Archives for Family Finances - Page 4
Reduce Your Energy Bill By Weatherizing Your Home
Bust out those tool belts, butches. It's time to talk about home weatherization. Woot! Yesterday I mentioned that you could lower your energy bill by making the switch to CFL…
Reduce Your Electric Bill With CFL Bulbs
Summer is upon us. And for many folks, that means astronomical power bills. In Arizona, it's not uncommmon to run up a $200 power bill during the summer months. Keeping…
The Cost of Pet Adoption
I'm a sucker for dogs. It doesn't matter if the dog is a Great Dane or a teacup chihuahua - I'm going to love it just the same. There's just…
Micro-Enterprises for the Gamefully Unemployed
Lately I've been thinking about ways I can leverage things that I am already doing for my family for the benefit of others. Specifically employed "others" who might be willing…
My best investment ever
My best investment is not the traditional sort of realized gain, but rather, the investment of time, love, and attention. The investment was the decision that my spouse and I…
When it’s Not About the Money
I'm a big fan of the budget, which Planners euphemistically call a 'œcash flow plan'. I'm not rigid about it but I like to have a reasonable, conscious target to…
Mommyhood is currency in the straight world.
At Queercents, we have discussed how muscle is currency for gay men, how thin is currency for women (although issues around body image are catching up with men), and how…
The shifting views of household luxuries vs. household necessities.
Yesterday on NPR, there was a short segment (less than five minutes) about what household items are now considered to be luxuries vs. necessities (to start, think televisions, landlines and…
How Much Does it Cost to Feed a Family of Four?
In February 2007 we adopted two kids (then ages 9 and 11) and I decided at the last minute to take parental leave. It was an unplanned move and…
Should I Refinance? Obama Says Yes.
If you're on the fence about taking the refinancing plunge, you should investigate now. The US Government is giving the real estate market a kick-start, and the time could be…