Julie Rains's blog

Tips For Starting (Or Jumpstarting) Your Exercise Regimen

How are your resolutions to get fit, exercise more, and lose weight going? If you need a nudge or some encouragement, check out my doable-with-a-busy-schedule approach to getting r

13 Ways To Be Nice That Will Cost You Barely Anything

It's not expensive to be nice -- in fact, it often costs nothing as Paul mentioned last week. Here are 12 easy ways to be nice that cost zero and a bonus idea that will set you

Road To Becoming A Rich Idiot

Ever met a rich idiot? I’ve known at least two. Not counting my telephone conversation with self-proclaimed Rich Idiot and multimillionaire Robert Shemin (author of “How come TH

How To Buy Stuff That Lasts Forever

My husband bought a pair of gym shorts for my oldest son a couple of weeks ago. The shorts lasted for one day before having a small tear at one of the critical seams. Contrast that

Job-Search Romance

How is a job search like a romantic adventure or misadventure? Let me count the ways: nine. If you’ve ever wondered how to tell if a company is truly interested or just isn’t into

Certainties: Death, Taxes, And Change

What's certain about life: death, taxes, and changes in tax laws. So my best tax advice is "keep up with tax laws." Coasting along with financial vehicles and investm

Making Do With Help From Mom And Dad

Ever wonder how the person with about the same salary as you lives in a fully furnished apartment, enjoys Caribbean vacations, and is setting aside money for retirement while yo

Spiritual Insights From A Rich Idiot

The last person I thought would impart valuable spiritual wisdom is self-proclaimed rich idiot and wealth guru Robert Shemin, author of “How Come That Idiot’s Rich and I’m Not?&quo

Mommy, Where Do Stocks Come From?

"Mommy, where do stocks come from?" I guess you could say that a stock starts with an idea or a gleam in a business owner's eye...

Bridging The Gap From Dining Out To Eating In

Feeling guilty about not having bridged the gap from dining out to cooking in? Don't. Follow my lead and I show you how to take baby steps from full-service to self-service.

59 Ways To Get A Bright Idea

Looking for a creativity boost? Here are 59 ways to get inspired and generate ideas that can help you gain a fresh perspective, solve a problem, present information, increase profi

The Quiet Millionaire: Part 7 - Give Me Investment Gains, Hold The Losses

“Win by not losing” or rather win by minimizing losses during market downturns is the ticket to being an investment champion according to The Quiet Millionaire author and Certified

Know Something? Save Time And Tuition

Are you experienced, workshop-educated, community-involved, and/or moderately-traveled and still working toward your bachelor’s degree? Write it down! You may be able to trade a no

Endurance Frugality: Staying The Course And Being A Winner

Frugality can be fun and help you sleep peacefully. But don’t be fooled: as frugal days turn into frugal years and frugal decades, bag lunches can be become boring; smallish houses

Can Limits Help Productivity Soar?

A mild, temporarily disabling accident in my home led me to consider how my friends with chronic disease (and accompanying physical limitations) manage to get things done. Limit

Last-Minute Giving

Here’s a gift idea that will help put you in the holiday spirit. It will not help you mark “done” on your gift list but may save a life. If you’re feeling well today, have mailed a

Fabulous Party Ideas For The Frugal-Minded

Need ideas for having a fabulous party with minimal money, time, and catering abilities? Here are 15.

14 Behaviors and Attitudes That Can Drive Workplace Success

Ever wondered how you can influence your workplace and long-term career success? Here are 14 behaviors and attitudes that can make a difference.

The Quiet Millionaire: Parts 4 & 5 - Building Your Net Worth

In The Quiet Millionaire, author and Certified Financial Planner Brett Wilder gives common-sense advice on how to build net worth: “Your goal should be to make the value of what yo