Shopping is definately one of my major downfalls. I shop to make myself feel better when I’m having a bad day, I shop when I’m happy, I shop for special occasions…you name it, I probably shop for it!

Today my special occasion was Spring Break (which by the way…is still 3 weeks away and of course I’m sure I will do even more shopping between now and then)! Usually I’m not big with shopping with my credit card…but today I decided I would since I have the Bank of America World Points Card and can earn points for my purchases. But today I realized how easy it is for people to just keep putting purchases on their credit cards without really thinking about it.

I knew I had enough money when I was making the purchases on my credit card, but still…it was so easy! I’m pretty frugal with my money sometimes, but once I get on a roll with shopping it seems like I just can’t stop. Considering today was one of those days, it really made me appreciate Geezeo and how they help me organize my finances. Without being able to check all of my balances and make sure I’m still keeping up with my goals it would be extremely hard to maintain a balance in my checking account while still spending on my credit card.

I realized today how easy it is to make purchases without it even feeling like you have spent any money. It adds up so quickly that before you know it you can be over your head. So my advice (as I’m sure you’ve heard from sooo many other people before), just make sure you have the cash to pay back your credit card.

What I do best, is once I have made the purchases and I’m sure that I am going to keep what I bought…I pay that off of my credit card right away. It REALLY helps me out in the long run. Then when my final credit card bill comes around, I know a lot of it will already be paid off…and I also can keep better track of how much money I actually have in my checking account when I’m taking out cash.

Another thing, make sure you aren’t spending on your credit card, writing a bunch of checks, taking cash out, etc…all without keeping track of all this. Geezeo helps you organize all of this in order to keep track of where all your money is going! Don’t make mistakes. You don’t want those checks to bounce and the interest on your credit card to skyrocket (not to mention not being able to make the minimum payments!).

Really, I think the major part is…just be smart with your money! I know I’m probably repeating what a lot of other people say all the time, but coming from a college student who loves to spend money…I understand what many of you college kids out there are going through! You want to save, spend, and at the same time enjoy the time you have before entering into the “real world”…but just remember, be smart and make sure to stick with your goals and planning!

Don’t forget to check out some of these other Geezeo groups that will help you to get out of debt and use your credit cards wisely!

“We are currently a one income family and that means that we may not be able to splurge as much as we like.”

Are you a stay-at-home parent? Managing the family’s finances frequently falls into overall household management. We spoke with Geezeo member Amber Jones about what it’s like to balance the books. How does she do it juggling all the other important tasks of managing a household? What are some challenges?

Whether or not you are a stay-at-home parent, many of us can relate to the myriad of other life distractions that can keep us from being focused on our budgets.

Amber, where do you live?

I live in the little town of Selma, North Carolina.

I understand you have two sons. How old are they?

Hayden is a 3 year old and Braxton is a year old.

You must have your hands full! Are you the primary bookkeeper at your home?

Yes, I take care most of it (like budgeting where money should go and then actually making the payments),and then my husband, well, he is in on it. I show him what the plan is for the paycheck, and then after pay day, I show him what we have left and why.

Was that a decision you and your husband planned, or did it just happen?

When we were dating, I made it very clear to him that I would not allow us to have the same…â€?issuesâ€? that he was having on his own (e.g, bounced checks). So once we were married, it was kind of a “plannedâ€? thing that I would take over, meaning, he knew it was an inevitable consequence of marrying me. LOL.

What’s been the biggest adjustment managing your own finances compared to when you were single or childless?

Well, before I married my husband, I lived at home, so I didn’t have many bills (car payment, insurance). So I blew most of my money on just “thingsâ€? – non-essentials. So I guess I didn’t really think about it. Before the boys were around, we could go out and eat, and do “extrasâ€? – like bowling, or going to the movies, even paying for others, like my husband’s little brother and sister, and let them tag along. It was fun. But once the boys were here, that all changed. We couldn’t be as “socialâ€?.

What are some financial challenges stay-at-home parents face?

Well, for us, the big thing is that we are trying to stay balanced. We want to give the boys what they need. You know, not running out there trying to buy them the best name-brand clothes, or high tech gadgets. We are currently a one income family and that means that we may not be able to splurge as much as we like. So we have to stay as frugal as possible with some things.

