Jesse Michelsen
The annual numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are out, and if you had a baby in 2011 – or are thinking about expanding your family in the next few years – pay attention. Statistics now show that a middle-class family in America will spend about $234,900 to raise a child (born in 2011) from birth to their 18th birthday. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg – factor in projected inflation for things like childcare, education, food, and medical-related expenses, and you could be looking at an adjusted figure of $295,560 for those first 18 years.
Well, kids, as you know, this is an election year and the running is pretty tight for the class of 2012!
Mothers: We’d be nothing without them. We learned from our 
It’s not easy to work your way up the corporate ladder and into a big salary. While it’s something to aspire to, it can require a massive amount of time. There’s nothing wrong with working toward that nice payday, but there are numerous ways you can start making more money today.
Personal finance is ultimately personal. Still, people often judge others on what they buy, as well as what they don’t buy. We examine and interpret the spending habits of others, even if we try not to. And ultimately, it is the earner who should be deciding where money is spent – even if “bad” choices are made.
Learning about finance isn’t just for the people on Wall Street. We all deal with money on a daily basis – some of us better than others. We have bills to pay, the need to make money, and hopes of saving for the future.
Have you ever been in a position where you wanted something so badly you were willing to sacrifice nearly anything for it? For example, the current job market is tough – it has been that way for years, and people are becoming increasingly desperate. But how desperate would you have to be to forfeit basic privacy for a job?
When you’re a kid, your parents and teachers tell you what to do. They demand that you to do things that you don’t always want to do – but adults know what’s best, right? Sometimes, no, but in many cases they are encouraging discipline and behavior that will benefit you in the long run.
Finance is not usually taught in school until you reach college, if at all. However, kids should begin learning about money in elementary school.
ment should certainly be a time to look forward to: no job and plenty of play. You’ve earned it, and should be able to enjoy it, right?
When you think you’ve done everything you can to improve your personal and family finances, you may want to take a closer look. It’s likely that there’s just one more aspect of your financial health that you need to examine: your earning potential.
Filing annual taxes brings out so many questions. The rules are complicated, the system is confusing, and penalties for making a mistake are harsh. The confusion and consumption of time can cause a lot of frustration and stress.
It’s easy to get stuck in a daily routine: Wake up, grab coffee on the way to work, stop by a convenience store in the afternoon, and get takeout on your way home in the evening. Routines can be good, but not when they cost you hundreds of dollars every month that could be put toward saving goals or paying down debt.
Did you declare 2012 a year to succeed? Be it your weight loss goals or your business aspirations, make sure you don’t hold yourself back along the way. There are already plenty of obstacles to overcome, and when you hold yourself back you are bound to struggle.
Despite what you might wish, life is not a fairy tale. It can be cold and difficult, and there are a lot of “wicked witches” out there. So living your life as if it were a fairy tale doesn’t really make sense, does it?
