Knowledge Center

object(WP_Post)#443 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(122027) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "7" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2012-05-07 06:00:49" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-05-07 10:00:49" ["post_content"]=> string(1696) "Frugalista. Recessionista. In the past few years, people have coined a lot of silly words describing women and their approach to money, but the thought behind each of them is the same: You care about your hard-earned dollars and want to make them stretch.That's true of most of us: We scrimp, we pinch, we try to feed our proverbial piggy bank as much as possible. Yet sometimes, in our excitement to be financial overachievers, we overreach.[lv_more_content]7 Money Mistakes Women Make10 Great Things You're Already Doing With Your MoneyHow to Replace Negative Thoughts With Positive[/lv_more_content]It turns out there are a number of things that sound like they'd be doing good things for your money, and make you feel like you're saving more  … when, actually, they're having the opposite effect.So, before you let your enthusiasm run away with your wallet, check out the top eight mistakes people make when trying to do something good for their finances—that secretly set them back.To view the slides in one long list, click into the show and choose "list view."[nggallery id=490]" ["post_title"]=> string(58) "8 Things You Think Are Good for Your Money ... That Aren't" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(156) "There are a number of things that sound like good things for your money, and make you feel like you're saving more, when they're having the opposite effect." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(53) "8-things-you-think-are-good-for-your-money-that-arent" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2012-12-19 18:49:44" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-12-19 22:49:44" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(34) "http://www.learnvest.com/?p=122027" ["menu_order"]=> int(295) ["post_type"]=> string(17) "lv_evergreen_post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "9" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["robotsmeta"]=> NULL }

object(WP_Post)#444 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(119943) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "111" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2012-05-02 06:00:51" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-05-02 10:00:51" ["post_content"]=> string(2020) "We know two things:1. We should be exercising more.2. We're probably losing money on our well-intentioned gym membership.We're aware that neglecting a gym membership is a huge waste of money. And neglecting our health is just as bad. Solution? Fit exercise into our day in other ways.Before you laugh with derision, let us explain: We aren't suggesting you run suicides up and down the office halls, or do downward dog in the middle of the conference room to clear your head. That's great for people with private offices, but we wouldn't be caught dead (or downward) doing that in our cubicle.[lv_more_content]4 Tips to Create the Best Office EverFind the Best Workout for Your BudgetBuild Your Career Along With Your Muscles[/lv_more_content]So we turned to people who actually fit exercise into their full days without the pre-dawn wakeup call or 1.5-hour lunch breaks for yoga class: our readers, our friends, our families.In a world in which 9-to-5 is all too frequently a myth, we know it can be hard to find time for yourself. But studies have shown that exercising can actually help your finances ... not to mention your health.Let these avid exercisers inspire you to find creative ways to sneak in a workout—and to find the motivation to do it.[nggallery id=478]" ["post_title"]=> string(64) "10 Ways to Fit Exercise Into Your Day, From 10 Real Women Who Do" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(159) "We all know that neglecting a gym membership is a huge waste of money. Solution? We found ten people who fit exercise into their days in other, smaller ways. " ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(63) "10-ways-to-fit-exercise-into-your-day-from-10-real-women-who-do" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2012-12-19 18:49:48" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-12-19 22:49:48" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(34) "http://www.learnvest.com/?p=119943" ["menu_order"]=> int(301) ["post_type"]=> string(17) "lv_evergreen_post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(2) "22" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["robotsmeta"]=> NULL }

object(WP_Post)#446 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(101244) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "229" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2012-03-22 06:00:46" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-03-22 11:00:46" ["post_content"]=> string(8130) "A family trip can be a wonderful way to reconnect, recharge and escape regular life, but it can also be a pricey endeavor.The cost of flights, car rentals, accommodations, childcare, meals and drinks can be overwhelming.Thankfully, there is an alternative: all-inclusive resorts.By definition, staying at an all-inclusive means all of your lodging, dining, drinking and activity costs are lumped together in one sum (usually upfront), which is often lower than the à la carte option.

