When it comes to spring cleaning, you probably haul the junk out of your garage, scrub your fridge, and wash the rugs and …
budgeting
Why Kids Will Feel the Pinch on Back-to-School Duds
If any good came of the recession it was that individuals refocused their values and that families started discussing debt and what they could and could not truly afford. Psychologists predict it’s just a matter of time before …
10 Things You Should Be Buying Used
What if everything didn’t have to be new? Thanks to sites like Craigslist.org and Freecycle.org, along with old-school standbys like thrift shops and tag sales, there are more ways than ever to score new-to-you stuff. Buying …
For This Year’s Budget, Don’t Rely on Last Year’s Numbers
When developing a budget for the coming year, the previous year’s numbers loom large. Don’t let them anchor you, though.
10 Ways to Improve Your Financial Health (Even If You Only Do One)
The Tooth Fairy Was Kind of Cheap Last Year
The average amount given to sweet, adorable children by the Tooth Fairy last year was a mere $2.10. That’s down 17% from the year before, representing one of the largest declines in spending for the tightwad sprite since 1998. …
Going to the 2012 London Olympics? Better Be Preparing
Britain may end up being the most popular vacation destination this summer, and there’s no bigger event happening in the U.K. this year than the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. While it’s still months away, if you’re not actively …
4 Tricks to Ditch That Holiday Debt
Are you stashing the credit card bills under the junk mail because you’re afraid to see how much you spent over the holidays? Surveys from USA Today and Consumer Reports reveal that we were on track to charge roughly 7% more on …
5 Tricks To Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick
A new year, a new batch of resolutions! Alas, these promises to ourselves rarely produce long-lasting results. (Depending on the source, nearly nine in 10 resolutions don’t take.) Worse, failed resolutions could be harmful if …
How to Save For Your Dream Vacation
I just returned from a six-week vacation to Bolivia and Peru. Since the beginning of October, I’ve been climbing mountains, exploring ancient ruins, and sipping pisco sours. Many folks dream of taking trips like this, but few …
Smart Cookies: Girl Scouts Learn Financial Literacy
Think the Girl Scouts are all about making s’mores and campground sit-upons? Think again. A new overhaul of the organization’s merit badge program includes learning some decidedly 21st-century survival skills: budgeting, …
Why You’re Probably Financially Better Off Than You Feel
There’s no question that for many (if not most) Americans, today’s economy is challenging for numerous reasons we need not list. For a lot of people, though, their sense of economic vulnerability is greater than their actual …