FitSugar

Margarine War: Earth Balance vs. Smart Balance

FitSugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 03:00:00 PDT

As if the war between butter and margarine weren't enough to think about, now I have to choose between kinds of margarine. Have you ever wondered what the difference is between these two? They're both organic, dairy free, and made without hydrogenated oils, but what else sets them apart besides their names?


Serving Size	1 tbsp	1 tbsp	1 tbsp
Calories	100	80	102
Total Fat	11g	9g	11.5g
Saturated Fat	3.5g	2.5g	7.3g
Cholesterol	0mg	0mg	31mg
Sodium	120mg	100mg	82mg
Carbs	0g	0g	0g
Fiber	0g	0g	0g
Sugar	0g	0g	0g
Protein	0g	0g	.1g

Both Earth Balance and Smart Balance are made with an expeller pressed natural oil blend, but here's the difference: In the Earth Balance, the blend is soybean, palm fruit, canola, and olive, and in the Smart Balance, the blend is palm fruit, soybean, canola, and olive. Not a huge difference, but still worth noting.

As far as taste goes, they both have a mild buttery flavor, which I prefer over other margarines that are made with hydrogenated oil. Not only is it healthier, but it also tastes lighter and doesn't make your mouth feel waxy or greasy. Both Earth and Smart Balance spreads have a smooth, spreadable consistency, and they melt well on warm bread. Since I can't tell the difference in taste or texture, I'd definitely choose Smart Balance over Earth Balance, since it has less fat and less sodium. I'd also choose it over butter since it has less saturated fat. If you've never tried Smart Balance, I'd give it a try. It tastes great on food, but you can also cook and bake with it.

5 Things You Always Wanted to Know About Paying For College

LearnVest — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:15:23 PDT

Paying for college is such a complex issue. LearnVest helps simplify it by answering some key questions in regard to paying tuition.

If you believe everything you read, then you might think you need to be a Rockefeller to have kids.

That, of course, isn't the case.

Yes, kids are expensive, and thinking about paying for a college education can be scary and frustrating . . . but that's where we come in.

As with everything else in life, figuring out what to do about your kid's college savings is all about the planning, says Stephany Kirkpatrick, CFP, LearnVest's director of financial planning. Depending on where you are in life right now and how old your kids are, you may have questions about how to set up a 529 plan (which is an education savings plan designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs), what to look for, and when to start saving.

If you're pregnant or have a newborn and are starting to think about this, then good for you! The earlier you get started socking away cash for their college, the easier it will be. You'll learn a lot in this article, but you should also check out our Baby on Board Bootcamp, which will tell you everything you need to know - financially - to be ready for a baby. It includes 529 advice, as well as financial tips on everything from putting together a will and picking out a life insurance policy to buying nursery basics.
If your kid is slightly older and you’ve done your research but haven’t yet started saving in a 529 plan, then first read the four mistakes to avoid when choosing a 529 plan, and then check out the different college savings plans available to you.
If this is the first you’re thinking about it, no matter your kid's ageI, then don't worry about it. You have to start somewhere!

Read on for more.

Fixes For These 10 Money Mistakes

Business Insider — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:15:04 PDT

Everyone makes mistakes. Business Insider shares solutions for some common money mistakes people make.

Recently, two friends confessed they live check to check - a revelation worsened by the fact that they only check their bank balance once or twice a month.

We called in the finance experts, and here's what we decided they should do to get on track.

"I check my balance once . . . every two weeks."

The mistake: The more we rely on our debit cards, the easier is to go over budget - and risk having our bank misorder the charges to slap us with overdraft fees. It's the reason my friend keeps paying $39 for that Starbucks latte.

The fix: Get in the habit of checking your bank balance morning, noon, and night, says financial expert Farnoosh Torabi. "Rather than compartmentalizing into a once-a-month chore, make checking statements a habitual, daily thing."

"What, my bank offers an app?"

The mistake: Ignoring your balance can make you "forget" about incoming bills and checks waiting to clear, and not using your bank app is careless.

It also keeps you out of sync with your money, something you don't want to do in an era of rampant identity theft.

The fix: Download the app!

Read on for more.

