Where have I have gone? Lots of links too!

Sorry to have just disappeared on you!  I have been pretty busy over at Regarding Nannies as one of the 4 Development Team Members.  I am doing the Financial Fridays over there. So you can always find fun stuff over there.  I have also added a Fan page on Facebook as well.  I try to post some great deals as well over there.

Here is the link to join me over at Facebook at The Financial Nanny

To read some of the past Financial Friday articles over at Regarding Nannies see below:

Compensation: Gross Wages vs. Net (“Take-Home”) Pay

Nannies giving back to Tornado Victims in Springfield and Raleigh-Durham

Triple Play Friday: Mileage Rates, IRS Wage Smartphone App & Nannypalooza

Nannies and Petty Cash

Wanted or Unwanted: Credit Card offers, Emails etc

Money Saving Tips for Nannies & Families

Tax Tips in July?

Organizing your Finances

An Introduction to Disney Cruises

I hope to begin blogging again here real soon! I am going to a great event called Buzz Your Biz tomorrow to learn how to get the "buzz" for your biz!  

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What "financial" choices will you make?

I posted over on Regarding Nannies today for the Financial Friday post, here is a little snippet of it...

There it was staring me in the face “Wasted Time & Wasted Money Or Is It? I really enjoyed doing that post.  Remembering that “financial, wealth, and money” doesn’t necessarily mean “money” but can be something “non materialistic” or “emotionally” fulfilling.   What is even better was that I was questioning my time earlier tonight as I was “tweeting” in a chat with some bloggers.  I was “procrastinating” writing the article for today’s post, but what I ended up finding was an incredible blogging connection with a blogger that will be able to help guide me in a direction that I was searching for some answers to.  Technically I was “wasting time” by not doing my blog post, but I didn’t “waste time” finding connections for things I needed assistance in.

To read the rest of the article visit:  Time, Money, Scholarships and Choices

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Financial Friday: Lunchskins

Financial Friday: Lunchskins
by Alice Shaffer
The Financial Nanny

Several months ago on Jasmere , the deal of the day was Lunchskins.  Lunchskins are these awesome reusable sandwich and snack bags.  Everyone has been talking about going green. So when the deal came up on Jasmere for 4 of these Lunchskins for $15 I  jumped at the chance to try them out.  I was also excited that the company had been started by 3 moms wanting to rid the landfills of plastic sandwich bags.  They shared on the site how they got started:

While sitting around a kitchen table in 2008, we heard a staggering statistic – every day, more than 20 million sandwich bags from school lunches go into landfills in the US. We knew that many families were looking for easy, convenient ways to be green and avoid this kind of waste. So we put our passion and energy together and 3greenmoms was born. Our mission – to design a colorful, fresh alternative to the plastic baggie.

As professional nannies, many of us are packing lunches and snacks for our charges.  By using reusable BPA free products you are reducing waste in the landfills.  My kids get their lunches at school, so I found other ways to use these lunchskins in my life.  Recently I was traveling to the west coast, I used the snack sized bag for my gum, mentos, and lifesavers.  Another snack lunchskins was used for my 2 thumbdrives and wireless mouse.   The sandwich sized one was used for my “cords” (ipod cord, cell charger,  earphones etc). I also received a dozen See’s lollipops and they fit perfectly in the sandwich bag!   My sister in law has one now for my nephews pacifiers for the diaper bag.

To read the rest of the article and to get a great coupon code for 20% off please visit

Regarding Nannies:  Financial Friday: Lunchskins

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Financial Friday: Fighting Debt Is Like Fighting A War So I Read

Financial Friday: Fighting Debt Is Like Fighting A War So I Read
by Alice Shaffer


As I was preparing this Financial Friday I sat beside a stack of my bills and an unfinished budget for the month of September.  The holidays are almost here!  It is 113 days till Christmas. Insanity! It was just here it seems!  This year I add a brand new nephew to the purchases :)   I decided to look at some of the financial blogs I frequent for inspiration. I ran into The Financial Samurai, one  I have never been to before, but the title of the guest blog was Sun Tzu's Art of War Applied to Your Battle Against Debt .  I was hooked into reading the post. Now let me tell you history has never been a subject of interest for myself, but I wanted to know how my personal debt was like a battle in a war!   Simon Zhen from The Realm of Prosperity was the guest writer of this awesome post.  


