Would You Quit Your Job for a Whole New Career?

Posted by Madison on March 17, 2009

I mentioned while reflecting on leaving my job that my husband is reevaluating his plan to work. He was presented with a unique career opportunity, but he only essentially had 2 days to make a decision. Background I mentioned that my dad was in the hospital. He was recovering slowly, but wasn’t able to return […]

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Reflections on Leaving My Job… Six Months Later

Posted by Madison on March 16, 2009

Six months ago, I left my corporate job. My goals to spend more time with my kids, teach others about personal finance, and pursue a life with more freedom are more fulfilling than I even imagined. Over the last six months, I’ve had time to reflect on my decision to follow my heart. Stepping off […]

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Free Credit Reports and Scores from American Express

Posted by Madison on March 13, 2009

With our newly planned venture into real estate investing, I had to make sure Scott’s credit reports and scores were ready for lenders to see. I remembered an old service I used about a year ago from American Express, called CreditSecure, where you can get your free credit reports and scores. Free Money Friday, here […]

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Getting Started in Real Estate Investing

Posted by Madison on March 12, 2009

We had a great meeting with our potential real estate investing business partner. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleased with the outcome. We had a very open and honest discussion about finances, and we have a lot of the same goals and expectations. And because we’re both finance people, we also […]

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What Worries You Most About the Economy?

Posted by Madison on March 11, 2009

I had lunch with some old coworkers last week and it became apparent, that I live in a bubble. Of course, I still see the news, but I don’t have the day-to-day discussions with people about how the economy is impacting individuals. I’m aware of job cuts, the stock market hitting 12 year lows, and […]

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Lending Club Step-By-Step Guide

Posted by Madison on March 10, 2009

My Lending Club portfolio is finally starting to take shape. If you haven’t signed up for a Lending Club account yet, here’s a step-by-step guide to becoming a lender and a sneak peak into what you’ll see once you fund some loans. For all the details on minimum investments, interest rates, and requirements, see my […]

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Personal Finance A to Z

Posted by Madison on March 9, 2009

Photography Jukebox Working on your finances each day can get pretty boring if you don’t spice it up once in awhile. Challenge yourself to think in a different way, or try something new today! Looking for a place to start? The personal finance alphabet is a fun way to work through your finances from A […]

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I’m always on the lookout for free credit scores! Since it’s Free Money Friday, I thought it was the perfect time to highlight another one. Lazy recently told me about Credit Karma, which offers you free access to your credit score daily. How to Get Your Free Credit Score Enroll at Credit Karma. Verify your […]

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Making Home Affordable Program Launched

Posted by Madison on March 5, 2009

The details for the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan were released yesterday. The new title of the program is “Making Home Affordable.” There are two components for home owners, refinancing and loan modifications. Participation is voluntary and the lender has to choose to participate. Details of both plans are below. Home Affordable Refinance Borrowers who […]

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Adventures in Real Estate Investing

Posted by Madison on March 4, 2009

I got an email from an old business associate this week. It’s always nice to hear what people have been up to… and even more interesting when they have a personal finance idea to share. He’s a real estate investor, and it turns out he is looking to expand. I’ve been interested in real estate, […]

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