Ready for Valentine’s Day? Every year on February 14th, loved ones exchange gifts and cards, which became a tradition starting around 1900 due to the advent of printing technology. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are expected to spend a total of $1.5 billion on cards alone, and the average person will spend $130.97 on candy, cards, gifts, and more.
You might be wondering, how can each American spend so much on a single person? In fact, most shoppers purchase gifts not just for spouses and significant others, but also for family members, friends, coworkers, and even pets – though couples still spend the most on one another, averaging $73.75.
Though they managed to avoid a fall from the 
I am a single parent with a teenage son, and as a writer with an ever-changing level of income, I’m always watching what I spend. Many Americans are in my situation, and many have slashed their entertainment spending to allocate cash for their emergency fund or college savings account – or, they simply worry about being able to afford necessities, such as groceries and rent payments.
It seems like everywhere you go, there’s a fee. Whether you’re at the bank purchasing a cell phone, or simply withdrawing your money out of a nearby ATM, you have to pay extra. There are setup fees, activation fees, and even early termination fees.
If you’re a reality TV junkie like me, you’ve probably seen the 
Imagine a community where all of the physical structures were constructed 50 years ago of wood, have antiquated wiring, and are heated by open fireplaces before the widespread use of home fire alarms. Despite the homeowners’ collective attempts to live safely, fires commonly break out, rapidly moving from house to house, often destroying and damaging whole blocks of structures so that one-third of the structures need rebuilding each year. In such a community, the costs of home insurance would be astronomical – $3,000 (or $36,000 a year) for a $100,000 home wouldn’t be an overestimation. Every year, premiums would increase due to the rising costs of replacement materials and labor. In such an environment, no one could afford the costs of 
In 1998, conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation reported that an average American household of two earners with a combined income of $52,000 would pay a total of $320,000 in Social Security taxes over their lifetimes (including their employers’ share), and receive about $450,000 after retiring at age 67. The Foundation suggested that the same funds invested equally in U.S. Treasury bills and equities would grow to $975,000, more than double the return under the 
Until a few months ago, I’d never even heard of activated charcoal (also known as activated carbon). However, I soon learned that this substance provides a number of amazing benefits.
Babies are always something to celebrate, but if your bank account is running low or you have a ton of friends all having bundles of joy at the same time, buying gifts can really put a dent in your wallet. Since most baby registries boast high-ticket items like strollers, cribs, and high chairs, your excitement can easily turn into the baby blues. 
Getting ripped off can be a consumer’s worst nightmare, and car salespeople can be particularly devious, often making the process difficult. Many car salespeople work on commission, and any extra you are willing to pay pads their wallets.
“Eat your vegetables” is more than just dinner table advice. The vitamins and antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables are the foundation for a healthy life. Such healthy foods can help stave off cancer, are naturally high in 
As the daughter of a 
If making your rent each month means bottoming out your checking account, you aren’t alone. According to the Center for Housing Policy, housing and transportation costs have increased 44% since 2000, while household incomes have increased by only 25%. Today, moderate-income households spend a whopping 59% of their annual income on housing and transportation – more than ever before. With that in mind, it’s no wonder that, according to the 
Every year it seems that countless new “get in shape” gimmicks rear up from the daytime talk show and infomercial void. Whether it’s a new 
Last spring, my friends and I had a dream of treating ourselves to a weekend away. Unfortunately, we had a very limited budget, a huge group of 10, and did not want to sacrifice on lodging, services, or food. But in spite of these obstacles, we had a fantastic weekend and only spent around $100 per person for top-notch lodging and food.