The best thing to do is be disciplined and live within or below your means. It’s certainly easier said than done, but these blog posts are full of tips that can help you avoid overspending and save money.

Take a look at some bloggers’ tips to avoid overspending.

• To get started, look at these three easy ways to avoid overspending.
• Can budgeting backfire? One blogger discusses the possibility that making a budget promotes overspending.
• One blogger asks if overspending is worth it to help his son fit in. Buying name brand versus off brand products sounds like it gets tricky when your child doesn’t want to be teased for having a lesser known yet non-differentiated product.
• On a related note, are parents overspending on child safety? It seems like an obvious “No!” but a closer look suggests that maybe new products are being marketed for child safety when there is no real threat to their safety in the first place.
• Should you comment on friends’ overspending? Would it be rude? How would you approach that situation?
• Another blogger reveals his secret to avoid grocery overspending.
• Why not give yourself an allowance to curb your spending?
• At the same time, you could track your spending to see where your money is going. You might be surprised how much you spend on unnecessary goods.

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This doesn’t just apply to Apple products either. Computers, phones, and other electronic devices seem to be out of date just as soon as you bring them home. You turn on that new TV or log into that new computer just to see advertisements extolling the virtues of this exciting new technology that your new device does not have.

If you just can’t stand to have an old iPad, you will quickly end up spending a lot of money.

If you continue shelling out for brand new items, if you just can’t stand to have an old iPad, you will quickly end up spending a lot of money. For some people this means racking up credit card debt. The compulsion to keep up with the Joneses or to simply keep up with the times can be a strong one. You want to be up to date. You want to have the latest technology. You don’t want to be ridiculed or looked down on because your phone or computer is a “dinosaur.”

Avoid Credit Card Debt and Ridicule

If you feel the need to keep up with the times, there are ways you can avoid racking up a bunch of credit card bills—the easiest of which is to buy used. You can buy refurbished computers, phones, and tablets. You can buy used cars, video games, and more. Instead of shelling out top dollar, simply wait a little while to get a gently used product.

In addition to buying used, you can also wait and take your time and buy newer, but not the newest. For example, when the new iPad 5 does come out, it will likely result in a price drop for the older generation iPads. If you bide your time (and really it’s not like you have to wait that long), you can save money by simply not buying the absolute newest version of an item.

If you buy too many expensive gadgets and other consumer items, you can wreak havoc on your credit score. Even if you do pay your bills on time, simply having a high balance can ding your score. If you have already hurt your credit score buying electronics, take a look at these ten things you can do to fix your credit score. Then, once you have fixed it, take some steps to quit purchasing new electronics and take some steps to sell your older items. Someone out there will be very happy with your one-year-old laptop or tablet.

What About You?

Do you simply need the newest, most advanced item out there? Have you ever spent more than you should have buying a new item? How do you combat the urge to buy the newest TV, laptop, Apple device, etc.?

Photo courtesy Yagan Kiely

You might think that the only way to have successful holidays is to spend copious amounts of money, but this is not so. There are several ways you can financially prep for the holiday season — without feeling like Scrooge — so that you fulfill all your holiday desires without breaking the bank.

The holidays are approaching, so learn how to prep financially for them.

Last year’s expenses

The first order of business is to look at your holiday expenses from last year. This might seem like a pain, but it will be worth it. Did you stay on budget? Or did you end up with holiday debt? According to About.com, key expenditures to go over include cards, postage, food, presents, teacher gifts, special holiday outings and decorations, among others. This way, you can better plan how much you should spend this year.

Lists and budget

Now that you know your tentative allotted spending for this year’s holidays, it’s time to make lists and a specific budget. Write down who gets what this year, and then create a budget for yourself detailing maximum expenses for all possible categories. According to Savvy Sugar, don’t estimate your budget. Instead, stay in control of your budget by avoiding vague estimates.

Spending habits

Cutting back on personal spending habits during the holidays might be the not-so-fun part of the season, but it can certainly save you post-holiday headache. “Think of ways to cut down on your everyday bills now, so you can build up some savings to pay your holiday expenses ahead of time rather than getting stuck with credit-card interest long after the holidays are over,” said Kim Lankford, Kiplinger contributing editor. “Cutting back on lunches and coffee for the month before the holidays can add up quickly — saving just $5 a day can add up to $150 after a month; saving $10 a day can add up to $300. It’s easier to cut back on extras when you know that it’s just a temporary change.”