We know that if I were to go outside of our home to try to find a job, the income may be just enough to cover child-care for the two boys, so I couldn’t imagine spending that much time away from them if it isn’t really going to benefit us that much. I posted in a group not too long ago either about how it is hard dealing with friends who don’t have to be as frugal since they are just a couple, both working.

What’s some advice or coping mechanisms you’d recommend to other stay-at-home parents who manage kids and the household cashflow?

Well, I recommend not trying to “buy� your kids happiness, for sure! They are just happy that mommy and daddy are taking care of them. As long as the family is happy and healthy, and you have a roof over your head, and clothes on your back, and your belly’s full, then money doesn’t matter anyway. Money really can’t buy happiness.

But outside of that, you have the real world to pay for, and here recently, one of the best things I have come across is learning to be a “coupon mom�. It takes time and patience. You have to be willing to sit down and read the sales papers. But it all pays off in the end. I have been able to find some really good deals.

Anything else?

I love, love, love Geezeo, and I think it is a great tool to help keep everyone – from single, to married, to parents – on top of what’s going on. It’s a great way to help keep yourself focused and aware of where you are. Things happen, and changes may come your way. But I read somewhere once that you should keep your goals the same, because the road to getting there is where there should be flexibility because of the unexpected road blocks.

Amber, great closing statement. You can’t predict life but you can make the best adjustments given your options. Planning ahead can help and clearly you’re on the path to doing just that. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us and share your personal experience.

I encourage all of you out there to join Amber in her group, Financially Frugal Families. Drop her a line with your own suggestions on managing the dual challenges of a running a family household and a family’s budget.

I have always heard rumors that cutting up credit cards doesn’t help your credit score at all…but then again, if you keep running up your bills on several different cards and can’t pay it off, that also doesn’t help you much!

A question and answer at YoungMoney talks about how closing a credit card does not make your credit score go up. It explains that you shouldn’t use your cards until you get your debt paid off, but that you should keep your accounts open.

At BankRate.com it explains several ways that you can and probably should cut up your credit card. If you have found yourself with a ton of credit cards that you just keep putting purchases on, you should limit yourself to your top 2 or 3 and stick to just those.

Tips for when to cut up your credit card:

1.) Pick an EMPTY card to cut up. Don’t cut up credit cards that still have a balance on them. Make sure to pay off your debt first otherwise this could lead to troubles for you.

2.) Don’t let the credit card company know that you are planning on closing your credit card until all of your debt is paid off. Occasionally some companies raise your interest rate when they know you are planning on doing this…giving you more money to pay off! According to Steve Rhode, President of Myvesta.org (a consumer finance assistance website), “If you close an account when you maintain a balance, they increase the interest rate to the maximum allowed as a penalty.”

3.) Bankrate.com also explains that if you are planning on taking out a mortgage or car loan or anything of the like, canceling your credit cards can actually hurt your chances of getting approved…or getting favorable terms and conditions.

Before making the rash decision to cut up all your credit cards (like they make Rachel do on Friends)…think twice about whether this will help or hurt you! You don’t want to cancel and cut them out just to find out that you made the wrong decision.

Breaking news!

Is it impossible to catch up on pop culture AND manage your money life at the same time? No! No longer!… Here’s one of the best ideas, ever. Check out MainStreet.com.

Think: take some of our nation’s national obsessions (like Britney Spears) and bringing her headlines back with relevance to your wallet. Did that concept just blow your mind, or what? Suddenly, this personal finance stuff isn’t so boring…(and we thought Geezeo was the only “fun” money place!)

Some samples:

Gary Coleman’s wedding — how can you prepare for a wedding or life partnership?

Britney Spears ditches court appearances (again) — how can you prepare for child custody or support?

NY Giants Win the Superbowl — how can you put a financial windfall to good use?

Right on, Mainstreet.com. We were getting lonely being the only “fun” money site around!

The above is a shot of my hometown, historic Staunton, Virginia’s main street (photo: StauntonGrocery.com)

“Money is simple: it’s a currency, a unit of choice…”

This is Part 2 of yesterday’s discussion about money with my friend Allah Jesus Ali, founder of the community website and radio show, Real Talk. If you missed it, here’s the link.

Why is it important to pay attention and possibly change your attitudes toward money?

