Thriving in the Economy

The Family Groove DEALS

2010-04-08T15:21:00.000-07:00

We at THE FAMILY GROOVE love to shop and we love to save money…which is why we’ve rounded up the best – and grooviest – boutiques, brands and discounts just for your (and our!) spring shopping thrills.

For The Grooviest Baby Gear:

Fab Baby Gear (www.fabbabygear.com): Save $10 off $20 or move with code groovyfab.

Nurture (www.shopnurture.com): Save 15% off purchases of $75 or more with code stroll15.

Pure and Simple Baby (www.pureandsimplebaby.com): Save 10% with code SIMPLEBABY through 4.30.10.

Punkin-Butt (www.punkinbutt.com): Save 10% with code Groove10.

Cuddles Kids Bedding (www.cuddleskidsbedding): Save 10% with code TFG10.

Baby Sock Locks (www.babysocklocks.com): Get 20% off with code TFG20.

Modern Kid Stuff (www.modernkidstuff.com): Save 20% with code Groovy.

Vanny Bean (www.vannybean.com): Save 10% with code groovy

Sleepy Wrap (www.sleepywrap.com): Save 10% with code tgf10

Hug-a-Bib (www.hugabib.com): Save 20% with code groove20.

Lillebaby (www.scichild.com): Save 20% off Eurototes with code groove.

What Every Baby Needs (www.whateverybabyneeds.com): Save 10% with code TFG.

Anne-Marie Designs (www.annemariesdesigns.com): Save 15% with code TFG15.

Finn’s Finds (www.finnsfinds.com): Save 50% off selected items with code groovy.

For the Coolest Baby and Kids’ Clothes:

Kota Couture (www.kotacouture.com): Save 15% with code TFG15.

Bungalow Bebe (www.bungalowbebe.com): Save $10 off your order with code THEFAMILYGROOVE123.

Treasure Box Kids (www.treasureboxkids): Save 15% off with code TFG15.

My Embroidered Gifts (www.myembroideredgifts.co): Save 15% off with code tfg15.

Kool Kloz (www.koolkloz.com): Save 10% when you write a comment in their blog or guest book.

Hopscotch Tees (www.hopscotchtees.com): Get free crystals or free give wrap when you mention THEFAMILYGROOVE when purchasing a shirt.

Kate Rees Designs (www.katereeschildren.com): Get 20% off with code Grove@20.

Rock n Roll Babies (www.rocknrollbabies.com): Save 15% with code groove.

My Baby Pajamas (www.mybabypajamas.com): Get 15% off with code tfg15.

Saige Nicole’s (www.saigenicoles.com): Save 15% with code TFG15.

Toys We Love:

Bloom Putty (www.bloomputty.com): Save 15% with code groovy.

Little Zen Minds (www.littlezenminds.com): Save 10% with code Momi10.

Hazelnut Kids (www.hazelnutkids.com): Get 10% off with code groove10.

Bright October (www.brightoctober.com): Save 15% with code TFG15.

Discover This (www.discoverthis.com): Save 10% off any order over $50 with code Grove.

Green and Groovy:

Greener Grass Designs (www.greenergrassdesigns): Get 15% off with code TFG10.

Gretchen and Grace (www.gretchenandgrace.com): Save 20% with code TFG20.

Grandeur Green (www.grandeurgreen.com): Save 10% with code TFG2009.

Snack Taxi (www.snacktaxi.com): Save 15% with code save15.

For You—or Your Favorite Mama:

The Happy Magpie (www.thehappymagpie.com): Save 15% with code FAMILYGROOVE.

Bailey Bea Designs (www.baileybeadesigns.com): Save 15% though 4.30.10 with code MHL15.

Invitation Jane (www.invitationjane.com): Save 10% with code TFG10.

Milan Maternity (www.milanmaternity.com): Save 15% with code TFG15.

Bella Zandra (www.bellazandra): Save 10% with code BZ-TFG10.

Good Earth Beauty (www.goodearthbeauty.com): Save 5% off any order with code GROOVE5 or 10% off any order over $100 with code GROOVE10.

CityDEALS Giveaway :-)

2010-03-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

Win a FREE stay at the Peery Hotel Stay and Dinner at Christopher’s Steak & Seafood!!

Simply enter in your information and refer a friend to be entered!