Lankford also suggests temporarily raising your auto insurance deductible to lower insurance premiums or cutting back on your cell phone usage or cable plan.

Holiday savings account

Sometimes it’s difficult to show restraint if more money is sitting in your checking account. Consider putting some of that cash into a holiday savings account, according to Ideas for Money and Investing Blog. If your bank offers such an account, it is good for short-term savings, which you can direct toward holiday expenditures, so you don’t overspend.

Credit cards and cash

When it comes to credit cards, the fewer, the merrier. According to About.com, either go the all-cash route or stick to a single credit card for holiday spending. This will help you track your expenses better.

Gerri Detweiler, Director of Credit Education at Credit.com, agrees: “Use just one credit card to pay for purchases. The average person has several cards in his or her wallet, so sticking to one will allow you to keep a running tally of how much you have spent. Just make sure it’s a card with a generous credit limit so you don’t look like you are using a significant portion of your available credit as that can cause your credit scores to drop.”

Say no to temptations

As you’re preparing your wallet for the holidays, do it and yourself a favor and just say “no” to that $200 pair of jeans that you don’t really need. You might wish you had gotten it for a week, but by the time the holidays are here, you will be thankful you have the extra money to spend on last-minute gifts and food instead of digging into savings.

Unleash your creative side

Last but not least, go the creative route to save money and financially prepare for the holidays. If you don’t absolutely need to buy a gift for someone on your list but you want to give them a little something, consider making them something. As Savvy Sugar says, “It’s the thought that counts.” Homemade treats, wreaths, crafts and other gifts will all be much appreciated.

Photo courtesy of emdot

Take advantage of these tips to maximize your savings on a summer road trip.

Don’t think that sticking to a budget means the only trips your family can take this summer are to the ice cream shop and pool. Two things you rarely hear together is vacation and saving money, but there are ways to make sure you get a break, spend time as a family and avoid breaking the bank.

If you’re not looking to spend hours on the Internet scouring discount vacation sites, you might want to consider a road trip as a cheaper alternative. Not only can road-tripping introduce you to some really unique sites, but with a little planning you can save a bundle.

Check out these simple tips to getting the most out of your road trip while spending less:

Car Maintenance

A commonly overlooked part of taking a road trip is dealing with vehicle maintenance. Plan on having some regular maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations done before you leave to make sure your car is running smoothly. It’s a far better idea to spend extra cash on maintenance at home as opposed to paying for an expensive repair in the middle of your trip.

Planned Routes

Although part of the fun of a road trip is finding the unexpected, having no planned route means a lot of wandering and getting lost. Not only does this waste time from a budgeting perspective, but not planning your route means you’ll spend a lot more on gas.

Food

Food expenses can really add up when you’re on the road. Rather than stop for three meals a day, pack a cooler with drinks, snacks and lunchmeat to cut down on your food budget. This will this help you save money and avoid unhealthy eating.

Souvenirs

T-shirts from every state are great, but souvenirs are one of the most price-inflated items you can buy. Try looking for unique items that aren’t necessarily souvenirs so you can remember your trip without overspending. Also consider how many times you will really use an Arizona shot glass or wear an oversized Montana sweater before you shell out top dollar.

Cash-back cards can help maximize your fuel spending.

Family

Hotel costs can add up quickly on a road trip, so consider staying with friends or family if possible. Even if it’s for only one night, a family can save up to a hundred dollars on a hotel and get the chance to catch up with people they don’t get to see often.

Cash-Back

Stopping at the pump is an unfortunate but necessary part of a road trip. Because you can’t avoid paying for gas, look for ways to maximize your investment. If your credit card offers cash back on gas, use that. Consider downloading the GasBuddy app on your phone to find the cheapest prices in your area.

Photos courtesy of Jimmy_Joe & TheBusyBrain

Military discounts can help you take in some great games while sticking to a budget.

Many people think that making a budget and sticking to it means cutting out all of the fun from your expenditures. While it’s true you don’t want to overspend on things you don’t need, everyone needs a break now and then and nothing beats a trip to the ballpark with the family.

The teams of Major League Baseball show their appreciation for those who have served by offering some great military discounts as well as appreciation days that can help you enjoy some games and stick to your budget at the same time.

Discounts and appreciation day dates are based on information gathered for the 2013 season. These dates are subject to change so make sure you check in with the ticket office beforehand.

