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5 Smart Ways to Save on School Supplies

5 Smart Ways to Save on School Supplies

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Sending the kids back to school is something most parents look forward to. But shelling out money for school supplies? Not so much. At the time of this writing, educators across the country are still struggling with what the 2020-2021 school…
Affordable Vacation Getaways

Affordable Vacation Getaways

When it comes to affordable summer vacation fun, there are plenty of family-friendly options available. Camping trip? City safari? Whether you’re planning ahead or sneaking off last-minute, a good time is within reach this summer. Here…
Planning Ahead: Booking Flights and Holiday Prep

Planning Ahead: Booking Flights and Holiday Prep

The holidays may feel far away, but preparing for them shouldn’t be. Whether you are planning a trip home to see family this Thanksgiving or simply need a getaway for a few days when the leaves start to turn and snow starts to fall, keep…
Don’t Break the Bank: Budget-friendly Ways to Have Fun during the Summer

Don’t Break the Bank: Budget-friendly Ways to Have Fun during the Summer

There’s nothing better than sweet summertime—jam-packed calendars full of activities are usually the norm from June to September. Time spent outside at theme parks, baseball games and concerts can get pricey pretty quickly. However,…
4 Ways to Owe Less on Taxes (or Even Get a Refund) Next Year

4 Ways to Owe Less on Taxes (or Even Get a Refund) Next Year

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April 15 isn’t a favorite day on the calendar for people who owe taxes. If you’re in that group, there may be ways to lower your tax bill for next year. Whether it’s increasing your refund or simply paying less in taxes, these four…
6 Ways to Put Your Tax Refund to Work

6 Ways to Put Your Tax Refund to Work

If you are expecting a tax refund this year, you may be tempted to splurge. The IRS issued nearly $324 billion in tax refunds last year, with the average refund totaling $2,895. When a refund comes your way, it can be tempting to spend that…
5 Ways to Save Money by Getting Organized

5 Ways to Save Money by Getting Organized

If getting organized seems like an impossible dream, it may just be a matter of changing your expectations. Magazines and blog posts are full of photos of carefully rolled socks in drawers and perfectly stored pantry goods in pretty little…
picture of a doctor

Why You Should Get Regular Checkups

You’ve heard the saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Eating right, making healthy choices, and not smoking are all great ways to prevent disease, but regular medical visits are also part of a healthy lifestyle. Facts…
man working on dishwasher

4 Unexpected Expenses and How to Avoid Them

Wouldn’t it be great to always feel prepared for every expense? The truth of the matter is, no matter how well you plan, no matter how effective your budget is, life is full of unexpected expenses. Here is the scoop on some of the most common…
Save Big by Going Small: Downsizing Tips

Save Big by Going Small: Downsizing Tips

Downsizing isn’t just for seniors anymore. For many people, the idea of having less stuff (and having less to take care of) is appealing. But if the idea of giving away your favorite things seems scary, there are still ways to simplify without…
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Staycation: How to Make the Most of Your Time Off

Will you spend your vacation at home this summer? Travel expenses can add up fast, so it’s no wonder that many people opt for staycations or short trips. But sticking close to home can have benefits that go well beyond saving money. Down Time…
5 Easy Ways To Save On Travel

5 Easy Ways To Save On Travel

Maybe you need to visit a sick family member three states away. Or maybe you’re just overdue for a vacation. Either way, expenses can add up fast when you travel. We’ve rounded up some tips to help you save on travel expenses – whether…
Thrifty School Lunch Ideas For The Rest Of The Year

Thrifty School Lunch Ideas For The Rest Of The Year

As you head into the second half of the school year, is it time to change up your kids’ school lunch routine? Whether they pack or buy lunch at the school cafeteria, the game plan you started them with back in the fall may be getting a little…

New Year’s Resolutions That Won’t Empty Your Wallet

Keeping New Year’s resolutions can be hard. Self-improvement expert James Clear says between 81 and 92% fail. And you can jinx your success if your resolutions cost more than you can afford. The takeaway? It makes sense to think through your…

New Year’s Eve: How to Party Big on a Small Budget

If you’re planning to ring in 2018 at home, you’re not alone. More Americans are choosing to save money (and avoid the crazy crowds) by celebrating New Year’s Eve at home. The good news is, saving money doesn’t have to mean just sitting…