7 Strategies to Build an Emergency Fund

Kiplinger — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:15:32 PDT

Build up your emergency fund with these tips from Kiplinger.

You know you need an emergency fund - easily accessible cash to pay for unexpected expenses. Without one, you could find yourself looking around the house for valuables to pawn, racking up credit-card debt or maybe even considering a payday loan to cover the costs of an emergency.

But you may be wondering how you can find enough spare cash in your budget to set aside for a rainy day. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, I’m sure the thought of saving up enough money to cover six months’ worth of expenses (as is usually recommended) is especially daunting. The good news is that you don’t have to stash that much cash at once.

The key is to start setting aside a little each month to build your emergency fund. And that doesn’t require a big salary. After all, saving is a function of discipline, not income.

Here are seven ways to find enough money - and motivation - to create an emergency fund.

Save - don’t spend - your tax refund. About 75% of taxpayers received a refund last year, and the average amount was $2,913. A refund of that size can get your emergency fund off to a great start. Open an interest-bearing savings account and have the money directly deposited into it so you won’t be tempted to use it.

Pay yourself first. Rather than wait until next year for another refund to stash in your emergency fund, adjust your tax withholding by filing a revised W-4 form with your employer (see How to Adjust Your Withholding). This will put more money in your paycheck each month, and you can set that amount aside in your savings account so it can earn interest and grow. (That money won’t be earning any interest during the year if you leave it with Uncle Sam.) If possible, have your employer deposit the designated amount directly into your savings account so you don’t see the money in your checking account and aren’t tempted to spend it.

Read on for more.

White Accessories: Classic but Stylish Showstoppers

Laura Marie Given — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 05:00:14 PDT

Bright, colorful accessories can certainly make a major style impact, but this article from Houzz proves that white accents can be a versatile, dramatic choice. No matter what the rest of your room looks like, white adds a clean, modern look that highlights the rest of the décor. Hoping to freshen up your style for Spring? Read these tips to see how white can help you see the light.

Alongside traditional furniture in neutral shades and simple, classic shapes, white sea-inspired accessories create an eclectic, unexpected balance. Coral, starfish, and unique seashells work well on coffee tables and bookcases.

For more gorgeous designs and smart styling tips, check out the full article on Houzz!

What You Should Do If You Can't Pay Your Taxes

LearnVest — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:15:55 PDT

Have you been putting off paying your taxes because you simply don't have the money? LearnVest offers some solutions.

Struggling with your tax bill? There might be hope. The IRS is trying to make it a little easier for you.

The IRS announced earlier this month a major expansion of its “Fresh Start” initiative, which helps taxpayers by providing new penalty relief to the unemployed and making Installment Agreements, which allow you to pay off your taxes over time, available to more people.

You can benefit from the program in two ways:

If You Can’t Pay Right Now

You might be able to request and get a six-month grace period on failure-to-pay penalties if you meet all of the following criteria:

You earned less than $100,000 last year, or less than $200,000 with your spouse if you’re married and filing jointly
The 2011 taxes you owe don’t exceed $50,000
You were unemployed at least 30 consecutive days during 2011 or 2012 up to April 17, or you’re self-employed and experienced a 25 percent or greater reduction in business income in 2011 due to the economy

If you meet the criteria, fill out Form 1127A to seek 2011 penalty relief. But keep in mind that even during the grace period, the IRS will still charge you interest on unpaid back taxes (currently three percent annually), so it makes financial sense to pay as soon as possible. Learn about the options you have to pay.

Read on for more.

3 Ways to Be a Better Brainstormer

LearnVest — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:15:12 PDT

Learn how to be a better contributor to your office brainstorming sessions with these tips from LearnVest.

When was the last time you brainstormed?

Was it over a group assignment in high school? Maybe over a particularly challenging DIY project? Or was it this week, at work?

Brainstorming is a tried-and-true way many managers encourage their employees to generate ideas.

The goal is to get people in a room with a whiteboard - and snacks, hopefully - and let the fantastic, creative ideas fly.

Here’s the twist: we may have been going about it all wrong. The New Yorker reports that research consistently proves that traditional brainstorming - the type you’ve likely been doing your whole life - is less productive than sending people off to think by themselves. (Although there is a type of brainstorming researchers recommend . . . We’ll get to that.)

