Six-figure job: Spouse seeker

Six-figure job: Spouse seeker

Increasingly popular, professional matchmakers can collect handsome fees to find clients 'the one.' When it comes to finding a partner, there may be a lot of fish in the sea. But what if you don't have time to swim with every school, or you live in over-fished waters? Or maybe you just have a hard time with the whole bait-and-tackle thing. In any case, catching the right one can be tough. Enter the high-end, professional matchmaker. Matchmaking is an old profession with a decidedly modern twist: Databases, ad campaigns and a culture of singles who don't have built-in social networks. The matchmaker will interview clients about their desires, screen potential partners according to a client's specifications, make several introductions over a year or two, and fine-tune the search as more information comes to light about a client's nature and preferences. Clients who pay for premium service don't have to trek to the matchmaker's office for that initial interview. The matchmaker will fly to them. They also will conduct a media search on the clients' behalf, which includes placing ads about them in top city magazines and then screening the people who respond. What qualities make a good matchmaker? "The most important quality is you have to love people and like making them happy. You're dealing with their emotions and their sex life," said Maureen Chatfield, a former Ford model who founded the New Jersey-based M Chatfield 13 years ago. "You wield a lot of power." So much power, in fact, that her CEO clients often hop-to when she phones. Even so, a professional matchmaker is in a service business, so the ability to read people -- on both sides of a potential match -- is essential. "You have to be a really good listener," said Chatfield. Also key is an ability to sense that "intangible something" about potential mates. Two people "can look great on paper, but they may hate each other when they meet. Or they might not look like a match, but they might really click," said Chatfield, whose own 12-year relationship fits into the latter category. He wanted someone under 40 with no kids. She was 45 with kids. Amber Kelleher-Andrews, COO of the California-based Kelleher & Associates, which bills itself as matchmakers to the rich and famous, notes you "have to have a sense of business, some luck and a ton of intuition." Of love and money A matchmaker's fees can range widely. M Chatfield charges $600 for inclusion in the company's database as a potential match for clients; a 1-year contract starts at $3,000; and $30,000 for a two-year contract that includes a media search. Kelleher & Associates, founded 21 years ago by Amber's mother, Jill Kelleher, charges $500 for inclusion in their national registry; $5,500 for women and $8,500 for men for a 1-year contract if those clients live in cities where the company has offices ($10,000 for clients who live elsewhere); and $50,000 for a two-year contract including a media search. "When (clients) spend that money, there's a lot of expectations," Kelleher-Andrews said. Building a successful business that can charge that much requires years of groundwork. You'll need to develop a deep database of viable candidates and a reputation for successful matches and ethical practices. You have to manage your clients' expectations, too. "You can't manufacture what it is they're paying for ? you can't make up the perfect person," Kelleher-Andrews said. Both Chatfield and Kelleher-Andrews say they don't accept money from potential clients if they don't feel they can make matches for them. That's not the case with every matchmaking firm. The field is not regulated, and hence is an invitation to charlatans out to make a quick buck. Turning away potential clients who don't rank as "viable" also has to be handled gracefully. So does dealing with clients who may still harbor bitterness from previous relationships. Then there's the constant juggling act of bringing in new clients, making matches for current ones and maintaining a strong renewal rate for clients who like the service but have yet to find the right match. The hours can be long. Kelleher-Amber says she works up to 14-hour days, which often include evening events. Depending on how much competition there is in your area, how smartly you build the business and how much exposure you get, it might take anywhere from four to 10 years to make a six-figure income as the proprietor of a matchmaking firm, judging from Chatfield's and Kelleher's experiences. Don't plan on making a killing your first year in business. Chatfield made all of $5,000 her first year out because for six months she provided services to new clients for a mere $100, so that she could start to build her database. You also may be able to earn six figures by working for a matchmaking firm, where you may be paid a salary plus commission based on the business you generate and the matches you make.