4 (Cheap) Ways to Rock Your Holiday Party

The holidays are made for celebrating with family and friends. But if you’re already having to limit spending on Christmas presents, you may be concerned about the added expense of hosting a holiday party. With creative and frugal thinking,…
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9 Ways to Save and Make Money This Winter

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Every season of the year brings opportunities to cut expenses, make money and grow savings. Even winter. Check out these money-making and money-saving ideas to make the most of winter. Reduce Heating Costs. Check out this Dollars & Sense…

7 ways to cash in on savings, reduce expenses and earn more this fall

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Goodbye, summer. Hello, savings! You may not like seeing summer come to an end. But you can make the best of it. Learn how to take advantage of the change of seasons to save money on things you need, reduce expenses and add to your income. 1.…

10 Ways to Lower Your Heating Bill

Winter is on its way – but it doesn’t have to come with a heavy heating bill. Follow these tips and tricks and you’ll be sure to save a few bucks while staying warm and cozy this winter season. 1. Get a home energy audit. Energy.gov says…

7 Money-Saving Tips Will Put You at the Head of the School Lunch Line

On average, schools are in session about 180 days a year. That adds up to a lot of school lunches. Not to mention money to pay for them – and a good deal of your time, if you pack your kids’ lunch. The following school lunch packing tips…

4 Simple Ways to Spend Less on Gas This Summer

These simple tips can save you money and keep your car in tip-top shape for warm-weather driving. People just get around more in the summer. Whether you’re planning a long-distance vacation, a season full of fun day trips or just regular…

Summer is Here. Who’s Minding the Kids?

Last year, The New York Times reported on the headache moms and dads often face when it comes to summertime child care arrangements. Summer camps and full-time day care don’t come cheap. On the other hand, some kids aren’t ready to be home…

10 Ideas to Spend Less for Easter

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Easter is on its way, which can mean expensive candy, outfits, decorations and dinner. Here are ten ideas on how to spend less for Easter: 1. Free Easter egg hunts  Go to a free community Easter egg hunt rather than spending money to host…

8 Ideas to Make and Save Money This Spring

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Spring is the season for starting fresh. As you are spring cleaning and thinking about expenses for the season, why not also make it a time to save or make a little money? Here are eight tips to get started. Make your own spring cleaning products Buying…
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How to Pay it Forward on a Tight Budget

Generosity is good for the spirit – but schedules and finances tend to be more strained than ever during the holidays. That can make it tough to give as much as you’d like to those less fortunate. If you find yourself wishing you could…

Infographic: Do-It-Yourself Car Care Tips to Keep Costs Down

Cars can be a necessity, particularly if you don’t live near convenient public transportation. Getting the oil changed regularly as well as taking care of other scheduled maintenance items will go a long way toward maximizing your car’s…

Apps can help you put small change to work

Save and invest for the future? That sounds like a good idea, but it can be hard when you don’t have a lot of money left over at the end of the month. That’s where Acorns and Qapital come in. These mobile apps give users a way to start building…

Have Fun This Weekend Without Spending a Bundle

You can stay in this weekend, stream a movie, watch some TV, and not spend much money. But what if you want to get out without dropping a bucketful of cash? What then? We’ve got some clever strategies for you that will make this weekend both…

Affordable Spring Break Child Care Options for Working Parents

Does the mention of spring break send you into a child care meltdown? Between overtaxed budgets and overloaded work schedules, it’s not always possible to whisk the whole family away for a week of fun in the sun. Some working parents are faced…

Family Fun on a Budget: 3 Spring Break Ideas

Spring break is looming. Warm-weather beaches and theme parks will be packed - and expensive. If you want a low-stress family fling without spending a bundle, there are alternatives. We’ve rounded up three family-friendly ideas. Splash it…

4 Ways You’re Wasting Money and How to Stop

No one wants to squander their money. But the reality is our spending habits are leading many of us to do exactly that. Here are four all-too-common ways you could be throwing your money away – and some simple steps you can take to fix the…

3 Creative (and Cheap) Ways to Spend Valentine’s Day

More and more people – singles and couples alike – are admitting they’re just not into Valentine’s Day. If you’re tired of spending your money on all of the corny love talk, flowers, and candy that dominate this time of year, take…