This could be good news when you’re privately brainstorming ways to ace your employee review, but it could cause some problems in the office. Namely, you can’t just opt out the next time your boss herds you into the conference room. (Plus, you might miss the snacks.)

We talked to a brainstorming expert - yes, there is such a thing - to find out why this is, and how you can be a better brainstormer in three easy steps.

This Will Make You More Creative

The New Yorker writes that a key principle of most brainstorming is the absence of negative criticism. That’s supposed to encourage people to speak up, since no one wants to volunteer ideas that get shot down. But research shows that it’s not brainstorming that’s ineffective so much as brainstorming without any criticism. This is because criticism encourages us to “engage more fully with the work of others and to reassess our viewpoints.”

Read on for more.

Celeb Style: Kristen Bell Does Polka-Dot Pants With Polish

Hannah Weil — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:25:24 PDT

Kristen Bell zeroed in on one of Spring's biggest trends, offering a polished take on the printed-pants craze. In a pair of polka-dot Topshop trousers (sadly, not currently available) and a lace-inset collared blouse, Kristen balances femininity and a dash of menswear. A blazer is a smart way to finish - grounding the look with classic appeal, while a bold statement necklace and a pair of nude peep-toe pumps lend a dose of glam. In short, Kristen crafts a cool way to slip into Spring's printed bottoms - just shop our pieces to channel her on-trend style.

7 Smart Ways to Pay for College

Kiplinger — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:20:07 PDT

Does paying for college overwhelm you? Here's a helpful post from Kiplinger.

College students who borrow graduate with an average of $25,250 in debt. That's the equivalent of a new-car purchase or a down payment on a home. Even if some borrowing is inevitable for you, first explore other options to help you pay for college.

Coverdells, 529 plans and Roth IRAs come with tax advantages for college savers. Private scholarships are sources of free money. Custodial accounts offer investing flexibility. You just need a little lead time and some background on the alternatives.

We rounded up the best payment strategies, based on Kiplinger's extensive coverage of college values, college savings and student loans. We've highlighted the pros and cons of each option, as well as resources to help you get started. Check out our list of seven smart ways to pay for college.

529 Savings Plans

Pro: Tax breaks galore

Con: Portfolio limitations

Sponsored by 50 states and the District of Columbia, 529 plans let your savings grow tax-free, and the earnings escape federal tax completely if the withdrawals are used for qualified college expenses, including tuition, fees, and room and board. Two-thirds of states give residents a tax deduction or another tax break for contributions. You are permitted to invest in other states' 529 plans.

The appeal of 529 plans lies in their easy access as well as their tax benefits. The plans set no income limit and have a high limit on contributions. If your kid skips college, you can change the designation to a sibling without losing the tax break. But use the money for non-college expenses and you'll be on the hook for taxes and a penalty on earnings.

Another drawback of 529 plans: You lose direct control. After you pick a portfolio, usually from a limited pool of investment options, you must wait 12 months before you can change the mix or transfer the money to another plan. And a state-appointed firm manages the account, not you.

Read on for more.

Bye Bye Butter: Healthier Baking Substitutions

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:07:31 PST

Whether you're vegan or just want to make healthier baked goods, finding ways to omit the butter can greatly reduce the amount of calories, fat, and cholesterol in your sweet treats. There are countless ways to replace eggs in recipes, and here are healthier alternatives to using butter.

Applesauce: This ingredient is often used to replace oil in recipes, but it can also be an alternative to butter, and works best in cake-like recipes (like this Vegan Banana Apple Chunk Bread). Replace half the amount of butter in your recipe with applesauce; if the recipe calls for one cup of butter, use half a cup of butter and half a cup of applesauce. If you don't mind a denser, more moist bread, replace all the butter with applesauce to cut even more calories and fat.
Avocado: Substitute half the amount of butter in a baking recipe with mashed avocado (it works well with cookies); use the same method as you would when using applesauce. It not only lowers the calorie content but also yields a softer, chewier baked good, and is perfect if you want to omit the dairy.

Keep reading for more healthy ways to replace butter in recipes.