American League

Texas Rangers: Arlington, TX

The Texas Rangers offer military discounts at all levels for those with a valid military ID. This includes all Rangers’ home games except opening day. You can purchase tickets by calling the ticket office at 972-RANGERS or at the gate. Tickets are subject to availability.

Minnesota Twins: Minneapolis, MN

For six Minnesota Twins games this year, active duty military members and veterans with a valid military ID or discharge papers get half-price tickets in certain seating sections. This promotion is only valid the day of the those games which are on April 15, April 23, May 13, July 1, August 12, and September 23.

Baltimore Orioles: Baltimore, MD

In 2013, the Baltimore Orioles offer a $3 discount on all tickets for active duty members, retired and veterans and their families. Tickets are available at the Orioles box office. Larger discounts can be arranged by contacting the ITT/Leisure Travel office. Check out even more Baltimore Orioles military promotions.

New York Yankees: Bronx, NY

Active duty and veteran military members are offered a complimentary ticket in designated areas of the grandstand or bleacher sections to select Monday through Thursday games.

Half-price tickets in other available non-premium seat locations are also available. The Yankees‘ website has more information on which games are discounted. Tickets will always be sold at the gate before the game and are subject to availability.

Chicago White Sox: Chicago, IL

Presenting a valid military ID at the box office gets military members a free ticket to select White Sox games. This offer excludes opening day, games against the Cubs and premium games, but includes all other home games with open seating.

Kansas City Royals: Kansas City, MO

For all regular season Royals games, active duty and retired military members can purchase up to four half-price tickets. The tickets are in the Hy-Vee reserved box, infield box or outfield box. You just need to show valid military ID at the gate C box office on the day of the game to receive the discount.

Los Angeles Angels: Anaheim, CA

Uniformed military personnel attending an Angel’s game can purchase up to eight half-price tickets. Visit the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim website for details on which games and sections are available.

Seattle Mariners: Seattle, WA

On all Sunday through Thursday Seattle Mariners home games — except opening day — military personnel receive $5 off select view level seats and $10 off select main level seats. The limit is four tickets per buyer per game. The Mariners Team Store offers 10 percent off merchandise with a valid military ID and 20 percent off on Tuesdays. Some restrictions apply.

Houston Astros: Houston, TX

The Houston Astros offer up to eight half-price tickets per person for any Sunday through Thursday game to active duty members and veterans. Present a valid military ID at the box office on the day of the game. The offer excludes the August 5-7 series against the Red Sox and the Yankees game on September 29.

National League

Atlanta Braves: Atlanta, GA

Military members presenting their valid ID at the ticket office for The Atlanta Braves receive a special two-for-one upper box or outfield ticket discount. Tickets are available to all home games based on availability.

Miami Marlins: Miami, FL

For all Monday home games in 2013, the Miami Marlins offer complimentary tickets to veterans, active duty and retired members.

New York Mets: Flushing, NY

Active military personnel attending Mets games can receive a complimentary ticket at the ticket office in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. Must have a valid and active military ID on the day of the game. Non-military persons must purchase regular tickets.

Washington Nationals; Washington DC

On the day of any Washington Nationals home game, military personnel with a valid ID receive a $3 discount on tickets priced $10 or more. It’s limited to one ticket per customer and ID must be presented at the box office. The Nationals are also hosting Patriotic Series and Military Branch Days that give military personnel the chance at two free tickets per person with a valid ID at the box office until 3,000 tickets are given away. Then, tickets will be 50 percent off for all other military personnel.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Phoenix, AZ

The Diamondbacks offer half off to all active, reserve, retired and veteran military personnel to any Sunday home game. The discount applies to up to four seats in any section. Discounted tickets can be purchased at the ticket window on the day of the game with valid ID.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Los Angeles, CA

The Los Angeles Dodgers military discount includes $45 loge box MVP seats and $25 preferred field box seats. One valid military ID extends the discount to up to four tickets. Tickets are available the day of game only at the box office and subject to availability.

San Diego Padres: San Diego, CA

Opening day on April 14 is the only dedicated military opening day in baseball. Discounts are offered on military Sundays and season passes are available too. For more information visit the Padres Military Programs page.

Colorado Rockies: Denver, CO

The Rockies are hosting a military appreciation day on June 8, 2013 when they play the Padres. Call the ticket office at (800) 388-ROCK for information on military discounts as they become available.

