Search Results for: blog who is keeping score

Save on a Trip to Paradise

From mid-September through mid-November you can score some of the cheapest airfare to Hawaii. What’s more, once you arrive in paradise, you can scoop up spectacular fall rates on hotels and rental cars as well. The Aloha State has something for everyone, from breathtaking beaches and active volcanoes to stunning waterfalls and dozens of award-winning golf courses. Hawaii is also home to some of the world’s best outdoor adventures, including year-round paragliding, windsurfing and snorkeling. Unlike most of the continental United States, Hawaii does not experience major temperature fluctuations in the fall. That means you can enjoy incredible weather and … Continue reading →

Playing the Airfare Game

Timing is everything when you are trying to land an amazing deal on airfare. This is especially true if you are booking online. Whereas there are dozens of travel websites out there, convenience and accessibility doesn’t make snagging a rock bottom deal less complicated. For example, many travelers scoop up airline seats thinking they’ve scored a super deal, only to discover that two days later prices plummeted by 30 percent or more. So how do you win at the high-stakes game of airfare poker? According to travel experts, there are two main strategies that come into play when searching for … Continue reading →

Are You Hiding From Your Finances?

One sure way to get into or stay caught up in a financial mess is called the “ostrich approach”. Ostriches are pretty cool birds, but they are known for sticking their heads in the sand when confronted with danger. In case you are curious, ostriches do not really stick their heads in the sand – that is myth which has been perpetuated through time. They do lie down and play dead when confronted with something that they feel they can not outrun. The “ostrich approach” is still an appropriate analogy for what not to do about messy financial situations. Some … Continue reading →

Things to Buy in February

I have talked before about how timing purchases strategically can really help you to score some fabulous deals. Now that it is February, you may feel like letting your wallet see the light of day again because you have had about a month to come to terms with those Christmas bills that nearly knocked you over when you opened the envelope. There are a few things that you may want to buy this month, if they are on your radar of things that you were thinking of purchasing some time soon. You may be thinking of spring, but there is … Continue reading →

Is it Time For a Different Car?

Anyone who owns a car has probably wondered at least once how they will know when it is time to get a different car. Please note that I said “different”, not “new”, because getting a different car does not necessarily entail buying a brand new one. There are plenty of wonderful used cars out there and if you do your research and inspect any prospective purchase thoroughly, you can score an awesome car for a budget price. New car vs used car is a different topic for a different day, though. Today’s post is about how to know when it … Continue reading →

Save Money with Gift Cards

Don’t go near my purse. My wallet’s still smoking from my Mega Monday shopping spree. The good news is I didn’t burn through my checking account scooping up super savings at Macy’s and Target. Rather, I used the Christmas gift cards I received yesterday, so I could treat myself to a new pair of gloves, a slew of seamless undies (buy three, get three free—-score!), and some black trouser socks. Do I know how to live on the edge or what? According to the National Retail Federation, I am one of a declining number of people who actually uses every … Continue reading →

Make a List and Check It Twice

Now that Thanksgiving is over and the countdown to Christmas is officially underway, it’s time to fine-tune your list-making skills. This is especially important if you are a parent. The holidays can add even more stress to an already busy life juggling kids, career and a home. Still, no parent wants the season to slip by without making lasting memories with their children. Participating in Christmas-themed activities with your kids is a great way to bring the holiday to life and underscore the true reason for the season. The following are just a few of the many fun and meaningful … Continue reading →

Stress-Free Black Friday with the Kids

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again… and again: I don’t know what kind of parent takes young children shopping in the wee hours of Black Friday. Clearly, we can deduce that the parent is frugal, as he or she is willing to do whatever it takes to score a sizeable discount on Black Friday merchandise. In addition, it is probably safe to say that said parent is a law-abiding citizen, especially if the only other option she has is to leave her baby home alone or locked in an unattended car. Both could lead to an … Continue reading →

Susan Sarandon Calls the Pope a Nazi

Oh, I was so looking forward to doing my Scary Places blogs, but this story just cannot be ignored. I like actress Susan Sarandon. I even go all the way back to Rocky Horror Picture Show with her. I have rarely agreed with her liberal view of politics, however, I can usually separate acting ability from views in most cases. In this case, I may not be able to draw that line any further. I think Sarandon was way out of line this week when she referred to the current Pope, Benedict XVI, as a “Nazi.” And, I am not … Continue reading →

Tips For Applying For A Mortgage

Getting a mortgage is a very big deal. It is probably one of the most major financial decisions that you will ever make, if not the most major. The process can be nerve wracking and time consuming, but there are a few things that you can do to make it a little easier on yourself. The following tips are for you to use before and during the process of applying for a mortgage. If you think that you can just go out and apply for a mortgage and get it, you may be incorrect. Applying for and securing a good … Continue reading →