You may be questioning my reasoning on sharing this with you all. Here is why I wanted to share this post with you debt isn't all about the dollars and cents, it is mental as well.  This post really opened my eyes and my thinking up to how debt is a mental game. We don't want to lose battles we want to win no matter the battle or war.  I am in the process of preparing my 4th quarter war of my debt for 2010.  This has helped me get "mentally" in the game of my debt to finish out the year on a solid good note.  I hope it speaks to you as well in some fashion.
  
Make sure to visit Simon's blog along with The Financial Samurai's blog for more information on finances.  I am so happy to share this with you all! 


Here is some of the blog post:

Sun Tzu’s Art of War Applied to Your Battle Against Debt

“Every battle is won before it is ever fought.”

This was the infamous line said by Gordon Gekko in the popular 1987 film Wall Street. Derived from Sun Tzu’sArt of War, a 2400-year-old Chinese text on military strategy, the teachings of this tactical mastermind have proven useful in various aspects of present-day life besides warfare.

Although Sun Tzu’s Art of War is studied most religiously by military commanders, political leaders, and corporate executives, the concepts are scalable to conflicts as minuscule as your struggle with debt. Like in war, where the objective is to overcome the enemy resistance, it is everyone’s goal to conquer their personal debt.

Debt is the bad guy. We are the good guys. The road to financial independence is a righteous path where we’ll have multiple encounters with debt – a merciless obstacle that seeks to consume us. Luckily, an old man from many many years ago jotted down some powerful advice that may serve the purpose of securing a victory against debt.

Universal Debt Teachings

Debt is, without a doubt, a dangerous adversary. A vast majority of the American population acknowledges the risks of carrying debt, yet we peacefully welcome it into our lives. The failure to understand the depth of the matter is a major reason that so many of us become victims of debt.

We must remain cognizant of the responsibilities of debt:

It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected. [Laying Plans: #2]

Thus it may be known that the leader of armies is the arbiter of the people’s fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril. [Waging War: #20]

• Personal debt is influential in more than just our financial lives – it can alter lifestyles, sway career decisions, destroy relationships, and disrupt any sense of stability and comfort. Take it seriously because it truly could be a matter of life or death to not only yourself but also everyone around you.

make sure you go to 

The Financial Samurai

to read the rest of this great history lesson and post on debt and war! 

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Financial Friday: Get Some Cash For Your Overstock!

Financial Friday: Get Some Cash For Your Overstock!
by Alice Shaffer

One of my Financial Nanny readers, Cheryl J of CA, sent me an article titled "Turn Trash Into Cash".  First off i am so excited that my readers are sending me articles and things to pass along to others.  That is what a Financial Savvy person is all about. Sharing your information with others.

As the kids are going back to school and you are switching out the summer clothes to fall clothes, check out other things they have outgrown this summer.   Here are some great ways to "cash" in on those items that are no longer needed.  The kids can also "sell" their outgrown clothes and video games as well to get more cash for new items they want.

"Turn Trash Into Cash" is from the September 2010 issue of Good Housekeeping.

-Play It Again Sports:  buys your outgrown or never used sporting equipment for CASH.  For details on how they buy things from you please visit this page for more details.

-GameStop: buys your video games that your kids and you no longer play.

-Plato's Closet: buys your teen's clothes and accessories.

-Music Go Round: purchases your unused musical instruments.

-Radio Shack Trade & Save Program: trade in your working electronics for a gift card to Radio Shack. Great way to upgrade those electronics laying around the house

-My Boneyard: recycles certain electronics.  You can get a "reward" if there is one available. Shipping is free for you to recycle your product via My Boneyard.

You can also sell things online as well at Ebay and Craigslist.

Good luck with finding new homes for your items!  Plan something fun with the money you get from "thinning" out the house of the items you sold.