San Francisco Giants: San Francisco, CA

The Giants offer free stadium tours to active duty military members with a valid ID.

Philadelphia Phillies: Philadelphia, PA

Active duty members, veterans, their families and friends can receive $4 off tickets priced $26 or less for three Phillies games in 2013. July 5, August 23 and September 6 are the dates on which the military discount is applicable

St. Louis Cardinals: St. Louis, MO

For five select games, the St. Louis Cardinals are offering all-inclusive tickets to military members, family and friends. The tickets include a buffet and beverage and cost as little as $59.

• Tim Parker gives you the skinny on buying a foreclosed home.
• At My Money Blog, Jonathan takes a look at what got AutoSlash.com in trouble and how Tingo.com might suffer a similar fate at the hands of hotel companies.
• Financial Advisor Magazine’s in-depth piece explores the effect of men’s higher education achievements and the unemployment rate.
• A goofy—but worthwhile—look at picking up coins in public comes from J. Money at Budgets Are Sexy.
• Leo Shane III at Stars and Stripes recapped why CareerCast.com ranked “enlisted military solider” as the third worst job in the country.
• If you enjoy traveling, check out April Dykman’s post about traveling on a budget.

That’s it for this week. We’ll do this every Saturday, so keep your eyes peeled for another roundup next weekend.

The key to achieving resolutions is keeping them simple. There’s no doubt the same principle applies to financial goals set by military members, spouses and families.

Overall, your New Year’s resolutions should focus on developing good financial habits. These tips and goals should get you on the right path.

The fewer goals, the better

Don’t burden yourself with a list of 10 or more goals. You’ll feel overwhelmed and barely chip away at all of them. Instead, choose no more than three financial goals.

Be realistic

When setting New Year’s resolutions, it’s easy to set lofty goals. But when it comes to money, being unrealistic sets you up for disappointment. For example, few — if any — people will climb out of $40,000 debt in 12 months time. What you could do is make a payment plan, allotting a certain dollar amount each month toward debt.

Budget

In line with the above tip, you don’t need to budget every type of spending. Try budgeting for things you know you’ll buy, such as groceries. If you never used coupons before, try doing that.

Save money

Again, reason with yourself. How likely is it that you’ll save $10,000 this year? Shoot for an attainable goal by saving in small doses. Save a percentage of each paycheck or the same dollar amount each pay period. Make it an affordable figure.

Educate yourself

Take the initiative and teach yourself about personal finance. Set a goal to read a few books about that topic this year, subscribe to a personal finance magazine or find resources online.

Spreading out your money

Why not make 2012 the year you start a retirement fund or invest money in a mutual fund? Sit down with a personal finance representative at your credit union or bank to learn about investment or individual retirement account options.

Don’t stress

If you find yourself having to adjust your goals during the year, don’t panic. Money is fluid, that’s why it’s called currency. Adapt to changes as necessary and get back in line with your goals as soon as you can.

Image courtesy of Creativity103 under a Creative Commons license on Flickr.

No matter what long-term aspirations you have, there are some immediate financial matters that your second 2012 paycheck could handle. Take a look at this list of ways to use your 2012 pay.

Holiday debt

The scariest part of holiday shopping isn’t always the mobs at the stores. Your credit card bills probably aren’t very merry either. Pay down as much credit card debt as you can without spending your entire paycheck. Don’t let balances
linger because the interest will cost you.

Tax preparation

Even though the second military payday of 2012 comes two months before taxes are due, preparing your finances now to pay Uncle Sam later is wise. You can figure out which marginal tax bracket you’re in based on your income. Before the tax forms show up in the mail, you should have an idea of what you’ll be paying.

Bills and balances

Don’t overlook monthly bills, housing costs, car payments, college loans or any other payment that’s due. The beginning of the year is a good time to figure out how much these payments cost each month so you know what’s left from your paycheck after mandatory payments are made.

Savings

With all of the expenditures above, it may seem impossible to set aside any money. When you save money, it doesn’t need to be in large sums. Put aside what you can afford, whether it’s $5 or $500.

It’s a new year, so now is a great time to start healthy financial habits. After all, February 13 marks only one of many paydays in 2012.

Image courtesy of sillygwailo under a Creative Commons license on Flickr.

