price (10 cents a cup), put out our sign, and bring the cash box out. We would chant to passerbys and attract as much attention as we could. It was there I discovered a lot about myself (I liked earning Read on...
Power to Your Little People
Growing up in a large family, my basic financial needs were always taken care of but as for the extras -- it was like a bakery: "Take a number and get in line." It annoyed me and, at times, it embarrassed me when a friend had the latest and greatest gizmo and I did not. But, it also motivated me to find a way. I remember getting my older brother to let me clean his room for money, I took local babysitting jobs, and the moment I was old enough to put in for my working papers, I did. Now my Read on...
Father Knows Best
No Father's Day would be complete without reflecting on lessons learned from my own Dad. "Tony G" - as I affectionately refer to him - had a financial smartness about him that few MBA grads possess. His intuition, wisdom, patience and discipline all made him ideal for investing. And while it was simply a hobby, I think he could have made a living at it. Most important, how he lived his life is ultimately what made him successful as a father, husband and a man. Here are some lessons I Read on...