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Perfect for kids to wear to St. Patrick's Day parades or parties! Via

Four Cheap St. Patrick’s Day Crafts For Kids

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How do you celebrate St. Patrick’s day with your family? Via Shutterstock.

I’m Italian and Irish, so this is one of my favorite times of year. I get to celebrate St. Joseph’s Day with delicious zeppoles and St. Patrick’s Day with crafts and drinks! In the past, we’ve shared some great tips for hosting a frugal St. Patrick’s day party. These crafts could be a fun addition to your celebration. I love to have a crafts table at my holiday parties. Not only do they keep kids busy, but you can also have contests! Maybe this year we’ll see who can make the best Leprechaun Hat!

Four Frugal and Kid-Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Crafts (more…)

coffee

Guess How Much Cheaper Homemade Coffee Is?

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Making coffee at home is like finding money! Via Shutterstock

Making coffee at home is a huge money saver compared to buying it at Starbucks or another coffee shop. But JUST how much cheaper is it, really? And how much do those savings grow into if you invested it? We crunch the numbers so you don’t have to!

How much cheaper is homemade coffee? (more…)

Should my retirement savings be more than just spare change? Via shutterstock.

I’m 23. Do I Need to Save for Retirement?

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Should my retirement savings be more than spare change? Via shutterstock.

I recently read an article on the Billfold about Merrill Edge’s new Face Retirement App.The app shows you picture of your “old self” because “preparing for retirement is easier when it’s staring you in the face.” I’m not thinking about how to save for retirement – but should I be?

Should I start saving for retirement at 23? (more…)

Can you tell the difference between electronic and real cigarettes? Via Shutterstock.

A New Smoking Trend to Stay Away from Breathing Problems – Dedicated

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Can you tell the difference between electronic and real cigarettes? Via Shutterstock.

Smoking can seriously damage the human body. The act of smoking negatively impacts numerous body parts starting with the lungs and kidneys, and eventually attacks the entire body. There are a large number of people in the world who are currently addicted to cigarettes. Many smokers continuously smoke throughout the day. At times, smoking causes lung and heart problems that make quitting smoking as quickly as possible extremely important. (more…)

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10 New Uses For Mason Jars

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I love Ball mason jars and have used them for everything other than canning for years. My mom was born and raised in Muncie, Ind., home of the Ball family, so I watched my grandmother use them all over her home. Over the years I have inherited several beautiful jars, and place them around my apartment. Small disclaimer however: there are several blogs and Pinterest pins on listing ways — 100 to be exact — “to repurpose mason jars” into candles, pieces of art, or tree-hanging lights by capturing a thousand fireflies and unicorn tears (okay, maybe I made that last one up). This is not that article. This is  a practical, everyone can grab a jar and do this kind of article. Enjoy!

10 ways to use mason jars

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Score deals Via Shutterstock.

Grand National Free Bets – Dedicated

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Score deals for the Grand National horse race! Via Shutterstock.

April 6th is less than two months away, which means we are about to enter Grand National season. The National is the biggest horse race in the world and more often than not brings Britain to a standstill.

With over £150million placed on horses for the 2013 Grand National it’s a lucrative day for bookmakers and punters alike. But with the UK still feeling the reverberations of the financial meltdown of 2008, purse strings are relatively tight. So, to help you out, here are some of the Grand National promotional offers bookies are offering ahead of the big day. (more…)

march budget

March Budget Busters: Manage Your Money Honey!

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Spring clean your March budget! Via Shutterstock

March can be an easy month to get lazy and let finances slip. The financial stress of winter has passed and we usually have a little extra jingle in our pockets. Heating bills are less expensive, holiday debt  is paid off, and a refund check is burning a hole in many a taxpayer’s pocket.

But, spring is coming, bringing with it a lot of expenses that are unique to this time of year. And as you well know, if money isn’t managed, it evaporates into thin air. So, let’s put a lid on it!

Here are some common March budget items you may not have planned for:

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Reasons to buy or wait on a new car.

Should I buy a new car?

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Should we upgrade our wheels now, or wait? /via Shutterstock

Since acquiring an additional, small family member a little over a year ago, my husband and I have been discussing whether we should buy a new car. While our current cars (a 2006 Prius and a 2007 Civic) are functional, they won’t be adequate for kids much longer. Since we’re hoping to add a second (kid) soon, we’re prepared that we’ll have to dig in within a few years and make an upgrade. Should we just bite the bullet and do it now? 

I come from a family where cars were bought new, paid for with cash, and then driven into the ground. My brother is a mechanic, which helps with repair costs along the way. My husband prefers the latest technology, and since we recently installed solar panels on our roof, this now includes replacing one of our cars with an electric car.

Here are our options: (more…)

Decorating Easter eggs is a fun and frugal family activity. Via Shutterstock.

Six Unusual Easter Egg Decorating Ideas

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Decorating Easter eggs is a fun and frugal family activity. Via Shutterstock.

Decorating Easter eggs is one of my favorite holiday activities. My family likes to compete to see who can make the coolest egg! If you’re looking to try a new spin on Easter egg dyeing you’ll love these six ideas. You can find most, if not all, of the items needed at the dollar store, so these six ideas are new AND frugal. I can’t wait to try out these new and unusual Easter egg decorations.

Here are six ways to make impressive Easter eggs!

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Learn how to travel on a budget! Via Shutterstock.

Hunting For a Great Late Deal – Dedicated

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Learn how to find the best  travel deals! Via Shutterstock.

If you’re looking for some late travel deals on the internet then there are two key things to remember: research and flexibility. Let’s take a look at how these factors could help you save money on your holiday this year.

Firstly, take a look at the deals that various holiday operators are offering to a destination of your choice. This should give you a good ball park figure of the average holiday price. Then check the cost of flights to your destination on offer by various tour operators, in addition to the price of various hotels. You may find that it’s actually cheaper for you to book a hotel and flight separately than if you booked it as a package. Many airline companies and hotels offer internet deals, so it is well worth your while to check – putting in a couple of hours searching for the best late deals should ensure that you grab yourself a travel bargain. (more…)