What to Expect

If the word “all-inclusive” makes you think only of honeymooning couples and spring-breaking college kids, think again. Turns out, there are a ton of reasons why families should consider an all-inclusive vacation.

How Do You Have Family Fun on a Budget?

Would you ever consider staying at an all-inclusive with your family, or have you? Do you find the prices to be comparable to an à la carte vacation? SHARE

Free Food

Taking the family to an all-inclusive means you won’t have to worry about what’s for breakfast, lunch and dinner, or how much all of that will cost. It’s part of the package. With this sort of vacation, you can eat and drink all you want without worrying about hidden fees at the end, or feeling nickel-and-dimed while you're supposed to be relaxing. That said, if you’re a true food gourmand, then an all-inclusive vacation may not be for you; the food at most all-inclusives isn’t Michelin-star quality.The all-inclusive food option is especially appealing to families with picky eaters. Got a kid who wants to try the fajitas, and it turns out he hates them? Just head back to the buffet and try something new. All-inclusives tend to have some kind of food available most hours of the day, so hungry teens shouldn’t have a problem grabbing a snack before their next adventure. Which brings us to …

Activities Galore

Entertainment options, like kids’ clubs, sporting equipment and supervised games are usually included in the price, so you won’t have to worry about bored kids. As a side note, while some equipment and activities will be available at almost any all-inclusive, other, more intensive activities will probably cost you extra. For example, snorkel gear might be available for free snorkeling along the shoreline, whereas taking a boat to snorkel in deeper water might cost you.

Babysitting Services

All-inclusives tend to offer options for childcare services, whether through babysitters, kids-only supervised activities or kids’ clubs. This means that even though you’re on a “family” vacation, you and your sweetie can easily slip away for some alone time.

What You’ll Pay

The price tags that come with an all-inclusive stay might cause a bit of sticker shock … at first. A family could almost certainly stay at a national hotel chain for cheaper, but the added price is because the quality of all-inclusive hotels tend to be nicer, and all of your options will be rolled up into one price. So, after taking into account food and activities, does it come out on top?To show how the two options would compare, we priced out an all-inclusive hotel stay as compared to a similar, non all-inclusive option. This is just one example, but we wanted to show the rough math.All-inclusive option: Club Med Sandpiper Bay, Port St. Lucie, Florida (a 4.5-star hotel rating on TripAdvisor.com)

• Price: $3,018 for a 7-night stay in a Deluxe Family Room with a private room for parents and separate bedroom for kids
• A deluxe room that sleeps a family of four
• All meals and drinks
• Activities including the kids' club, baby gym, circus school, sailing, golf and tennis, and more
• Professional childcare specialists 
• Total Cost: Approximately $3,018, with the exception of any additional tips you want to give (taxes and standard gratuity included)

À la carte option: All prices are based on estimates for an average family's expenses, staying at Homewood Suites by Hilton in Port St. Lucie, Florida (a 4.5-star hotel rating on TripAdvisor.com)

• Price: $667 for a 7-night stay in a king bed studio suite with full-size sofa sleeper 
• Breakfast included
• 7 lunches for family of four = $280
• 7 dinners for family of four = $560
• 7-day car rental + two tanks of gas = $400
• 3 rounds of golf at nearest course= $360
• Family activities, like mini golf and museum visits, for 7 days = about $700
• Gym = Free
• Total Cost: About $2,967

Our Verdict

In the end, and depending on your personal choices, the costs come out roughly the same. If your family likes to have tons of flexibility and venture away from where you’re staying, then an all-inclusive probably isn’t for you. If you’d love to plop the family down in one spot where all your activities, food and drink are taken care of, an all-inclusive could be a great fit. Moreover, many of the activities offered at an all-inclusive (like an art studio, baby gym or circus school) might be otherwise hard, or impossible, to find in the area--and, for the same price as an à la carte vacation, you may be able to afford nicer accommodations, such as a suite with a private room away from the kids.