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Financial Friday: Freebies Can Be Found Everywhere

Financial Friday: Freebies Can Be Found Everywhere

by Alice Shaffer

One of the things I like the most about being “The Financial Nanny” is sharing fun monetary information with my readers.  Monetary information can come in many forms as it is just not about money.  We often equate money with finances-credit cards, life insurance and IRAs/401ks.  Monetary information also pertains to how you can utilize a service or product for its’ full monetary value.    You do not need to buy everything at 100% to get a full monetary value.  Often times there are discounts, buy one get one free and free products/services that are full of monetary value.

To read the rest of the article please visit Regarding Nannies: Financial Friday

Financial Friday: Freebies Can Be Found Everywhere

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Financial Friday: Topics In A Car Agreement

Financial Friday: Topics in a Car Agreement

Vehicles are expensive. Beyond the cost of the car, there are regular maintenance costs and let’s not forget gasoline. Today over on the CincyNanny blog, Greta discusses some “Topics in a Car Agreement” giving some of the basics things to discuss with an employer. Enjoy!

High5 Friday: Topics in a Car Agreement

Transportation is a key part of a nanny’s care for children. There are several options that a nanny and family may decide on as to how transportation is handled and is likely discussed during the interview/contract process. Some families may provide a car for the nanny to drive during work hours. Others may require a nanny to have their own reliable transportation that is suitable for the children.

Nannies should strive to provide a safe environment for children and take the necessary precautions for the possibility of an emergency.

When I first started my current job, it was decided that the family would provide a car for me to drive the triplets as they got older. The were 9 months when I started and it wasn’t practical and manageable for me to be taking big field trips, alone, as the winter was approaching….

Read the complete article here: CincyNanny’s High5 Firday: Topics in a Car Agreement

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Financial Friday: Job Search Expenses

Job Search Expenses

Compliments of Breedlove & Associates, written specially for Regarding Nannies

Can any of my job search expenses be taken off my income taxes?

There are several job search expenses that can be deducted if the expenses exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income.  Some examples of job search expenses include:

To read the rest of the article please visit Regarding Nannies:

Financial Friday: Job Search Expenses

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Financial Friday: Tax Free Shopping Is Here!

Financial Friday: Tax Free Holidays Are Here!

by Alice Shaffer

Over the past several years I keep hearing about "tax free shopping weekend" around the first weekend of August. It pertains to saving money on back to school supplies like pencils and erasers. I have taken advantage of it in the past by mistake if I happen to be at a store that weekend and get some supplies. You probably are looking for some new outfits, socks, underwear and shoes for the kids too-don't worry they are included as well. The really cool thing is that I have noticed  that it includes computers that are of a certain dollar amount. This could be great if you are looking for a cheap laptop or netbook that you want to pick up on the fly.  I wish I had remembered this back in May when I purchased my netbook.

Of course not every state participates in the "tax free holiday" shopping but a nice handful does. Make sure to check for the details for your state. Start looking at your coupons now for items so that you can get the most bang for your buck. Look at combining your gift cards and reward credits to the stores to save even more money.  I have like $18 in Staples Rewards checks that will be very helpful come next weekend when I go and get some office supplies.

to read the rest of the article please visit Regarding Nannies: Financial Friday

Tax Free Holidays Are Here!

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Financial Friday: Where To Find Deals on Eating Out

Financial Friday: Where To Find Deals On Eating Out

By: Alice Shaffer The Financial Nanny

As a nanny I enjoy finding ways to save money for myself and my nanny family.  I have used Restaurant.com for my nanny work and personal outings. I let the kids look at the restaurants too and let them make a choice sometimes.  I have also used Groupon to save 50% off at several locations while I was traveling to San Francisco and locally.

The question becomes how do you save money when you are home and go to local places?  With social media being so large as it many places have taken to having fan pages on Facebook and Twitter.  Often times you can "like" or "follow" the place of your choice online and they will have special coupons and discounts available to their "fans" and "followers"

To read the rest of this article please visit: Regarding Nannies: Financial Friday

Where to Find Deals on Eating Out

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Financial Friday: Swagbucks

Financial Friday: Swagbucks


by Alice Shaffer

As a professional nanny, I sometimes would like some extra "cash" but don't want a second job or babysitting gig on the weekends. I have discovered that there are so many different fun ways to earn money on the internet these days. On Financial Friday, we have featured posts on Mypoints & BZZAgent from Carli and today I bring you Swagbucks.

