My Yahoo! Blog

Financial industry reform is getting lots of attention these days. Many of the issues in the debate may seem distant, partisan, or confusing, but the idea of protecting a consumer’s personal finances hits close to home for each of us.

 Are you looking for some personal finance reform? Start by monitoring your investments and budget, current mortgage-rate data, and business news that is relevant to your situation. These possible additions to your My Yahoo! page can help:

• Stock Portfolio: See how your investments are performing by the minute.
• Yahoo! News – Personal Finance News: Keep tabs on market updates and practical news that affect your bottom line.
• Budget by Mint.com: This handy tool allows you to monitor a budget and track your spending, among other applications.
• Bankrate.com – Mortgages Blog: Get commentary and tips on what to watch for when it comes to financing your home.

 When your money matters are under control and monitored regularly, you’ll be in better shape to handle whatever bumps the economy — and the financial industry — may throw your way.

 Apps mentioned in this post:

• Add Stock Portfolio
• Add Yahoo! News – Personal Finance News
• Add Budget by Mint.com
• Add Bankrate.com – Mortgages Blog

 Tom
- My Yahoo! Editorial

With Earth Day around the corner, thoughts and plans turn to green. The annual commemoration on April 22 started 40 years ago, and its significance has grown beyond recycling and picking up litter.

Today politicians promote “green jobs” as part of the sustainable energy industry. Economists argue for greening the economy. Builders seek to have new homes and skyscrapers certified as green. And of course questions about climate change affect us all.

 These issues have become part of what Earth Day symbolizes.  If you want to green your My Yahoo! page to increase awareness, here are some suggestions:

• Yahoo! News: Climate Change: News develops rapidly on this broad topic, but you can stay informed more easily with this feed.
• Green Lifestyle: Load this app to enjoy daily quizzes, learn green facts, and find ways to make a difference.
• Green Dream Jobs: This feed from SustainableBusiness.com gives frequent updates on new jobs that involve some aspect of ecology or sustainable development.
• Green Reality Check: One blogger’s quest to discover what it really means to be green and sustainable — or not.
• Yahoo! Green Featured Topics: Analysis and consumer tips on everything from transportation and energy to food and health. This is just one of many feeds you can try from Yahoo! Green.

 Learning more about our planet and sustaining its life is one great way to start your commemoration of this historic Earth Day.

 Apps mentioned in this post:

• Add Yahoo! News: Climate Change
• Add Green Lifestyle
• Add Green Dream Jobs
• Add Green Reality Check
• Add Yahoo! Green Featured Topics

Tom
- My Yahoo! Editorial

Spring is here: Flowers are growing, robins are singing, and baseball fans are flocking to stadiums to cheer on their favorite Major League teams. (Or maybe just to eat hotdogs and enjoy the outdoors.)

 Since you can’t always be at the ballpark to witness every highlight, these helpful feeds can keep you close to the action:

• Yahoo! Sports – MLB News: As the season progresses, stay on top of all the latest scores and news about your favorite teams and players.
• The Hardball Times: The blog from the New York Times features insightful commentary, player interviews, and more.
• ESPN.com – MLB: Another fine source for comprehensive coverage of that latest in professional baseball.
• Confessions of a She-Fan: Writer Jane Heller’s unique and often comic take on the MLB provides a fun diversion.

 Now you can stay in touch with “America’s pastime” anytime.

 Apps mentioned in this post:

• Add Yahoo! Sports – MLB News
• Add The Hardball Times
• Add ESPN.com – MLB
• Add Confessions of a She-Fan

Tom
- My Yahoo! Editorial

Jobs are a hot topic right now, especially if you’re struggling to find a new one.

 But even if you are employed, you may want to keep your eyes open for new opportunities.  Or you may want to learn more about vital career issues that affect you, such as networking or asking for a raise.

• Yahoo! HotJobs – Career Articles: These features contain loads of practical advice that will help any job seeker. But you’ll also find items to help you in advancing your career, such as “5 Tips for Successful Telecommuting.
• Secrets of the Job Hunt: Anyone who’s looking for a job will benefit from resources here.
• Brazen Careerist: If you like a little attitude mixed with common sense, subscribe to this blog. You’re bound to find something that will help you in making that next career move.
• Forbes.com – Career News and Reports: These frequent articles about the job market and how to succeed in it are valuable resources for all.

 To get feeds of available local job listings to display on your My Yahoo! page, check out Craigslist or click on RSS buttons related to specific job searches you conduct on Indeed.com or Yahoo! HotJobs.

 Keeping your professional life on the right track suddenly became a little easier.

 Apps mentioned in this post:

• Add Yahoo! HotJobs – Career Articles
• Add Secrets of the Job Hunt
• Add Brazen Careerist
• Add Forbes.com – Career News and Reports

Tom
- My Yahoo! Editorial