This Is Just Bad

Yesterday this came over the e-mail, and from the minute I saw the name, I was worried. Any product -- especially a financial product -- that is peddled directly for women automatically makes me twitch, and Motley Fool's video about why one should invest in Timberland may have set the sisterhood back about 20 years.

The video is operating under the stereotype that women can't make their own financial decisions and therefore need a few gal pals -- who are clearly reading off of a poorly written script -- to show them the way. It's problematic because there is no such video/website/etc. for men, nor would there ever be. (I'm betting Stock Tips For Dicks isn't a companion product.) Why do the ladies have to get the cutesy video with the chick-lit inspired logo? Can't they turn on CNBC like everyone else? It may be pink, but The Financial Times is not gender specific.

Motley Fool, indeed.

Keep The Change Pays!

Most of you know about Bank of America's Keep The Change program. Basically, everytime you use your debit card it rounds the payment up to the nearest dollar and puts the balance, usually a few cents, in a separate account for a year. At the end of the year you get it in your savings account. Bank of America also matches your earrnings up to $250.

I just got an e-mail from BOA, and in one year I saved $498.65 and BOA matched $114.40. That's $613.05. As someone who has to move in a few weeks, I am thrilled. My movers are paid for!

A few weeks ago I saw a poster on the side of a phone booth that read, "Save your money and one day it will save you." I think the Federal Reserve sponsored it. Good advice, all around.

New Huff Po Blog: Do You Know Where Your Money Is?

My latest column on The Huffington Post is about how important it is to be proactive about all areas of personal finance, especially so during a recession. I handed my taxes off to a CPA who slopped it together and then took off for a vacation on April 16th. It was not a good scene.

On The Eve Of A Recession, Do You Know Where Your Money Is?

Last Night At The Friar's Club

I have deduced that people who work in finance are much more fun at parties than media people. Here is why: The market closes at 4:00 p.m. At that point you're either up or down. Either way, you can't change it. Most finance people I know seem to have a good way of shrugging it off and focusing on dealing with whatever comes next day, because you can't predict what the market will do. In the meantime, they'll enjoy a nice glass of wine.

Media people, on the other hand, seem to have a need to always be 'on'. Always need to be witty, always working the next angle, always looking for their next gig. Maybe that's not the healthiest way to be. Maybe media people need a sort of closing bell as well.

Am I The Only Person Who Doesn't Work In Finance?

Google Finance Charts, originally uploaded by Greg Bernhardt.

I went to a Columbia alumni breakfast this morning (yes, I actually got out of bed at 6:00 a.m.) and I noticed that not only were most of the people there men in suits, but almost everyone worked in finance. They also had vague job titles such as "management consultant" and "derivatives risk analyst." One guy actually used the work "algorithm." Before noon!

I don't know what any of that stuff is. How do people get into that sort of thing? I understand what financial analysts and accountants do, but all these other titles I don't know. I am actually quite curious.

If you are one of these financial people who wear Thomas Pink shirts and get a bonus every year (?!?!), I would like to hear from you. I want to learn more about what the number crunchers and deal makers of the world do.

A new resolution: To become more business and financially literate.

Also: Get out of bed early, more often. It's not so bad.