Save gas and the environment at the same time With gas prices soaring, many motorists are changing some of their driving habits to save fuel by buying gas-sipping vehicles and consolidating their trips. With Earth Day right around the corner on April 22, these fuel-saving tips also help preserve the environment and help you "Mobilize the Earth". One way motorists save fuel is by planning routes in advance. Not mapping out destinations increases the chances of getting lost, ...

Mortgage/rent, groceries, savings, insurance... these are the non-negotiable expenses in someones monthly budget. And lets face it, most of us arent exactly thrilled to shell out a portion of our hard-earned money for insurance -- especially car insurance. The fact of the matter is, many of us pay our car insurance premiums diligently every month -- and never actually have to use it. We dont get into any major accidents -- and small scuffs from taking a curb too close simply arent worth filin...

Its back-to-school season, which means new shoes, apparel, gear and technology for kids -- and a gigantic Visa statement for parents. According to a recent report by Forbes, parents of kids in K-12 will spend an average of $873 per child, while college parents will spend more than $1,100 per child. Multiply this by a few kids -- and thats a lot of money! If youre looking for ways to save this back-to-school season, youve come to the right place. Here are 5: 1. Buy used books. If your ...

Those last-minute deals online are too good to pass up: 40% off and free, 2-day shipping? Quadruple rewards points? And no long lines at the mall? Online shopping is a great way to snag great deals -- all from the comfort of your own home (and in your pjs with your favorite warm drink!). However, the like any transaction, there are security issues to keep in mind when buying online -- but by following a few basic guidelines, you can greatly minimize your risk! 1. Be careful with your p...

As 2015 draws to a close, you may be making resolutions to eat healthier, get to the gym and save more money. If saving money is on your list, you may be considering upgrading to new, energy-efficient home appliances. But these new gadgets often come with hefty price tags -- which raise the question of whether theyll save you enough money to be worthwhile. Today, we are looking at some of the "smart" appliance upgrades out there -- and whether you should consider the investment. Thermosta...

For many of us, paying our insurance premiums every month can feel like, well, a waste of money. If were lucky, we dont actually see our money being put to use -- because, the majority of the time, those worst-case catastrophes never happen. Heres the thing: insurance doesnt just protect you from worst-case, life-changing events, it also protects you from that annoying, ugh-why-is-it-happening-to-me-now stuff that can really put a damper on your monthly budget. Safeco coverage is added to...

As winter wears on and you find yourself spending more time indoors, you may be noticing little things around the house that you normally wouldnt. The worn-away grout in your bathroom. The drafts coming from your doors and windows. Your old, out-dated appliances. Blame it on one-too-many HDTV reruns, but, if you find yourself wondering whether its time to upgrade or not, here are the guidelines: Dishwasher... 9 years. Average cost to replace: $240-$700. If you want to...

Its going to be a cold week here in Cincinnati, which can only mean one thing: high heating bills. (And snow!) Guess what? You can stay warm and save money!  We have put together a helpful guide that can help you reduce the amount of money you’re spending each month. Here are 5 tips to saving money on your home electricity bill: 1. GET AN ENERGY AUDIT DONE ON YOUR HOME Youve probably gotten energy audit notices from Duke in your mailbox, and tossed them. Dont! A...

Tax season is upon us, and as you sit down to fill out your 2015 return, you may find yourself scrambling to track down all of those receipts, W2s and other important documents. Having an organized filing system is critical -- and easy! Here are 4 ways to stay organized, so you can have everything you need to maximize that return! 1. Toss the ATM receipts and paper statements Once your deposits have been made, youll be able to access your account information electronically. All...

One of the ways you can save major money on car insurance is by opting for a plug-in diagnostic kit. Known as SmartRide, Snapshot or In-Drive (depending on your insurance company), this device attaches to the inside of your car (like an external hard drive connects to a USB port) and gives you personalized feedback to help you make safer driving decisions. All of your actions while behind the wheel -- miles driven, speed, acceleration, deceleration, what time of day you drive and how quickly...

For a second year in a row, Ohio is offering a weekend-long sales tax holiday to help back-to-school shoppers reduce the cost of clothing and school supplies. Read on for the scoop on Ohios 2016 Tax Free Weekend. This years tax holiday is Aug. 5-7, beginning at 12 a.m. on the 5th and ending at 11:59 p.m. on the 7th. The tax exemption applies to clothing and footwear items that cost $75 or less and to supplies and instructional materials that cost $20 or less. Items priced higher than those ...

As homeowners, raking leaves might be the most hated task. Unlike shoveling snow or mowing, raking leaves feels like a Sisyphean task that just.wont.end. But -- there may be good news! The Natural Wildlife Federation (NWF) actually recommends that homeowners ditch the rakes. Heres why: Dead leaves make a great wildlife habitat Butterflies and songbirds depend on leaf litter, says the NWF. "Over winter months, a lot of butterflies and moths as pupa or caterpillar are in the leaf ...

Tis the season for the holidays -- leaving our waistlines a little bigger and our bank accounts a little smaller! While we cant offer any advice for keeping your diet on track (thats what Januarys for, no?), we can help you save a little money this holiday season. How? By reviewing your car insurance policy, of course! As the inforgraphic ave illustrates, there are many ways to trim your auto policy. Here are some more top money-saving tips: 1. Bundle up! Were not talking about out...

Its common knowledge that one of the quickest and easiest ways to lower your car insurance premiums is to raise your deductible. But is it worth it? Here are 3 scenarios where you should think twice about raising your deductible: 1. You have a new car Congrats -- you have a new pair of wheels (and likely, a new car payment...). Before you change your deductible, consider what would happen in the event of an accident. There is no getting around needing full coverage that includes the coll...

As we get older and go through lifes many milestones, our car insurance premiums can change. We know its probably the furthest thing from your mind (especially as youre saying "I do!" or welcoming a new baby), but its true. Much of the time, these life changes affect your premiums for the better; meaning, theyll result in significant savings. Here are 5 life milestones that affect your car insurance: 1. Getting Married Saying "I do" doesnt just mean metaphorically joining your li...

Homeowners insurance is homeowners insurance... right? Its not. Picking a homeowners policy is about as straightforward as choosing a home -- there are lots of options, lots of hidden costs, lots of variety. Dont assume that the same company youve been using for your car insurance will be the best for your homeowners insurance. While its true that bundling policies saves money, you could save more money by moving your policies to a new insurer. Dont be afraid to look around! Here are ...

Insurance provides peace of mind for whatever life throws your way, which is priceless. However, insurance itself does come with a price. And, while there are many ways to save money with your policies, the truth of the matter is, not all policies are worth it. But there are certain types of insurance every single person needs, period. So read on and make sure youre covered in these areas! Here are 5 types of insurance you absolutely need: 1. Homeowners/Renters If you have a mortgage, insu...