Some Good Options

We did a little searching, and each of the resorts below is accessible by direct flights from major U.S. airports, includes tons of activity options for kids and adults and allows a family of four to bunk together in one suite.Small disclaimer: All rates are quoted for a family of four (two adults and two children) traveling in the busy season of March 2012. Prices will vary drastically based on time of travel, type of room you stay in and what specials are taking place at the time. We know you might have to save up for a trip like this, so feel free to use these as simple benchmarks for the future.If you travel in the off-season, you should be able to find prices $100-$200 per night cheaper. Just keep in mind the weather—traveling off-season puts you at risk for bad weather, like hurricanes or heavy rains. Do some research ahead of time to make sure you don't travel during an inclement time.Click on the first slide to start the slide show.[nggallery id=450]

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Check out what maternity leave looks like in other countries. Set up your family financial vision board in a few easy steps. Are you ready to build your career? We have a bootcamp for that." ["post_title"]=> string(55) "Families on the Go: Are All-Inclusives Really Worth It?" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(159) "Staying at an all-inclusive means lodging, dining, drinking and activity costs are lumped in one upfront sum. Find out if this option is right for your family." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(53) "families-on-the-go-are-all-inclusives-really-worth-it" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2012-12-19 18:51:54" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-12-19 22:51:54" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(34) "http://www.learnvest.com/?p=101244" ["menu_order"]=> int(389) ["post_type"]=> string(17) "lv_evergreen_post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["robotsmeta"]=> NULL }

object(WP_Post)#447 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(115637) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "7" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2012-03-19 06:00:52" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-03-19 11:00:52" ["post_content"]=> string(1831) "We know, we know—at LearnVest, we tell you a lot of things you should do, like:

1. Save for retirement
2. Pay off any debt you have
3. Reevaluate your budget (because you already have a budget, right?)
4. Stress out about all the aforementioned to-dos

We tell you because they're all good for you, financially speaking. (Well, all but that last one.)But sometimes, with all the worrying we do, it's easy to forget to take a time out and give ourselves a pat on the back. And we bet there are already a lot of things you're doing exactly right with your money.Read on to find out how many of these 10 excellent financial habits you've already adopted, then sit back and feel super-proud of yourself.[nggallery id=456]Ready to take the next step in your financial life? Make the leap from what you are doing to where you want to be by seeing all your spending in one place with the LearnVest My Money Center.

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object(WP_Post)#449 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(110883) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "228" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2012-02-17 11:11:18" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-02-17 16:11:18" ["post_content"]=> string(1463) "Recently we asked you for your tips on saving at the grocery store, and apparently it's one of your favorite topics!Fifty-seven of you pitched in with your tips, wisdom and lessons on how to whip up economical meals for less than a dollar.We were impressed with the breadth of smart strategies, so we rounded up our favorite and most creative ideas and put them together for you.It's safe to say that if you follow all these tips, not only will you eat healthier, you could cut your grocery bill in half—as many of our readers have.Click on the pictures below to get started:[nggallery id=436]

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Try one of these meals that are all under $10! What is the best way to store all that food? Use these tips to make it last. Save on eating out as well with these 12 tips." ["post_title"]=> string(38) "Amazing Reader Tips for Saving on Food" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(155) "It's safe to say that if you follow all these tips, not only will you eat healthier, you could cut your grocery bill in half—as many of our readers have." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(38) "amazing-reader-tips-for-saving-on-food" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2012-08-09 18:50:39" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-08-09 22:50:39" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(34) "http://www.learnvest.com/?p=110883" ["menu_order"]=> int(329) ["post_type"]=> string(17) "lv_evergreen_post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "4" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["robotsmeta"]=> NULL }

object(WP_Post)#450 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(108487) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "228" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2012-02-08 16:38:42" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-02-08 20:38:42" ["post_content"]=> string(1680) "Picture this: You're standing in a shopping center packed with big discount retailers like Sears, Costco, Kohl's and Wal-Mart, and you've got a shopping list that includes a new blender, some groceries and a warm sweater. Which store do you walk into?The answer might surprise you.Consumer Reports has published their detailed review of the best and worst big box retailers to shop. Based on facets like quality, selection, value, checkout, service and layout, the list finely parses the experience of shopping both online and in the store, scoring the stores on a 100-point scale.We know, we know, we all have warm fuzzies about certain retailers (starts with "T", ends with "arget"). But when it's come to cold, hard data on which store will give you the best bang for your buck, we'll trust these rankings.Click on the pictures below to see the best and worst retailers:[nggallery id=423]