Well for some it may not be important. We can ask ourselves one question to see if it is something that may be important to us, and that question is: “Am I satisfied with my current financial position?” If the answer is “yes”, then it isn’t important to change our attitude toward money. If the answer is “no”, then it’s extremely important to change our attitude toward money. It’s only important to change if you want something to change. If you want your money to change, then pay attention, because as my mentor always says, “if you don’t pay attention, you’re going to pay somebody.”

How can people use money for the “greater good”?

Tithe, donate, use it to educate those that do not know how to mange it, and so on. More importantly, if you have a passion, fund it… and fund it heavily. Nothing else helps the “greater good” like healthy, happy people who can then spread that joy and knowledge of success to others.

What’s your favorite money management tip?

A simple one from Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad, Poor Dad). Pay yourself first. If you’re employed, by the time you get your check Uncle Sam has already taken his cut. So don’t give everyone else their cut as well before you get yours.

Create three funds — it can be cookie jars, or bank accounts — where you save an equal amount each week or month. One fund is for your savings, the second for your tithing/donations, and the last for your investments. Do this more to create the habit, rather than worry about the amount of money. These three funds should be collectively 30% of your take home pay. Then use the other 70% to manage your life. After some time and consistency, you’ll notice that you’ve learned to take care of you, before you take care of everyone else.

Final thoughts when it comes to real talk about money?

Money is simple: it’s a currency, a unit of choice. If we think of money as simply what it is, then everything else falls into perspective. It’s like everything else — managed correctly you can enjoy the benefits of its presence, and incorrectly managed it will make you a slave. Your choice. You choose. Real Talk. This IS about you.

Well said, Allah! I like the idea of money as “unit of choice”. (I think you could market that!) I agree that every bit of money in your life (in whatever amount) presents a “unit of choice”. Spend wisely or spend foolishly and the results will show up in your life. I also like what you said about giving — it’s probably our biggest choice we can make with money and our lives!

Thanks for your participation, Allah, and thanks for taking the time to offer us some “Real Talk”. Folks, if you’re seeking a good place to discuss your specific money concerns or goals, check out Geezeo’s Groups and Goals. As always, you can use Geezeo to manage your money no matter where you are – for free. Yes, some of the best things in life are free!

“Of course we talk about sex more than money. I’ve probably thought about it 1 or 2 times since the beginning of this interview…”

How many friends do you have with whom you can engage thoughtful, meaningful conversation? For many of us, friends like these are few. First, you have to have a certain level of trust. And hey, it’s usually a lot easier to have superficial conversation about superficial topics.

Thankfully, there are alternatives if you’re craving deeper conversations. In fact, my friend Allah Jesus Ali is building a community called “Real Talk” on this very concept: meaningful conversation. He hosts regular salon-format discussion groups on a number of topics as well as hosts an internet radio show.

So, how can people get real when it comes to talking about money? Here’s the first part of our discussion.

Allah, what’s Real Talk?

Real Talk is mainly a discussion group and a community. Ultimately it’s a lifestyle (being a Real Talker) by which you choose to live — the lifestyle of going beyond the superficial stuff, and really getting to the authentic root of things. A couple of friends and I started it back in June of 2006 because our business wasn’t doing to well, we were focused too much on money; so to bring some heart back into the picture, we started having weekly discussions to dismantle our drama. Soon we opened it up to our peers. Now Real Talk is an event that hosts over 500 people a month in multiple countries. In it’s entirety, Real Talk consists of three components: first the heart of Real Talk, the one-on-one conversation, or group discussion, then the large events where you learn how to have Real conversations with others and strangers, and lastly the website, www.talking4real.com, designed to keep Real Talkers up to date with useful tips, topics, and the happenings.

Why do you think people have difficulty discussing money? Don’t we talk about our sex lives more easily than our finances?

Smiles! Of course we talk about sex more than money, I’ve probably thought about it 1 or 2 times since the beginning of this interview, but money — I think I’ve thought about that more. About the money thing though, we attach to much to it, so we have difficulty talking about it. Think about it, if you go out and ask 100 people what money is to them, they’ll all give you a different answer. We tie it to our livelihood, it’s our measure of success, it’s our piece of mind, it’s our health, etc. So when someone brings up the topic of money, they bring up all those other discussions too. Not to mention traditional opinions of money, such as “it’s the root of evil.” I don’t like that one, but some people believe it. We always equate it mentally and emotionally to more than just the piece of paper or fabric in our hands. As a result it’s always committed to being a touchy subject.

