The hardest thing about being a working mom isn't really about finding a balance between work and home, or finding time for yourself or all of those other things that you hear working moms say in magazine articles. It's figuring out what to do about child care.

There are about a million variations on each theme. For the youngest children, there's a question of day care versus babysitter.

If you choose day care, do you choose in… Read More

Okay, by shoestring, I mean a fat shoestring. But you get my point.

My husband, kids and I just rolled back into town after a few days' travel to Mechanicsburg, PA (near Hershey, PA, if you're not familiar with the area) and Pittsburgh, PA. I was speaking for the PA Bar on business. It's an annual affair. It's hard for me to be without my children, so I plan to have them with me whenever it makes sense. I… Read More

Previously, I posted about how important it is to establish savings accounts for children. The next logical question is "Who gets taxed on that income?" The answer is that it might be you.

Yes, unearned income (which includes interest and dividends) earned by children may be taxable to the parent or guardian under the so-called Kiddie Tax rules. That's a sobering thought since most adults are taxed at a higher rate than children would be, and the difference can… Read More

I'm constantly annoyed at those financial gurus whose solutions to your money woes are such "easy" solutions as "Each month, put 10% of your gross paycheck in a savings account for each child for college."

Good advice? Of course. But practical? I have three children. The chances of me finding an extra 30% of my gross paycheck to stash away for the three of them are pretty slim. I'm still paying off my own college loans, for goodness… Read More

Nobody said it would be easy.

I routinely remind myself of this.

But then, most things that are easily had aren't worth having. That must mean that my husband, three children and the dog (I can't forget my dog!) are definitely worth having.

I'm a working mother who lives, works and blogs in Philadelphia. The name of my blog is based upon a quote by another Philadelphia resident, Ben Franklin, who said, "He who waits upon fortune is never sure of… Read More