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object(WP_Post)#452 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(86854) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "177" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2011-12-16 08:00:32" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2011-12-16 12:00:32" ["post_content"]=> string(1715) "Kids are like sponges—especially when it comes to absorbing money lessons.Long before they're able to open a bank account (or own a piggy bank), they're watching us for cues about how we handle our finances.But just how do you show your kids how to handle money responsibly—and ensure your good advice will stick with them as they grow?We turned to the experts for inspiration—our parents and yours, polling the LearnVest staff and readers alike for the single best money lesson their elders taught them: That is, the one they never forgot, even though they're fully grown.Read on for a chock load of tips to pass on to your own kids. One wise mom inspired her daughters to "earn" their school trips. One dad passed on a budgeting tip that blew a new grad's mind. And some had ingenious ways to get a toddler, and a teen, to save ...These financial tricks come straight from the mouths of parents, and, better yet, they've withstood the test of time.[nggallery id=363]

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object(WP_Post)#453 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(83648) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "7" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2011-09-27 08:50:51" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2011-09-27 12:50:51" ["post_content"]=> string(1056) "You’re busy. We’re busy. And we’ve all got stuff to do.It's that feeling that gets to us: The longer we put something off, the more we continue to put it off. And those small tasks that will help our financial lives can sometimes be the ones that we put off the most.The key is to keep moving, and pick the low-hanging fruit. To that end, we bring you a few quick wins to get you started, from how to make sure you don't hurt your credit score to ways to get your life organized.If you have a spare ten minutes and wonder what you can accomplish in them, stop wondering--here are ten things you can get done.[nggallery id=360]" ["post_title"]=> string(56) "10 Things to Do in 10 Minutes (to Improve Your Finances)" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(143) "Even though you're busy, there are a bunch of small financial tasks that you can tackle in ten minutes. Get started now with these suggestions." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(54) "10-things-to-do-in-10-minutes-to-improve-your-finances" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2012-12-19 19:39:13" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-12-19 23:39:13" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(33) "http://www.learnvest.com/?p=83648" ["menu_order"]=> int(389) ["post_type"]=> string(17) "lv_evergreen_post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(2) "10" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["robotsmeta"]=> NULL }

object(WP_Post)#455 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(75857) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "228" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2011-09-14 08:50:54" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2011-09-14 12:50:54" ["post_content"]=> string(1044) "You're an expert negotiator.You got that necklace at the flea market for half off, your favorite barista always comps you a grande for the price of a tall and let's not even talk about your Craigslist skills. (See that wood dresser? Got it for $20!)But any pro can use a brush-up—and learn a few new tricks to have up her sleeve.We wanted to provide you with the very best tips out there, so we asked everyone, including readers like you, consumer experts and our very own expert "negotiator in chief": What do you do to always get the best price?We've put together the ultimate compendium ranging from the basics you should never forget to cutting-edge tips for getting what you want. Brace yourself—you’re about to become a slick car salesman’s worst nightmare.[nggallery id=352]" ["post_title"]=> string(53) "How to Negotiate: 11 Tips from Experts and LV Readers" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(162) "Don't miss out on one of the best ways to save: negotiating. Find out the secrets from both experts and other LearnVest readers to learn how to get what you want." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(52) "how-to-negotiate-12-tips-from-experts-and-lv-readers" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2012-12-19 19:39:32" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-12-19 23:39:32" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(33) "http://www.learnvest.com/?p=75857" ["menu_order"]=> int(653) ["post_type"]=> string(17) "lv_evergreen_post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "9" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["robotsmeta"]=> NULL }

