We’re in a very unstable time when it comes to money. Daily costs are rising, economies are shaky, and people are still pulling themselves up by their bootstraps. It’s not something that can be done overnight, and will take work, but we’re getting there.

Being a new business owner in a competitive industry can be as nerve-wracking as it is exciting. There are so many directions you can steer your company — just as many as the number of beginner traps you can accidentally fall into while maneuvering the industry landscape.

Welcome to your My Money Tracker! A spreadsheet suite that will help you uncover the hidden secrets in your spending so you can get out of debt, manage your business, and create a solid plan for financial success.

For many, the word budget is a hard pill to swallow. It means the end of fun–no more going out with friends, or taking a weekend trip with the family. That budget is like a weight holding you down that prevents you from living your life.

The mantra repeatedly used when you are thinking about buying a home: You need a 20 percent down payment. This percentage has been carefully drafted by the magical industry gods and is what most go by, right? However, people are beginning to question the accuracy, given today’s economy and overall industry.

I saw this graphic on Facebook and was taken aback by how expensive this debt seems to be. However, doing the math reveals that the numbers are very misleading.

Live-4-Smiles is a community focused company, founded by Linda Schuler, that provides an opportunity for students to showcase their accomplishments through the use of banners. Linda is also an art teacher at Barnegat High School, and it is clear that she knows how to use her art skills in and out of the classroom.

I saw this question come up in a Dateline NBC piece on retirement. So here goes: You have an investment that delivers a 7% return each year. However, you are charged a 2% management fee. What is the real rate of return on your money?