Ann Marie Talks Money

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"So, how do YOU know?"

Ann Marie has some unique qualifications in bringing you financial advice:

  • Ten children.  (Let that sink in for a minute.)
  • Retired from work-a-day life at 36.
  • No consumer debt. (Think about that.)
  • A brick and mortar store.
  • An Internet store with three fronts.

Most Americans die with debt.  If you would like to be part of the minority, keep reading.

Weekly Money Saving Tips

on Jun 09, 09 at 02:18 PM

How much money is going down the drain or in the trash basket?

  • Drop food coloring in the toilet tank. In 30 minutes, if it is in the bowl...YOU HAVE A LEAK.
  • Put a cup beside the sink. Use 4 ounces of water to dip your toothbrush and rinse your mouth. You can rinse at least twice!
  • Turn off the shower while you shampoo and condition...save more than 500 gallons of water per year.
  • Hang your towel on the shower rod- straight out of the washing machine and after you shower. Use it twice and never put it in the dryer. You save electricity, and the towel will last twice as long
  • Use a handtowel. On laundry day, wipe your shower with the handtowel before you wash it. No paper towel waste and no money in the waste paper basket.
  • Use the washcloth. On laundry day, wash the tub with the washcloth...se

by Ann Marie Dwyer

Organization is key to paying your bills on time. I have a great plan that I know for a fact works, since I have used it for years! And my credit report, tax return and my bank account are happier f...read more
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by Ann Marie Dwyer

Let's look at the five ways to get your package shipped for free! 1. Buy in bulk. Shipping and handling charges are waived on almost every viable web store front when you purchase a requisite amount...read more
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Credit Ratings & Identity Theft

That all-elusive perfect credit score is not impossible to get, but sometimes is difficult to keep. Victims of identity theft lose a lot of credibility. 

Protect yourself from theft.

Keep your credit rating spotless from the beginning. 

Repair damaged credit.

Keep reading.

by Ann Marie Dwyer

To weigh the system of credit ratings, the simplest path is pros vs. cons. The "pro" arguments are either expensive or myths. By looking at what does into a credit report (and the bizarre thing which...read more
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by Ann Marie Dwyer

Protecting your child from identity theft is even simpler than protecting yourself. With a few basic precautions, your child can be assured that at 18, a clean credit slate will await. 1. Do not h...read more
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by Ann Marie Dwyer

From phishing to pharming, the Internet is a hotbed rife with cyber-crime that nets more than drug trafficking: US$105,000,000,000. Try these easy steps to protect yourself from identity theft. Pe...read more
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by Ann Marie Dwyer

Homeowner's insurance does not cover identity theft until you add coverage, an endorsement or rider to your policy. According to the "Federal Trade Commission":http://www.ftc.gov (FTC), nearly nine m...read more
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by Ann Marie Dwyer

Much of what is thrown in the trash can point an identity thief's telescope into our lives. But you have the power to blacken the lens. Junk mail, prescription bottles, receipts and packaging to prod...read more
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Real Estate Corner

What do you need to know about foreclosure? How to avoid it? How to profit from it?

Credit Cards

When polled, many people say they cannot function from day to day without credit cards.  I say, "Pshaw!"

Credit card debt insures you are paying no less than five times as much for everything you purchase.  If you knew your morning latte costs $18.00, would you put it on your credit card?

Read below some ideas on how to get out of the credit card spin cycle...It is only sucking the dollars out of your wallet.

How to Avoid Spending Your Future on Vacation

by Ann Marie Dwyer

Three out of four Americans pay for their vacations with credit cards. Credit cards offer convenience in tracking spending and having financial security while traveling. They provide a statement sho...read more
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The Future: Yours & Your Children's

Passing a healthy financial baton to the next generation is as important as holding a healthy one yourself.  Managing money is a learned behavior, not a genetic trait.

