SAVING MONEY

A new report from USA Today revealed airlines have increased their fares for the 10th time this year due to high fuel costs, an increase in natural disasters and the tough economy. Individuals experiencing the greatest impact from this price increase are corporate travelers who purchase last-minute tickets, while those who purchase traditional fare can still save money by booking in advance.

Southwest Sealed Fate of Price Increase

By Casey Bond

Most students are heading back to school within the coming few weeks or have already begun. Interestingly enough, however, one of today’s most pressing concerns and a prominent subject affecting the lives of all Americans won’t be covered in most classrooms. Teaching children about finance, money management and savings in particular, is an area of education that’s been left for parents to handle.

It seems even Sex Ed is a less taboo subject to cover in schools than personal finance. So maybe it’s time that changed.

Photo courtesy of y2bk via Flickr

Giving gift cards is a popular alternative to handing over cash for Christmas or a birthday, but the everyday shopper can take advantage of gift cards, too. Don’t wait until the holidays to start spending with plastic–here’s how to save money with gift card deals right now.

A new survey conducted by The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) found that a whopping 64 percent of Americans don’t have $1,000 in their savings accounts to cover emergency expenses. These individuals said they would unfortunately have to turn to an outside source to ask for money if an unexpected expense popped up.

Americans Must Turn to Others for Emergency Funds

If you’re part of the rising trend of Americans who paid down debt and swore off credit cards in 2010, you probably have a smaller cash budget set for back to school shopping this year. However, that doesn’t mean that moms and dads are exactly prepared to splurge this school year.

“Americans feel better about their credit situation this year but worse about their cash budget for back-to-school shopping,” says Britt Beemer of findings in his annual Consumer Track Back-To-School Shopping Survey.

By Erica Sandberg

Just like families and individuals, when the government is hard-up for cash, creative measures to scare some up are put on the table. Here are just five ways Uncle Sam is trying to save money and make ends meet right now.

Saving money is a big deal–especially with gas and food prices rising by the day. Of course, creating a budget, cutting back on expenses and putting money away for emergencies all help, but how about saving money at the register?

We all know that using coupons can save $1 here and 25 percent there, but how about using so many coupons that you are able to save 90 percent of your purchase? It’s not only been done before, the practice of extreme couponing has become somewhat of an art form.

A recent study has found that despite operating in an economy that is still fighting to recover, most U.S. companies are willing to pay higher wages in 2012. According to the Mercer study released on Wednesday, 97 percent of the 1200 employers polled are certain they will increase salaries, especially for their most talented employees, allowing them to earn and save more money.

Employers Plan Average 3 Percent Wage Increase

Everyone appreciates a bargain. After all, there’s no sense overspending on something you want or need. And because of our universal desire for cool stuff on the cheap, the world of online daily deals has exploded.

Companies like Groupon, Living Social and Offermatic have tapped into what retailers crave (people with cash to spend and who might become repeat customers) and what people want (saving money with outrageously good prices on all sorts of goods and services). If you’re looking for anything from designer handbags to horseback riding lessons with price-tags slashed by 50 percent or more, sign up today!

Every parent–well, most parents–want what’s best for their child, so they don’t mind forking over some cash when their kids are busy with career planning, goal setting and simply growing into adulthood. Yet at what point should a parent cut the financial cord? Some parents feel that 18 is the right age to do so, while others fund their kids into their 30s, hoping their life’s most precious investment finally pays off.

It’s difficult to determine the appropriate cut-off age across the board because every family has a different situation. Depending on what your budgeting and personal finance strategies are, maybe you can afford to support your children well into adulthood. Or, if you’re like most other people, you’re having a hard enough time worrying about your own bills.