Jacqueline Curtis
Lending money to loved ones is often a bad idea because it puts your relationship in jeopardy. But when someone you love is in a serious bind and you have the means to help, it can be impossible to say no. So what do you do?
What you don’t do is lend money on good faith and expect to be paid back. Just as if you were loaning to a complete stranger, you need to be smart about setting up the terms and a schedule for repayment with your friends and family. But as long as you and your money stay protected, lending to someone you love is doable – even if it isn’t necessarily advisable.
I love it when I go shopping and find that my favorite store is having a huge sale. Gearing myself up to spend a certain amount and then learning that I’m getting way more bang for my buck is one of the best feelings in the world. However, it took me years before I realized that the feeling of snagging a huge score while shopping didn’t have to be completely random. In fact, you can track a store’s sale cycle so you always get the best price for whatever clothing and accessories you want. 
If you plan to fly with a child less than one year old, you’d better get prepared and gather your courage. Though you can’t entirely control what happens in-flight or at the airport, you can plan ahead. Most importantly, you need to put plenty of thought into your child’s temperament – what calms him or her? How can you best keep to your normal routine? Your first instinct is to keep your little one as comfortable as possible, but you should also take your neighbors into consideration. 
Last year, 
Did you know that knock-off fashion is a $600 billion industry? Fake fashion and knock-offs are products that are designed to look like they have a high-fashion brand, but are actually cheap, low quality fakes. Some people don’t mind carrying or wearing a replica item, but it’s not okay when you’re taken advantage of by someone selling a clever counterfeit.
Have you ever heard of a fashion challenge? They’re tasks that bloggers, fashionistas, or anyone sick and tired of their wardrobe can use to stretch new limits, try new trends, and make old items look new again.
Money is among the top reasons for martial strain and 
Are you planning to throw a shower for one of your expecting friends? Baby showers are big business, so you could easily go over budget by snapping up the cutest shower decor at party stores and online. However, you shouldn’t have to break the bank to dress up your abode for the festive occasion. By saving on decor, you’ll have more money to spend on celebrating your friend’s little one.
Remember back in the Dark Ages when people actually had to leave their homes to rent a movie? Before we were able to stream films and TV shows online, video rental outlets were extremely common – but so were late fees. Digital streaming media services have eliminated the risk of such fees, and have exploded in popularity. Many available services are inexpensive, simple, and extremely convenient.
I love going to the movies. It’s not even the idea of seeing the latest blockbuster that I enjoy so much – it’s the two hours of mindless entertainment paired with a tub of buttery popcorn and a diet soda. It’s pretty much heaven for a mom of two like me.
With one boy and one girl, I don’t have the luxury of using hand-me-down clothes for my children. When my youngest grows out of his jeans, I have to hit the store because he simply won’t wear his older sister’s pants with the embroidered flowers. It’s understandable.
When I announced my first pregnancy, my friends and family showed a huge amount of excitement and support. So much, in fact, that I ended up having not one, but three baby showers. My excitement from all of the cute clothes, tiny shoes, and 
I consider myself to be incredibly lucky that I live just two doors away from my in-laws. In other words, I’m two doors away from free babysitting – most of the time. But when I do need to bring in a neighborhood sitter, I often forget the logistics of payment. Do I pay per kid? Does the age of the babysitter matter? 
I upgraded to an iPhone a little more than a year ago – I ditched my ancient flip-phone and couldn’t believe the difference. Now you’d be hard-pressed to find me without my iPhone securely in-hand. I’m addicted to social networking, surfing the Internet, checking my email, and playing Words With Friends just about every waking hour of the day.
I’m always getting in trouble at home because my book collection has slowly outgrown its designated bookshelf, and now also resides in my office, beside my bed, and tucked away in just about every nook and cranny. It’s an addiction I can’t curb, as reading is my favorite way to relax after a stressful day. And because I’m an avid reader, I want to foster a love of books in my children. They have a bookcase packed with all of my favorite childhood authors, and we read together every night. 