Recently reemployed? Great! Now’s the time to prep for next time…

Congratulations! If you’re one of the many rejoining the workforce after a period of unemployment, definitely take a moment to celebrate and appreciate what not so long ago we used to take for granted: a full-time job. 
OK, but no rest for the weary…  Now it’s time to get serious and take advantage of your newfound [...]

Just what does a career change cost?? Part 2 - Examples

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes… Every year, trees do it beautifully. For them, change comes at little or no cost. The same is true for some lucky career changers, who happen to want a change that doesn’t require a major investment in additional education or business start-up costs, a big pay cut, a period of under- or unemployment, or [...]

Listen now! Network for Work (TM) Radio interview: Financial planning for a pink-slip-crazy world

(Play MP3 now!)
It’s no secret to the many who lost their jobs in this recession: getting laid off can wreak serious havoc on your personal finances.  So what can you do to minimize the impact?  Then, once you’re back to work, what might you do to be better prepared in case it happens again? 
This is [...]

Career changers - Using 529 savings for back to school? In ‘09-’10, computer-related costs qualify

In case you missed my recent ten timely tips newsletter… a special follow-up to career changers using 529 savings to cover back-to-school expenses: computer technology, related equipment and/or related services such as Internet access now count as qualified expenses. i.e. You can use tax-free dollars distributed from 529 plans to pay for these items.  The [...]

New programs make federal student loan debt more manageable

Having trouble making the payments on your federal student loan? If your income is low relative to your debt (e.g. due to a layoff or difficulty securing full employment), it may be worth your while to look into Income-Based Repayment (IBR), a new way to make student loan payments more manageable. Our college planning expert [...]

New Career Change Story: Four years later, marketer-turned-fee-only-financial planner Michael Donahoe reflects

This insightful career change story comes from guest blogger and one-time client of mine, Michael Donahoe, CFP®, now a financial planner himself, and principal with On Course Financial Group, LLC, of Portland, ME.
I just passed the four year anniversary of when I left corporate America and headed out on my own. Since making the move [...]

Facing a big college tuition bill post-pink slip? College planning experts discuss your options

Many of those unlucky enough to be laid off in recent months also happen to be the parents of college age kids with big tuition bills looming.  The ultimate double whammy!   If you’re in this predicament, you’re no doubt wondering: “What are my options??” 
Well, if you attended my presentation to the Network for Work group on June 25 [...]

Another batch of Pink Slip Lemonade: Survey says laid-off workers focusing on the positive

After what seemed like an incredibly long wait, lemonade weather — my favorite — has finally arrived in the Northeast.  So I hope you will indulge me for a few final posts on last month’s featured Pink Slip Lemonade theme.  But first…
Many thanks to the guest bloggers who wrote about their post-pink slip career changes, including professional organizer [...]

More follow-up on Post-Pink Slip Financial Planning talk: Pros & cons of bankruptcy

Continuing with still more follow-up from Thursday’s “Making the Most of Your Money: Post-Pink Slip and Beyond” presentation at the Network for Work meeting…
Look familiar?? Today’s gloomy-yet-again weather presents the perfect backdrop for another question I was asked after the talk: “What are the pros and cons of bankruptcy?” While this is not an area [...]

More follow-up on Post-Pink Slip Financial Planning talk: Good WSJ article “How to Tap Crisis Cash”

Continuing with my follow-up from Thursday’s “Making the Most of Your Money: Post-Pink Slip and Beyond” presentation at the Network for Work meeting…
Another hot topic during the session was, not surprisingly, where to get cash to cover living expenses that, pre-pink slip, used to be covered by wages.  As discussed during the meeting, once you’ve looked [...]