15 new cars you can buy for less than $200 a month

Itching for a new car but feel you can't afford one? If you can squeeze $200 a month out of your budget, you can -- and we're not talking about a lease or the choice between one or two tiny sedans you've never heard of. Thanks to the bargain "friends and family'' deals now popular with U.S. manufacturers, as well as aggressive pricing on some entry level models among foreign manufacturers, there are at least 15 new car and truck models that can be bought for $200 a month or less. But first, here's the math on the $200 car payment: Current loan rates for a 60-month term are averaging 6.44 percent. At that rate, a $10,200 a month loan would cost $199.29 a month. With an average 20 percent down payment -- about $2,000 in cash or trade -- that means you can afford a car that costs $12,200. Of course that doesn't include such things as sales tax, license fees or other charges that may be unique to your state. That could mean you'll need $700 to $800 more in cash to close the deal, or if you roll it into the loan it could push your payments up by about $14 a month. And you may have to shop hard for the right car, since in most cases we're talking about cars without a lot of options -- although many are equipped with air conditioning and some have automatic transmissions. So what can you buy for $12,200 before taxes and fees? Chevrolet Cavalier -- At Chevrolet, there are two vehicles that meet our $200 a month threshold, the 2005 Aveo and the larger 2005 Cavalier. Although the Cavalier has been replaced by the Cobalt (which just barely missed the $200 a month limit), there are still Cavaliers on dealer lots. Roomy for a compact, a Cavalier with air conditioning and a five-speed manual transmission can be bought for $11,862. Chevrolet Aveo -- A subcompact sedan, the Aveo easily falls within our parameters. An LS four-door sedan can be bought for $10,404. Add an automatic transmission at $850, and you're still driving out with a payment of less than $200 a month. Dodge -- DaimlerChrysler's Dodge division has the familiar Neon sedan, and under that company's Employee Pricing Plus deal, a Neon SE that lists for $14,395 can be bought for $11,624. Add air conditioning and you'll be at the limit for the $200 payment. Ford Focus -- How about a 2005 four-door Ford Focus? Under Ford's Family Plan pricing, a Focus ZX4 with a base list price of $14,620 can be bought for $10,816 after all applicable discounts and incentives. Add in air conditioning and an automatic transmission and the sales price should come in right at our $12,200 target price. Ford Ranger -- Need a pickup? Check out the Ford Ranger XL two-door, two-wheel drive model. It lists for $15,245. After taking the $2,500 rebate and the Ford Family Plan deal, that truck would cost $11,597. That won't get you air conditioning or much in the way of extra trim, but it's a solid work truck at that price. Honda Civic -- While the Japanese manufacturers aren't offering so-called employee pricing, they are dealing to try to keep pace. Some hard searching and hard bargaining can land a Honda Civic DX four-door sedan, which lists for $13,775 but can be bought for $12,200. You won't get a version with automatic transmission or air conditioning, but you'll get a Honda. Hyundai Elantra -- Korean manufacturers have been the leaders in bargain-basement pricing, so they offer a wide range of cars that can be bought for $200 a month or less. Consider the Hyundai Elantra GLS, which is a compact-sized sedan that lists for $13,844. Thanks to a $1,500 rebate offer, an Elantra with a long list of standard features, from power windows to air conditioning, can be bought for $11,656. Hyundai Accent -- Need something less expensive? Hyundai also has the small Accent, which, equipped with air conditioning lists for $12,039, can be bought for about $10,625 after a $1,000 rebate. Kia Rio -- Because this car's list price is so low ($10,735), it's possible to add in automatic transmission, air conditioning and power windows and locks and still buy it for $11,627. Kia Cinco Rio wagon -- This is the only station wagon that makes our list, and while it's not large enough to compete with a sport utility vehicle, it will carry a lot of stuff on weekend errands. With air conditioning and a manual transmission, expect to pay about $11,887 after a $1,000 rebate. Kia Spectra -- Larger than the Rio, this sedan can be equipped with air conditioning and a five-speed manual transmission for $12,218 after $1,750 in rebates and incentives. Nissan Sentra -- A good bargain should be available at a Nissan dealer on the Sentra, which lists for $14,280 with an automatic transmission. But with dealer discounts and the $2,500 cash back and rebates Nissan is offering can be bought for as little as $11,295. You can even step up to the S model Sentra, which carries a base sticker price of $15,480 but comes with air conditioning and other convenience features, for as little as $12,039 after rebates and incentives. Pontiac Sunfire -- The Sunfire coupe may be the bargain of the year, provided you can find one on a dealer's lot. It has a sporty look, even if it's not the most refined. With special manufacturer rebates and employee deals, it's possible to get a manual transmission Sunfire with air conditioning for $10,792. Saturn Ion -- Yes, you can even own a Saturn for $200 a month. A Saturn Ion 1 sedan, with automatic transmission, can be bought for $10,619 after rebates and the GM employee discount deal. Toyota Echo -- If Saturn being on this list is a surprise, it may be even more of a surprise to find a Toyota for $200 a month. The Echo is Toyota's smallest sedan, and its styling is a little funky. But the price is right: With air conditioning and a manual transmission, it's possible to grab an Echo for $11,901. But these cars are not widely found on dealer lots, so it will take some detective work to find one. Toyota doesn't even list it on its Web site anymore.