Wherever you lie on the spectrum, budgeting can benefit multiple areas of your life, including your credit, savings, stress levels and future big purchase plans. It’s especially helpful in the military’s constantly changing circumstances.

Utilize modern technology's tools to stay on budget.

While many people know the theory behind a budget, not everyone knows how to begin or stick to one. Luckily with the Internet, there are more ways to accommodate both ends of the spectrum.

No Computer Necessary

For those who prefer physically logging or handling finances, these non-technology tools may be most helpful:

·The Envelope System: Handing over a stack of bills has a much different feel of accountability than does simply swiping a debit or credit card — not to mention a visual for those wanting to learn self-regulation.

All you do is pay monthly bills, add your designated amount to savings and divide the leftover money into envelope categories: gas, grocery, clothing, entertainment, pets/kids, etc. Once the envelope is empty, your spending is done until the next paycheck.

·Calendar: You can either buy a planner or print online calendars to record upcoming events and bills. This can help you gauge how much you allocate to entertainment one week as opposed to another. If you have a planned vacation or TDY calls for extra babysitting, you can save yourself from budgeting scrambles.

Phone Apps

It’s hard to imagine a time when all phones did was make calls. Now they have budgeting tool apps. Most of us carry out phones on us anyway, so having a smart phone with budgeting capabilities is a great way to keep you from second-guessing your available funds.

One example is the $2.99 app iReconcile, in which you can set up categories and subcategories of your budget and it will track daily to yearly budgets. It even has an option to roll unspent cash into next month’s budget.

Direct Deposit Distribution

If you’re the type who can’t help but splurge once money hits your hand, or if you just prefer not to divvy it up yourself, consider setting up your banking accounts into what CNN Money calls the bucket budget. Set up two checking accounts and one savings account, then with direct deposit divide your paycheck three ways: Fixed expenses in account one; savings in the savings account; and leftover money in the checking account. This way you can keep track of how much cash you have to “play” with.

Free Personal Online Tools

We live in a technological age, which means our budgets can, too. There are multiple sites that allow you to fill out personal budgeting worksheets that help track where your money goes. Here are two top-rated budgeting tools, according to WealthWise Magazine:

• Mint: Mint.com can help categorize your budget and automatically update financial information every night. One noted feature are the weekly updates to summarize your spending and savings.
• Just Budget: If you want to focus more on your daily expenses, JustBudget may be your best option. It helps you monitor spending and provides statistics and charts for you to review and gauge your spending.

Budgeting Software

If you want ultimate involvement and customization of your budget, you may want to consider purchasing software.

Quicken is a popular program that downloads your financial information and also keeps you informed on bills and debt repayment. You can set up goals and use Quicken to track your progress.

Photo thanks to alancleaver_2000 under a creative commons license from Flickr.

Holiday shopping takes a toll on credit cards and pocketbooks nationwide.

Research suggests a few phenomena occur depending on how you use your credit card.

Sales for the 2011 holiday shopping season have increased 2.8 percent compared to 2010, according to the National Retail Federation. It’s a healthy sign for an economy that depends on its consumers, but budget-conscious military and veteran spenders may not want to spend too freely.

A few phenomena may be the cause of this increased spending. Learn about them to keep from falling victim to them.

Signing effect

A study from the University of Miami discovered shoppers are more likely to spend more on themselves at shops they like after they sign their name for a credit card purchase elsewhere. For example, when a wife buys something for her husband with a credit card, signs her name and goes to one of her favorite stores afterwards, she’ll probably spend more time there and buy something.

Here are a few ways to avoid this phenomenon:

• Pay with cash
• Make lists of gifts and/or stores and live by it
• Look at your receipts and add up your total spending after each purchase
• Save your credit card purchases for last so you can go straight home after you sign the receipt

Obscuring cost

The Journal of Consumer Research found that how consumers pay for a product changes their mindset after the purchase.

When consumers use credit cards, the cost is overlooked and euphoria sets in. The same study discussed “the credit card premium,” which means consumers spend more when they use a credit card than when they make purchases with cash.

To help curb this, consumers should consider isolating credit card use to as few cards as possible and only use cards at stores that offer rewards.

Conscious purchases

Above all else, be a conscious spender.

During the holidays, it’s easy to get carried away amid the sales, decorations and lines for Santa. Curtailing the abuse of credit cards is a must, especially for service members, veterans and spouses on a tight budget.

Photo thanks to sovietmole under a Creative Commons license on Flickr.