If you’ve got a bunch of singles in your wallet, you probably don’t think much of burning a few of them on a trinket or snack that catches your eye. If you’ve got larger bills, such as $20s or $50s, you’re probably less likely to go through the hassle of breaking them just to indulge your whims. [More]
How To Decide Whether To Sock Funds Away Or Pay Off Debt
By January 27, 2012
When you get a hold of a large chunk of cash — say, from a bonus, tax refund or item sale — those with the self-control not to blow the funds have to decide whether to save it or pay off debt. While there are other options available, such as investing or donating the money, saving vs. debt reduction is one of the tougher quandaries to decipher. [More]
Before You Get A Prepaid Debit Card, Consider These Alternatives
By January 25, 2012
3 Crazy Financial Stunts To Attempt
By January 24, 2012
Saving money and slashing spending aren’t typically the most entertaining or intrinsically rewarding activities, but those who make a game of the act can entertain themselves and others with bold attempts at lofty financial goals. [More]
3 Ways To Keep That Old, Embarrassing Car Chugging Along
By January 23, 2012
If you want to save as much money as possible on your vehicle expenditures, don’t buy that next car until you absolutely have to. From the frugal perspective, you’re always better off investing in your current car’s well-being rather than dumping payments into its replacement. [More]
Recipes For Chipping Away At Various Types Of Debt
By January 23, 2012
Everyone with debt would like to eliminate it, but it’s not always clear where or how to get started. There are many types of debt, and each is suited to a different payoff strategy. [More]
3 Ways To Keep The Heating Bill Down
By January 16, 2012
When the temperature drops, the heating bills surge. But there are more ways to stay warm than figuratively setting your money on fire. [More]
What A Repo Men Reality Show Teaches You About Finances
By January 16, 2012
Reality TV isn’t particularly known for its educational properties, but you can find some useful lessons if you look hard enough. For instance, a show about tow truck operators who repossess vehicles can teach a personal finance blogger how to handle her money. [More]
Slow Down Spending By Playing "Choose Your Own Adventure"
By January 12, 2012
If you make too many purchases without second-guessing them, you’ll burden yourself with more things than you can manage and less money than you’ll need to feel comfortable. One way to curtail impulse spending is to pause and make sure you’ve got a reason for doing what you’re about to do. [More]
An Argument For Cloth Diapers
By January 12, 2012
Every time your baby heeds nature’s call, he’s costing you a quarter. Disposable diapers, which can cost 25 cents or so apiece, are among the first of the infinite ways in which kids siphon money from parents’ wallets, but they’re not a necessity. [More]
Six Tips For Saving Money On Airfare
By January 11, 2012
With fees, fine print and blackout dates, locking in a low price on your plane ticket can seem impossible. Consumer Reports has some tips that can help cut the cost of flying, plus help organize your search for the best deal. [More]
It's Not Too Late To Contribute To Last Year's Health Spending Account
By January 10, 2012
A few weeks from now, you should have all the forms and information you’ll need to file your taxes. Most of the numbers you’ll crunch have already been decided by your actions last year, but there are still some maneuvers you can make to tweak the numbers more in your favor. [More]
A College Financial Aid Primer
By January 9, 2012
Students need to call upon several sources to cover the massive expenses college drops on them. Unless they’re independently wealthy or have a large college fund set up for them, they’ll scramble to come up with the funds to pay for tuition, fees, books and living expenses. [More]
Suze Orman Launches Her Own Pre-Paid Debit Card
By January 9, 2012
Really wish I’d know about this when I chatted with personal finance personality Suze Orman back in December. The TV host/author/owner of the whitest smile on Earth is set to announce her own pre-paid debit card, which she promises won’t be a pile of fee-laden crud like the one the Kardashian sisters slapped their name on in 2010. [More]
$2 Billion In Gift Cards Will Go Unused This Year
By January 6, 2012
If you received gifts this last holiday season, there’s a good chance at least one of them was a gift card. But while the cards are an easy way to give someone a gift other than cash or socks, a number of people just aren’t getting around to spending the money on those cards in a timely manner. [More]
3 Things You Can Do To Make Sure You Get Your Tax Refund Quickly
By January 6, 2012
The news that you get two extra days to file your tax return this year means little to those who have big refunds coming and want to get their hands on their money as soon as possible. [More]
If You Want To Spend Less, Here Are 5 Things To Stop Buying
By January 5, 2012
It’s easy to list ways friends blow money, but tougher to turn a similar focus on yourself. If you step back and evaluate your spending with a fresh eye, you’ll probably find several areas in which you can cut spending significantly. [More]
Stop Yourself From Saving Too Much
By January 4, 2012
In our free-spending society, it’s tough for some to fathom the concept of saving so much that it hurts, but it’s possible to place frugality on such a pedestal that necessities are sacrificed. [More]
