Although spring is usually when we think of weddings, this summer I seem to be surrounded by them as well. Two cousins recently tied the knot (not to each other), and my sister is planning her upcoming nuptials. High profile brides like Chelsea Clinton and Carrie Underwood also took the plunge this summer, sparing no expense with lavish ceremonies and hundreds of guests.

If you're among those looking to get hitched soon, you are likely searching for a perfect location for your wedding and/or reception. If you don't have the finances to rent an entire New York estate like Chelsea, or even one of its wings, consider these ideas for venues that will fit even the smallest budget. Read More …

More and more companies are offering printable coupons, which is great for the savvy shopper. However, printables can be paper and ink hogs when the manufacturer also uses your inkjet printout as a marketing opportunity. Printing a 50 cent coupon that includes a full-color, full-page ad devalues your coupon significantly when you factor in the cost of ink, so use these strategies to reduce your ink and paper consumption. Read More …

As of June, the United States unemployment rate was 9.5%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With millions of Americans unable to find work, some organizations have begun to respond by offering discounts or other savings for qualified individuals. While the list that follows is not exhaustive, it provides good examples of the types of savings available to the jobless. Read More …

Katie recently posted about the thrill of uncovering hidden gems at your local neighborhood yard sale.   And, as summer yard sales are in full swing, I'm going to give you a few simple steps that can help you get the best deal on yard sale treasures. Read More …

As everyone in our family becomes potty-trained, we've started to venture farther from home during summer vacation each year. To get the most out of our vacation bucks, I've started looking for ways to save during increasingly long car rides. Once we arrive at our destination, we like to eat out and buy souvenirs impulsively, so I always try to offset our splurges by saving during the drive there.

Here are some of the best ideas I've borrowed from friends and family. Read More …

As school winds down and the days get warmer, my heart starts to beat a little quicker. The kids and I both know what's coming: weeks and weeks of summer camp. From church camp to band camp to nature camp, they've tried it all. And loved every minute (except for the time I forgot to send soap AND shampoo). As a responsible, if forgetful, mother, I always try to make sure they've got the gear they need to make it through a week of adventure.

These are some of the essentials I've already started packing. Read More …

So you scraped and saved for months, dreaming of sunny Gulf Coast beaches and pristine turquoise waters. You've eaten cardboard since Christmas so you could fit into that one-size-too-small bikini. You even enrolled in a strategic packing course to learn how to get all those souvenirs into your luggage.

And then the BP oil spill came along. Even experts aren't sure about the final impact the leak will have on Gulf Coast, or even East Coast, beaches. To get an idea about where it's headed, take a look at USA Today's oil spill tracking, which graphs daily observations as ocean currents move the spill.

While it may seem selfish to think about oneself when lives have been lost and an environmental disaster looms, our lives do go on. Those summer vacation days you put in for so long ago still have to be used.

Here are some inland alternatives for vacationers who are considering retreating from the beaches this year. Read More …