Now that we are in the decade, getting focused can save money. Here are three great ideas from MSNBC:
• Get in the habit of tracking your expenses-every penny.  Try free financial management sites like http://www.mint.com or http://www.wesabe.com. You can set budgets in individual categories.

• Haggle over everything!  Don’t be afraid to ask if they will give you a better price. Surveys say 8 out of 10 times, they will.

• And pay cash.  A Federal Reserve survey showed you can get discounts on just about everything if you flash cash instead of a credit card. Cash is cheaper for the retailer.

Here is that direct link to the information:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SmartSpending/blog/page.aspx?post=1513704&_blg=2,1516025

Since the Super Bowl is only a month away, we thought we could help watch your wallet with some ideas on an inexpensive Super Bowl party:

• Food- “Pot Luck” - have your guest bring their favorite dish and share.

• Or you can make spaghetti or chili, its inexpensive and filling.

• Decorations- use Jerseys or those foam fingers you have around the house.

• Drinks. Ask guests to bring what alcohol they want to drink and you make a pitcher of tea.

• Or provide an inexpensive pony keg of beer, it’s a lot cheaper than bottles or cans.

• And, make a list of the snacks you’ll need and ask each guest to bring one thing on the list.

Here is a website that might help:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4708332_throw-inexpensive-super-bowl-party.html

The internet can help you find some great travel deals but make sure you are getting the best deals available and here’s how according to the Richmond Examiner:
• First do your research. Understand when peak travel season is.

• Avoid Christmas, July 4th, Thanksgiving , the third week in June and the first week in August are the peek travel periods of the year..

• Look for vacation packages during the off seasons, Most resorts offer them and they included airfare and hotel accommodations.

• Go to a travel agent, they know about special deals and discounts. And they can save you money rather than you trying to piece together a trip on your own.

• But if you do buy a ticket on line, keep checking back with the airline. Sometimes you can get a refund if the ticket prices go down.

You can get the best airfare by going to http://www.travelocity.com or http://www.orbitz.com  along with a number of other sites. Now here is the site with this information:
http://www.examiner.com/x-5707-SF-Travel-Tips-Examiner~y2009m12d17-Desire-to-travel-increases-for-2010-Save-money-while-traveling-more

As it gets cold you can almost hear the electric meter on your home spinning up, so we wanted to remind you of some easy ways to keep the cold out and save on Electricity:
• Weather strip doors. Or at the very least, do as my mom used to - use a rolled up heavy beach towel under the doors to the outside to cut the draft.

• Open the shades on the sunny side of your home to let ambient heat in.

• Seal your windows with plastic.

• Of course turn the thermostat down a couple of degrees and wear a sweater.

• Run paddle fans clock wise to circulate warm air.

• Close curtains and shades at night to help keep out the cold out.

Of course spotting any kind of heat loss is a must. For instance, you can loose a house full of heat by running the exhaust fan in your bathroom for 15 minutes.
Here is a great website:
http://www.dannylipford.com/diy-home-improvement/heating-and-cooling/easy-ways-to-save-energy-in-your-home/

Now that we are in a new year…what about buying, selling or owning a home? Well, here is what CNN Money says to all three types of people.
First buyers…make your move now if you’ve been on the sidelines waiting for prices to go lower-you need to get into the game now. And expect competition for lower priced starter homes.
Sellers. Postpone listing your home if possible.  This year, sellers will be unloading property.
Hold out for a few more years if you can.
And Home Owners.  If you have a high adjustable rate mortgage and plan to stay in your home for at least five years - refinance..

Here is the website to get all the information:
http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/09/pf/Make_money_home.moneymag/index.htm

The New Year is upon us and will most people are optimistic about it, they also say they don’t expect things to get financially better in 20-10.

So CNN Personal Finance Editor Gerri Willis has tips on ways to cut back. We thing the ideas are pretty good, so we’ll give you her complete report:

“Stretched for cash this year? Continuing in our financial resolution series, here are simple ways you can save big bucks in 2010.  Your cell phone is a big expense. The cost of an average plan: 65 bucks a month. And chances are, you’re overpaying. According to Consumer Reports, about two thirds of people have more minutes than they use.  Switching to a more cost-effective plan could save you $300 a year. http://www.billshrink.com and http://www.Myvalidas.com are two Web sites that analyze your bill for errors, help you recover money from overcharges and compare your current plan with other plans that may help save you money depending on your usage.  Another huge drain on your wallet? Car insurance. The average premium is about $1800 a year. But there are ways you can whittle down that bill.  If you drive less than 10,000 miles a year, you may be eligible for a low mileage discount. If you have a student driver who makes good grades, you may be able to get a good student discount. Raising your deductible could save you $200-$400 a year. And if you shop around for insurance before your current policy runs out, you could save up to $250 a year.  Entertainment? You can still have fun for less. If you have old CDs or DVDs or books you don’t want anymore, trade them for new stuff online.  Check out http://www.swapadvd.com and paperbackswap.com. Find cheaper tickets to a concert or sporting event at http://www.zebratickets.com. “

Studies show most people feel they paid more than they should have when they buy a new car. And few of us know much about horse trading with a car salesman, but the Federal Governments Center for the Study of Services

has some tricks:
• You’re only power with a salesperson is the threat of walking away from the deal. So use it.

• Get several dealers to bid on selling you a car.

• Settle on a car, then call at least 5 dealers and tell them you are comparing cost.

• Get a bid above and below the “factory invoice price”.

• And make sure they bid on the price of the car, not monthly payments.
There are a lot more tricks you can use, but remember - getting dealers to bid on selling you a car puts you in the driver’s seat. Also by making calls instead of going to each show room will save tons of time and lots of aggravation. Here is that website:
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/cars/cardeal/cardeal.htm

Now that all the presents under the tree have been unwrapped, what do you do with your old stuff?  Well, the Goodwill is doing brisk business this time of year. Of course giving is good for the soul but it can also be good for the wallet this time of year.
Donations to Goodwill can be claimed as a charitable deduction on your income taxes when you file in April but be sure to get a receipt as proof that you made the donation. Remember there are limitations as to which donations you can claim as a charitable deduction.
You can’t claim money given to civic groups, sports clubs, or groups that lobby to change laws. You cannot claim the cost of raffle tickets, bingo entries or lottery tickets.
But you can claim money given to veterans groups, churches, non-profit schools and parks.

There are a lot of other donations you can claim too, but you have to get it done before mid night of the year for which you are claiming.

Here is a direct link to the IRS website that deals with this:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf

Did the holidays leave you stuck with a gift card you just can’t—or won’t use?
there is some hope in sight for those unwanted cards. But there are some websites out there that will let you sell your gift card or donate it to charity:
Check out http://www.plasticjungle.com 
Or try, http://www.giftcardrescue.com  or http://www.swapagift.com  The sites will let you sell your card without the fee and if you’re a Facebook user - check out the free gift card exchange at http://www.card hub.com .
But remember, if you want to use your gift card - use it quickly because many of them have a time limit for use.

A lot of people will be off the week between Christmas and New Years and a lot of you will be going to the movies to catch one of those end-of-the-year blockbusters. But “ Money Smart Life” says you don’t have to break the bank.

• First go to a matinee.

• They are generally 2$ to 4$ cheaper.

• Join a rewards program. You can get a free ticket sometimes by just filling out a free reward membership.

• Eat before you go. Movie theaters know there is nothing like the smell of popcorn so they jack up the price.

• in fact concession items are were they make the most money.
So, enjoy the theater, but don’t drop your last few bucks there. Here is a great website:
http://moneysmartlife.com/save-money-movie-theatre-discounted-free-tickets/