Posts Tagged ‘overspending’

4 Ways to Survive Back-to-School Spending…Plus ABC News!

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

According to the National Retail Federation, the average American family will spend more than $600 on clothes, shoes, supplies, and electronics during the 2010 back-to-school season, making this the second biggest consumer “event” of the year (you can probably guess what the first is!).

But unlike Christmas, this time of year often catches people unaware - how many of us plan for back-to-school spending in our annual budgets? Not us! Even if you haven’t been saving your pennies for the annual trip to the school-supply aisle, you’ve still got time to plan for these expenses and make sure you don’t end up with a battered budget. These tips can help:

1. Decide who will do the school shopping.
2. Involve your kids.
3. Start early.
4. Talk about it.

Get the full details of each of the 4 tips by reading this week’s Money Couple Minute on 4 ways to survive back-to-school spending.

Also, be sure to watch our new segment on ABC News called the Money Couple Minute - This weeks video is on Managing a Blended Family.

The Money Couple Minute on ABC News

The Money Couple answers viewer questions

Step-kids and College: 5 Ways to Make Sure Everyone is Happy

Monday, July 5th, 2010

Figuring out how to pay for your child’s college education can be a major financial headache. Add the complex dynamics of a blended family to that situation and the stress level can go through the roof!

But it doesn’t have to be that way. With some honest conversation, a clear plan, and a solid sense of reality, you can find your way through the sometimes-choppy process of making financial decisions with your child’s other parents without creating new problems.

Get the 5 keys to a successful arrangement HERE.

View all the Money Couple Minutes HERE.

Love and Money on ABC News

How to Handle Holiday Spending?

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

For many couples, the holidays are a minefield of difficult money decisions. How do we stick to a budget and still give meaningful gifts? Do we really need to buy a gift for Great Aunt Martha? Where are we going to get the money to pay for all of this stuff?

With so many money-based decisions coming in the midst of all the other stressful events of the holiday season, it’s more important than ever that your financial communication stays strong.

Start this holiday season with a Money Huddle to check in on expectations and create a spending plan that won’t leave you broke come January. The Money Huddle will help you get on track and prioritize your spending. It will also keep you from out of control spending because you will be able to determine goals and limits ahead of time.

Discover the strategies to create your gift list, set spending limits, plan your time to shop, learn how weekly check-ins help, and how your Money Personalities will affect how you and your spouse handle your holiday spending in this weeks Money Couple Minute: How to Handle Holiday Spending.

Dealing with Debt

Friday, August 28th, 2009

Debt doesn’t go away, so talk about it…Now.

Once you discover that one of you has serious debt, get over the anger and shame and start working on paying down the debt. Your bank can help you work out a payment plan that fits your budget, so be honest with them, too.

Get more practical insight about dealing with debt in the Money Couple MINUTE, Dealing with Debt. In this MINUTE you will learn more about being honest about the past, making a plan, and how to stick to it.

The Five Categories of Financial Infidelity

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

The five categories of financial infidelity are affecting relationships all over world. These categories include: overspending and debt, financial separation, lack of planning, control, and money secrets. Get detailed descriptions on the five categories in the Money Couple Minute, “The Five Categories of Financial Infidelity”. Also, you can watch the Money Couple on ABC’s News Now program on the segment, “Good Money,” as they go into more detail and answer viewer questions relating to the five categories of financial infidelity.