  • Take active steps to avoid passing debt as an inheritance.
  • Teach your children how to avoid debt in the first place.

by Ann Marie Dwyer

It is never too early to plan for retirement. The landscape of the world of retirement accounts changes as you reach retirement age. Tax benefits begin to disappear. Tax implications become more pl...read more
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by Ann Marie Dwyer

Plan early and thoroughly. Seems simple enough, but there are some tricks to being effective. Asset protection At the time you acquire your first asset, you need to be planning your estate. This i...read more
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by Ann Marie Dwyer

Learning about earning and paying is a lesson that cannot come too soon for a teenager. I have found the best way to teach money discipline was to open an account in "Bank Mom". When my teens go...read more
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by Ann Marie Dwyer

Would you like to teach your child to build his very own nest egg? You can start securing your child's wise use of money by teaching savings and exercising his math skills. Teaching money saving tech...read more
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by Ann Marie Dwyer

Today's youth are the adults of the future. Instilling philanthropic values in children, teens and young adults is vital to solve community and global issues. Philanthropy is defined by Merriam Webs...read more
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Zone Manager

Helium member since Feb 22, 07
Education:
Louisiana State Univer...CLE credits
Number of Zones: 20

Writing:
Rating:

3

From Toddlers to Grandparents to Non-Profits, Zones span the spectrum. Check out my Blogs on my Writer's Portfolio, Ann Marie Talks Money & Ann Marie Goes Green.

Showing Comments 1 to 7 of 7

Shaheen Darr
Posted on: May 23, 09 at 07:17 PM
This is a wonderful zone Ann, very useful indeed, will be visiting regularly for ideas. Thanks as always :)
Ann Marie Dwyer
Posted on: May 20, 09 at 02:39 PM
And I am glad you did. I am pulling ideas for this week's tips now!
Ethel Smith
Posted on: May 20, 09 at 02:36 PM
Popped back for an update.
Tina Hartley
Posted on: Apr 12, 09 at 05:12 AM
What a great resource! You have covered what the average person really needs to know and covered it well. *applause
Sheila Watson Kraklow
Posted on: Apr 11, 09 at 06:08 PM
Terrific, I have to really dig into this zone for more infomation, I see answers to some of my maney questions! Great work as always Ann Marie... Su-u-per!
Olivia Bredbenner
Posted on: Apr 09, 09 at 12:47 PM
Ann marie, Timing is everything , informative and interesting zone. Olivia
Ethel Smith
Posted on: Apr 08, 09 at 08:18 PM
Very useful zone, especially these days. I have had to be careful with pennies over the years and have survived quite well. Ten children though! Awesome.

Planning Ahead: Key to Avoiding Financial Holiday Stress

by Ann Marie Dwyer

Planning ahead is the key to avoiding financial holiday stress and the New Year's credit card hangover. If travel is in your holiday plan, conquer the shopping early. With three months left over, you...read more
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Credit Cards

I use my credit cards to...
Buy everything
More than debit or check cards
Less than debit or check cards
Only in emergencies
I don't have a credit card.

by Ann Marie Dwyer

Landscaping is an investment in your home and the environment. Average landscaping increases the value of a home by five percent. Excellent landscaping can increase property value by as much as 11 p...read more
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by Ann Marie Dwyer

An efficiently, well-lit house is ideal for security and entertaining. Dual purpose lighting and correct "on times" use less energy than traditional nighttime incandescent floodlights. Consider the ...read more
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by Ann Marie Dwyer

The advent of the "instant tax refund" was designed to target low-income workers by H & R Block in the 1980s. The outline of the profitability of the program was very clear. Traditionally, the u...read more
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Do You Know the 10 Commandments of Grocery Shopping?

A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned

Amassing wealth is often less about bringing home more money than it is about spending less of what you do bring home. 

Saving habits cannot be taught too early and should extend well past retirement. 

This misnomer of "fixed income" is a day-to-day reality to most Americans.  Workers paid by the hour are just as limited in income potential as salaried workers.

The solution is to make your money work for you.

by Ann Marie Dwyer

As the price of gasoline and insurance skyrocket, everyone needs to cut driving expenses to stay competitive and liquid. Four major options can cut the driving expense budget and start you saving mon...read more
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by Ann Marie Dwyer

Using the Internet to book your travel plans can be a relaxing adventure before you ever leave your home. In 2007, 49% of all travel in and from the United States was booked online. 2008 may see the t...read more
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