I flew home to Atlanta on Saturday evening from Denver on Delta, and once again I left the plane dumbfounded on why things just aren’t built into the price of your plane …

The tax documents have been likely hitting your mailbox over the past week or two from your employer, the bank, and your IRA accounts.   If you did some part time work or took on …

At 41 years old, I fit into that whole segment of the population called Generation X.  The media classically defines this generation by people who were born between 1965 and 1979.  For …

I have been giving financial advice for 20 years now, and each new idea that passes through our political system continues to baffle me on how we are going to help our …

First, a Living Trust is a trust you set up to hold your property and to govern the use and distribution of your property during your lifetime, during any period when you are incapacitated, and …

A few years ago, my sister ran into a truly awful situation. She had to face the music that part her family might pass way. One of her …

Now that the holiday season is over, I’m sure that everyone walked away with a few gift cards from family, friends, or co-workers. Whether it be an i-tunes card, store …

What happens if I die without a Will?
First, a little context is required. If you own any property when you die, then your surviving spouse or family will need to go through a legal process …

I am always searching for websites where I think you can get a deal or two during the year. Last year I talked a bunch about www.1saleaday.com, and hopefully you …

The holiday season brought snow on Christmas Day to the state of Georgia along with some relief around tax breaks that helped both the wealthy and the unemployed. It seemed like everyone’s …

For those of you who recently went through open enrollment, take a closer look at what you contribute to your Flexible Spending Accounts in 2011. FSA’s allow employees to contribute pre-tax …

People who own a business often understand the powerful concept of multiple streams of income. Given that any business can have economic, regulatory, or industry changes that can hurt the …

If you are in the market to buy life insurance, you need to remember that not all term insurance is created alike. Here are some key items to remember so you can …

It’s that time of year when the real holiday shopping season begins. Everyone knows it as the dreaded Black Friday.  With my schedule today on Thanksgiving, I almost wonder if they should …

With interest rates being incredibly low, I have been asked the question over and over the past several months about whether or not it is a good idea to refinance a home. Here …

I am officially sick of it.  For many years now I read my phone bill each month with the many small line item fees that nobody really understands. The worst of them according …

Now that the elections are done, there are some really large looming financial questions that the new mix of Republicans and Democrats need to decide before the year ends.  As the band …

Do you have Klout? Yes, I spelled it correctly. There is a new website for all of you who use social media to grow your personal or business results. Klout has developed a methodology …

On Monday, the Justice Department sued Visa, MasterCard, and American Express for anticompetitive practices. At the same time, it reached a proposed settlement with Visa and MasterCard. The ruling aims to end …

One of the trends I have noticed among family households is the notion of unconscious spending.  This can happen for both what we would consider fixed expenses (gas, electric, phone, cable), and also …

As 2010 comes to a close, take the time to get organized and review these strategies that could help you improve your bottom line.  Breathe easier with oXYGen Financial!

Make sure you …

This past week Congress passed the Small Business Jobs Act Of 2010. While there were many interesting parts to the bill including changes to how employee cell phones are viewed and accelerated …

Over the past several months, we have received request from many of our subscribers to get some information about the various debt relief programs that advertise on television and the internet. Since …

Attention owners of rental homes and properties . . . You aren’t going to like one of the tax changes that appears to be on the horizon for 2011 as part of the …

Our firm has been telling the public since we opened up in 2008 that we believe tax management will be as crucial to your overall financial plan in the next decade as …

After almost 20 years of giving personal financial advice, I thought I would share the secrets I know about becoming financially successful.If you avoid these 5 disaster financial moves, you should have …

All I hear these days from concerned citizens is that the Government is doing nothing.  Well, if we continue down this path that nothing is going to be something in the world of …

You just turned 30 years old, and are still have credit card debt hanging over your head.   While you were out partying and paying off student loans during your 20’s, you realize that …

Saving your family money has become both an art form and a science.  For many of us, it is full time job, often on top of several other jobs.
That brand new SUV that …

Is the mob coming to a town near you?  If Al Capone was in the business of giving out coupons, he surely would want to add www.scoutmob.com to his gang.
Scoutmob is a really …

I hope you enjoyed this sultry July weekend screwing as much as I did.  It sure was lots of fun.  No need for the traditional “corkscrew” to open that chilled sauvignon blanc or aromatic pinot …

There are no leaderless societies, and generally leaders of failing societies have a difficult time accepting the responsibility for the actions they take to create the outcomes they have received.   This is squarely where the …

