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Another year is almost gone and a new one is on the way. It's hard to believe, but I'm happy to see what 2012 will bring. One thing that I do know is on the horizon is my wedding, which I'm very much looking forward to. 2011 has been all about saving money for my 2012 wedding and paying off debt, so...

Christmas time is near, and shopping sprees are here. Though Christmas is usually viewed as a happy and celebratory time of year, it can cause a lot of stress because of how expensive gift-giving can be. This year, my goal is to ease the stress of gift buying pressure by shopping smart, taking advantage...

Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks, celebrate history, and of course-eat. Thanksgiving dinner is very popular in my family, and it is definitely my favorite holiday meal. I love the turkey, the mashed potatoes, the green-bean casserole, the stuffing, etc. My mom always buys the food for dinner and...

Every year at Thanksgiving dinner, everyone in my family takes turns reciting what we are most thankful for. I typically say the usual testaments to family and friends; and though I am absolutely thankful for the important people in my life, this year I have decided to first declare thankfulness for...

Double, double, boil and trouble -- Halloween is near and you need a costume! Every October the Halloween "holiday" takes over and the month is filled with Halloween parties, trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, and of course, costume shopping. Having the perfect Halloween costume is an essential to every...

Summer can be an expensive season, but there are ways to save money on these common summer expenses: Electric bill Weekend activities Vacation Gas Though it has been a little tough, I have saved a good bit of money, so far, this summer, just by making certain choices. Now that I know what works I decided...

We all have bad habits - paying bills late, shopping sprees, cursing, hitting the snooze button, etc. As we all know, bad habits are hard to break - mainly because there are no consequences for our actions. Most of us "adults" no longer have someone telling us what is right and wrong, therefore we have...

Summer is almost over, which means that Labor Day is right around the corner. Labor Day is not only a day off of work or school – it’s a day to celebrate our hard work and economic achievements. Most people celebrate by having a family picnic, but rarely does anyone really reward themselves...

Summer - a time for fun in the sun and vacations. It's also the season for high energy bills due to: Air conditioning units Central air conditioning Fans Though these are the most popular ways to stay cool, there are some other ways you can stay cool for less this summer. To cut down on electricity costs...

It's no secret that gas prices have been on the rise, recently reaching almost $4 a gallon. Though there is not much we can do to change the rising prices, there are some pretty straight forward ways to save when your trying to get around town. Here are 5 surprisingly simple tips: 1. Carpool I'm sure...

Basking in the rays of the sun is one of my favorite summertime activities; however, while this pastime is relaxing, not using the right protection can be hazardous to my skin and health. This season I've taken the initiative to keep my skin safe, and contrary to popular belief, it's not too expensive...

Summer is a popular season for weddings, which means: Dresses are being bought Halls are being rented Caterers are being booked My summer wedding isn't until next year, but I am currently caught up in the whirlwind of wedding planning. Of course I have a wedding budget, and below are some ways that I...

Summer - a great time of year to play outside, get a tan, and make some extra cash . If you want to be in the business of making money this season: Get creative Be willing Be diligent Part-Time Like a Rockstar If you have a full-time job and still want to make a little extra money this summer, then consider...

Spring is here and summer is near, which means vacation season is right around the corner. Sometimes it's assumed that you have to travel for a vacation, but in my opinion, if you don't have the cash or time, and then consider taking a staycation this season. A staycation is exactly what my fiancé...

The game of financial catch-up -- something too many people know too well. When finances are tight, it's sometimes hard to make bill payments on-time and then we find ourselves playing this infamous game. When I was in college and barely making any money at my part-time job, I was constantly falling...

Shopping! That is one word that I love to hear and put into action. Being that times are tough financially, I need to remind myself to stay frugal and smart when I'm shopping. The best way for me to get the most bang for my buck is to use coupons and shop sales. But, not all sales are created equal....

To be physically fit, you need to eat right, exercise, and alleviate stress. To stay fit you need to be committed, determined, and willing to make sacrifices to your lifestyle. These are great tips to assist in having a healthier self, but what about a healthier financial life ? Recently, I started becoming...

Saving is tough! That's all there is to say about it. If you don't buckle down and take your saving seriously, you're most likely not going to have any luck. I'm a big saver, though I never used to be. About a year ago, I would never have taken saving seriously, but now that I'm planning a wedding, have...

The infamous New Year's resolution - everyone makes one and almost no one follows through with it. I'm guilty of never sticking out my resolutions, but this year I'm standing strong. This year, my resolution was to pay all of my bills on time and to stay out of debt. So far, I've been doing great on...

The holidays have passed and, as usual, we're left to clean up the financial aftermath. Every year, I say I'm going to stick to my holiday shopping budget, but my shopping diva kicks in and I "overspend" on those perfect gifts. Therefore, my finances are a wreck, my budget is out-of...