The winner AND the person that referred them BOTH WIN!! If your friend wins – you do too!!!

(click on the link to enter)

http://marketing.citydeals.com/giveaway/

WAYS TO SAVE $$$$ - QUICK TIPS

2010-02-09T16:21:00.000-08:00

1) Cook @ home often

2) Make your own coffee

3) Brown bag lunch at least a few days a week

4) Make a list before going shopping

5) Go grocery shopping while you are in a hurry

6) Watch out for expiration dates on perishable items

7) Buy in bulk whenever possible

8) Buy generic products whenever possible

9) Use grocery store bags to the line trash cans

10) Consolidate and pay off debt as soon as possible

11) Pay your bills on time to avoid late fees

12) Be aware of your bank balance and avoid over draft fees

13) Avoid ATM fees

14) Avoid credit cards with annual fees

15) Disconnect land line if possible

16) Instead of buying books, borrow books from the library

17) If you have to buy books, check if you can buy it used

18) Price check before buying anything expensive

19) Avoid impulse buying

20) Bottle your own water

21) Avoid the vending machines

22) Keep your car as long as possible

23) Do regular scheduled maintenance on your vehicles

24) Avoid buying a new car

25) Ride your bike or carpool whenever possible

26) If you watch a lot of DVD’s, get an online DVD store membership

27) If you like watching movies at the theater, go before 6:00 pm

28) Regulate your electric use

29) Plan vacations ahead of time

30) Keep distance from lavish, high-roller friends and family

MAKING MONEY ON THE STOCK MARKET

2010-01-20T15:05:00.000-08:00

There is no “easy button” to push for making money. Making money requires work – even in the stock market.

People that are successful investors study a variety of sources and ask a lot of questions.

How To Buy Stocks:

1- Shop for undervalued companies.

2- Find stocks that have price-earnings ratios significantly lower than those of their peer group.

3- Watch for bad news. Wall Street often overreacts to bad news such as missed earnings, which will drive a stock lower than it should go.

4- Pick the jockey, not the horse. Find out who is running the company and where the executives worked previously.

5- Look for strong balance sheets. Companies with low debt loads, positive cash flow and consistently good earnings are good prospects.

6- Check out the portfolios of successful mutual-fund companies. If they are getting great returns year after year, they are holding stocks you might want to buy.

7- Know when to cut your losses. You want to invest for the long term, but you don't want to stick with a consistent loser.

8- Work hard. Do research. Read financial news. Study quarterly and annual reports as well as registration statements, looking for trends and opportunities.

9- Grill your broker. If the broker is recommending XYZ stock, ask for a detailed explanation, with an eye to growth prospects and historical performance.

Money Matters

2009-12-28T14:28:00.000-08:00

(reprinted from Decor and Style Magazine, July 2003)

Turn Sudden Money into Lasting Wealth
by Candace Bahr

WE DREAM ABOUT winning the lottery and revel in fantasies of endless shopping sprees, luxury vacations and languorous limo rides. But if you really came into a sudden windfall, would you be able to make the most of your wealth? It might not be the lottery that dumps a lump sum in your lap -- it could be an insurance settlement, an inheritance, or a messy divorce. The money may be pouring in, but the windfall comes as a mixed blessing. What would you do with a million dollars? What about $10 million, or $50 million?

The answer might not be a simple as you think. A number of years ago, I had a client whose husband and two of their four children were killed in a tragic accident. She received more than $2 million from the party that was at fault. But after she received the money, she seemed to do everything in her power to get rid of it. She spent lavishly on her two remaining adult children and gave away large sums, so that by the time she came to me, there was little left of her settlement. She couldn't hold on to the money.

Managing Your Emotions
Receiving sudden wealth can stir up feelings of guilt, anger, confusion and fear. In the case of my client, the money was tied to deep-seated feelings of loss and sorrow. She wanted to comfort and protect her adult children by showering them with money. The problem was that she was trying to replace the loss of half of her family which was irreplaceable.

Everyone reacts differently to sudden wealth and certainly the source of the money has a great deal to do with how it is handled. I once heard it said that the only problems that money solves are money problems. That couldn't be truer. In fact, tremendous sudden wealth can actually create problems. You've heard the stories.