With any overall financial plan, the one silent killer people often leave out is inflation.     Especially when it comes to the actual cost of buying your basic staples like groceries, gas, and …

The great debate has gone on for years.   Who really handles the money in the home.   Is it the man or the woman in the home who ends up taking care of …

Summer Time and the sippin is easy!  During the long summer days and nights several wines become instant hits because they are crisp, refreshing, low in alcohol and seriously delicious.  In …

How long have you been in practice?  Are you a CPA?
Will you or someone else in your firm be working on my situation?
Do you have a specialty?
Are you licensed to offer any financial products?
Do you …

It is never fun being behind on paying your bills.  With more and more people living paycheck to paycheck, we often get the question, “what happens if I need money in a …

As I sit this weekend and read more about the oil spill in the Gulf, it becomes more and more apparent to me they really don’t have a solution other than drilling a …

With all of these reality TV shows pretty much filling up network and cable stations alike, I was wondering if they would ever bring back really good cheesy TV that I saw …

What is the easiest way to build your personal wealth?   Get a systematic savings plan that is out of mind out of sight.  In almost 20 years of giving personal financial advice, I …

Divorce is one of those life events that may be one of the most difficult transitions any person has to make.  Some of the divorces end up amicably, while others end up …

I don’t buy it. I’m sorry, but I just don’t buy what I have been reading about this recent blip in the stock market that everyone has been talking about across the country. I believe that within …

I have been seeing all of these commercials as of late on how you can have 3D TV in your home.   Let me be the first to tell you that you simply …

For those of you who have had friends, family members, or business colleagues held up by the recent Icelandic volcano ash, you may wonder what the outcomes might mean to your wallet.
Well, …

As people in their 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, consider their overall retirement plan, a recent tax change may affect the way they think about their retirement strategy.   It may also affect other …

Have you ever dreamed of having your own personal travel planner who could get you all of the access to all of the cool things to see and do in the most exotic …

In the past month of doing our radio program called The 40 Year Old Business Virgin, we have met many different types of successful business owners.   One theme that seems to be arising …

Scotty, beam me up!   I say this because after reading through the health care bill the taxes that are coming to pay for the plan will make you feel like you are in …

Around tax time, we often hear the question, “Is it smart to get a tax refund?”  The answer really falls into the ‘it depends’ category.
In general, I am not a big fan …

Think twice as you read your next menu.  Unbeknownst to you, the menu just might be designed to get you to spend more money through some pretty clever strategies.  Also, you should keep …

Don’t miss these fourteen tax deductions for your small business.
It’s simple: The more tax deductions your business can legitimately take, the lower its taxable profit will be. Also, in addition to putting …

Someone asked me the other day, “Ted, is it morbid to ask you whether I should buy life insurance on my children?”   It was an interesting question, and one we often get from …

There is a big free agency year coming up in the NBA for the summer of 2010. While I don’t often comment on sports, I thought I would give you my …

There isn’t a day that passes by now where I don’t see a continued commercial for raising money to save Haiti. I feel awful for the people of Haiti over this terrible …

Can you still set up a retirement plan for 2009 if you are a small business owner?
If you own a small business or are just an independent contractor, there may still be …

Doesn’t it seem like there is always an insurance decision to make? Whether it is from a new purchase you make, a decision at work, or someone calling you to buy …

With 2010 rapidly approaching, you should take some time to review your tax management strategy and get your financial plan in place. Here is a list of some of the important …

Attention all speeders! Effective January 1st, 2010, the new Super Speeder Law takes effect in the State of Georgia. This law on interstate highways could cost you as much …

I recently stumbled across a cool website call www.taxi.to. Here is how it works. You enter your travel information including name, e-mail, flight number, date of travel, and …

Many people today are experiencing significant and sometimes sweeping changes in their family situations. Perhaps a recent divorce, separation, or marriage. Or, your children have moved out on …

All I need is a bottle of Martini &  Rossi Spumante, a pack of batteries, and a can of coffee. That is what you may have heard if Steve Martin was doing …

With the unemployment rate continue to hover above 10%, everyone is feeling a little pinch in the wallet. If you know someone who is currently unemployed, here are some ideas on how you could …

Top Ten After Christmas Shopping – Savings and Deal Websites

This is not a be all end all list, but a few of my favorites:

Pop culture is poised on the precipice of a mid-season replacement lineup as networks get ready to roll out their latest offerings, hoping millions will tune into their channels. Many will watch in the hopes of sharpening their punch line delivery skills or getting a hearty chuckle.

