I purchased Gamestop on Valentine's Day and what a sweet stock it was. I sold today with a 15% gain. A nice return for only 5 weeks in the market.

I've always struggled with this one. I've read you should have 10-20 times your income in life insurance. But, to me that is so general. What about those that don't have debt, or very little debt or those that are in over their heads?
But, I was going through the Suzeorman.com and clicked on Women and Money site and in the 5th month down on the bottom there is a section with a worksheet. This worksheet is excellent!!!!
I sometimes worried that we didn't carry enough, but in actually we have more than enough. I also needed to figure this out this year as my 10 year term policy is almost over and everywhere I read the rates are down. So, I will be checking out pricing.
If anyone has done this lately and knows the best places to try -- let me know. Thanks a bunch!!! I currently am insured through Prudential.

Okay. I opened up a 529 account to get the cash out of the UPromise account.
I opened the Iowa College Savings 529. I was able to open it with $25 and don't have to contribute if I don't want to. But, the money that was in my UPromise account will be put into the new account.
So, with the $25 I added in the $173 that was just sitting in that account. Each time the UPromise gets to $25 or quarterly they will add more to my account.
So, for a $25 investment I thought that was the way to do it.
But, I will continue to save for the kids in my Roth.

Went ahead and opened up an account to get the more than 16 percent ROI.
The account was really easy to open and took no more than 15 minutes. Easy money.

Suze Orman says to save 8 months of emergency cash. I currently have 3 and feel more than comfortable.
What do you have?

Bought the new Suze Orman book. I just couldn't resist. She was the first personal finance book I read many years ago. Back when we had credit card debt. I give her the credit for how far we have come. I think she's great for people who are just learning.
I bought the book because I figured I would take advantage of the TD Ameritrade free $100 if you make 12 -- $50 monthly contributions to a new account. That is a great return with no risk involved.

Have a UPromise account that has been accumulating free money. I didn't want to open a 529 plan a while back because you had to contribute every month. I don't really want to put anything in the kids names, as I think this will hurt their chances for aid when the time comes.
But, I noticed last night that the Iowa 529 doesn't make you contribute monthly. So, I am thinking of opening one with the money that is in the Upromise account and putting the account in my name.
At the present, my plans are to use money in my Roth to help the kids with college expenses. Although, I don't think we will fully fund their college, as I find that people that do that, their kids take it for granted and don't give college their all.
Any thoughts?

Well, one of my Mom's gave notice that she will not be needing me any longer. I knew it was coming, since she moved quite far away and was still making the drive to my home. But, still a bummer losing a sweet little baby and of course the income that comes with it. So, I put an ad out as soon as I knew. The next day I already had a call and then an interview with the new person. They will be starting next week, but only for part time -- one day a week. It's not going to make up the loss in income, but it is a start. (Also, I had been using the extra income from this child towards my $20 challenge)
But, last night I got a call from an old friend that was looking for child care for a friend that has twins. So I am crossing my fingers!!! I have another little boy that will be starting school next year, so that would replace him. Early replace him, but that's okay it would be extra income for a few months.
So cross your fingers that I get a call from the prospective client. I know I am.

Okay. I know we all struggle with this one. The personal loan was taken out with the agreement that we would pay it off when we sell our rental home. Now, I am thinking that if the renters that are there now, decide not to buy it next year -- we could rent it out again instead of selling it. But I still would feel the need to pay back the loan next year as it is a personal loan to a family member that was told the house would be sold next year. So, I have been putting money back each month to pay it back. Also, have been putting money aside for a Roth in my husband's name. The loan is set at 8% simple interest.

My question is: Should I send the money set aside for the new Roth towards the personal loan or should I go ahead and open the Roth so we don't miss out on a year of investing in the Roth?

Changed my electric and cable bill to Citi Dividend card to get the 2% cash back reward. Previously had both billed on another card and was only getting 1 %. So I was getting approximately $48 back a year, now I will be getting back $96 back. Not a lot but the way I see it it's free money. Need to check with the utility company and see if they will let me pay by credit and get the 2 % from that too.
Bummer, though with Citibank they cancelled the 5% back on gas, groceries, and drug store. (I just got this notice)
But, we have another card that is still doing it until July of this year. So, I will be using that card for those purchases. It's not a cash back card but the 5% gets added up for a year and than sent to our mortgage company.
I went through all our rewards cards and made an updated list of which cards to use where to get the most cash back.

Ok. So, I want to learn how to do other people's taxes. Obviously, not for this year. But, I am thinking into the future.
I do not have a degree. I would be willing to do some schooling -- either at night or online.
I am really just looking to use my brain and of course it could be a supplemental income.
Any ideas?

Wow, it is amazing to me how much extra you can save when you put your mind to it.

Here's how we made out for February on our $20 challenge:

$540 extra child full time care for month
$100 late fee for rental property
$160 drop in child care
$32 vendor coupons savings for month
$20 brought daycare kids to dr. with me
saved on paying someone else to care
for them.
$4 rebate for shampoo from Walgreen's

$856 Total for the month of February!!!!
$4 more than last month!!!! Total YTD
is $1708.00