object(WP_Post)#456 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(73377) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "223" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2011-08-24 08:50:34" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2011-08-24 12:50:34" ["post_content"]=> string(1878) "We love the motto "be prepared."But when it comes to the average American's wallet, there's such a thing as over-prepared. From the looks of our bulging billfolds, we must be heading out each day to open a new line of credit, fill out a W-2, shop at several department stores, use a few gift cards, return an item or two, and grab a fro-yo at our favorite punch card spot on the way home.1,000 wallets and purses are stolen every two minutes in America. (44% of LearnVest readers have had their wallets lost or stolen once, while 8% have had theirs stolen twice or more). While it's smart to be concerned with online security (check out our article on creating the perfect password here), 76% of identity thefts result from the theft of something physical, like a wallet. Additionally, it costs an average of $8,000 to recover from identity theft.

Kids Are the Latest Identity Theft Victims

Find out why CLICK HERE

Most police who receive reports of stolen wallets lament the same thing: people carry way too much stuff in their wallets, handing their entire lives over to identity thieves.So before you leave the house, read our list of what NOT to keep in your wallet, so you can pare down to just the essentials—and protect your finances and identity.[nggallery id=350]" ["post_title"]=> string(31) "What NOT to Keep In Your Wallet" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(87) "Find out which items in your wallet could potentially damage your financial well-being." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(31) "what-not-to-keep-in-your-wallet" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2012-12-19 19:39:38" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-12-19 23:39:38" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(33) "http://www.learnvest.com/?p=73377" ["menu_order"]=> int(653) ["post_type"]=> string(17) "lv_evergreen_post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(2) "39" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["robotsmeta"]=> NULL }

object(WP_Post)#458 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(48900) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "161" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2011-04-28 09:50:12" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2011-04-28 13:50:12" ["post_content"]=> string(1969) "The grass is always greener and the paint is always brighter—we’ll admit that we’re curious to snoop on friends’ apartments and houses. And we curse the social graces that prevent us from demanding to know how much they pay.(Is that news to you? Check out our other money etiquette tips.)LearnVest is here to satiate your curiosity while preserving your tact. After all, we tell ourselves, snooping on other people’s apartments is educational. Cost of living is different all over the country and even fixed expenses (bills that look the same every month, like rent or cable) can budge if we make certain sacrifices: Would you want a big apartment with a washer/dryer if it meant you had to live far from the center of town?To get you thinking (and stoke your apartment envy), we sleuthed around for the kinds of apartments that $1,500 a month could get in various cities around the country. Just as you would, we pored over dozens of listings to find apartments with some charm. (And made sure they weren't a fake listing scam!) As of this writing, these apartments were available and on the market, but consider this a good rule-of-thumb guide for a general sense of housing value in L.A. versus, say, Iowa City.Click on the pictures below to see what $1,500 will get you:[nggallery id=304] " ["post_title"]=> string(33) "$1,500 Rentals Across the Country" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(101) "What will $1,500 get you for an apartment in NYC? LA? Iowa City? Find out how these cities stack up. " ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(42) "what-1500-will-get-you-in-different-cities" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2012-12-19 19:41:31" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-12-19 23:41:31" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(33) "http://www.learnvest.com/?p=48900" ["menu_order"]=> int(802) ["post_type"]=> string(17) "lv_evergreen_post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(3) "122" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["robotsmeta"]=> NULL }