How can you start having an honest discussion about money?

First things first, get to the real deal about it. We have to take a look at our bank accounts, check our stashes, get a pen and paper and write down all of what we have, then sit there and observe ourself. Chances are, if we don’t have enough we’ll be mentally disgusted and cursing ourself out in our head. If we have what we need or more, we’ll be praising ourself. Either way it really isn’t who we are. Once we take an earnest shot at realizing that the numbers are just the numbers, and what is just is, then we can move forward.

What are some common “lies” people tell themselves when it comes to money? How can these attitudes be changed?

Some of the common lies are that there’s never enough, or that we can’t have as much as we want, it’s the “root of evil,” etc. The attitudes can be changed the same way they were created, simply create a positive affirmation and continuously say that instead of what you usually say. If you’re always saying “I don’t have enough,” instead say, “I always have enough and always when I need it.”

Stay tuned tomorrow when Allah offers some words: “if you don’t pay attention, you’re going to pay somebody.” So true. That’s one of the benefits of changing your internal dialogue about money — start paying attention and you can find the courage to change. Thanks, Allah!

Stay tuned for tomorrow. And if you can’t wait to hear more, head over to Real Talk’s website and listen to a show: http://www.talking4real.com/

Have you ever suddenly lost your vision? Yesterday it happened to me. It’s very frightening.

Like many of us I’ve played the health insurance “gamble”. Since college graduation I’ve had health insurance benefits only 20% of the time. So, based on budget and a general feeling of “healthy” I did without. You might know this method as “CYF Health Insurance” — Cross Your Fingers.

We all know this approach can have potentially life- and financial-threatening implications. Despite these serious consequences I laughed it off and continued the gamble. After all, the most serious medical situation in our household thus far was on a trip to Cincinnati, Ohio. My boyfriend was bitten by a police-mounted horse. (I mean really… that’s kind of funny..! What’s not funny is he doesn’t have health insurance, either).

So back to yesterday. I was working when suddenly I started to have difficulty seeing directly in front of me on the screen. “That’s weird”, I thought, as I adjusted the light on the monitor and in the room. I put on my reading glasses. No help.

Then I started to get dizzy. Maybe I just need a small snack? A rest from the computer screen? No, in fact…it got worse. The pounding in my head grew in intensity. At this point I knew something was really wrong because what vision I had was dark and getting dimmer. You know how the alien pops out of Sigourney Weaver in Aliens? That’s how it felt — like my brain was going to burst out my eye sockets and splatter across the wall.

That’s when I freaked out. I don’t know what a stroke feels like. But a stroke killed my grandfather. Could I be having a stroke? As I left my apartment I could barely walk, see, and felt sure I was going to throw up. I was in a panic.

By the time I got to the emergency clinic I had regained most but not all my vision. Once it was determined I wasn’t having a life or death situation it dawned on me: how much will this cost? No insurance and it’s all out-of-pocket.

Let’s see:

First: the emergency cab ride – $10 — didn’t wait to count change or tip

Next: my minimal insurance ($50/mo) doesn’t cover anything. (That’s why it’s called “minimal” – it basically gives me the right to see a doctor!).

The local emergency clinic operates on a sliding fee scale. They charged me $91 to see an emergency doctor. Then another $91 to see the eye specialist. All this and they said, “You probably had a migraine”.

Talk about the pounding headache continuing! I’ve never had a migraine and it doesn’t run in my family. Nor is it something I’d ever like to encounter again. I spent the bulk of my day there routed through various lines to get my pupils dilated, my blood checked, and all the other things you do when there is something wrong.

But… the really wrong thing is that despite being a generally healthy, employed person, I cannot obtain health insurance that doesn’t cost hundreds of dollars a month.

One strategy I’ve used is to sign up for health insurance under the umbrella of my freelance company (through which I do contract work). But even that is cost-prohibitive. Even though I know better I will probably continue with this minimal coverage for as long as possible. And that really puts my financial life at risk if my physical life is endangered.

