If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Want more frequent updates follow me on Twitter. Thanks for visiting!

photo credit: redjar

You’ve probably heard someone from an older generation say “We didn’t need to spend all that money in my day”. The annoying thing is that they’re probably right, and we’ve dug our own financial hole by turning new luxuries into “necessities” in modern life. A Yahoo finance story recently listed a dozen items that have become essential to the lives of many Americans, but definitely fit the bill of things that weren’t needed at all a few decades ago. (more…)

credit: Janet 59

If you’re trying to save money, stop for a second and add up how much you have spent on dining out in the last month. Most people are shocked when they start adding up restaurant and take-away bills, but eating out is an easy habit to get into - it’s quick, easy and delicious. But it’s also expensive, so if you’re on a budget and want to save some extra cash, you really need to get into the habit of cooking your own meals at least most of the time. (more…)

credit: allygirl520

If you’ve got some heavy credit card debts, your key priority has to be to pay down some of your debt so that you can start getting financially on top of things again, and you can start planning for the future. A recent article at About.com had some great suggestions for ways you can find some money to start reducing your credit card bills: (more…)

credit: Andrew Butts

Owning an electric car is not a dream of the future, but rather a goal you achieve right now. Check out the following five electric cars currently on the market: (more…)

credit: Joshua Davis (jdavis.info)

Buying insurance is always about weighing the odds, and now, more than ever, it seems that travel insurance is well worth the gamble. However, as you plan where to go, investing your hard-earned cash, devote a bit of time to the best travel insurance for your needs: (more…)

credit: Biology Big Brother

If you stop working because you lose your job or you make the decision to retire early, it’s important to consider the different avenues for getting medical insurance coverage. For many people, the shock of how much the full payments will be, compared to the lesser amount they had to contribute while they were employed, is enough to make them give up medical coverage, but there are definitely better ways. About.com lists the possibilities in the following order of priority: (more…)

credit: batega

American families have discovered an almost iron-clad method for debt control and financial well-being: cutting up their credit cards.

Begin by closing all of your credit card accounts. If there are one of two that give you great discounts, keep them, but make a promise to yourself that you will always pay the bill of in full. Then, draw up a budget, and take into account paying off debts, saving for future events, and treating yourself to the occasional vacation or expensive treat. Pay for everything in cash - either with money itself, checks, or your debit card. (more…)

credit: JasonJT

Even when you’re trying to save, there are certain things that you just have to buy. Something breaks, you have to fix it; somethings needed, you have to get it. The good news is that in times of financial strain, retailers will pull out all the stops to attract customers, offering you deals to get you into the store. (more…)

credit: iboy_daniel

More and more frequently, Americans are making purchase offers and signing leases for homes close to public transportation, namely, commuter rail service. It’s a move that makes sense - homes further away from cities cost less, but with gas prices sky high, the monthly fuel bill eats up all of those savings. Public transportation, however, makes an expensive commute suddenly affordable. (more…)

credit: Darren Hester

Everyone with investments has been feeling the heat, their stomachs sinking each time the Dow dips another hundred points. But instead of double-guessing your investment decisions and diving into panic mode, Money Magazine recommends that you focus on your long term goals in relation to your investments. (more…)