object(WP_Post)#459 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(48482) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "177" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2011-04-19 09:50:03" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2011-04-19 13:50:03" ["post_content"]=> string(1752) "We here at LearnVest are perfect. Um—kidding!Even the LearnVest staff—with our obsession with all things fiscally responsible—has strengths, weaknesses, and goals for our financial health. That's why we work so hard to bring you the best advice and tools: because we know what it's like to carry a credit card balance, plan for retirement, and experience the excitement of paying off a student loan.In January, the staff of LearnVest made some financial resolutions for the new year (click here to see what they were). So in honor of the fact that April is Financial Literacy Month, we checked in with the whole LV team (including some new members!) to see how 2011 is going. Did we pay down our student debt? Start cooking more? Add to our retirement savings?Turns out, the LearnVest staff has been working hard, but we still have a lot to do. We'll let you in on what we've done so far, and the best money tips we've picked up in the process-- so you can keep your own financial goals on track.Click on the pictures below to find out what a difference four months make:[nggallery id=302]" ["post_title"]=> string(42) "The LearnVest Staff Tackles Their Finances" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(150) "In honor of Financial Literacy Month, we visited with the whole LearnVest team (and some new members too!) to check up on their financial resolutions." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(36) "the-learnvest-staffs-best-money-tips" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2012-12-19 19:53:29" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-12-19 23:53:29" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(33) "http://www.learnvest.com/?p=48482" ["menu_order"]=> int(802) ["post_type"]=> string(17) "lv_evergreen_post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(2) "28" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["robotsmeta"]=> NULL }

object(WP_Post)#461 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(30969) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "161" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2010-12-01 10:00:44" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2010-12-01 17:00:44" ["post_content"]=> string(1265) "It’s tough for homebuyers, especially first-time buyers, to look at a house and see its “bones” What will the place look like without that comfy sofa, those fancy drapes, that pretty chandelier? However, it’s good to remember: Unless you tell the sellers otherwise, that stuff is all going with them. Even things that are “mounted”—and appear to be affixed to the house—sometimes don’t get sold with the house. Case in point, this New York Times article about flat-screen TVs.So I’ve created this little checklist of things that don’t necessarily come with the house or apartment you’re buying. If you want them as a buyer, remember to ask for them. And even if the seller says “sure,” double check to make sure that they actually get put into your contract.[nggallery id=235] Tell us in the comments: Have you ever inherited non-structural parts of your house from previous occupants? Have you ever left anything behind? Extra points for unusual and funny ones!" ["post_title"]=> string(96) "Ceiling Fans, Window Treatments, and Flat-Screen TVs: 10 Things That Won’t Come With the House" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(146) "Even things that appear to be affixed to the house sometimes don’t get sold with the house. Here are ten things you should specifically request." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(99) "ceiling-fans-window-treatments-and-flat-screen-tvs-10-things-that-won%e2%80%99t-come-with-the-house" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2012-06-11 18:06:15" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-06-11 22:06:15" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(34) "http://blog.learnvest.com/?p=30969" ["menu_order"]=> int(860) ["post_type"]=> string(17) "lv_evergreen_post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "1" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["robotsmeta"]=> NULL }

object(WP_Post)#462 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(31111) ["post_author"]=> string(2) "81" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2010-11-09 06:15:09" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2010-11-09 13:15:09" ["post_content"]=> string(1029) "As a New York City-based company, we know how it feels to squeeze our lives into the small shoebox that we call our homes. Lots of readers have asked us to help them make the most of their space, whether they live in cramped city apartments or simply want to maximize the room in their homes.So, we’ve worked to find the best ways to maximize your living space by nabbing expert tips from two hot NYC-based licensed interior designers.After talking to Charlene Keogh, ASID of Keogh Design, Inc. and Carolyn Tierney, ASID of Ferrium Design Studio, here’s what we found:[nggallery id=239]Tell us in the comments: How have you made the most of a small living space?" ["post_title"]=> string(41) "12 Ways to Get Big Style in a Small Space" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(142) "We’ve worked to find the best ways to maximize your living space by nabbing expert tips from two hot NYC-based licensed interior designers. " ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(41) "12-ways-to-get-big-style-in-a-small-space" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2012-06-12 15:07:18" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-06-12 19:07:18" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(34) "http://blog.learnvest.com/?p=31111" ["menu_order"]=> int(860) ["post_type"]=> string(17) "lv_evergreen_post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "3" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["robotsmeta"]=> NULL }