I have a client that recently received a large inheritance from a distant relative. It was perfectly logical that she should be remembered in the will as she was the only family member that stayed in close contact with her great aunt. Yet, she was ostracized by the rest of her family because they were not included. Initially, my client was inclined to simply give it all away. The family's pressure was overwhelming. Over time, we worked out a plan that benefited her and allowed her to share her good fortune with her siblings. We also developed a giving plan that allows her the satisfaction of helping some local charities because she wants to, not because she's trying to dump the money.

Receiving a windfall may require some adjustments to your mindset as well as your financial life. If you come into an unexpected windfall, it's important to take time to adjust to your new circumstances. You may want to seek counseling from a therapist or member of the clergy to work through the difficult emotions you may be experiencing. Even if you're elated, don't make any hasty decisions about what to do with the money. Just allow the reality of the situation to sink in, and let yourself get comfortable with the idea of having wealth. Park your money in a short-term savings instrument or money market account while you clear your head. (We generally recommend Treasury Bills as a good holding place while you are contemplating your options -- they are state tax free and fully guaranteed by the federal government as to timely payment of principle and interest. Plus, you can invest millions and feel comfort-able-you are not limited to the $100,000 guarantee on bank accounts.)

Meanwhile, think about the things that mean a lot to you -- your family, your work, your community -- and how you can use your newfound wealth to support yourself as well as the people and causes you hold dear. Remember, being rich doesn't change who you are, just what you've got.

Planning For the Future
The most important thing you can do in anticipation of a windfall is to get your professional advisors in place. Your initial support team should consist of your accountant, attorney and financial advisor. Make sure all your advisors communicate freely with you and give them permission to share your information with your other trusted advisors. That will make things a lot easier when you are ready to move forward. It sounds simple, but you'd be amazed how many people have advisors who don't talk to each other and then when you are ready to implement the suggestions you find the elements of your plan won't mesh. We've found that if we go with our clients to their accountant's or attorney's office, or have frequent conference calls, it helps keep us all on the same page.

If news of your windfall is common knowledge -- for example, your high-pro-file divorce was broadcast all over the region -- you may be inundated with calls from salespeople eager to offer assistance. Be wary of unscrupulous individuals. Never buy anything from a cold call. Make sure the financial advisor you choose has at least 15 years of experience and frequently works with people in your situation. Conduct a thorough reference check on anyone with whom you plan to do business. The right financial advisor will have your best interests at heart, and will focus on creating a long-term strategy to help preserve and grow your money.

Spending for Today,
Saving for Tomorrow
Once you've given yourself time to cool off, you'll need to start mapping out a plan to manage your money. The first step to financial planning is knowing what you're working with. Your windfall may be coming to you piecemeal, or all at once. Find out when and how you will receive the money, and check with your accountant to find out what the tax implications are. Once you know the final sum you're owed you can begin to strategize a spending and investment plan to meet your needs. Do you have any outstanding debts that need to be paid off, such as credit card balances or personal loans? Are there future expenses for which you should earmark funds, like a child's college tuition? You will want to set money aside to meet these obligations before you take any other action. Here's where your input from your financial advisor is invaluable.

Now it's time to tackle the bigger issue of budgeting for the long-term. Creating a budget may sound silly if you've come into millions, but without a fixed spending plan, you could wake up one morning to discover your wealth is already gone. As part of the budgeting process, look for ways to get the most bang for your buck. That's not to say you can't have any fun-your budget should include money for meals, trips and entertainment. But in the big picture, be sure to consider the long-term implications of your spending decisions.

After taking care of your expenses, you can start thinking about investing. The nature of your investments will depend on a number of factors, including your age, income needs, and the level of risk with which you're comfortable. As a general rule, you should have money set aside in an emergency fund, plus a range of investments geared toward meeting long-term goals, as well as generating current income. And don't forget about estate planning-by establishing a trust or other investment vehicle, you can help ensure that your children and grandchildren will live comfortably too. Whatever investment vehicles you consider, you'll need to speak with your accountant and your financial advisor about the tax implications.

Finally, don't forget about charitable giving. Having access to wealth can open up incredible opportunities for helping others, whether in your local community or on a global scale. Think about the causes that matter to you -- would you like to donate money toward environmental protection, offer assistance to the homeless, fund breast cancer research, or support your alma mater? Your financial advisor can suggest a variety of tools for charitable giving and help you create a financial plan that reflects your personal values.