But few viewers realize that the laughable and lovable characters we welcome into our homes once a week can actually teach us some valuable lessons about managing money and protecting our credit.

Whether they’re fiscally frugal or free-spending, here’s some practical advice from a few classic characters.

Top 10 Compare Credit Card Sites brought to you by oXYGen Financial INC. Ted Jenkin, CFP®, AAMS®, AWMA®, CRPC®, CMFC®, CRPS® Co-CEO and Founder oXYGen Financial, Inc.

It seems like every mall or suburb strip outlet you go into today has virtually all the same stores. What would a mall be without a GAP or an Abercrombie & Fitch? What amazes me the most is how we as parents can get caught up in making sure that our children have the very best in brand names without thinking about the price or whether it is affordable in our monthly budget.

oXYGen Financial, Inc. is a proud to sponsor the TEDXPeachtree Conference and hopes you will be joining the event on Dec. 4th 2009! Ideas Worth Spreading – TEDxPeachtree

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxPeachtree, where x=independently organized TED event. At our TEDxPeachtree event, TEDTalks videos and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.

Black Friday Is Coming – Some of love it. Some of us don’t. Black Friday is the one day of the year where you are supposed to get the deals of a lifetime. It is the ultimate early shopping day known as Black Friday which is the day after Thanksgiving. If you are ready to wake up at the crack of dawn, you may be able to go down to one of your favorite stores to find the lowest of bargains in the market place.

The Top Ten Great Deal Websites – Breathe Easier® About Your Financial Future – oXYGen Financial

There has been much debate about the hyped up nearly trillion dollar health care reform that has been in the media every day. Heck, I hope you like novels because the last full draft I read on the bill was over 1,000 pages. I’m sure that you can get the condensed version on some news source which will tell you the 6 or 8 key bullet points that they think you need to know. I wanted to let you know that I am not a huge fan of this and neither should you be when you think about the bill.

Many people consider buying into permanent insurance policies. Almost always, I see an illustration when people bring it to me with a hypothetical illustration. On some policies these projected illustrations carry a hypothetical rate of return of 10% to project where cash value accounts will be over the next 20 to 25 years.

The Complete Stain Removal Guide. The Basics of Stain Removal…

1. TAKE QUICK ACTION – The sooner a stain is treated the better. Time can “set” stains. Almost any stain can be removed if action is taken quickly enough, however almost any stain will become permanent if left untreated too long. Ideally, all stains should be treated within the first 24 hours.

2. BLOT & SCRAPE – Whenever possible, immediately after the stain occurs, blot up any excess liquid with a paper towel or clean white cloth. Scrape solids from the fabric if the stain is dry. Try to remove as much excess as possible before further stain treatment.

Only recently have personal savings levels risen, where just a short while ago they were the lowest since the Great Depression when unemployment was more than 25%. (USA Today) Why is this happening?

I have a theory, and it boils down to the fact that people in the X and Y generation just don’t read anymore. Remember when you were a kid and had to take those tests where you read a short story, and then had to answer a bunch of multiple choice questions around the story? I didn’t fare so well on those tests, but if people had to take them today based upon what they think they learned on the internet . . . surely we would be a failing class.

We have seen that natural gas rates are at an all time low. Here are some points that I thought I would share with you for those in the state of Georgia around your natural gas bills, and the upcoming winter season ahead of us.

Point 1: With colder weather setting in, it’s a good time to think about fixing your natural gas rate

Generally speaking, 6- and 12-month fixed rates are lower than variable rates right now. Based on natural gas futures prices, this is likely to remain the case through the winter when most customers’ usage increases dramatically. With rates now starting to rise, fixing your natural gas rate is an easy, effective measure that consumers can take to manage their household budgets this winter. And that leaves more money in your pocket.

5 Financial Secrets to Know When You Look For a New Job – oXYGen Financial, Inc. co-CEO Ted Jenkin is one of the foremost knowledgeable professionals in giving financial advice to the X and Y Generation.

Procrastinators:  Listen Up!
A big enabler of perpetual procrastination is what I like to call, “Southern Hospitality Syndrome.” Simply put, this is when you have a habit of being kinder to others than you care to …

On Friday, I celebrated my fifteen year anniversary with my wife. I was reminded that will all of the gadgets, jewelry, clothes, and vacations you can buy with money, the best gifts in life are still free. Although I did get something really nice for my wife, some of the most enjoyable times we have had together over our fifteen years didn’t cost a lot of money. Here are five ideas that you can use if you are on a low budget, but you would like to do something special.

