Archive for December, 2008
Temperatures May be Cold in NYC, but this City is Hot for Travelers
Even with a dismal economic outlook, one city is still breaking records for travelers…New York City (NYC). Last year, NYC surpassed top destinations such as Orlando and Las Vegas to rank number one in tourism spending in the United States for the first time and it is predicted that these just released record tourism numbers [...]
Make Your Home Smell Good For Less
As a candle lover, I have been disappointed at the growing price of candles lately. They have increased so much in price that we can no longer afford to buy the good ones that fragrant the entire house. We have tried other alternatives (ie: cheaper candles) but they aren’t the same. While there are many [...]
Pet Owner’s Necessity: Create a Pet ID Kit
As any parent can tell you, having a child identification kit assembled is a necessity in the event the unthinkable happens and a child goes missing. There are many resources available to parents, including the local police department, where actual kits are available to gather the important information you need to aid search efforts. However, [...]
Frugal Travel Destinations: Free Attractions Exist to Help Vacation Budgets
During a time of continued economic turmoil and with personal budgets being reduced a few luxury items such as vacations might be reduced or even eliminated. There are attractions and things people can do on their travels for free to help supplement the vacation experience. Across the country there are free attractions available to not [...]
Carnival of Personal Finance #185 at The Fraud Files
The Fraud Files hosted the last Carnival of Personal finance for 2008, and has included a wide variety of personal finance blogs for your end-of-the-year financial fix! Here are a few notable posts you’ll want to look at: Deposit Accounts details some of the pros and cons to putting your money in a Certificate of [...]
Family Skiing Made More Cost-Efficient
Skiing is a wonderful adventure vacation the whole family can enjoy but it can be downright expensive, especially if you do not live within driving distance to a ski resort. If you are planning to take a ski trip with your family, there are some things you can do to cut down on the costs [...]
Create A Traveling Medical Kit and Save Money
As the holidays are beginning to wind down, many people are looking forward to getting back to normal or even getting away from all the stress. Many are still traveling or planning to join other family members to celebrate the New Year. This year, it may be a little tougher to stretch out a holiday [...]
Too Many Toys for Christmas? Rotate and Donate
Was Santa a little too good for your kids this year? If you can’t seem to navigate your living room due to all the new toys, and can’t find your children’s bed under all the older toys – it’s time to do something about it. Donate the Old Toys Have your children help you go [...]
How to Beat the Common Cold
Colds and viruses tend to hit people during the winter months. Experts say it has nothing to do with the weather itself, but that people’s immune systems are generally lower during the winter and it makes us more prone to illness. Here are 7 tips for sending the common cold packing quickly! 1. An oldie… [...]
Make Your Own Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
If you’re not allergic to peanuts, chances are you enjoy the famous peanut butter cups Reese’s makes. How can you go wrong, chocolate covered peanut butter and sugar? This version is easy to make (although a bit time consuming), great for holiday parties or just anytime you want a treat! Ingredients Needed: 1 1/2 cups [...]
Santa’s Big Travel Night: Around the World Virtual Trip
When traveling internationally or even domestically, taking different time zones into consideration is important for travel planning. Well, there is no one who understands the importance of on time departure and arrivals than none other than Santa himself. Depending on where you might live, Santa’s Christmas Eve journey to visit children around the world is [...]
Last Minute Guests? Here are 8 Tips For Quick Clean Up and Perfect Entertaining
Every once in awhile, and particularly around the holidays, you might get a phone call from your mother or aunt that they’re just going to “stop by” for a few minutes or to drop off some cookies. Sometimes you check the answering machine on your way in the door and discover a message from your [...]
Be Poor (Not Dumb) And Still Get Out of Debt
Sadly, as more and more people are confronted with debt and poor on some level with the current economy, there will always be a large number of people who will continue to make the same mistakes time and time again. This repetition will likely leave a lot of those people in debt for a long [...]
Twas a Few Nights Before Traveling…
Travelers everywhere are checking their list and checking it twice to ensure not a gift or accessory is missed in the hustle and bustle of holiday travel. When preparing to spend the holidays away or even just departing to grandma’s house on Christmas Day, there are some perfect holiday gifts not to be missed. These [...]
