Mary McCoy
Mary McCoy, LMSW is a licensed social worker who works closely with individuals, families, and organizations in crisis. She knows first-hand how financial choices can prevent and mitigate crises, and she's therefore passionate about equipping people with the information they need to make solid financial decisions for themselves and their loved ones. When Mary isn't on her soap box, you can find her hiking, jogging, yoga-ing, or frolicking with her family.
6 Celebrities Who Recovered From Financial Failure Before They Became Famous
Nothing is quite as American as a good rags-to-riches story, and it's safe to say that many folks also enjoy the occasional macabre tale of the riches-to-rags variety. But despite all the attention paid...
9 Ways Single Parents Can Avoid Financial Hardship After Divorce or Death
The struggles of single parents are near and dear to my heart. Several years ago, when my daughter was born, I never imagined that I would have to parent by myself. Then, suddenly, I...
9 Best Road Trip Destinations in the USA on a Budget
Back in the early 1990s, when gas prices hovered around an inflation-adjusted average of $2.25 per gallon (according to The Motley Fool), my family took advantage of low fuel prices by going on amazing...
10 Simple DIY Landscaping Ideas for Your Home on the Cheap
As any seasoned landscaper or gardener can tell you, a home's landscape is more than just a few haphazardly placed trees and shrubs. It requires careful thought, planning, and research - not to mention...
Pros & Cons of Owning and Managing Rental Properties
The idea of fuss-free income beckons many people into owning and managing rental properties, such as apartments, duplexes, guest homes, and even large houses. From the outside looking in, it appears that property owners...
How to Get a Mortgage Loan If You’re Self-Employed With Fluctuating Income
Even with tighter regulations on property financing, folks with "normal" income from an employer can be approved for a home mortgage loan fairly easily. You simply have to prove that you have steady paychecks,...
How to Be More Grateful and Why It Will Make You Happier – Definition
No matter your background, it's likely that you've experienced a mixture of triumph and hardship in your life. Life is sprinkled with joyous occasions such as weddings and births, as well as heartaches like...
10 Beautiful Home Decorating Ideas for Warm Weather on a Budget
Each year, at the end of a long, cold winter, millions of Americans breathe a collective sigh of relief with the dawn of spring. For many, warmer temperatures equate to spring cleaning, open windows,...
Top 10 Benefits of Charitable Giving and Donations
The fact that charitable giving can help reduce your tax burden is well known, especially if you're in a high bracket. But the benefits of giving extend far beyond tax breaks. Of course, giving can...
How “Satisficing” Can Save Time and Avoid Problematic Perfectionism
No matter who you are or what you do for a living, you have a limited amount of money, time, and energy in each day. Therefore, on a daily basis, we all have to...
5 Tips to Succeed as a Freelancer
Freelancing sounds like the burnt-out worker's dream come true. Freelancers are able to set their own hours, choose their own jobs, and be their own employers. Unlike some type of fantasy, however, freelancing is...
Understanding, Controlling, and Overcoming Your Fears & Phobias
We are all familiar with the pounding heart, heavy breath, and nervous sweat associated with frightening situations. If your brain is functioning properly, fear is a natural instinct that informs you of danger and...