To read the rest of the article on Swagbucks please visit Regarding Nannies

Financial Friday: Swagbucks

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Financial Friday: More On Eating Healthy Organics & Affording Them

Financial Friday: More On Eating Healthy Organics & Affording Them
by Alice Shaffer


Regarding Nannies covered National Food Allergy week back in the beginning of May.  I am embarking on a more natural and less processed eating lifestyle.  There are so many "organics/gluten free" items on the market, but what really is true "organic/gluten free" items. While researching this I found an awesome blog post addressing buying organic foods and eating healthier for less.  We all know that eating healthy can cost more than eating processed foods and fast food.  It comes from the blog, The Digerati Life.   The Digerati Life is a great blog about various finance issues. Make sure to go check it for the other helpful posts on the site.  

How to Buy Organic Food and Eat Well for Less Money

by Guest Blogger on June 18, 2010 | edited by SVB

 

Great tips on buying organic food at a lower cost.
The organic food market has become huge in the past five years. However, some consumers are still very skeptical about the whole “organic” craze because at times it seems like many foods are getting slapped with the organic label only to be charged at a higher price.

“Organic food” can mean a variety of different things depending on what the item is. For instance, it can mean that there are no preservatives or artificial junk in packaged food. It can also mean that dairy products are processed differently. For vegetables and fruits, it can mean that no pesticides or genetic altering is used.

Image from BuyOrganic.com.au

 

 

to read the rest of the article please visit 

Regarding Nannies Financial Friday:

More On Eating Healthy Organics & Affording Them

 

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Financial Friday: Tips For Living With Food Allergies

Financial Friday: Tips For Living with Food Allergies


This is National Food Allergy Awareness week. Over at Regarding Nannies we have featured numerous views of living with food allergies, today I am going to share some financial tips from some of our readers on how to save money while being healthy and dealing with food allergies. I am providing numerous links to websites and tips on dealing with Food Allergies.  They are indirectly helping you save money by giving you resources at your fingertips.  There is no need to reinvent the wheel just because you have food allergies now, many people have established the wheel for you.   Take their advice and their recipes and enjoy. 


Many families have dealt with food allergies in many ways that are helpful for them. The one common thing I have heard from all of them is to do bulk buying and use a crockpot. Making as many of your foods from scratch will ensure that you are eating healthy and safely.   


Through this gathering of tips and websites I have learned that being gluten free or having allergies does not mean you have to eat yucky foods.  One person even adapted a Julia Child's Strawberry Tart to be gluten free.  You will have to be in the kitchen more to make sure you are eating safely but many of these sites provide so many wonderful recipes that you shouldn't have a problem throwing a dinner party or bringing dessert to a friend's house one night.


Helpful Websites & Companies

• Truly Natural
• Bob's Red Mill  numerous types of grains, flours, recipes & monthly specials
• Gluten Free Mall  coupons, reward program, articles
• Celiac Disease  Anything you want to know about Celiac Disease
• Be Free For Me  Win It Wednesdays, Friday Favorite and a wealth of other knowledge
• Amazon  has a buying program as well that might be helpful on some foods, remember Amazon Prime may be worth looking into for faster and cheaper shipping.
• True Foods Market
• Gluten Free Food Directory lists of beer, snacks, bread, chips, popcorn etc
•  Nature's Path Organic
• Envirokidz fun food products for kids  
• GFCF has many products that are gluten free/casein free foods/products
• Shop at your local farmers market
• Look into joining a CSA 
• Rachel's Recipe Box  recipes, families journey through living gluten free, dairy free, wheat free, gfcf free, berry free & other top allergen foods
• Sure Foods Living  great links to dining & cooking foods
• Cherrybrook Kitchen  gluten free, egg free, peanut free, dairy free, nut free cake mixes, frosting and other products
• Food Allergy Buzz    a great blog with tons of resources and links
• The Food Allergy Queen  has a great strawberry tart recipe from Julia Child adapted to be gluten free
• Check my Tag:  food allergy awareness clothes for toddlers

