Welcome.

If you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably got some questions about money. Maybe you’ve been burned. Maybe you’re getting real about retirement. (Or maybe you’re just curious about our cool site – just sayin’.) One thing is for sure: unless you’re loaded and have a team of financial experts who outperform year over year (and even maybe then), you need to understand money – how to save it, invest it and spend it in ways you feel good about.

As a finance writer and reporter, I see all kinds of financial services and products, many before they are released. I only write about the cream of the crop: the ones that work and can truly help you get on the UPSIDE of your money.

Hey, Barbara here. I’m based in the mostly sunny SF Bay Area, right near a famous bridge. I’m a late baby-boomer, and I’ve been at this writing and investing thing for a while (say, 20 years) and I’ve got some ideas about getting and staying on the UPSIDE of your money I’d like to share.

A little background:
Starting in my early twenties, I learned about investing with my own hard-earned money and a couple of books. (I did have a mentor, which I recommend.) I bought a REIT, invested in silver and , took my company stock options and bought a fixer , then began to look for ways to invest that let me sleep at night–without all the hammering. Some ideas tanked, others didn’t. I swing traded, studied calls and puts, and did graduate study in technical analysis and stock market analysis. I built up and paid down debt, scrimped and saved and got creative during two recessions. I learned and grew and started writing about it.

I have a BA from Oberlin College and a certificate in financial planning from UCLA. I studied technical analysis at Golden Gate (the school, not the bridge) and am a certified Credit Counselor. My work has appeared on MSN Money, examiner.com SF, Minyanville, and numerous blogs.

You can read an interview with me here or here or see a youtube here.

Thanks for stopping by!