object(WP_Post)#464 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(30235) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "203" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2010-11-02 10:30:05" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2010-11-02 17:30:05" ["post_content"]=> string(2020) "Kimberly Palmer is the author of Generation Earn: The Young Professional’s Guide to Spending, Investing, and Giving Back, which was published by Ten Speed Press this week. The below tips have been adapted from the book.Let’s face it, going out to lunch with a prospective new boss or business partner can be awkward. Who pays? What do you order? How much small talk do you make?The key, it turns out, lies in accepting one basic concept: It’s not about the food. That means you might need to skip your favorite dish if it’s too messy or too expensive (or too cheap, for that matter).You also need to get a sense of the menu ahead of time, so you can order relatively quickly. And if you’re the one who’s hosting—look through our slide show for an easy tip on how to figure that out—consider giving the restaurant your credit card in advance to avoid all the confusion over who’s going to pay. It can ruin an otherwise smooth meal.Click through for six more rules for a successful business lunch:[nggallery id=229]Tell us in the comments: What is your best advice for a successful business lunch? On the flip side, have you ever had a business lunch go terribly wrong?" ["post_title"]=> string(58) "Mind Your Manners: 6 Rules for a Successful Business Lunch" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(157) "Let’s face it, going to lunch with a prospective new boss or business partner can be awkward. Who pays? What do you order? How much small talk do you make?" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(57) "mind-your-manners-6-rules-for-a-successful-business-lunch" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2012-06-11 17:09:14" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-06-11 21:09:14" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(34) "http://blog.learnvest.com/?p=30235" ["menu_order"]=> int(860) ["post_type"]=> string(17) "lv_evergreen_post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "9" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["robotsmeta"]=> NULL }

object(WP_Post)#465 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(29153) ["post_author"]=> string(2) "53" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2010-10-21 06:15:19" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2010-10-21 10:15:19" ["post_content"]=> string(2727) "Lots of vegetarians love to talk about how there are health benefits to eating the way they do, so we wanted to challenge them: Are there cost benefits to being a vegan or a vegetarian?To find out, we performed a hypothetical calculation of the total cost of a day’s meals for various eating habits: meat-eaters, your standard omnivorous bunch; pescetarians, who eat like vegetarians but allow themselves fish; vegetarians, who don’t eat meat; and vegans, who don’t eat any foods derived from animal products, including butter, milk, etc.The following sums were calculated using grocery store prices. While this is just one sample menu and therefore not completely indicative of any hard and fast truth—after all, there are ways to eat inexpensively regardless of your preference—we calculated one possible scenario for how the (organic, vegan) chips could fall:

During The Sample Day, The Vegan Saved $3.50 Over The Meat-Eater

This is one hypothetical day out of many, but if the savings were consistent, the vegan would save nearly $1,280 over the course of a year. We recognize that it’s possible to lead a non-vegetarian life on a budget--and to eat expensively as a vegan--but we noticed one general, interesting trend. The most inexpensive foods are often plant-derived products, like carrots, oatmeal, and vegetable products. Plant proteins such as tofu or garbanzo beans, meanwhile, tend to be much cheaper than their equivalents in animal protein. The cheapest cuts of beef average about $3 to $4 per pound, while lentils and dried beans are generally less than $1 per pound and tofu is less than $2 per pound.

While We’re On The Topic Of Processed Foods…

Processed foods are the foes of a well-balanced budget not only because they tend to be the most expensive, but also because they’re also often the least healthy. This rings true for vegetarian processed foods as well, like soy hot dogs or pre-packaged veggie burgers, which can be even more expensive than regular turkey dogs or burgers. To help you stay mindful of budget and still enjoy a good barbeque from time to time, we’ve included a great black-bean burger recipe as one of the tasty and affordable recipes in our slide show.[nggallery id=215]" ["post_title"]=> string(38) "Is a Vegetarian Diet Actually Cheaper?" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(159) "Vegetarians talk about the health benefits to eating the way they do, so we wanted to challenge them: Are there cost benefits to being a vegan or a vegetarian?" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(25) "do-vegetarians-save-money" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2012-06-12 12:03:13" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-06-12 16:03:13" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(34) "http://blog.learnvest.com/?p=29153" ["menu_order"]=> int(860) ["post_type"]=> string(17) "lv_evergreen_post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(2) "81" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["robotsmeta"]=> NULL }

