General Electric GeoSpring 50g Hybrid Electric Water Heater

^{Image by reiner.kraft via Flickr}

This is my favorite time of year!  December is a busy month full of time spent with family and friends.  People go out of their way to spread a little extra holiday cheer.  And homes are decorated beautifully.  There are so many beautiful trees and lights.

And while some people are sad to see Christmas end, I'm always excited about the thought of the new year.  2012 is just around the corner.  It's a time for fresh beginnings and new starts!  It's a time to turn your dreams into realities.

This week, my husband and I will sit down and create our budget for 2012.  We'll assess 2011, figure out what worked, what didn't work, and what we can do better.  One of the items that is now a must in our budget is our home decor/home improvement budget.

This is one of the areas that people often overlook in their budget, especially when they have limited funds.  Amazingly enough, it's one of those areas where a little money can go a long way.  By setting aside a little money each month, you can transform your home into a place you love to be.

Here are some great ways to make your home look a little fresher without spending a ton of money. Read More …

Cyber Monday is a great time to score deals, but waiting for sales isn't the only way to get discounts on items.  Often you can score great prices just by asking. 

Here are the unwritten rules of how to haggle and when to do it. Read More …

^{Photo courtesy of Justin Henry, via Flickr}

According to a recent article on the environmental blog Grist, we have Walmart to thank for our stuff falling apart. The argument goes like this: thanks to Walmart's never-ending quest to lower prices, we're seeing a steady drop in the quality and durability of clothing, electronics, and other items. This means we have to replace our stuff more, which in turn means we're spending more and doing damage to the environment. Read More …