Mark Riddix
The summer has just started and temperatures are already in the triple digits. Everywhere that you go central air conditioning units are blasting outside of homes. This is a clear indication that utility use is going to be extremely high this summer with people trying everything possible to keep cool. While you may have to use the air conditioner, there are some steps that you can take to cut down on your electricity usage. Here are a few helpful tips for saving money during the summer:
1. Skip or cut down on the dishwasher.
This past Friday we learned that the United States economy is losing jobs again. The US economy lost 125,000 jobs and the unemployment picture is looking bleaker than ever. Many Americans have grown tired of looking for work. If the current job market has you down in the dumps, cheer up! There are some places that are actually hiring. But, you’ll have some fierce competition for every job you apply for, so you need to take steps to make yourself more attractive to employers while you’re unemployed by volunteering, interning, and studying for extra certifications and certificates in your industry. 
Hitting the wallets of customers seems to be contagious in corporate America right now. It’s not just the banks that are hitting customers with fees anymore; now major airlines are charging fees for everything. Airlines are charging fees for simple tasks like making a reservation and booking your seat. Even discount airline Ryanair is looking at charging its passengers to use the lavatory! If you are not careful, you could end up spending an extra $100 to $200 for your airline travel. You must be more informed and aware of how we travel on airline flights, or airline fees will eat you alive. Here are six fees that you should watch out for when traveling this summer: 
Personal finance is an often overlooked area in the American educational system. With so many Americans struggling with money management issues, personal finance should be taught in our school systems at an early age. Since it is not, it is up to every person to make sure that they are properly schooled in the financial arena. If we start educating ourselves about personal finance, we’ll change the generations to come by teaching it to our kids. Financial education is so important to us at Money Crashers, and that’s why we seek to help educate you every day about how to manage your money. Here are 5 great ways for you to increase your financial IQ: 
The current economic environment has forced millions of people to make changes to their financial plans. Lots of people have curbed their spending habits and pushed back their retirement age. Others are returning to college or picking up a new skill to remain employable in a competitive job market. While all of these are wise decisions, there are a few unconventional moves that can increase the amount of cash in your wallet. Here are four changes that you can make to give yourself the best financial start possible:
With the United Stated national debt soaring over $13 trillion dollars, many Americans are concerned about the country’s long-term debt problems. In order to decrease the national deficit, the government needs to operate with a budget surplus. For the past 10 years, the federal government’s budget has continually operated at a deficit. As the deficit continues to grow annually, the United States plunges deeper and deeper into debt. Our current method of trying to grow our economy out of debt is not working. Now, let’s take a look at two frequently discussed ways to reduce our growing deficit: 
As the saying goes, “those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Everyone remembers the tech bubble of the early 2000′s when a lot of subpar technology companies with no earnings traded at extreme valuations. Over the past few years we have gone through the real estate bubble in which home prices rose to unsustainable levels. To stay one step ahead of the next market drop, you have to watch for signs of a peak. Let’s take a look at a few markets where bubbles may be forming:
So, you have decided that you want to start a business. What should your first steps be and how should you get started? The initial planning steps for a business are often the most critical to determining its long term viability. It’s important that you focus on your company’s key needs to get off to a good start. The first thing you’ll need to call yourself a “business” is some interest from potential clients or customers. What need are you going to fill for someone? Answer that question, then start thinking about the next steps. To help you on your path to entrepreneurial greatness, listed below are four must-haves that will put your new business on the road to success: 
I was reading an article in the Wall Street Journal about how banks are about to increase fees on accounts that used to be free. Free checking may soon go the way of the dinosaur as banks are looking for a way to raise money after the passage of the CARD Act last year. Commercial banks are trying to raise money since the CARD Act is expected to reduce bank revenues by billions of dollars in lost overdraft fee income. In response, banks are coming up with new ways to take more of your savings. Here are a few of the strategies that banks are considering adopting: 
Emotion has its place in everyday life but not when it comes to investing. The worst investment decisions are often made when investors get too emotional. You should never allow yourself to become too attached to any investment that you make. It is critical to keep a rational mind and to only make investing decisions when you are cool, calm, and collected. This will keep you from paying too much or selling too cheaply. Here are three emotions that can be detrimental to your financial future:
It’s always great when you can learn a new strategy or tactic to improve your financial future. Most people learn about financial concepts solely by reading books. While reading is definitely effective, it doesn’t just have to be a book that teaches you about money. You can learn money management skills from just about anywhere including your television. That’s right! There are some great financial television programs that will help you on your financial journey.