By Aaron Crowe
Aaron Crowe is a freelance journalist who specializes in personal finance. Aaron blogs via Contently.com.
While booking tickets to fly halfway across the country recently, I ran into a affordability snag I’d forgotten all about: The cost of checking luggage.
Luggage fees are now an unfortunate reality of airline travel. Most … read more

By Nicole Long
Nicole Long is a freelance writer with expertise in economics, business and personal finance. Nicole blogs via Contently.com.
It’s that time of year again — tax season. Time to dust off the calculator and sit down at your desk for hours of nail-biting fun as you tabulate your earnings and keep your … read more

By Aaron Crowe
Aaron Crowe is a freelance journalist who specializes in personal finance. Aaron blogs via Contently.com.
You know that pair of jeans you have that that fit so perfectly and are so comfortable you could sleep in them? Of course you want them to stay that way for a long time. … read more

By Dawn Papandrea
Dawn Papandrea is a freelance writer, blogger, and editor specializing in personal finance, parenting, women’s lifestyle & more. Dawn blogs via Contently.com.
Whether you get all gushy walking past the adorable pugs in the pet store or a neighbor’s cat just had a litter and she’s offering you a cuddly kitten, before … read more

By Aaron Crowe
Aaron Crowe is a freelance journalist who specializes in personal finance. Aaron blogs via Contently.com.
With all of the expenses of getting married, and the marriage penalty tax looming for newlyweds, you’d think marriage is a bad financial choice.
Marrying for money is a bad idea, but getting married doesn’t … read more

By Nicole Long
Nicole Long is a freelance writer with expertise in economics, business and personal finance. Nicole blogs via Contently.com.
Budgeting isn’t the stuff dreams are made of, but it is a necessary part of running a financially stable household. Doing without is like to not checking the gas gauge before you embark on … read more

By Dawn Papandrea
Dawn Papandrea is a freelance writer, blogger, and editor specializing in personal finance, parenting, women’s lifestyle & more. Dawn blogs via Contently.com.
We actually do a lot more than seven dumb things, but here are some of the biggest culprits when it comes to money mismanagement. Read carefully, and get smarter.
Applying for … read more

By Mark Di Vincenzo
Mark Di Vincenzo is a journalist with 24 years of experience and a New York Times best-selling author. Mark blogs via Contently.com.
It’s becoming harder and harder these days to be a smart shopper without a smart phone and, of course, the right apps, which can help you find the … read more

By Dawn Papandrea
Dawn Papandrea is a freelance writer, blogger, and editor specializing in personal finance, parenting, women’s lifestyle & more. Dawn blogs via Contently.com.
New Year’s resolutions always seem to involve losing weight or saving money. Why not combine the two ideas and create a financial fitness plan? Here’s how…
1. Stretch your money. Before … read more

By Aaron Crowe
Aaron Crowe is a freelance journalist who specializes in personal finance. Aaron blogs via Contently.com.

Getting something free — especially on the Internet where a freebie is only a few clicks away — perks up the inner cheapskate in all of us. But you need to be careful when trolling … read more