It’s the most wonderful time of the year for some — the season in which your state and federal government pays its debt to you in the form of a big, fat tax refund. If you’re expecting Uncle Sam to be generous this year, it’s tempting to spend the money on luxury items or vacations as soon as it … [Read more...] about 10 smart ways to spend your tax refund
Where to find free help with your taxes
Even if you’re expecting a tax refund, this time of year can be, well, taxing on your wallet when it comes to paying for tax preparation services. The good news is that, if you qualify, you can get free help filing your return and not spend a dime. Here are some programs to … [Read more...] about Where to find free help with your taxes
College financial aid packages: What parents need to know
Depending on when your teen filed his or her college applications and FAFSA, college acceptance letters may start hitting your mailbox soon (if they haven't already). And usually right along with those come the follow-up letters that will likely have the biggest impact on the ultimate college … [Read more...] about College financial aid packages: What parents need to know
8 holiday spending mistakes to avoid if you don’t want to bust your budget
We have great intentions when we create our holiday shopping plan of attack. Maybe you're the type who hits the stores armed with flyers, coupons, apps and lists. Or maybe you’re the type to hit the online stores without a plan and marathon shop till you drop. Either way, you could be blowing your … [Read more...] about 8 holiday spending mistakes to avoid if you don’t want to bust your budget
10 best shopping apps for Black Friday deals 2023
Are you getting excited about all of the Black Friday deals that are headed your way? More likely, you’re feeling overwhelmed by the constant sneak peeks, early bird deals and Black Friday email blasts flooding your inbox and mailbox this year.Don’t worry about missing out. Phone shopping … [Read more...] about 10 best shopping apps for Black Friday deals 2023
How to save money on Thanksgiving dinner
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, it’s likely that you’ll be hitting the grocery stores in the next few days. Although the cost of a Thanksgiving meal is usually a lot higher than your average family meal, that is mainly due to the quantity of food you'll be cooking (especially if you have … [Read more...] about How to save money on Thanksgiving dinner
4 money talks to have with your family
Finances are a family affair, and there’s no better time than the present to take stock of your spending and saving. Call a family meeting and start working together to spend wisely, save more and work toward financial goals together.Here are some conversation starters. What are we paying … [Read more...] about 4 money talks to have with your family
Why you should be glad to see Christmas trees in stores already
It’s October, so naturally the department stores are telling me I should be shopping for Christmas tree ornaments, winter coats, and stocking stuffers. Don’t tell them that I haven’t even bought my kids’ Halloween costumes yet, and I just picked up my first bag of candy corn (even though I first … [Read more...] about Why you should be glad to see Christmas trees in stores already
Top 10 sites for college financial aid
If you have college-bound children, you probably spend a lot of your day worrying about how you could possibly afford to help them pay for their degree. We won't lie — it is a huge investment, considering student loan debt reached $1.75 trillion in this country last year. The good news is there any … [Read more...] about Top 10 sites for college financial aid
8 ways to stretch your fall clothing budget
If you've been out shopping lately, you'll notice that in the world of retail, it's fall already. Whether you're already excited about shopping for cute and cozy fall outfits or dreading it, here are some tips for maximizing your budget and getting the most fabulous fashion bang for your frugal … [Read more...] about 8 ways to stretch your fall clothing budget
4 phone calls that can lower your bills
Putting money back into your pocket every month by lowering your bills would be great, right? By making a few key phone calls and being a smart consumer, you can do just that. All you need to get the job done is some dedicated time to get the right person on the phone. Easier said than done, right? … [Read more...] about 4 phone calls that can lower your bills
Back to school: Is it time for your student to have a phone?
With a son going into fifth grade, I’m one of the few holdouts among the class parents who hasn’t given into peer pressure and gotten my child a smartphone. I have my reasons, most notably among them, he hasn’t asked for one ... yet.Truth be told, I also don’t think he’s ready for the … [Read more...] about Back to school: Is it time for your student to have a phone?
How to save money on kids’ sports and activities
If you’re a parent, you know just how expensive it can be to raise kids, especially once they reach the "age of activities" – sports, dance, cheer, karate, band. You name the activity, and there’s nothing cheap about it. The key is to pick and choose the ones that offer the right mix of enjoyment … [Read more...] about How to save money on kids’ sports and activities
Money management strategies for new grads
Looking to impart some financial wisdom on the soon-to-be college grads in your life? We turned to Scott Gamm, author of More Money, Please: The Financial Secrets You Never Learned in School, to help you do just that.As someone who wrote a book on finances when he was in his twenties, … [Read more...] about Money management strategies for new grads
See tourist attractions for less with CityPASS
When my kids were small, my family and I took a weekend road trip to see Philadelphia. In doing my research to find kid-friendly attractions, I came across CityPASS, a discount program that hand picks tourist spots and offers tickets at deep discounts in 16 cities. It was convenient, saved us money, … [Read more...] about See tourist attractions for less with CityPASS