• Family Finances - Budgeting - Saving - Investing - Retirement - Kids

Five Simple Ways to Cut Back on Costs This Holiday Season

Article Couresty of ARA Content
(ARA) - With the brisk air settling and the end of the year quickly approaching, many people are eagerly turning their focus towards holiday preparation and excitement for the wonderful things to come. From gatherings with friends and family to building a snowman in the first snowfall, traditional activities will begin [...]

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Celebrate the Holidays with a Balanced Budget

Article courtesy of ARA content
(ARA) - Long before the sweltering summer humidity dissipated, before the leaves changed into vibrant reds, oranges and yellows and before football games and halftime shows were the weekend entertainment, Americans were planning ahead for upcoming holiday expenses.
In the Western Union Money Mindset Survey taken in August, 43 percent of consumers [...]

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Five Fun Christmas Traditions to Start with Your Kids

The holiday seasons is a time of year filled with special family times. Some of my most special memories growing up include our family’s Christmas traditions. Our family always seemed to find a way to make the holidays special without spending a lot of money. We loved playing Christmas music as we [...]

Filed under: Kids, Personal Finance | 5 Comments

Teach Children Good Gift Card Spending Habits

Article courtesy of ARA content.
(ARA) - Wrapping paper, bows and ribbons are littering your family room, the adults are holding their tummies and settling down to digest the big meal and children are everywhere, ready to play with their holiday presents.
But this year they received several gift cards, which also means it’s time to schedule [...]

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5 Ways to Save Money on Christmas Cards

Okay, so you’ve shopped all over town to score great buys on your holiday shopping list. You’ve been planning your dinner for months and buying its ingredients as they go on sale. You’ve definitely gotten this whole frugal Christmas thing down.
Then, one thought cuts you to the quick: Christmas cards! [...]

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Smart Decisions During Open Enrollment Can Save You Thousands

Article courtesy of ARA content.
(ARA) - In these tough economic times, millions of Americans are seeking new ways to reduce household spending. However, many are not taking simple steps to save money during open enrollment, which for many is the only time each year when changes can be made to their health benefits.
Changes made during [...]

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Crunching the Numbers – Do You Know Your Financial Position?

Deciding whether or not you’re in a financially-sound position can be hard sometimes. The whole process can seem pretty relative, can’t it? While you may seem to be doing pretty well compared to your neighbors who are losing their home, your situation certainly pales in comparison to your cousins who just went on [...]

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Protecting Yourself against Identity Theft When Shopping Online

With the upcoming flurry of holiday shopping coming up, shopping online becomes even more popular. Like many people, I love shopping online for its convenience. However, just as you would never leave your credit card at the counter of your favorite store, there are some steps you should take to protect your identity while [...]

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Rechargeable Batteries - Do They Really Save Money?

Using rechargeable batteries is a no-brainer at first glance. You know how many batteries you need to power all of the toys and accessories that families use these days. Doesn’t it make sense to buy batteries that you can use over and over again, rather than batteries that need to be replaced regularly? [...]

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Warehouse Club - Is it Worth the Annual Cost?

I’ve heard many people argue back and forth about the value of joining a warehouse club. Some people feel that they really save a lot of money by purchasing their household supplies and food in bulk amounts. If you ask them, they’ll tell you that their savings more than makes up for the [...]

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