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Educate parents and young adults in practical money matters

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Making Your Own Luck

September 22, 2011 By Dina Isola

"What's your goal?" My husband's question was simple, but I didn't know if I should bother to share my complete answer, because it seemed unreasonable. We hadn't started our family yet, which was a goal of ours. But I wondered if winning Lotto was the only ticket to my other dream: to be able to stay home with our kids for as long (or short a time) as I wanted.  Back then, my earnings were almost five times his salary and I doubted we could sustain ourselves on his take home pay alone, Read on...

Setting the Right Example

September 15, 2011 By Dina Isola

If there’s one thing that parenthood has bestowed on us, it’s the desire to be a better person.  Suddenly with a pair (or pairs) of little eyes watching you closely, you become more aware of your habits (good and bad), your diet, your manners, and your temper – because someone is learning from you.  Well, there’s a biggie that most of us haven’t given much thought to: money.  For those of you with small ones, consider this time as good behavior training because even if your kids are too little Read on...

School Year’s Resolutions

September 8, 2011 By Dina Isola

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...

Seize Control

August 6, 2011 By Dina Isola

Years ago, when I commuted by train to New York City, I remember feeling powerless and frustrated by delays.  I would feel my blood boil if there was the threat that I would be late.  Once I accepted the fact that I was not in control of whether the train would arrive on time, and took responsibility for what I could change -- my commute became downright productive.  I left myself more time to get to the station; I took an earlier train so that even if it ran late, I would still be on time; and Read on...

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Dina Isola

Since 2002, Dina Isola has worked closely with investors, hearing their concerns. Drawing on her experiences and challenges, Real$martica was born, which focuses on making personal finance issues relatable to women, children and families and educating investors to make informed decisions. A contributor to A Teachable Moment, she is a client relations specialist at Ritholtz Wealth Management. She also serves on Stony Brook Children’s Hospital Task Force.

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Recent Articles

  • Finding Your Financial Balance
  • The War Within
  • Give Yourself (and Your Money) Some Love
  • Why You’re Failing Miserably, and How to Stop
  • Hardwired to Help
  • Hardwired to Help
  • School Administrators and Unions Can Be the Real Heroes
  • Mid-Year Pump

In the news..

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RSS College Tuition News

  • Community College System of New Hampshire to increase tuition for upcoming academic year - WMUR
  • Higher tuition approved for Pa.'s state-owned universities; state funding could trigger rollback - WTAE
  • Is Belt-Tightening at Top Universities a Crime Against Education? - The Imaginative Conservative

RSS Personal Budget News

  • White House aide on skipping full budget: It ‘wasn’t in our interest’ - The Washington Post
  • Button up your budget: Which Houston essentials are getting more expensive - khou.com
  • Israel To Boost Budget By $12.5 Billion For Iran And Gaza Wars - NDTV Profit

© This content, which contains security-related opinions and/or information, is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any manner as professional advice, or an endorsement of any practices, products or services. There can be no guarantees or assurances that the views expressed here will be applicable for any particular facts or circumstances, and should not be relied upon in any manner. You should consult your own advisers as to legal, business, tax, and other related matters concerning any investment. The commentary in this “post” (including any related blog, podcasts, videos, and social media) reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of the Ritholtz Wealth Management employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded the views of Ritholtz Wealth Management LLC. or its respective affiliates or as a description of advisory services provided by Ritholtz Wealth Management or performance returns of any Ritholtz Wealth Management Investments client. References to any securities or digital assets, or performance data, are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others. Please see disclosures here.