Take control of your finances with budgeting tips, spending strategies, and everyday money management tools. Whether you’re saving more, spending less, or setting new goals, this section helps you build a solid financial life.
There are so many ways to tell Mom this Sunday how much you love and appreciate her, but this year many of us are more budget-conscious than we have been in the past. Here are a few ideas on how to show her that you care without going into debt to do it: Give her … Read more
Beat the Winter Blues, Forget the Financial Troubles (at least for a day), and Go Have Some Fun It’s that time of year where every one gets a little anxious for winter to be over. We’re tired of the cold, wet weather and we’re ready to get out and go do something. And this winter’s … Read more
Just like many other holidays, Valentine’s Day can be a source of stress for people who want to find the perfect way to show their loved one how much they really care. And it can be especially stressful for those who have to limit their spending in the process. But there’s no reason to give … Read more
Neglecting parts of the winterizing routine can be expensive. Wow, this winter’s been C-O-L-D! I live in the Midwest where we typically expect a few weeks at a time of well-below freezing weather, but I think we’ve hit some records this year. And with this cold weather comes the excruciatingly painful heating costs. I just … Read more
It can be difficult to raise kids that aren’t influenced by the ads, the commercials, and what their friends have. Hey, it’s even hard for adults to resist becoming at least a little materialistic. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying some of the creature comforts that make life a little more enjoyable, overdoing it can … Read more
It seems like the current economic difficulties have many people working harder to earn extra money – and that includes thieves and scam artists. The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency against fraud, issued an alert on Thursday about a scam where fraudsters attempt to trick people out of their money by calling … Read more
Stopping to fill up the tank isn’t as painful as it has been in the past year; regular unleaded is now $2.80 a gallon here in my town, right at about the price it was in September 2007. This is a big change from the record-high prices in mid-July, when regular unleaded cost well over … Read more
Cold winter weather brings up every one’s energy bill, and effective weatherization can ensure efficient heating and lower energy bills. But those who are on a tight budget and hit the hardest by winter’s higher energy costs often can’t afford to put the extra money into making their home more energy-efficient. If you or a … Read more
Advance-Fee Loan Scams The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, warns us of “Advance-Fee Loan Scams.” Looking for a loan can be frustrating for someone who doesn’t have a good credit history. After being turned down by several conventional lenders and creditors, it may be tempting to try your luck with a lender … Read more
Money management should be a simple task. It’s all mathematics; such a clear-cut approach should guarantee success. But, no, it’s not that simple. Throw some human emotion into the formula, and you often have, well, confusion. Money represents so much more than the dollar bills in your wallet or the numbers on your bank statement. … Read more