Major Provisions of Finance Committee’s America’s Healthy Future Act
(source: Taylor, English, Duma LLP)
Excise Tax on High-Cost Insurance Policies. An excise tax of 40 percent would be imposed on insurance premiums in excess of $8,000 …

Here are three things to think about with your current credit card:
1)      If you pay your bills off every month, you need to find a card that will help you earn rewards or cash back.   …

In many households, there is still one spouse who takes the dominant role in handling the personal finances for the family. Should that spouse pass away, it leaves the other spouse with often not knowing where all the important financial documents are located, and in some cases the investment accounts that were set up by the spouse.

Here are some tips to remember if this tragic events ever happens in your family:

As many baby boomers reach or near retirement, one of the questions we are always asked about is what age should someone begin taking Social Security. The answer will truly lie in the details of your personal financial situation, but here are some key considerations to think about when making the decision.
First, you really want to consider whether or not you plan to work and earn a decent living past the age of 62.

This past week, I was reading about the FDIC saying they needed to borrow money.   If that isn’t an oxymoron!   To boot, the FDIC was concerned that American would be worried if they started taking …

Over the last few months, I have noticed an interesting pattern happening among newly married couples. These are the young early 30’s couples who spend their 20’s growing their incomes, dining and entertaining like it was going out of style, and most importantly getting the American Dream (at least in their head) of having a $500,000 home with all of the toppings. These couples seemingly had nothing that could stand in their way of financial success.

With the economy tightening, and many people living paycheck to paycheck, we are seeing a return to more roommate situations to share expenses.   This can range from the traditional 2 bedroom apartment, to a single …

oXYGen Financial, the premier boutique financial services company for generation X and generation Y is now featured every Thursday morning at 8am on Atlanta’s Rock 100.5 The Regular Guys in a segment called “How NOT …

Understanding Long-Term Care Insurance-
It’s a fact: People today are living longer. Although that’s good news, the odds of requiring some sort of long-term care increase as you get older. And as the costs of home care, nursing homes, and assisted living escalate, you probably wonder how you’re ever going to be able to afford long-term care. One solution that is gaining in popularity is long-term care insurance (LTCI).

How to Save Money on Your Auto Insurance

You may have good reason to complain about the cost of your auto insurance, but have you tried to do anything about it? If you’re resourceful and willing to do a little homework, there may be plenty of ways to lower your premium. And we’re not necessarily talking chump change–a few simple steps can sometimes save you hundreds of dollars a year.

Financial Tips for Unmarried Couples

If you are in a long-term, committed relationship, you have many of the same financial concerns as married couples. However, you lack many of the legal protections and advantages that married couples enjoy. Here are some tips that can help you and your partner stay on the road to financial security.

In October, the IRS will go about announcing how much you can put in your 401(k) for 2010. For 2009, the maximum contribution is $16,500 for people under 50 years old, and $22,000 for people who are over 50 years old. Generally, the calculation is based upon the 3rd quarter inflation rate vs. the inflation rate one year ago.

For many years, the rule of thumb for first time homebuyers was to put 20% down when you bought your first house. Over the past decade we saw that rule pretty much fade away. Attracted by no money down loans, it was easy to qualify to get into a home that was likely to be several hundred thousand more in value than you could probably afford.

But this is a dangerous time, experts say, because a trader’s inflated ego can get in the way of sound investing decisions. The thrill of buying a winning stock can keep them from selling that stock and locking in profits. “The human mentality is to want to have a winner,” says Todd Salamone, senior vice president of research for Schaeffer’s Investment Research. “It’s psychologically hard to admit you’re wrong.” Meanwhile volatility, after seemingly taking the summer off, has started to return to the stock market. The CBOE Volatility Index, known as the VIX and a commonly-used guage of the market’s volatility, was as low as 22 in mid-August, but popped up above 30 last week.

With almost 1.5 million people nearing their end of the unemployment check, the big questions will be what happens next? If we are depending on the large corporations to create new jobs, then we will be waiting for a long time. Big companies have been spending the last year figuring out how to reduce costs in order to meet the expectations of their shareholders. After working 16 years for a large company, I learned restructuring is just another way to say cost cutting.

Even if you on line bill pay, you better check your bills. While all companies are needing to find ways to increase their revenues, small fees and charges may be on your monthly bills that you haven’t looked at yet.

IN this episode, another in our continuing series titled “Strange things charged online to my credit card that I didn’t ask for and can’t get refunded.”