Julie Rains's blog

Business Advice from a Billionaire

Someone who showed me unprecedented, unexpected kindness in a brief, but efficient, meeting years ago is now one of the world's richest people, according to Forbes magazine. You

25 Great Gifts for $5 or Less

Need some non-crafty, hardly homemade gift ideas, all for less than $5? Here are 25 with something suitable for nearly everyone on your gift list.

In Search of Safety: A Mom's 8-Step Guide to Toy Selection and Everyday Use

As the mom of two boys, I can tell you that there are two kinds of toys: 1) those that are inherently dangerous (such as ATVs, BB guns, and lead-tainted toys) and 2) those made

The Quiet Millionaire: Part 3 - Money for Now, Money for Later

You've figured out how to have positive cash flow (aka spend less than you earn) for now; but will you have enough money for later? Funding for future requirements, such as

One-time encounters or long-term relationships: when negotiating strategies should differ

For years, I struggled to negotiate effectively with a business associate (I’ll call him Mr. X), despite concessions gargantuan in my estimation but miniscule and unacceptable in h

The Quiet Millionaire: Part 2 – Major Obstacles to Financial Success

Want to have the wealth you need to follow your dreams? Brett Wilder, Certified Financial Planner and author of The Quiet Millionaire suggests that there are 7 major obsta

The Quiet Millionaire: Part 1 – What is Important about Money to You?

You’ve heard of The Millionaire Next Door, now there’s

What's Your Green Resolution?

Wise Bread bloggers share green resolutions for the upcoming year, beginning on October 15, 2007: Blog Action Day. Tell us what actions you intend to take to improve the environ

Can a vacuum owner be protected?

“Does the (Good Housekeeping) Seal mean anything?” was a question posed by Ivan, a Wise Bread reader and vacuum consumer. Having had a bad experience but now hopeful for a performs

Socially Responsible Investing Goes Green

You drive and drink responsibly, spend your money responsibly, and act responsibly, don’t you? But do you invest responsibly? Can you invest responsibly?

Personal Finance Lessons from Online Adventure Game (RuneScape)

A friend shared with me some strategies he's learned for playing RuneScape. Can these strategies be applied to personal finance? Let's see.

13 alternatives to paying for homework help

Being overwhelmed with homework seems to be a badge of parental honor. If homework is heaping, you may look to costly resources for help. In "How Homework Is Hurting Our Fa

Front-loaded loans: a financial conspiracy?

A tip from Eric Fedewa sparked a discussion between Wise Bread bloggers (Andrea Dickson and me). He brought a new financial term (front-loading) to our attention that indicates how

Dollar-Cost Averaging: my path to becoming a not-so-nervous investor

Can the concept of dollar-cost averaging (DCA) help prevent nervousness in investors? (I think so). But what is DCA and is it a viable investment strategy? If you are a seasoned in

529 Plans for College Expenses: What’s Cool and What’s Quirky

529 plans for college expenses are very cool but extremely quirky. Cool federal-tax benefits, which were temporary and set to expire in just a few years, have been made permanent b

Clues to detecting the astute investor

You may have encountered some financial talk at cocktail parties or neighborhood cookouts. The discussions may have centered on low mortgage rates, debt consolidation deals, and sk

10 Keys to Great Management, learned from an inner-city mission worker

When my family and I volunteered at an inner-city agency, I thought I would learn about showing compassion, embracing diversity, and being grateful. The last thing I thought I woul

Tactics for avoiding the thumbprint-for-cash request

Does providing a thumbprint or fingerprint to cash an honestly-received check make you feel like a criminal? The practice adopted by many U.S. banks to protect itself and its custo

Choosing Life Insurance: Term or Permanent?

What is better: buying life insurance at a low price that lasts for a certain term (typically, the income-generating part of the insured’s life) or purchasing a whole life policy f

Share your brilliant burst (or dashed dream) as a consumer advocate

Ever protested an unfair retail policy, pointed out that an advertisement is misleading, organized a boycott, or somehow advocated for yourself or another consumer? Whether you won