Holiday Lull? Go Look For A House

I have a quick piece on LearnVest today about why the winter lull is a good time to look for a house. Back when I was a broker I liked this time of year a lot since people who were looking were motivated and closed things up quickly. I still tell friends who are looking to rent to move between November and January. The inventory is lower, but, at least in Manhattan, prices are lower as well.

House Hunting? Why Winter Is a Great Time to Buy Real Estate

Two New Pieces On LearnVest

LearnVest is one of my favorite writing gigs to date. It's personal finance advice for women that's practical and straightforward.

When I tell people I write for them I am often taken by how quickly others open up about their financial situation. Married mothers admit to having no savings. Single people who want to buy an apartment feel they couldn't afford a mortgage and their student loan payment. 20-somethings right out of school think everyone is doing better than them. (I remind them that the girls who shop freely in their 20s either still have daddy's credit card or are living way beyond their means.)

Etiquette dictates that it is tacky to talk about money, but on a lot of levels I disagree. At the risk of sounding like a Women's Studies professor, there is a lot of knowledge in the collective, and airing grievances and problems is the first step in finding a solution. So I'm glad LearnVest exists. (And it was started by a woman.)

Today they ran two of my pieces.

My personal favorite
8 Signs You Might Not Want To Take the Job
Taming the student loan beast
How To Save For Retirement When You Have Student Loans

Two Books To Get On Your Radar

Two outlets that I write for have books out this week. Both LearnVest and Dot Complicated are great places for daily bits on the digital world and personal finance. And both were founded by women.

Don't worry, I've got my own book projects coming down the pipe as well. (!!) I'm a big fan of championing other people's work. It's rough out there, kids. When someone's at the point that their book is actually on a shelf or on Amazon, they can finally exhale. What goes around comes around.

Dot Complicated	Financially Fearless

Latest For LearnVest: Getting A Loan When You Have High Student Loans

I've been in the writing game for a long time, and the pieces that I'm the most proud of are the ones I've been doing for LearnVest. LearnVest's goal is the educate people -- primarily women -- about personal finance and creating a life you want.

Today's piece is about an important subject that no one really addresses when you're in college or coming out school: how student loans can affect your debt to income ratio, which in turn affects how lenders see you when you're applying for a mortgage. I found an amazing mortgage broker down in Atlanta who had great tips for anyone coming out school -- grad or undergrad -- with a lot of debt.

Can’t Get a Mortgage? Debt-to-Income Ratio, Explained
You can read all my pieces for LearnVest here.

Latest For LearnVest: 10 Things Your Broker Won't Tell You

This is my latest piece for LearnVest about things your broker won't tell you, or maybe they try, and people just don't listen. It's great advice for a first time home buyer, anywhere in the country.

10 Things Your Real Estate Broker Won’t Tell You

Latest Piece For LearnVest: Saving Money As A Bridesmaid

Being in someone's wedding is a layout of cash and time -- and an honor.

Today I have a piece on LearnVest about how to save money as a bridesmaid. It's very honest and covers topics like not volunteering to throw a shower (bridesmaids are not obligated to, per Emily Post) and how to begin any conversation about costs with the other women in the bridal party. (It's a simple, seven word phrase.)

LearnVest is full of practical money advice women need, and I'm thrilled to be writing for them. I wish they'd been around when I was 25. I'd probably own a townnhouse by now.

9 Ways To Save Money As A Bridesmaid

A Piece For LearnVest: Inappropriate Interview Questions

Today my first of about four pieces for LearnVest is up. It's about how to answer inappropriate interview questions, specifically when hiring managers start asking about your kids and how you plan to deal with them and work.

It's a piece I'm quite proud of because a few months ago I met with a recruiter -- another woman, at that -- who was more interested in my personal life and childcare plans than, you know, my background in both real estate and all things digital.

So, turning lemons into lemonade, I did some research and wrote this piece. LearnVest is all about helping women manage their money, their life and their careers, so it's a great home for the piece.

4 Inappropriate Interview Questions—and How to Answer Them
More to come over the next few weeks.

Sh*t Girls Say About Money

I'm a big fan of all things LearnVest, and I love this Sh*t Girls Say About Monday video.

I especially love the bit about the girls trying to pay a restaurant bill with a million different debit cards. Chicks never bring cash with them to restaurants, and I've never understood why. There is an ATM on literally every corner of New York City.

Also, trying to make the bill fair? Just split it equally among everyone. Who cares who had a Diet Coke versus who had a Chardonnay? You're their for the company and conversation, not to needle over the check.

I think LearnVest is one of the best sites out there aimed at young women who want to understand money better.

They have a genius slideshow call 30 Bad Financial Habits to Drop By Age 30.

#10, Stop Asking Parents For Money is my favorite. If there is one issue I see a lot with women I know and around the way -- that bothers me more than anything -- it's how many still live off their parents. Even if it's just a credit card, it's inappropriate when someone is deep into their 20s and beyond. At the risk of sounding judgey, it's just lame. I don't understand how parents allow it when their kid should be a functioning member of society. Don't they feel like they've failed in some way?

...and now I'll get off my soapbox.