5 Financial Tips for Expecting Parents

If you’ve just received the news that you’re pregnant, one thing’s for sure, life as you know it is over. But that’s a good thing. The joys of parenthood far outweigh the cons but you’ll need a solid financial plan if you hope to make it through the next nine months. Here are the top 5 things you should do when you’re expecting.

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Don’t Do It Yourself, Hire a Clone

A long-standing, not-so-secret mantra for the most efficient and effective people is “saving time via the delegation of tasks = saved money”. Optimizing the use of your time and focusing on your most high-value strengths not only allows you to reduce the hectic payload on your life but potentially allows you to increase income and stockpile more money.

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15 Ways to Save Money Buying Natural Foods

Let’s face it, you can’t help but notice that organic and natural foods cost a lot more…or do they? It really all depends on where you shop, what you buy, and how savvy you are when it comes to food. Here are 15 ways to help you eat more whole, natural foods for less $$.

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How to Avoid Rising Bank Fees

In the wake of lost revenue amid record foreclosures, banking institutions have found a way to mitigate some of their losses - they are raising basic fees and pulling more money from their customers and account holders than ever before. In other words, the online bill pay service that used to cost $10 is now $12, and the service fee for your account recently went up $1 a month. What can you do to stem this rising tide?

Maybe an extra dollar or two doesn’t sound like much at first, but increasing an ATM charge from $1 to $2.50 brings in a sizable amount of money when you’re talking about millions of transactions a year. And before you realize it, you - the “consumer” - have paid hundreds of dollars over the course of a year just to access and use your own hard-earned cash.

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Fall in Love with Valentine’s Day Bargains

Sure it’s commercial but if you’ve got a significant other, chances are you’re going to have to do something to acknowledge this most romantic (and, often, expensive) of holidays. However, while everyone wants to show their loved one how much they care, 2009 may not be the year to blow a lot of dough on jewelery, flowers and a fancy night out on the town.

That’s not to say that you can’t find plenty of gifts that say “I love you” without requiring you to take out a second mortgage. Here are some online finds for less than $50 that won’t cramp your style.

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Retail Tricks That Make You Overspend

Feelings and finances are as inextricable as the smell of popcorn and the craving for a salty snack. Over the years, we’ve interviewed psychologists, economists, CEOs, and investment analysts about the mood-money connection. Here are a few tricks the brain plays on our basic math skills, and a few examples of how marketers pull our heartstrings to loosen our purse strings. As the old saying goes, buyer beware.

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Boys Gone Shopping Wild

You’ve heard about our hunter and gatherer ancestors, no? Did you know that you can find them at your local Target? Humans have carried some of their ancient, gendered instincts with them when it comes to shopping. Women tend to browse around, “gathering” up the best from various sources and enjoying the experience, while men tend to buy, going straight in for the “kill.” Here are some things men spend money on that women don’t.

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Girls Gone Shopping Wild

Ever wondered why women have such large bags? Apparently, they are carrying all the cash for the household. OK, not literally, but ladies do 80 percent of the buying for any given home. It’s no surprise that marketers are leading the “Eve-olution” to woo their bucks, sometimes by tugging at their heart strings. Here are some simple things women spend money on that men don’t.

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10 Budget Roadside Attractions

This may not be the year to charter a jet to Dubai, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great vacation. Pack up the car and head cross-country, taking in lots of Americana along the way. Follow the Oregon Trail where previous explorers have found cheap, comfy lodgings and restaurants to make your trip more pleasant.

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The Black Friday Survival Guide

With the economy struggling, many retail stores are painfully aware that it is going to take big price cuts on Friday to fill up the parking lots and get cash registers ringing. If you are going to brave the crowds, you need to be prepared and educated about where to go and when. Perhaps you love the thrill of the chase and your crowning achievement was wrestling a Tickle-Me-Elmo doll away from a elderly woman a few years ago, but you were called into the office this Friday. While you might feel a bit left out for not being at the front of the line when the doors open, we can still help you save some money (and sanity).

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