Maria Shriver

Jean Chatzky

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Blog Posts

• September 15, 2011

  Tips for Transformation

  

  Money Tips From Grandparents That Are Sill Relevant Today

  I suffer from grandmother envy. Not grandparent envy -- as I had two wonderful grandfathers, one of whom lived until I was entering college, the other until after my first child was born -- but grandmother envy. I am named for my maternal grandmother who died shortly before I was born and my father's mother passed away when I was two. So I sometimes wonder what sort of wisdom, financial and otherwise, they would have dispensed over the years. In lieu of that, this collection from the wise grandparents of others is a great start.

  In honor of National Grandparents’ Day -- which was the first Sunday after Labor Day -- I asked some notable figures to share the most treasured money lessons they received from the “greatest generation.” I think we would all do well to revisit some of these:

• July 20, 2011

  

  Can’t Get Time Off? 5 Simple Ways to Relax and Refresh

  Every time you turn around it seems like someone else is going on vacation. Your best friend is at Disney with the kids. Your college roommate is posting pictures of the tropics on Facebook. Even your hairdresser is talking about the tricked-out beach house she’s renting this summer. But whether it’s your funds, your boss or your schedule that won’t allow it, you just can’t get away.
  
  The benefits of that elusive vacation, however, can be yours. You don’t have to spend $3,000 to de-stress. You don’t even have to leave home. (Personally, I think that all the packing and airports –- yes, I’ve had the pat-down -- and hassle of traveling are sometimes more stressful than the average day at the office. It can be really good to avoid all that.) What you do need is a break.

• December 16, 2010

  

  4 Easy Ways to Save Money This Season

  Did you overdo it last holiday season? I’m not talking about eggnog that was flowing a little too freely. I’m talking about cash that was doing the same.

  A survey from Franklin Covey found that 61 percent of people say they always spend too much during the holidays. This year seems to be no different; early retail sales figures are already strong. That’s a problem, particularly as unemployment still borders 10 percent, and the percentage of people who aren’t earning what they should be is significantly higher.

  So how do you keep from kicking off the New Year in a load of debt?