If you’re like most Americans, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed when it comes time to pay your bills. Watching your paycheck disappear in less than an hour can be demoralizing, and budgeting expenses can be exhausting. Although streamlining your bills is important, it can be hard to decide what services you can cut and which are essential. You may be surprised at how many essential services you can get for free or an exceptionally [...]

Compared to other developed nations, Americans spend a massive amount on housing. The average American pays about 30% of their income on rent or mortgage costs, and some people spend substantially more. Housing is the single greatest expense for nearly all Americans, and it’s one of the hardest to trim from your budget. If you already own a home or rent an apartment, your cost of living there is basically fixed, and getting out of [...]

By Alan Dunn – Follow Alan on Twitter @alangdunn or Google Plus It can be easy to feel a disconnect between the money you earn, the money you spend and the things you own. For many people, getting control of their finances is impossible until they actually understand where they’re spending the most money. Many websites, books and TV shows will give well-meaning advice about saving money, but their tips won’t help you if you [...]

By Alan Dunn – Follow Alan on Twitter @alangdunn or Google Plus It’s no secret that celebrities make more money than other people. From movie stars and reality TV personalities to professional athletes, people who live and work in the public eye get compensated extremely well. In the case of professional athletes, the sums can be astronomical. The average salary of an NBA player is about $5 million, and extremely skilled players can earn substantially [...]

By Alan Dunn – Follow Alan on Twitter @alangdunn or Google Plus Elections are never cheap, and the cost of electoral campaigns seems to be rising with each passing presidency. The 2008 election was the costliest in history, but this year’s may break the record by 7%. An estimated $5.8 billion will be spent on the election, and outside spending may cause that figure to jump more before the election is over. As of the [...]

In today’s budget-conscious world, people are eager to save money in any way possible, and this includes education. College is one of the most expensive investments that many people will ever make. While this investment can certainly pay off in the long run, paying for it all can be prohibitively costly. For this reason, many people look at alternatives to traditional schooling, and online degree programs are something that many potential students consider. Online college [...]

Work-at-home jobs are increasingly popular these days thanks to the technological advances of the Internet and social networking. They also provide an opportunity for people who might otherwise have a difficult time getting a job, like single parents or people with disabilities, to earn a living. Whether you’ve recently lost your job, are currently working in a job you hate, or are unable to find work, you might be wondering if it’s possible to make [...]

For new parents considering the long-term costs of starting a family, the expense can be overwhelming. Children are a life-long commitment. For at least 18 years, they are reliant on you for everything from food and shelter to education costs. Even after their 18th birthday, most children continue to be reliant on their parents. They may move back home after college if they cannot find a new job. They might need your assistance in funding [...]

By Alan Dunn – Follow Alan on Twitter @alangdunn or Google Plus Having children is one of the most expensive things most people will ever do. It’s been estimated that the average household spends over $100,000 on a child’s first 18 years of life, and the on-going expenses can cost substantially more for many people. If your child has special needs, these costs can be exponentially higher. Nearly one in every 110 children is diagnosed [...]

By Alan Dunn – Follow Alan on Twitter @alangdunn or Google Plus Many women are faced with the difficult choice between pursuing a career outside of the home or staying home to care for the house and children. While there are certainly benefits to either choice, many women feel tremendous outside pressure to do one or the other. With the economy struggling, doing the best thing for your family may mean making a smart economic [...]