Can’t afford a trip to the dentist? You’re not alone. The cost of dental care has consistently risen by nearly twice the average rate of inflation over the past half-century. In addition to rising dental costs, the number of consumers with access to dental insurance decreased 5.7% from 2009 to 2010 alone, leaving only about [...]

How to Get Affordable Dental Care Without Insurance is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

We all love saving money on items we buy – but getting stuff for free is even better. Thanks to the Freecycle Network, finding freebies is now easier than ever. Plus, using the site is a great way to get rid of clutter in your home, and it costs nothing. The concept of Freecycle is [...]

What Is the Freecycle Network – Give & Get Free Stuff is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

In addition to having been a professional or semi-professional musician throughout my entire adult life, I’ve also served as a life insurance advisor and retirement planner for other musicians. Unfortunately, I have found that most musicians are not very savvy at financial planning. The harsh reality is that being an artist does not exempt you [...]

Financial Planning Guide for Musicians & Performing Artists is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Shopping with smartphones and tablet computers is becoming increasingly popular. Thanks to apps, you can use your mobile devices not only to shop, but to save quite a bit of money, too. Whether you want to save money on gas or reduce your travel expenses, there’s probably an app that enables you to do it. [...]

Top 5 Smartphone Shopping Apps to Help You Save Money is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Whether it’s an anniversary present or a Valentine’s Day gift, the expectations can be high even when your funds are low. If your bank account balance limits the amount you can spend on a gift, then jewelry and other pricey presents are out of the question. However, you can still salvage a romantic day without [...]

10 Romantic & Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Your Girlfriend or Wife is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Keeping to a household budget often means trimming unnecessary expenses, but some items are indispensable – food, for one. You probably already cut coupons and buy store brands just like any budget-conscious shopper. But did you know that some grocery stores specialize in cut-rate food and household goods not “good enough” for your average supermarket? [...]

Discount Grocery Stores: Are They Worth the Savings? is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Looking to take a fun, memorable vacation? This year, you may want to skip purchasing expensive airfare or traveling internationally and simply stick to the family car. Road trips allow you to see the country at a slow pace and create your own journey. Ever fly over the Grand Canyon or the Rocky Mountains and [...]

How to Plan a Cheap Road Trip With Multiple Stops – Tips & Ideas is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

In difficult economic times, many people look for ways to make extra money, and you may be considering some creative options to pay down debt. One way to make money is by using your body. No, I’m not talking about hard labor, but rather the ways that your good health and bodily functions can help [...]

5 Ways to Make Money With Paid Medical Research Studies & Donations is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

It’s no secret that Apple set the bar high when the iPad was introduced into the marketplace back in April 2010. Of course, with the release of the iPad 2, the standards of tablet computing were raised to almost insurmountable heights. However, while the iPad is still considered by most to be the best tablet [...]

4 iPad Alternatives – Best Cheap Tablet Computers is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Let’s face it, a night out on the town can be expensive. It seems we work diligently all week long, only to blow the hard-earned paycheck in one Friday night. Still, what’s the fun of putting in so many hours at the office if you’re only going to rush home to your TV and leftovers? Everyone [...]

How to Plan a Girls Night Out – Ideas & Activities is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

While most of us cannot live entirely debt-free, there are major differences between what is considered “good” debt and “bad” debt. Though some debt falls into a bit of a gray area, good debt is simply defined as money borrowed to pay for items you truly need or that appreciate in value, and bad debt is [...]

What Is Good Debt vs. Bad Debt is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

After my husband and I said our “I do’s,” we walked through a shower of rice and hopped into his black Mini Cooper S. It’s where we shared our first moments alone as a married couple, so when the time came to sell the car, it was a bit difficult. But I think it was [...]

Keep Driving an Old Car or Buy New – What’s Better? is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Even when it’s not the holiday shopping season, many people still find themselves in a quandary looking for that perfect gift for the ones they love. Whether it’s for a birthday, an anniversary, or “just because,” you can never go wrong giving an electronic gadget. Though you may think that investing in an electronic device may [...]

10 Cool Electronic Gadget Gift Ideas for Around $50 is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

College is one of the most exciting, memorable times in a person’s life. There are many reasons to attend college, as it allows one to gain an education, discover new passions, and meet lifelong friends. College can also heavily impact your financial future, as earning a degree can open doors for you to pursue the [...]

Top 5 Money Mistakes You Should Avoid in College is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

How would you like to receive 2% or more off of every purchase you make? That is just one example of what is being offered to credit card users in the form of rewards. Those who have come to realize the opportunities of credit card rewards have found that there are dozens of competing products. [...]

How to Compare the Best Credit Card Rewards Programs is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

With its legendary seafood restaurants, abundance of historical sites, and popular destinations, such as Fenway Park and the original Cheers pub, there is plenty to love about Boston, Massachusetts. When I began researching my recent vacation to the area, I discovered one more thing to love: There are dozens of free or inexpensive things to do and see [...]

Best 35 Fun, Free or Cheap Things to Do and See in Boston, MA is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Whether your retirement is fast approaching or decades away, it is likely that you do not spend much time pondering what will happen when you stop working. Unfortunately, many people are unable to retire when they’d like to because of their financial situation. With careful planning, you can avoid this predicament. Planning ahead for retirement allows [...]

How to Prepare and Plan for Retirement is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

If you have debt, you may feel a sense of desperation and a desire to eliminate it as soon as possible. Reducing your monthly expenses and developing an aggressive debt repayment plan is a great start. Depending on the severity of your situation, you may want to stop using credit cards during this time as [...]

Debt Snowflaking – 25 Ways to Find Extra Money and Pay Down Debt is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

There are many reasons to go to college. Whether you are a recent high school graduate or an established professional going back to school to advance your career, community college may be your best option to start. No matter your age, attending a public or private university is expensive. However, the total cost of a four-year degree can [...]

Benefits of Attending Community College for Two Years to Save Money is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.

Exercise programs and personal trainers have two things in common: They’re good for getting you in shape and for zapping your wallet. If you’re strapped for cash, gym memberships aren’t necessarily better either. Even nationwide chain gyms charge monthly fees that can quickly add up, especially if you’re working out with your partner or family. [...]

How to Create Your Own Free Home Workout Plan & Exercise Routine is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.