Julie Rains

Senior Writer

Mortgage-free homeowner, business enthusiast, really busy mom.

Julie Rains's Favorite Articles

What's faster for mortgage payoff: $100/month extra or 1 payment/...	Personal Finance Lessons from Online Adventure Game (RuneScape)
Spiritual Insights From A Rich Idiot	250 Miles With Sarge: Lessons On Loyalty, Perseverance, And More
What's To Love About Kmart	Living Without A Landline
5 Fatal Assumptions of Job Seekers	Why the Affordable Home Really Isn't

Latest articles by Julie Rains

Making Your First Paycheck Work for You

Getting your first post-graduation paycheck can be exciting and unnerving. Find ways to fully support yourself -- either immediately or sometime in the future -- and build wealth.

by: Julie Rains | channel: Career Building

How to Agree without Compromise

June is a popular month for weddings. During this time, many couples will probably hear that compromise is the key to a healthy relationship. I disagree.

by: Julie Rains | channel: Personal Development

Adjusting Financial Attitudes: Lessons for Parents and their Children

Most young adults say they wished they’d gotten better financial training from high school teachers, parents, and even employers.

by: Julie Rains | channel: Family

Book Review: The Twitter Job Search Guide

I’ve been reading, re-reading, and testing out Twitter techniques from The Twitter Job Search Guide.

by: Julie Rains | channel: Job Hunting, Technology

7 Genuine Ways to Generate Click-Throughs

Even if the intended (message recipient) loves your company, adores your products, and admires your ethics, she needs a reason for clicking through. Here are seven ways to get the attention you want.

by: Julie Rains | channel: Entrepreneurship, Small Business Resource Center, Technology

How to Examine Your Healthcare Plan and Save

I’ve been examining healthcare plans for a couple of decades. I’ve been covered under employer-based plans and private individual plans.

by: Julie Rains | channel: Consumer Affairs, Health and Beauty, Insurance

How Much for Healthcare?

Navigating the healthcare system takes effort but the time spent can yield a big payoff in terms of cost savings. An affordable plan with good benefits can also positively impact employee morale and retention.

by: Julie Rains | channel: Entrepreneurship, Small Business Resource Center

Job-Search Scams that Target High Performers

Scams aren’t just for the unsophisticated. Even a reasonable job-seeker with an ounce of urgency might be convinced by polished, persistent schemers who are pros at overselling the value of job-search services.

by: Julie Rains | channel: Job Hunting

How to Staff Customer Service for an Ecommerce Business

What should trigger the decision to hire (or designate) an employee dedicated to customer service? If you're running an ecommerce business, your company can benefit from the right customer service professional anytime.

by: Julie Rains | channel: Entrepreneurship, Small Business Resource Center

Costs of Adding Ecommerce to Brick-and-Mortar Retailing

As your business grows, you’ll find that expanding via the web will be less expensive for certain P&L line items but require extra spending in other categories.

by: Julie Rains | channel: Entrepreneurship, Small Business Resource Center

19 Things to Take Off Mom’s To-Do List

It's Mother’s Day. Forget breakfast in bed. Instead, take some things off of mom’s ever-growing, never-ending to-do list.

by: Julie Rains | channel: Family

Principal Forgiveness: The New BofA Mortgage Deal

Starting next month (May 2010) or as soon as its ready, Bank of America may reduce principal balances on certain mortgages of deeply underwater loans. What's up with that?

by: Julie Rains | channel: Financial News, Real Estate and Housing

11 Free Ways to Generate Referrals

What to generate referrals without spending money? Here are ways to elicit, not solicit, referrals.

by: Julie Rains | channel: Entrepreneurship, Small Business Resource Center, Extra Commentary

11 Small Ways to Save Big on Ink

Printers are cheap but printer ink is pricey. One-time and day-to-day adjustments can help prevent waste and save money.

by: Julie Rains | channel: Green Living, Technology

Save on Last Year's Taxes Right Now

You can still save on last year's taxes right now, if you still haven't filed your income tax return yet.

by: Julie Rains | channel: Taxes

12 Straightforward Ways to Say "No"

Are you pressed for time right now? Don't make the mistake of thinking you'll have more time in the future. Learn to say "no."

by: Julie Rains | channel: Productivity

How to Make Collection Calls that Keep Customer Relationships

Adopt a relationship-building mindset prior to making a call to collect on past due balances.

by: Julie Rains | channel: Entrepreneurship, Small Business Resource Center

How to Save Without Goals

A person without goals –- if you believe the experts –- is like a rudderless boat, going nowhere in calm waters, tossed around in stormy weather, and sinking well before reaching shore.

by: Julie Rains | channel: Personal Finance