SavvySugar

Maternity Leave Around the World: How Money Are You?

SavvySugar — Sun, 10 May 2009 09:00:26 -0700

Happy Mother's Day! It's one day that all moms should have off, and not just because it's a Sunday.

One of the things to find out before having a baby is how much leave you'll be granted and how much you'll be paid for that time off. It will vary from company to company, but the differences are extreme when comparing leave policies in different countries. What do you know about maternity leave around the world? Take the quiz!

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Would You Rather Be a Working Mom or a Stay-at-Home Mom?

SavvySugar — Sat, 09 May 2009 09:00:48 -0700

In the spirit of Mother's Day tomorrow, let's focus on one of the most important jobs there is. Not all of us are destined to be mothers, but for a moment, put yourself in the position of a mom-to-be. Would you rather be a working mom or stay at home?

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Are You Giving Your Mom the Gift of Time For Mother's Day?

SavvySugar — Fri, 08 May 2009 08:30:42 -0700

Moms are synonymous with TLC, so showing them appreciation on Mother's Day is the least we can do. ABC News polled moms across the country about what they want for their holiday, and instead of flowers or candy most responded with things like help around the yard or house, homemade meals cooked by someone else, and quality time with the family.

While ABC credits the recession for moms' desire to choose time over material gifts this Mother's Day, I question if the economy really has much to do with their answers. Time with their kids is hardly a gift moms typically take for granted. What do you think - are you spending time with your mom because it's free, or because that's the best gift around?

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How-To: Determine If You Can Afford a Baby

SavvySugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 08:30:26 -0700

When other people ask you if you're ready to have kids, they're generally not referring to whether or not you can afford to raise a child. But that's one factor you can't leave out of your decision to start a family. Scroll though the financial factors to consider when determining if you can afford a baby, and remember to call your mom on Mother's Day this Sunday!

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Famous Daughters Who Followed in Mom's Footsteps

SavvySugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:32:15 -0700

While most of you are pretty sure that working with your mom wouldn't be the happiest of situations, following in your mom's footsteps is a possibly more harmless way of sharing interests. Surely it's possible to put your own twist on any job and make it your own, which is exactly what these famous women have accomplished with their mom-inspired careers. Start the slideshow!

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Putting a Salary on The Toughest Job in The World

SavvySugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:56:33 -0700

Your mom would get upset with you when you were a kid when you didn't say thank you, and you probably scoffed a bit at her sensitivity. My dad was always reminding us kids to thank our mom, but the meaning of it all didn't come together until I was older. Not that we weren't polite or ungrateful children, but the act of saying thanks to your mom doesn't always come naturally when you're a kid. You think she's supposed to do nice things for you like cooking dinner and making ginger ale runs when you're sick and it's all just part of the job. I'm not a mom, but I've heard it's the toughest job in the world and you bet I believe it - that's why I'm in no rush to have my own little Savvies anytime soon. Salary.com just came out with their annual mom report that puts a salaried figure on the work that both Working Moms and Stay-at-Home Moms tend to perform. To see how much a mom's work would be worth just read more

According to the Salary.com annual Mom survey, "The time mothers spend performing the ten most popular 'Mom Job' functions would equate to an annual salary of $116,805 for a Stay-at-Home Mom and $68,405 for a Working Mom. The job titles that best matched a mom’s definition of her work include housekeeper, day care center teacher, cook, laundry machine operator, computer operator, psychologist, facilities manager, van driver, chief executive officer and janitor."

But the fact is that moms aren't paid for the amount of work they do, and their payment is really in the love and thank-yous they receive from their families. So while your mom would of course appreciate a material token of your appreciation, the biggest gift you can give is saying thank you.

Thanks, Mom - Happy Early Mother's Day!

Your Two Cents: Could You Work With Your Mom?

SavvySugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:56:45 -0700

With Mother's Day just around the corner, it got me thinking about how many businesses are run by mother-daughter teams. It makes sense in that developing similar interests as your mom isn't unusual - like Bella and her affinity for all things beauty - but building a business with your mom would create a very unique dynamic when you go to work each day. There are all types of successful mother-daughter businesses out there - online jewelry stores, law firms, bakers, restaurateurs, clothing boutiques, and the list goes on! Could you make it work with your mom as your business partner?

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Money Tip: Mind Your Mother's Day Menus

SavvySugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:34:42 -0700

Apparently, there's more than one Super Bowl this Spring - while the Super Bowl for women is happening May 30 with the release of the Sex and the City movie, the Super Bowl for restaurants is on May 11. People eat-out on this holiday more than any other, and it's estimated that at least $3 billion was spent on Mother's Day meals last year. On top of the usual dining crowds celebrating Moms, the restaurant industry is hopeful that the rebate checks scheduled to start arriving in bank accounts at the beginning of May will give their businesses an additional boost.

Restaurants want to ensure that previous years' profits on Mother's Day continue this year even with a shaky economy, so some are doing promotions for holiday specials. Make some calls to the restaurants you have in mind to see if they have any specials (like bottomless mimosas at brunch or reduced priced dinner entrees), and what you find out could help you narrow down your choices in a snap. And if you're looking to avoid the family crowds and opt for an intimate (and likely more economical) meal at home instead, I'm sure PartySugar will have some great tips for hosting the perfect gathering to honor Mom.

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The Best Places For US Women to Have a Career and Kids

SavvySugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:30:10 -0700

Some places are more welcoming to women with a juggle than others. According to ForbesWoman, New York is the best place for women who have a career and kids based on an assessment of earnings, unemployment rates, cost of living, crime, access to health and day care, per pupil spending and number of parks.

In the first annual list of the Best Cities for Working Mothers, Austin ranks as number two behind NYC. ForbesWoman points out that while the two cities offer something different for working moms, both cities offer good schools, lots of park space, and plentiful childcare options.

New York, NY
Austin, TX
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

See the rest of the list when you read more.

Milwaukee, WI
Portland, OR
Cincinnati, OH
San Jose, CA
Pittsburgh, PA
Seattle-Tacoma, WA
Denver, CO

Do You Know Your TV Power Women?

SavvySugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:50:54 -0700

In the early days of television famous females primarily played the roles of loving mother, homemaker, nurse, and second fiddle to the main man. Thankfully, everything has changed. As female queens, leaders, and politicians have become more and more dominant, and women take over the workplace, women have naturally taken over the small screen as power-suit-wearing leading ladies. Take this quiz to see if you've been paying attention to TV power women!

Question 1 of 10

Actress Lisa Edelstein plays Dr. Cuddy on House. What's Dr. Cuddy's title at the hospital?