I guess this is a good reminder of one real issue at the heart of this election. If you’ve got opinions on health insurance, voice them at the Geezeo Group “Health Insurance – AHH!”.

Have you found yourself with Spring Break quickly approaching and you have yet to book your trip? Don’t start stressing out yet, just be smart. I know everyone wants to go on Spring Break, but there is really no reason to blow all of your savings on one trip! I’m going to Cozumel, Mexico this year…staying at an all inclusive hotel…and have pretty good flights — total cost = $1,078. This is a little bit more than I have spent for my past 2 trips for Spring Break, but we are also flying further (before we only went to the Bahamas).

Expect to pay more for Spring Break the further you travel and the more “spring breakers” that will be there. If it is a hot Spring Break location, obviously the prices are going to skyrocket around the time you want to travel.

Some last minute tips:

1. Priceline.com – Priceline lets you name your own price! I have never actually used Priceline, but I heard it works really well for last minute deals, you just have to keep your fingers crossed! Here is a BidOnTravel website that gives you some ways to bid on Priceline and how it works for finding cheap airfares.

2. Wednesday Morning Fares — Many of the websites such as orbitz.com or bookit.com release new and often cheap flights early on Wednesday mornings. Although this may be a weird time to look for flights, you may really benefit by finding a cheap flight. I once found a flight at 3am on a Wednesday morning that brought my trip down by $200!

3. Bookit.com – I think it this is a really great site to use! I only recently found it because I had been stuck on using Orbitz and Expedia, but we found really great deals on 4 star hotels on this website for our Spring Break this year. You need to keep searching! Things aren’t going to always pop off the page at you, but you need to search for things. It takes a little bit of time and patience, but saving money will feel great in the end.

4. Airline Websites — I know this seems a little “old school” and doesn’t let you compare prices with other airlines, but often airlines will post discounted flights on their website only. American Airlines offers a college portal for college students only and right now has a Spring Break link where you can enter to win a Spring Break round-trip tickets for two!

Just rememeber, stay patient! Something will come around. Don’t waste all of your savings, you really want to keep those for when you want to travel somewhere else…or even for when you come home from Spring Break and still have a few months left of school.

Good luck!

The Big Payoff: 8 Steps Couples Can Take to Make the Most of Their Money — and Live Richly Ever After by Sharon Epperson is a must-read for those you in pairs.

Valentine’s Day is almost here. What have you done recently to change or improve all those jointly-made money decisions? Flowers are great, but have you considered how planning can help or hinder the quality of life you and your significant other share?

Here are the sections in Epperson’s book, and some related Geezeo discussion Groups:

Energizer Bunny Money (aka, a budget suitable for two)

Financial 911 (how to create a cosy emergency savings account or other joint savings)

On Golden Pond (building double-decker retirement accounts)

Feathering Your Nest (buying or selling your first love nest)

College Savings 101 (first comes love, then comes marriage… then comes kids and college bills)

Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise (how to navigate health insurance for two or a family)

Get a Life Jacket (insurance… possibly the most boring but necessary cornerstone of financial plans — Epperson writes it as not-boring as possible…)

Good Will Hunting (how and why to write a will… because you don’t want to make it any worse on your sweetheart. Think, they’ve just lost you, the most awesome partner ever because you always gave them Valentine’s Day gifts AND good financial planning…)

So, if you’re really in love… or still waiting for Mr./Ms. Right, you owe it to yourself and your partner to take at least one day a year and evaluate your finances from a couple perspective. Compared to being unprepared, it’s the big payoff.

P.S. What financial books are you reading? Discuss them here at the blog, or in the Geezeo Group “Bookworms Unite”. And grab a copy of Sharon Epperson’s book, The Big Payoff!

Just a reminder about a really cool feature Geezeo has when it comes to managing a budget. Did you know that you can use your mobile phone to check your budget progress by sending your Geezeo account a quick text message? Oh yea…it’s cool. Simple register your mobile phone (if you haven’t already) with Geezeo. Once you’re cell is activated you can text the word “Geezeo” plus your budget/spending target item to 41411. For example, if you want to see how much money you have left to spend this month on Coffee, text “Geezeo coffee” to 41411 for an immediate update.

Know on the go!! and keep the Geez in your pocket!