Carnival of Personal Finance #184 From the Land Down Under
Saving to Invest offers up the latest Carnival of Personal Finance with an Aussie flare! Over 80 submissions were included in the carnival – definitely worth checking out. Here are a few if you’re short on time: Credit Card Assist presents How Credit Involves Itself In Your Life. The lifeblood of the American business and [...]
Where to Find Your Favorite TV Shows Online
Want to get rid of your cable or satellite tv bill? Hey, why not? You can still catch many of your favorite shows online – for free, or for a small pay-per-episode price. Here’s where to look: Television Networks Broadcasting Shows Online For Free: If you tend to stick to the “main” stations on your [...]
Is It Worth It to Get Divorced?
The financial concerns of many marriages are often the building blocks to a divorce. More couples argue over money matters than almost any other issue. It can get out of control and often both parties are left jaded and bitter, with no hope of full reconciliation. But as desperate as people become to get out [...]
Tips for Tipping Over the Holidays
If you are following your budget and eating or going out less than usual, it may be time for a brush up lesson on tipping during the holiday season. As we schlep around the malls and visit restaurants and family, there may be more occasions that call for a need to tip others who help [...]
Tips to Navigate Busy Holiday Travel
Brave or crazy? Not sure which one you might classify my decision to travel just days before Christmas, but it is an exercise to say the least to put some trusted travel advice to the test. A client invitation to attend their year-end meeting and holiday party arrived and falling to the temptation to take [...]
Asking a Friend or Family Member for Money to Fund Your Business
Money is one of those topics that can be hard to talk about – especially when you’re hoping to borrow money from a friend or family member! It’s extremely uncomfortable and most people aren’t quite sure how to approach the topic. Virgin Money allows you to personalize your own “Loan Proposal” in order to initiate [...]
Use It Or Lose It – What to Do With Your FSA
Many employees take advantage of the flexible spending accounts offered by their place of employee in order to save money in the event of a medical emergency, for check ups, medical co-pays, and other medical situations that maybe health insurance just does not cover. FSA’s are part of a company’s benefits package where employees have [...]
Should You Consider Social Lending?
Social lending is also called “peer to peer lending”. While it’s only recently gained exposure online with the creation of social lending websites like Prosper.com and LendingClub.com; social lending existed long before banks! Family and friends have lended money to one another for centuries – and now with the technology of the internet, you can [...]
Travel Gift Ideas: Electronic Products Travel Well for Adults and Kids
Preparing for a trip goes beyond the actual travel planning, choosing the destination, booking the airline tickets or choosing the road route, or arranging for accommodations. Integral ingredients in the actual success of a vacation are the travel accessories that accompany the travelers on the journey. Beyond the traditional portable DVD, digital camera, camcorder, iPhone, [...]
Carnival of Consumer Credit #4
As we dive headfirst into the holiday season, what comes with milk and cookies, twinkle lights and goodwill toward men? How about credit cards and more bills than you can pay?! The Carnival of Consumer Credit is a fairly new carnival on the “carnival circuit” organized by ArriveFinancial.com, and this week we are the lucky [...]
The Frugal Duchess offers The Carnival of Personal Finance #183
It’s Monday and that means it’s Carnival of Personal Finance Day! The Frugal Duchess published the latest edition, and it was overflowing with holiday, career, economy, frugality and investing tips. A few of our favorites included: Empowering Mom presents Overwhelming Workload – YES You Can Do it! Money Smart Life presents TurboTax Review – 2008 [...]
Consumer Travel Trends in a Recession: Vacation Rental Market Offers Value
The government has officially declared the current economic environment a recession and coupled with the volatility of the DOW on a daily basis, the travel industry is facing grim forecasts for 2009. Yet, according to a report released by travel industry supplier Bookt, one niche travel market that is more than $24 billion is poised [...]
Laid Off? What Now?
Just last month, the nation suffered one of the biggest job loss statistics on record since 1974. As families are already struggling to deal with living paycheck to paycheck, losing an income can certainly be devastating. As the holidays approach, desperation is in the air and many have much more on their plates to worry [...]
I agree. If a local business is the one offering the sale price I will buy it from them. ...
We are retired and live on a grocery budget of $200 a month for 2 people in the Midwest. That ...