Having a mountain of money bestowed on you can throw even the most financially savvy individual for a loop. Feelings of confusion and fear are normal and should not be ignored. But in the bigger picture, access to wealth can be a tremendous boon, both for you and the people close to your heart. If you receive a sudden windfall, remember to keep your emotions in check, seek professional guidance, and plan wisely. That way, you can use your wealth to do a world of good.

Candace Bahr is managing partner of Bahr Investment Group in Carlsbad. (Securities and financial planning offered through, Linsco Private Ledger a registered investment advisor member SIPC.) She is a financial consultant with more than twenty years of experience in the San Diego area and is the co-founder of the non-profit Women's Institute for Financial Education (WIFE.org).

Tips To Thrive

2009-12-17T13:40:00.000-08:00

In conducting research on our economy - I came across some tips that I want to share

Tip 1: Listen to the media with discernment

Tip 2: Look at the facts

Tip 3: Put up the boundaries on negativity in your environment

Tip 4: Monitor your own self talk

Tip 5: Find and educate your clients

Tip 6: Be clear on what makes you unique

Tip 7: Use the Law of Attraction to attract your ideal clients

Planning for the future

2009-10-29T10:28:00.000-07:00

It is never to late for us to start planning the future out. For the lucky few of us who haven't been hit hard during this bad economic time, we need to be smart financially if you haven't been already. I found this sweet article for putting away money.

How to Retire a Millionaire

Once upon a time, a millionaire was a rare thing indeed. But that's not the case anymore. Of course, money has depreciated over time thanks to inflation, so that a million dollars now does not have the same buying power that it did in the past. But that's not the only reason that more and more people are able to claim that they are millionaires. Part of the increase in membership into this once highly exclusive category is that people are becoming much smarter about how they use their money. They have come to understand the magic of compound investing and how powerful a tool it is to understand when it comes to getting your money to work for you.

As discussed in other articles, remember that money has time value. While a million dollars captures a certain meaning to us now, it will not have the same meaning in 10, 20 or 30 years when you are ready to retire. So just understand that even if you are able to call yourself a millionaire, that doesn't mean that you will be living the lifestyle of what you see today's millionaires doing. By then, it will take multiple millions of dollars to enjoy the same type of lifestyle that today's millionaires enjoy. All the more reason to begin your wise investing as soon as possible.

So how can you get to the goal of becoming a millionaire? Well, first you need to adopt the millionaire attitude by taking an honest look at your current financial situation. Chances are you can first change some of your spending habits so that you are losing less money. The more money you can invest now instead of spending it on unnecessary items, the more money you will have for your retirement. Where are you currently in debt? There is 'good' debt, such as a mortgage, which in most cases means that what you have purchased is appreciating in value. And there is 'bad' debt, such as a new car payment, which has you paying for an item that is depreciating in value. And for many of us, the worst debt is also the most commonly held credit card debt. If you are paying for the right to use credit, you are probably living above your means. Not to mention the fact that once you are considered a good risk by a credit card company, you are more readily able to get credit from other companies as well. So all too often, you can end up making minimum payments on a number of credit cards, making it difficult to ever pay off any of them entirely. Of course, you can't change what you've spent in the past, but you can change what you spend in the future. Stop spending what you can't afford, pay off high interest debts, and invest as much as possible.

The exact investment requirements needed to reach the millionaire mark depend on how much, at what interest rate, and for how long you have to invest your money. But, let's say that you are 35 years old and you want to retire at 65. You are starting from scratch on your account and want to get to $1,000,000 by 65. At 8% interest, you would need to save $8,826 per year, or $735.50 per month. What if you can earn 10%? Then you need $6,079 per year, or about $506.58 per month to reach $1,000,000 by 65. Of course, if you had 40 years to reach the millionaire mark, you'd only need $321 a month at 8% or an amazing $188.25 a month at 10% in order to hit your goal. The moral is, the sooner you start, the more magic compounding interest can do for you.
About the Author
More Articles & Tutorials and a Free Investing For Beginners E-Course at http://www.Global-Investment-Institute.com

Making a profit in these tough times

2009-09-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

I am tired of peoples' beliefs that you can't get a head while the world is going through this depression. I set this blog up to help people with ideas that will make the money and people should share any ideas that have worked for them.

Beating the Curve

2009-09-21T14:32:00.000-07:00

This is the key to living a good life while the world is in debt.