Helpful Tips:

1. Do you have an egg allergy in the house?  I ran across this tip on a blog, which I can't find now unfortunately about a substitute for egg.  You can substitute 1 Tbsp. of milled flax seed(you can find this near the flours) and 3 Tbsp. of water for each egg in your recipe.
2. Write to the companies that have products that your child and you can eat based on your food allergies. Tell them you like the products etc. Many times they will send you a sample and coupons.  This is a great idea especially if you are not sure you are going to like a product.  All packages should have an 800 phone number on them to reach customer service. Never hurts to try.
3. Bulk purchasing.  Look at the websites and see if they off deals on bulk purchasing.  If so stock up on the basics like flours, grains and so forth that don't go bad quickly.  
4. Split costs of bulk buying with friends who need to purchase similar products
5. Learn how to decipher a food label
6. Learn what the major food allergens are (milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat & other)
7. Ask those who are over for meals and playdates if they have food allergies, do not be afraid to ask them to bring their own snacks and lunches.  If it often safer for the child/person especially if they have severe food allergies
8. Educate yourself on food allergies in children
9. Consider purchasing the Allergy Label Pack from Stuck on You for your child's camp belongs and for school as well. Comes with bracelets, stickers, bag tag etc.  ( listed under Stuck on You Value Packs)
10. Learn about the various non wheat flours and how to cook with them
11. Check your vitamins and medicines to make sure they are free of the food allergens, gluten free and casein free Make sure to confirm with the manufactures as well.

Through your journey of food allergies you will find frustrations and victories in the foods you try from the store and the ones you make.  The costs at first may seem high but once you figure out what foods and products you like buying in bulk and from scratch will save you lots of money.  Make this a fun time for your family in the kitchen, have everyone help out with cooking!


Please share with us some of your helpful money saving and time tips with living and cooking with food allergies!

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Financial Friday: Saving Money While Eating Out

Financial Friday:  Saving Money While Eating Out

by Alice Shaffer

Several of my friends keep telling me about Restaurant.Com and how awesome it is.  It is a website where you can buy discounted coupons for meals at various restaurants for as much as 80% off! They are delivered immediately to your email address.  You must use a credit card to purchase them.


Right now they have a deal for 80% till April 30, today. Why not take your mom out to dinner or a special mom friend out for Mother's Day!  By going to the website you can explore tons of various restaurants, close to you and where you might be going on vacation or visiting in the coming months. 


The Code for the 80% off is MEAL it does expire today April 30, 2010. Make sure to become a fan on facebook for them as they post new codes there as well or via emails.


I purchased the following 5 coupons for $10.  Without the code for 80% they were $10 for a $25 coupon.  There are restrictions.  It tells you on the website for each place what the rules are.   Most of these had dine in Dinner only and a minimum purchase of $35 or $45 plus 18% gratuity.  I will ask a friend or two to go out to dinner and say I have the first $25 and you all get the rest of the bill.  Who wants to go out to dinner? :)

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Financial Friday: Fresh Air & Nature are Free!

Fresh Air & Nature are Free!

by Alice Shaffer

Makes one think.....Isn't fresh air & nature already free?  Yes they are free.  I am referring to the US National Park Services .  April 17-April 25 is National Park Week with the US Park Services!  This also happens to fall during the 40th anniversary of Earth Day on Tuesday April 20. The Blue Ridge Parkway is also celebrating its' 75th anniversary!


Saturday April 24th is also National Junior Ranger Day!  Those that participate will receive a certificate patch or pin.

All entrance fees to the 392 US National Parks will be waived during this coming week.  Take this time to go exploring your local National Parks.   To find one near you please visit the National Park Services List.

The National Park Foundation has some great things written up for National Park Week. You can go there and punch in your zip code to see what National Parks are located near you.  I was just at tow the other week: Ford's Theater and The Stone House in Washington DC.


The National Parks have so much to offer from day trips to overnight trips.  There is probably one within a few hours drive or right next door to you.   Take advantage of National Park Week! 


Enjoy the fresh air and the nature that is around you this coming week in celebration of our National Parks!

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