Thinking About Another (Temporary) Life Change

February 19th, 2010

As most of you know, my wife and I have two preschool-aged children and a third one on the way. From April/May of this year to September of 2011, we will have three preschool-aged children in our home, which will be an interesting experience with a lot of unique challenges.

Currently, my wife works outside the home as a teacher. She commutes almost an hour each way to work, which means that she often leaves before seven in the morning and doesn’t return home until five in the evening. W

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The First Steps to Stop Dreaming & Start Retiring – NOW!

February 18th, 2010

Fantasizing about retirement is a favorite past-time for just about anyone who has ever held a 9-to-5. But that dream of what lies ahead is starting to look a whole lot different these days.

How I was Looking at Retirement

I used to look at the end goal of retirement as something off in the distance. Something that would happen around the age of 65, and maybe, just maybe, if I was a good little worker, maxed out my 401K every year, and played all my cards right I could get lucky and bump that up 10 years or so.

But then I started to think… OK, so I work and save and retire and then sit around. Is that what I really want? T

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Criminal defense lawyer buys 4BD in Roscoe Village

February 18th, 2010

Terence H. Campbell and Liane Jackson bought a four-bedroom, 3.5-bath home at 2242 W. Melrose St. in Roscoe Village from Matthew R. Phelan and Nicole M. Debruin for $910,000 on Jan. 6.

Phelan and Debruin bought the property for $912,500 in July 2007. The 2,132-square-foot house was built in 1911.

Campbell is a partner and attorney with Cotsirilos, Tighe & Streicker, Ltd. in Chicago. His practice areas include federal criminal defense, civil litigation and appellate work. He joined the firm in 1995.

He obtained a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and a J.D.

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A Closer Look at Simon’s Offer and General Growth’s Response

February 16th, 2010

Yesterday’s $9 per share bid from Simon Property Group (SPG), even if it does not materialize, is very good for General Growth Properties’ (GGWPQ.PK) shareholders and for GGP to remain as a standalone independent entity.

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Simmons Leaves Goldman’s Board

February 16th, 2010

On Tuesday, Brown president Ruth Simmons explained that the decision as to whether she should continue to sit on the board of Goldman Sachs (GS) was a complex one which would not be taken lightly:

If Simmons were to leave Goldman’s board, she said, she does not think she would join another board…

One reason Simmons cited not to seek out new positions was that the seniority she now enjoys on Goldman’s board allows her to advocate for programs to help women and minorities.

Simmons said that, as with her retirement from Pfizer’s board three years ago, when to call it quits with Goldman will not be a decision she makes by herself, but rather in cooperation with the Corporation, the University’s highest governing body, with which she meets regularly to evaluate her actions.

“I feel very strongly that I don’t know enough as an individual — a sole individual — to make that decision alone,” she said.

On the other hand, it seems that complex decisions on such matters can still be taken quickly. Goldman put out a p

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Never Hire a Contractor without Following These 5 Steps First

February 15th, 2010

How to Find a Good Contractor & Save Money

If you’re like me, your home is your baby. You wouldn’t hire the first babysitter that you found in an ad without first asking some questions and doing a little research, would you? So why do the same with your home?

When you hire out a contractor to do work on your home, you want things done right and at a reasonable price. Over the years, I’ve seen a number of people get screwed by hiring a ‘jack of all trades handyman’ who said they could just about everything. In reality, they could do a lot…. of destruction, that is (oh snap)!

No, really folks – to protect yourself from getting ripped off by a contractor, make sure you take these steps:

1. Verify the Co

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