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• Do you 'steal' money from your spouse?

  Posted May 07 2008, 05:16 AM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Spending, Credit, Marriage, The Dough Roller

  This post comes from partner blog The Dough Roller.

  Have you ever found yourself at the store or gas station ready to pay, only to realize that the last $20 in your purse or wallet is gone? It's a sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach when you realize you can't pay for something. This happened to my mom all the time when I was a kid.

  My parents went from one financial crisis to another and were always short on cash. I recall vividly my mom yelling at my stepdad because he had taken money out of her purse and left her with nothing. She usually figured out that she had no cash just after putting $5 worth of gas in the car (gas was a lot cheaper back then). A resolution to this problem always seemed simple to me, even if it eluded my parents.   Read More...

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• 5 steps to conquering a debilitating fear of change

  Posted Apr 09 2008, 05:29 AM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Investing, Family, Marriage, The Dough Roller
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  This post comes from partner blog The Dough Roller.

  Fear of change can be a powerful, all-consuming force in our lives. It can keep us from pursuing our dreams. It can keep us in a destructive relationship. And fear of change can cause us to make some really bad investing choices.

  I had to confront my own fear of change six years ago. At that time I was partner at a very large firm. I had worked eight hard years to make partner and had enjoyed the fruits of my labor for two years as a partner. And then I quit. I quit because I was tired of choosing my career over my family. So I took a six-figure pay cut and accepted a job that wasn't nearly as prestigious.

  It was one of the most frightening things I've ever done. I kept asking myself -- am I nuts for doing this? I went from a corner office to a windowless office literally the size of a broom closet. I went from being the boss to being an absolute nobody. And it was the best career choice I ever made.

  The decision taught me a lot about confronting my fear of change. From that experience, I learned five steps that can help anybody overcome a debilitating fear of change.   Read More...

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• How to fight with your spouse about money

  Posted Dec 26 2007, 05:35 AM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Spending, Family, Marriage, The Dough Roller
  Rating:

  This post comes from partner blog The Dough Roller.

  It's been said that money is the No. 1 cause of divorce. Or to say it another way: Marriage is about love, divorce is about money.

  To that we may add that money is the No. 1 cause of turmoil in a marriage. Strife over money can last years in a marriage if not properly addressed and, short of divorce, can drive a wedge between a husband and wife . This doesn't have to be, and so here are eight tips on fighting with your spouse over money.

  Honestly examine your own attitudes about money. We all have different views and attitudes about money -- how it should be spent, saved, given and so on. Before raising a difficult money issue with your spouse, honestly re-examine your approach and feelings about the issue. You may just find that you need to change as much as or more than your spouse. And if not, it will better prepare you for an open-minded discussion when you do raise the issue.   Read More...

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