If you want to save money, having a budget and a plan is vital. However, it’s equally important to have a plan for spending money. Especially if you’re looking to buy an expensive product or big appliance, there’s a right and wrong time to buy almost everything. Here are a few tips to ensure you don’t miss a deal this entire year! » Read More

Although February is earthquake awareness month, for many people across the U.S., it will go unobserved. However, as our blogger Eric Vanasdale reminded us, earthquakes can affect almost everyone. Like any natural disaster, they can severely damage your property and pocketbook. So it pays to be aware of seismic activity in your area. » Read More

Despite a year-end rally for the COUNTRY Financial Security Index, Americans are still on thin ice financially. Our newest survey shows one in three couldn’t go any amount of time without a paycheck before resorting to skipping bill payments. Yet, the average length of unemployment is more than nine months. That’s enough to stress anyone’s savings! » Read More

It seems like everyone has a financial resolution this year. Whether it’s paying off credit card debt, or simply dining out one less time a week, we can all use a little help in tracking our goals and finding some motivation. Here are a few online tools to keep you accountable this year! » Read More

The holiday season isn’t quite over, even though your wallet might wish it was. If you’re still trying to decide on plans for New Year’s Eve but are worried about the cost, here are a few ways to ring in 2012 on a budget. » Read More

The holidays are many things. In between shopping and baking cookies, we can sometimes forget they’re also a charitable time. Although we’re nearing the end of the season, if you’re still hoping to make a holiday donation, it’s not too late. » Read More

Earlier this week, we asked our Facebook followers just how much they were planning to spend on holiday gifts. More than 60% expected to spend more than $500. According to the National Retail Federation, that’s about right! Its annual holiday survey also showed shoppers will spend more than $500 on gifts for friends and family. » Read More

Last Friday, millions abstained from sleep to hit the stores early. A record 226 million shoppers over Thanksgiving weekend spent a record $52.4 billion! In the quest for the biggest savings, many opened a store credit card for an added discount. On the surface, the deal might seem too good to pass up, but is it really? » Read More

Although it seems like the holiday sales start earlier and earlier each year, for the true retail shoppers, there’s no replacement for Black Friday. For the 60% of Americans looking to cut their holiday spending, this day of deals might be exactly what they need! However, if they’re not careful, they might end up overspending in the sales frenzy. » Read More

During the holiday season, sounds of holiday cheer mix with the ringing of cash registers and screaming shoppers. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, except for your wallet. According to the latest COUNTRY survey, nearly 60 percent of Americans plan to scale back their holiday spending due to the economy. » Read More