object(WP_Post)#467 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(24855) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "165" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2010-09-09 10:30:24" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2010-09-09 17:30:24" ["post_content"]=> string(2719) "When you’re job-hunting, there’s nothing less professional than having to write your email address on a dirty napkin or someone else’s business card. Here’s what you need to know if you’re on the market:

1. You’ve Got To Have A Business Card—Even Before You’re In Business

This is one of my cardinal rules. The response from recent grads and other job seekers is always the same: “But what do I put on it? I don’t have a job.” How are you going to get one if people don’t know how to reach you to funnel opportunities your way? Having a card reveals that you consider yourself a professional, whether you are currently employed or not.

2. No Frills—Just The Facts

All you need is your contact information, simply presented: Your name, cell number, and email address. You can print cards yourself on your computer if you use good card stock and make sure the edges are clean and perforation-free.  Otherwise, order them from the internet (the free ones often have a logo on the back but if that’s all you can afford, so be it) or use a service bureau like Kinko’s. No fancy designs, no curly-cues. One website that provides lots of cards for very little cost is Vistaprint.

3. Be Professional

Make sure the email address is professional: no golfgirl@gmail.com. Also leave out years that might indicate when you graduated from high school, college—or might be your birth date. Additionally, don’t put two phone numbers on the card. I need only one number with a professional voicemail message where I may reach you…and expect to be called back within 24 hours unless the message tells me otherwise.

4. Indicate A Field of Interest Or Expertise If You Have One

If you have an area of interest or expertise you hope to use in the job you’re seeking, put it on the card. Be as specific as you can. Don’t just write “marketing” if all you’re interested in is sports marketing. Be sure you can back up the title with an instant anecdote about your experience in this field, whether it’s through an internship, course, paid or volunteer position. HINT: If you’re not engaged in one of these activities while you’re job-hunting, get with the program. Make sure that the content on the card is true, and a job may be in the cards sooner than you think.To see some of my favorite business cards, click through our slideshow![nggallery id=143]" ["post_title"]=> string(41) "How Business Cards Can Help You Get a Job" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(156) "When you’re job-hunting, there’s nothing less professional than having to write your e-mail address on a dirty napkin or someone else’s business card." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(41) "how-business-cards-can-help-you-get-a-job" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2012-08-09 18:44:26" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-08-09 22:44:26" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(34) "http://blog.learnvest.com/?p=24855" ["menu_order"]=> int(860) ["post_type"]=> string(17) "lv_evergreen_post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "1" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["robotsmeta"]=> NULL }

object(WP_Post)#468 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(20967) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "113" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2010-08-05 13:50:55" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2010-08-05 17:50:55" ["post_content"]=> string(667) "When we get to the grocery store, the frugal shopper in us wants to stock up on everything. It always seems like a time-efficient move in the moment, but a lot of things on our list tend to expire after a certain date or take up too much space in our studio. Solution? Know which items make the most sense to buy in bulk and which items should be purchased only as they're needed.To save money and declutter your pantry, check out our slideshow![nggallery id=95]" ["post_title"]=> string(61) "What to Buy in Bulk: Money Saving Tips for the Frugal Shopper" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(148) "When we get to the grocery store, the frugal shopper in us wants to stock up on everything. But, most of our purchases expire after a certain date. " ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(60) "what-to-buy-in-bulk-money-saving-tips-for-the-frugal-shopper" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2012-06-15 13:05:00" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-06-15 17:05:00" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(34) "http://blog.learnvest.com/?p=20967" ["menu_order"]=> int(860) ["post_type"]=> string(17) "lv_evergreen_post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "5" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["robotsmeta"]=> NULL }